Angel Cast Bios

CHRISTIAN ANDERSON (Ensemble) is very excited to be part of the Rent first national tour. Christian performed in bands from New Haven to Seattle, then moved on to regional theatre. He originated the role of Joe Goldman in Take It Easy off-Broadway, and was last seen as Roger and Mark in both the Broadway and first national companies of Rent. Christian dedicates his performance to the memory of his grandfather.

DEAN BALKWILL (Roger) made his Broadway debut after having performed with the Canadian company of Rent. A native of Saskatchewan, his most important roles are being husband to the greatest woman ever, and, in June '98, becoming a dad. "Thank you, my Heavenly Father, for providing me in every way. And 'Little One,' I love you."

MARCUS CHANEY (Swing) is happy to join the cast of Rent. Credits: Miss Saigon (John) Germany, Don't...Cope, Get Down The Pounds with Richard Simmons, and recently rejoined his fellow singers at Motown Cafe NYC. He would like to thank God and his family for all their support during his career. "LOVE YOU!"

COURTNEY COREY (Swing) is proud to be making her national touring debut with Rent. Regional credits: Hair (Jeannie); Hello, Dolly! (Irene Molloy); Ruthless! (Judy Denmark). A recent graduate of San Diego State, Courtney spent most of 1996 performing at Tokyo Disneyland. She wishes to thank everyone who helped make this dream come true.

KRISTOFFER CUSICK (Performing Swing/Dance Captain) is excited to be making his theatrical debut in Rent. He has traveled as a singer and dancer throughout Europe and Japan, and choreographed in his native California where he has served as a State Youth Talent Ambassador. Kristoffer would like to thank his family and friends for their unconditional love and support.

EVAN D'ANGELES (Ensemble). A native of Long Beach, Calif., Evan joins the Rent family directly from Broadway's Miss Saigon. Credits: Rent (Angel), Cats (Mungojerrie/Skimbleshanks), My Fair Lady, The King and I, Yeston's Phantom. TV credits: Disney Channel. An inspiring Christian contemporary artist/songwriter sings his praises, "My love to the Lord, Jesus Christ! To the wise, my friends, my agent John and beloved family...a gift! --Proverbs 3: 5,6."

SHAUN EARL (Angel). A native of California, he made his Broadway debut as Angel. He appeared on the TV show "Fame" for its last two seasons. Films: Coming to America and The Bodyguard, among others. Also shared the stage with Paula Abdul, Vanessa Williams and a 2-1/2 year tour with Reba McEntire. His stage debut was in Fame--The Musical and he feels blessed and thanks God for performing in the cast of Rent.

TREY ELLETT (Mark). Regional credits: Michael John LaChuisa's new musical The Highest Yellow, Macbeth (Malcolm), The Merchant of Venice (Lorenzo), Drood (John Jasper), The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Edmund), seasons at Seaside Music Theatre and Mill Mountain. Co-founder of NYC-based theatre company Eight Productions. "Thanks to incredible friends and family, especially Mom and Caroline, this one's for you!"

MARK LEROY JACKSON (Tom Collins) made his theatrical debut in Rent, appearing in the Broadway, second national tour and London productions. Prior to Rent, Mark worked as a studio singer in New York. He would like to thank his family and friends for their love and support and dedicated this performance to his mentor, Duane Davis. Also, many thanks to Bernie, Michael, Allan, Kevin and Jeffrey. "I'm proud to be a part of this wonderful experience."

ERIN KEANEY (Maureen) is thrilled to be a part of Rent. Past credits include I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change; R.S.V.P. Broadway; Move Over Mrs. Markham; A Party to Murder; and Crazy For You. Originally from Toronto, Erin also studied with Second City master class for two years and is working on her one-woman show. "All my love to my family and friends and Brett."

BRIAN M. LOVE (Benny) is absolutely thrilled and feels blessed to be making his Rent debut. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, his regional credits include Ain't Misbehavin' (Ken); Big River (Jim); Kiss of the Spider Woman (Valentin); Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?; and The All Night Strut. "Much love to family and all glory and praise to the Lord. Without Him, I'd be nothing."

KAMILAH MARTIN (Joanne) joins the cast of Rent with a host of theatrical credits including Hello, Dolly! with Nell Carter and Timoune in Once on This Island. She made her film debut in An American President. Kamilah gives thanks and honor to God for this opportunity and to her family and friends for their support.

JENNY MAXWELL (Swing) comes from a musical family in San Antonio, Texas, where she began singing at age 5. She has been seen as Dorothy in The Wiz as well as Tina Turner in Afro Puffs. After completing her bachelor's degree from Our Lady of the Lake University, she is making her professional debut in Rent. She would like to thank God, her family and friends for their constant love and support.

ALAN MINGO, JR. (Ensemble) rejoins this company after appearing as Tom Collins with the second national tour. Alan is from the D.C. metro area, but spent the last three years at the University of California-Irvine, where he just received his masters in acting. Last fall, he was seen co-starring on "Frasier." Alan thanks God, his family and friends (especially mom and Aaron) for their never-ending love and support. He dedicates this performance to James Mingo.

LAMBERT MOSS (Ensemble) is a singer from New York's East Village. As his alter ego Ebony Jet, he is a regular featured performer at Don Hill's Squeeze Box and the outdoor festival Wigstock. He would like to thank God, his family, friends, Bernie and the producers for the chance to pay his Rent.

MATTHEW MURPHY (Swing) made his Broadway debut in Rent. 22 years of age, Matt has done theatre most of his life. For the last six years he has devoted much of his time to his rock band in Cleveland "Rumor Has It". Matt would like to thank God, family and friends for all their support.

KAREN OLIVO (Performing Swing) joins this company of Rent directly from the New York company, where she made her Broadway debut. She attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music as a musical theatre major. She would like to thank her parents for their support and the powers that be for her amazing husband, Scott.

DAPHNE RUBIN-VEGA (Mimi) created the role of Mimi in the original workshop and Broadway productions for which she earned the Tony and Drama Desk nominations for Best Actress and received the Theatre World Award. Her debut album, on Mercury Records, will be released this year. She co-starred with Matt Dillon and Kevin Bacon in the 1998 Columbia Pictures/Mandalay Entertainment motion picture Wild Things, and will be seen along with Robert DeNiro in the new Joel Schumacher film, Flawless, due later this year.

CHERI SMITH (Ensemble), a summa cum laude graduate of U.C.L.A. and a native of Los Angeles, is overjoyed to be a part of the Rent experience. Cheri has choreographed many productions throughout California. Her theatre credits include Anita in West Side Story, The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Reagan in King Lear and Elizabeth in The Crucible. Cheri wants to thank God, her family, Christian, her friends and the studio for their love and support.

ALICIA WESTELMAN (Ensemble). Born in Montreal, Canada, Alicia is thrilled to be making her American debut in Rent. A recent graduate of Dawson Coll ege Theatre Program, Alicia's credits include Orpheus Descending, Mush Ado About Nothing, Little Shop of Horrors and Into the Woods. "Thanks to friends, family and teachers for their support."