Million Dollar Quartet

BLAKE BURGESS (Johnny Cash) is honored to be making his debut at Ensemble Theatre Company! He recently played Johnny Cash at Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theater. Blake has toured nationally and around the world in productions that include Spamalot (Sir Bedevere) [National], The Wizard of OZ (Ensemble/US Lion) [International], and Jersey Boys (Swing) [Norwegian Cruise Lines]. Favorite regional credits include Jersey Boys (Nick Massi) [La Mirada Theatre, New London Barn Playhouse], Young Frankenstein (The Monster) [Atlanta Lyric Theatre], Titanic (Charles Lightoller) [Serenbe Playhouse], Of Mice and Men (Lennie) [Serenbe Playhouse], The Sound of Music (Captain Von Trapp) [The Promise]. Blake also works in TV/Film and can be seen in “Aaron Hernandez: American Sports Story” (FX), “Ozark” (Netflix), “Class of ’09” (FX), and others. He earned a B.A. in Theatre while playing collegiate football at Auburn University, where he was a part of the 2010 National Championship team. Blake would like to thank his family, his reps at ATB and Bright Artist Management, and his incredible wife Priscilla, without whom none of this is possible. Lastly, he would like to send snuggles to their cat Irving Purrlin. You can find more information about Blake on Instagram @Blake_Burg or on his website: blakeburgessactor.com

GUS GRAHAM (Fluke) is thrilled to be making his ETC debut with this incredible cast and creative team! Gus was born and raised in Ventura County, where he has also made a career for himself as a drummer, musician and performer. He has played the drums for multiple bands over the past 10 years, as well as recorded many albums. Gus grew up going through the education program at Rubicon Theatre Company from 2011 through 2018. Here he found a strong foundation in the theatre, having performed in numerous productions during his time there, such as: Beauty And The Beast, On The Town, Grease, Rubicon Family Christmas, and more. Gus was also a member of the vocal group The Rubicon Harmonix under the musical direction of Miriam Arichea and direction by Brian McDonald. Gus performed with this group of 9 vocalists all over the county in a variety of settings including foster homes, boys and girls clubs, and various benefit concerts to help raise money for Rubicon’s education program. Since then, Gus has continued to focus on music. He plays in bands in the local scenes of Ventura and LA Counties. This marks his return to theatre after some years, and he is thrilled to be part of such an iconic show. Gus would like to extend a special and warm thank you to his wonderful parents, siblings and his girlfriend Jackie for their unconditional love and support. Follow Gus at @gusgrahm

IAN FAIRLEE (Jerry Lee Lewis) is an actor/pianist/voiceover artist based in New York City who is thrilled to be here at Ensemble Theatre Company performing in his home state for the first time in 12 years! Off-Broadway credits include The Boys from Syracuse (Dromio of Ephesus), Foolerie (Sommers), and The Underclassman (Freddy Forgan). He was most recently seen this year in Theatre Raleigh’s critically acclaimed production of Tick, Tick… Boom! as Jonathan Larson. Additionally, he’s appeared as Jerry Lee Lewis in productions of Million Dollar Quartet at Cape Fear Regional Theatre in Fayetteville NC, New Stage Theatre in Jackson MS, and Theatre Raleigh in Raleigh NC, for which he received a regional BroadwayWorld award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. As an accomplished voiceover artist, Ian’s voice can be heard on campaigns for Bonobos, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Circle K, as well as the full-length documentary “Smithsonian Time Capsule: Beyond Stonewall.” Ian regularly performs with his identical twin brother Matt, following successful cabarets The Very Good Show and The Even Better Show at The Green Room 42 in New York City. He would like to give special thanks to his fiancé Peter, as well as his childhood piano teacher Karen who always believed in him, even when he never practiced enough as a teenager. Proud graduate of Pace Musical Theatre. For more info visit www.ianfairlee.com, follow on Instagram at @ianfairlee, or follow him and Matt at @fairleetwins on Instagram and YouTube for twice the fun.

ANDY HOFF (Sam Phillips) is excited to be making his ETC debut. He currently resides in LA, but his heart will always be in his previous home city, New York. There, he co-founded and ran a small, off-Broadway company, Broken Watch Theatre Co. Since moving west, he has focused primarily on film and TV, including roles on “Mad Men,” “Criminal Minds,” “Justified,” “NCIS,” “King Richard,” “Birds of Prey” and many more. Favorite theatre credits include Father Flynn in Doubt, Joey in A Steady Rain, for which he won the coveted Robbie Award for best actor, and File in the recent Laguna Playhouse production of The Rainmaker. When not on set or in the theatre, Andy owns and runs a pie company in Manhattan Beach, Harlan’s Pie Company. Although it is named it after his son, Harlan is two and a half and refuses to do any of the work. Proud member of AEA and SAG/AFTRA.

