CAST

 
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DELIA HANNAH

- SHARON

Delia is New Zealand’s most highly acclaimed music theatre performer with an amazing list of international credits. 

She was cast by Andrew Lloyd Webber to star in the UK tour of Aspects of Love and has also toured extensively through Australia and Asia, including China.


Along with this Delia has starred in Mamma Mia, Les Miserables, Westside Story, Beach Blanket Tempest, The Buddy Holly Story, Chess, Blood Brothers, Cats, Into the Woods, The Wizard of Oz, Three Penny Opera, Mary Poppins, the Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Songs for a new World. Nowadays, as well as performing, Delia works as a vocal coach passing on her philosophy and experience.

Delia played Sharon in the successful 2016 professional tour of State Highway 48 and is looking forward to bringing it to life in her home town.


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STEVE O’REILLY

- DAVE

This is Steve’s first production with Old Rockers Inc after having previously performed in Auckland in Guys & Dolls, Blood Brothers & Miss Saigon. His more recent credits include playing Harry Bright in Amici’s 2014 Mamma Mia, Freddie Trumper in Chess, Guido Contini in Auckland Music Theatres production of Nine, North Shore Music Theatre's Jekyll & Hyde & last year's Amici's production of Mamma Mia playing Sam.

Steve has just left the Bruce Mason stage playing the henchman "Khashoggi" in "We Will Rock You". Steve is very much looking forward to entertaining Auckland audiences along with a stellar cast with such a heartfelt story.


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CHRIS TEMPEST

-BLACK DOG

Working as an actor in New Zealand for 13 years, Chris has been involved with many projects ranging from educational school theatre to national tv soap actor as Dr. Josh. This will be his first professional musical, fulfilling a long-time ambition. Currently working on short films as an actor and director. Though Chris has a heavy theatre background with many years and many shows under his belt, this will be the first time in 4 years since he has taken the stage to a live theatre audience. 


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PATRICK KELLY

- BENNY 

Patrick Kelly is a renowned international tenor who has worked extensively throughout New Zealand and Australia, Japan, China and the US. 

He has recently worked for NZ Opera in the Barber of Seville, as Lillas Pastia in Carmen and Maxi Flair in Live Drag Opera. He just returned from L.A. attending the Broadway Dreams LA Intensive working with Chris Hanke, Balint Vargas and Annette Tanner.

Patrick has worked for 25 years, sharing the stage debut with Dame Malvina Major in Madama Butterfly in 1997 and working with John Owen Jones in Phantom in Japan last year,  He works as a Musical Director with JR Reuben, Delilah Hanna and Esther Stephens on Deeper Water and will appear with Hayden Tee in Les Miserables later this year at the Civic.  

He has worked on Broadway in November last year alongside Alex Newell and Spencer Liff at the Broadway Dreams New York Showcase. 

He is playing Jean Valjean at the Civic in Auckland in November and is the proud cofounder of Broadway Dream New Zealand.

He is thrilled to be working again with Geoff Turkington and Rachael Penman on State Highway 48.


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JENN SHELTON

- HELEN

Born in New Zealand,  34 year old kiwi singer Jenn Shelton is blessed with powerhouse vocal ability and a unique, soulful tone. Her versatile voice belies her age, leaving the distinct impression that she is an old soul who was simply born to sing.

 In recent years Jenn won 'New Zealand's Best Female Vocal' in a nationally televised competition for singers.
She is an experienced and professional vocalist who is at home on the stage.   
She enjoys writing, creating and producing her own original music and headlines an original Jazz band in Wanaka, New Zealand.

 

Aside from her active performance schedule, Jenn runs her own successful business as a vocal tutor and performance coach. She gains great satisfaction from passing on her experience and knowledge to students of all ages and backgrounds. 

 In other performance opportunities, Jenn has worked as a dancer with the likes of KISS and Ozzy Osbourne.

 Singing and performing are not just hobbies for Jenn, but a lifestyle. The passion she has for her art is obvious to all those who have either worked with her or heard her perform. Jenn was part of the successful 2016 State Highway 48 tour and loves the show for its important message told in everyday terms. Fresh from her role as Oz in We Will Rock You, she’s really looking forward to taking part in State Highway 48.


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ADAM BURREL

- JOHN

Adam Burrell is an Auckland based professional actor/singer and live entertainer who has had the pleasure of performing all over Aotearoa for over 15 years.

Adam has been involved in numerous professional  theatre projects with a major highlight being the performance of the NZ original work “K’RD Strip” in the 2015 Edinburgh International Fringe Festival.

He has also participated in no less than 20 professional children's theatre productions including 2 nationwide tours with Capital E (NZ’s national theatre for children).Adam performed in the male choir for the Adele Concert (2017) and also has extensive experience within the world of drag.