JANAYA MAHEALANI JONES (Dyanne) theatre credits include Janelle Woods in Beautiful: the Carole King Musical (Moonlight Amphitheater) Hunnie in Jelly’s Last Jam (Pasadena Playhouse) Della/Belle in Team Starkid’s VHS Christmas Carols (Apollo Theater Chicago), Felicia Farrell in Memphis, Esmeralda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Linda in The Wedding Singer (Moonlight Amphitheatre), Lady of the Lake in Spamalot (Theatre at the Welk), Marty in Grease (Musical Theatre West) & Stanley/Henry in The Rockwell Musical Parody of Stephen King’s IT. Other credits include shows at The Old Globe Theatre, Lambs Players, San Diego Music Theatre, and 5 Star Theatricals. Huge Thank you to ATB talent for supporting me and to my Mom for being my number 1 fan. To Will: “You’re my dream come true, my one and only you.” @esmerelduhhh_

JORDAN LAMOUREUX (Brother Jay Perkins) is thrilled to be making his Ensemble Theatre Company debut in Million Dollar Quartet. As a seasoned bassist, Jordan brings a rich background of diverse musical experiences to this production. He has toured extensively across the United States and internationally, including with the platinum-selling band Augustana and performing alongside ARIA Award-winning artist Conrad Sewell. Closer to home, Jordan is a familiar face in Southern California’s honky-tonk scene, where he regularly plays with various country bands all over the region. In addition to his work in live music, Jordan’s career has led him to television and film. He has appeared on The Tonight Show and additionally his bass playing has also been featured on the soundtracks of numerous major motion pictures. A dedicated contributor to the world of musical theater, Jordan has spent the last two decades in orchestra pits for productions throughout Southern California, collaborating with a wide range of theater companies. Jordan is honored to share his passion for music and theater with Ensemble Theatre Company’s audience and is excited to help bring this legendary story to life.

WILL RIDDLE (Carl Perkins) is grateful to be making his debut with Ensemble Theatre Company. A Los Angeles native and a fifth-generation actor and musician, he has performed as a session singer, lead guitarist (appearing on the debut record “Into the Night” from LA band LAROCA LAROCA), and voice over artist for PBS. He gives thanks to his “Unto” Mikey, for injecting the guitar into his blood. He gives love and gratitude to Janaya, who holds him in tune, and inspires the melody. A massive thank you to the fantastic team at ATB for their support. Theatre credits include Carl Perkins in Million Dollar Quartet (5 Star and Musical Theatre West) Bo Barrett in Bottle Shock! The Musical (CCAE), John in Staring Into Nothing (El Portal) and Hamlet in Perchance to Dream (Pico Union Project, Original Cast Album streaming now.) Socials: @will_riddle_

NICK VOSS (Elvis Presley) became internationally known in 2011 performing on the FOX TV show “X- Factor” singing Elvis Presley’s “Trouble.” He has Appeared on television shows such as USA Networks “Burn Notice” and various Nickelodeon TV shows. Nick has performed in Million Dollar Quartet for the past 7 years with NCL.

BRIAN McDONALD (Director) is an award-winning actor and director honored with the Ventura Mayor’s Award for Emerging Artist. Before moving to the East Coast, he appeared in the Broadway National Tours of Miss Saigon and Forever Plaid, the latter of which he also directed for various regional theaters, including Rubicon Theatre Company. He has appeared on the stages of The Denver Center, Theatre Virginia, The Lyric Stage, La Mirada Performing Arts Center, Ensemble Theatre Company, Pasadena Playhouse, Rubicon Theatre Company, Thousand Oaks Performing Arts Center, and the Ahmanson. In 2002, LA Weekly honored him with the Best Supporting Actor Award for performing as Gaveston in Edward II. On Television, Brian appeared in the award-winning ABC/PBS Afterschool Special “In the Shadow of Love: A Teen AIDS Story” and on “Gilmore Girls and has appeared in various commercials.” Directing credits include A Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, A Tuna Christmas, The Sunset Limited (with Emmy-winner Joe Spano), Other Desert Cities, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, The Thanksgiving Play, Bus Stop which received 5 Ovation nominations including Best Play, Master Harold… and the boys, nominated for 3 Ovation awards including Best Play and earned him an Independent Award and StageScene LA Award for Best Director and the world-premiere musical, Hello! My Baby, written and conceived by Tony-nominated Emmy and Golden Globe winner Cheri Steinkellner. He also developed and directed the popular holiday musical revue, A Rubicon Family Christmas. As an actor, Brian has appeared on the stages of the Denver Center, Theatre Virginia, The Lyric Stage, La Mirada Performing Arts Center, Ensemble Theatre Company, Rubicon Theatre Company, Pasadena Playhouse, Thousand Oaks Performing Arts Center, and the Ahmanson. Brian’s most recent work on stage garnered an Independent Award for his performance in the one-man show Buyer and Cellar. In 2002, LA Weekly honored him with the Best Supporting Actor Award for his performance as Gaveston in the Circle X production of Edward II directed by Michael Michetti. On Television, Brian starred in the award-winning ABC/PBS Afterschool Special “In the Shadow of Love: A Teen AIDS Story” and guest starred on “Gilmore Girls” and various commercials. He is a B.F.A. graduate of the Boston Conservatory and is a member of the Screen Actors Guild, The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, and Actors’ Equity Association.

DAVID LAMOUREUX (Music Director) is pleased to collaborate with ETC for the first time on his fourth production of Million Dollar Quartet. Favorite theatre credits include An American In Paris (IRNE nomination), Once, Follies, Spamalot (LADCC nomination), The Producers (Ovation nomination), Parade (Ovation nomination), Avenue Q, West Side Story, Sunset Blvd, Evita, A Chorus Line, Chess, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Wedding Singer, High Fidelity, RENT, Sweeney Todd, Into The Woods, City of Angels, The Most Happy Fella The Secret Garden, Phantom, Godspell, On the 20th Century and, most recently, the 25th-Anniversary LA revival of Reefer Madness: The Musical! David co-created, music produced, and creative directed the immersive nightlife experience, La Cage – Live at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, and has composed the scores for The Donner Party, The House We Never Lived In, and The Mailbox. As a music director, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist, David has also collaborated with myriad commercial music artists, including Gwen Stefani, Yoshiki, Augustana, Vanessa Carlton, Conrad Sewell, Rachel Bloom, and Dave Eggar, contributing to performances on concert stages around the globe, as well as guest appearances on “Saturday Night Live,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “Ellen,” “Conan,” and “The American Music Awards.” For more information, visit www.davidlamoureuxcreative.com.

COLIN ESCOTT (Playwright) was born in England and now lives near Nashville, Tennessee. He is the author of Good Rockin’ Tonight: Sun Records and the Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll, the first in-depth account of the Sun Records story. His book Hank Williams – The Biography has been adapted into the movie I Saw the Light, starring Tom Hiddleston and Elizabeth Olsen. His multi-CD box set, The Complete Hank Williams, won a Grammy, and another of his productions, B.B. King – King of the Blues, was nominated for a Grammy. Million Dollar Quartet received three Tony nominations, including Best Book and Best Musical. Escott was part of the writing/producing team adapting the show “Sun Records” for CMT/Viacom which aired in 2016.

FLOYD MUTRUX (Playwright) apprenticed at the Alley Theatre in Houston and worked at Second City in Chicago; he attended Columbia University. He has conceived, written, directed, or produced 50 films, including Dusty and Sweets McGee; Freebie and the Bean; Aloha, Bobby and Rose; The Hollywood Knights; American Hot Wax; Dick Tracy; American Me; Blood In, Blood Out; There Goes My Baby; and Mulholland Falls. With his wife Birgitte, he is preparing a new film Moon Over Memphis (a rock-and-roll Field of Dreams.) He also cowrote the musical Baby It’s You! with Colin Escott and helped adapt “Sun Records,” the new television series based on Million Dollar Quartet.

MIKE BILLINGS (Scenic and Lighting Designer) is a New York City-based lighting, scenic, and projection designer and is excited to be returning to Ensemble Theatre Company after designing The Thanksgiving Play last season! West End: Dreamworks’ The Prince of Egypt. Off-Broadway: Vanities, Becoming Dr. Ruth. Regional: Bay Street Theater, Rubicon Theatre Company (three-time LA Ovation Award-nominee), Geva Theatre Center, Berkshire Theatre Group, Laguna Playhouse, Flint Repertory Theatre, Bucks County Playhouse, TheatreWorksSilicon Valley, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Ebony Theatre Company, Guild Hall, Quintessence Theatre Company, Connecticut Repertory Theatre, Dorset Theatre Festival. Themed attractions at Busch Gardens Williamsburg & Six Flags Over Texas, and the international touring exhibitions of Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. BFA from the University of Connecticut. Proud member of United Scenic Artists Local USA829. www.mikebillingsdesign.com IG: @mikebillingsdesign