"I look forward to every single chance to live My dream- and perform!"


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OTIS HERRING

- PHIL

OTIS DONOVAN HERRING is a native of College Park,Georgia, USA. He received his training and BFA from Howard University in Washington, D.C. under the late Dr. Sherrill Berryman Johnson.

While there, he had the privilege to perform with Kankouran West African Dance Company, and works by many other notable artists and choreographers. He later moved to Brooklyn, New York to dance with Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, A Dance Company, Camille A. Brown & Dancers, and other distinguished companies and choreographers from 2007-2013. Mr. Herring was the assistant to the choreographer on Broadway's "A Streetcar Named Desire," and has been a part of developmental workshops for original musicals.  

In 2013, Otis moved to Auckland, New Zealand to join Black Grace Dance company under the direction of Neil Ieremia. After 4 years of national and international touring, Otis modelled for the World of Wearable Art (WOW) in Wellington, New Zealand winning multiple awards for the designers of three garments. He also danced with Trip The Light Dance Collective under the direction of Perri Exeter and Joash Fahitua. Last year, Otis was a Co-Dance Captain of the resident musical at Sky City Theatre, City of 100 Lovers. While following his artistic path, he teaches ASA! African fitness, and contemporary movement locally and internationally, and has choreographed productions for T.A.P.A.C. and Basement Theatre. Otis is overjoyed with the opportunity to continue developing his artistic voice with State Highway 48, and is thankful for the love and support from God, family, and friends. 


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CHARLOTTE NIGHTINGALE

- ANNA

Charlotte trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London and worked as an actor and a teacher before emigrating to New Zealand in 2009. Charlotte then spent 7 years as Artistic Director of Peaches and Pickles Performing Arts before landing her dream job as General Manager at Touch Compass, New Zealand’s leading inclusive professional performing arts organisation. 

Charlotte has continued to work in film, TV and theatre throughout her career. Credits include: Eastenders, Keen Eddie, Derailed, Children of Men and Linda Burgen in Shortland Street. Production singer for Thomson Cruise Lines, Jill in Humpty Dumpty UK tour, Ophelia in Hamlet Turtle Keys Arts Centre, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream UK tour, the Witch in Into the Woods Centrestage Theatre and Tanya in Mamma Mia at The Bruce Mason Centre. Adverts include Royal Bank of Scotland, Grey Goose, Mountgay Rum, O2, Vector and Countdown. Charlotte is thrilled to be part of the Auckland cast for State Highway 48. 


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RENÉE SHERIDAN

- GAIL

Renée trained as an actor at Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School and has performed at many of the country’s professional theatres including Wellington’s Downstage, Circa and Bats Theatres, Palmerston North’s Centrepoint, Auckland’s Basement, The Herald and the Pop-Up Globe.

Screen credits include some of the country’s popular series including Paradise Café, Shortland St, Westside, Brokenwood Mysteries, web–series High Road, the soon to be released Rūrangi and feature films Shopping and Pork Pie.

As a voice artist she has worked with Radio New Zealand, Mediaworks, Learning Media, The Blind Foundation, and has voiced many radio and television commercials.


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RUPERT ARCHER

- SAM

Rupert is 8 years old and has been performing either on stage or in front of the camera since he was 3.  Most recently he played Young Simba in Majors n Minors production of the Lion King Jr. He has appeared in a number of TV commercials, modelled and last year was the was the co-lead in a short film.  As well as singing and acting Rupert is a talented cellist.

Last year he passed his ABRSM Grade 5 cello with high distinction and will be sitting his grade 6 later this year. He is also working towards his Grade 5 in classical voice and has won  numerous instrumental and vocal competitions. When Rupert is not entertaining others he can usually be found playing piano, designing buildings in Minecraft or writing stories. He is thrilled to be making his professional theatre debut on State Highway 48 alongside such a talented cast. 


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TIA ORMSBY

- EMMA

Twelve year old Tia is no stranger to the stage performing as Debbie Wilkinson in ATC’s Billy Elliot the Musical, in George Orwell’s 1984 with GWB, and recently taking on the challenge of Dorothy in Manukau Performing Arts, The Wiz. She has also been cast in community junior productions of Honk!, Into the Woods, Alice in Wonderland, Once on this Island, and Bugsy Malone. 

Proud to be of Ngati Maniapoto, Ngati Porou and Ngapuhi descent, Tia is working towards fluency in Te Reo, aswell as spending her time dancing, in kapahaka, playing the piano and studying musical theatre.

Tia wants to acknowledge her whanau, friends, LBF Actors, and Emma Bishop of StageAntics. She is excited and grateful to be performing for the first time at the Bruce Mason Theatre, helping tell this story as part of such a talented cast.