ABRA FLORES (Costume Designer) has been telling stories with her designs for the past 35 years, both as a designer and educator. As a working Designer, with experiences in multiple venues and production situations (theater, film, dance, and opera), Abra brings a strong knowledge of and appreciation for Costume Design to her work and her teaching. She has initiated, developed, and integrated active programs in costume design and makeup at Ventura College, Moorpark College and CSU, Channel Islands (currently, the CSUCI program is on hiatus). It is very apparent she loves her craft, and takes great pride in creating excellent work, striving to instill in her students a pride in their craftsmanship and a love of theatre. Abra has also created an international program, where groups of students tour various cities in Europe, seeing plays and touring theaters. She received a B.A. in Theatre from Portland State University and a M.F.A. in Costume Design from California Institute of the Arts. Abra is delighted to be collaborating with Ensemble Theatre Company again.

DANNY FIANDACA (Sound Designer) returns to Ensemble Theatre Company having previously designed Ring of Fire. Recent sound design credits include Once (Rubicon Theatre 2024), Moon Mine (Turrell Sky Space, 2024) and Viva La Musica (Princess Cruises, 2024). He has served as assistant/associate to Peter McBoyle for ten years for productions across the U.S. and Asia as well as Broadway (Twyla Tharp’s Come Fly Away). Danny designed all musical theatre productions for Princess cruises between 2010 and 2020, collaborating with Stephen Schwartz and the Jim Henson Company on multiple stage productions. Favorite credits include The Secret Silk (Stephen Schwartz/Princess Cruises), Henson Inspired Silliness (Jim Henson Company/Princess Cruises), In the Heights (Rubicon Theatre), Fantastic Journey (THEA Award – Princess Cruises), and Once – Enchanted Storybook (Vinpearl Land, Phu Quoc, Vietnam).

KRISTAL GEORGOPOULOS (Stage Manager) is looking forward to an inspiring year at ETC as the Production Stage Manager for Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Million Dollar Quartet, Hamlet, and Justice. This will be Kristal’s third season with Ensemble Theatre Company previous credits with ETC include Selling Kabul, The Children, Seared, The Thanksgiving Play, Ring of Fire, The Pianist of Willesden Lane, The Lehman Trilogy, and Alice, Formerly of Wonderland. Other Regional Credits include Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Red Herring, and Sex and Other Disturbances. She is looking forward to another groundbreaking and thought-provoking year in Santa Barbara.

JESSICA HARO (Assistant Stage Manager) is a theater, opera, dance and drag stage manager. Her favorite stage management credits at ETC include ASM for It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Emma and The Thanksgiving Play; stage manager for the encore production of Vincent; and the production stage manager for Lillian, American Son, Selling Kabul and The Children. This summer her dream of stage managing a drag show came true when she stage managed Pacific Pride Foundation’s Royalty of Pride drag pageant and the Pacific Pride Festival’s afterparty featuring drag superstar Jessica Wild. Her other favorite stage management credits include Opera Santa Barbara’s Il Trovatore (ASM) and Pagliacci (ASM), Music Academy of the West’s Carmen (ASM) and L’enfant et les sortilèges (ASM), UCSB Department of Music’s Opera Gala (SM), Out of the Box Theatre Company’s Jesus Christ Superstar (PSM), The Producing Unit’s How to Transcend a Happy Marriage (PSM), and SBCC Dance’s Collective Collaborative 2021 (SM). Jessica graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Communication and worked as a journalist before discovering her love of stage management.

WARD LeHARDY (Dramaturg) joined ETC as Development Associate in January 2023 and has served as dramaturg for ETC’s productions of Seared, The Thanksgiving Play, Ring of Fire, The Lehman Trilogy, Alice, Formerly of Wonderland, and Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors. His previous experience includes work as Office Administrator at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio. He received a bachelor’s degree with honors in Business and Theatre from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas where he undertook extensive dramaturgy work for the University’s theater department as well as performing in several plays and musicals. Originally from Arlington, Virginia, Ward is getting used to being bicoastal. He’s extraordinarily grateful to his parents, brother Will, and roommate Leon for their support and encouragement and the entire ETC staff and board for welcoming him with open arms—getting to work at a theatre is truly a dream come true! Ward enjoys writing music, hiking, and karaoke.