Grand Hotel The Musical - The Alchemy Theatre

Grand Hotel The Musical

Grand Hotel The Musical

Book by Luther Davis

Music & Lyrics by Robert Wright & George Forrest

Based on Vicki Baum’s Grand Hotel
By Arrangement with Turner Broadcasting Co.
Owner of the motion picture “Grand Hotel”
Additional music and lyrics by Maury Yeston

May 30 – June 15, 2025

The Whisenhunt at ZACH Theatre

“…and the revolving door turns and turns and turns…”

Come spend a night or two in the world’s most luxurious yet vaguely tragic hotel where we can eavesdrop on the conversations and the lives of some finely observed guests. It is 1928 Berlin. The world is between wars, the stock market is booming, Berlin is the center of high life and optimism rules the day. However, underneath it all, there is something much darker happening with the Grand Hotel’s illustrious clients – issues of life and death, financial ruin, love and murder. All this converging to mirror life itself as people come and go through the revolving door that never stops. Richly contrasting rhythm and dance, comedy, glitz, heartache and tragedy are interwoven into this story that features a diverse ensemble cast and a lush and powerful score.

Tickets on sale March 1, 2025.

Grand Hotel, The Musical

Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Cast and Production Team

Tim Blackwood

Colonel Doctor Otternschlag

Tim Blackwood plays Colonel Doctor Otternschlag. His stage credits include Jane Eyre (Rochester, Austin Shakespeare), King of Hearts (Duke, The Alchemy Theatre), She Loves Me (Sipos, Austin Playhouse), and Into the Woods (Baker, Zilker Theatre Productions). He has also appeared in America’s Most Wanted (Fox) and The Biscuit Brothers (PBS). Tim is a B. Iden Payne Award winner and Austin Critics Table nominee, with strong skills in dialects and classical theatre.

Sara Zare

Elizaveta Grushinskaya

Sara Zare Ranjbar plays Elizaveta Grushinskaya. She has performed in productions such as King of Hearts (The Duchess, The Alchemy Theatre), The Addams Family (Female Ancestor), and Carmen (Carmen, Harrower Summer Opera). A versatile performer, she has also been a lead vocalist for multiple bands, including performances at SXSW and international festivals. Sara holds a Master’s in Music from the University of St. Thomas and a Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance from Georgia State University.

Sarah-Marie Curry

Raffaela Ottanio

Sarah-Marie Curry plays Raffaela and has a diverse range of stage and screen credits. She has starred in productions such as The Baker’s Wife (Geneviève), Mack & Mabel (Mabel), and Fun Home (Alison), with performances at The Alchemy Theatre, Ground Floor Theatre, and Zach Theatre. Her film work includes lead roles in Saving Mary Alice, Rise: Tiny Metal Things, and Alone Together. An award-winning performer, Sarah-Marie has extensive training in acting, voiceover, and improvisation, bringing depth and versatility to every role she takes on.

Richard C. Jones

Hermann Preysing

Richard C. Jones plays Hermann Preysing. His screen credits include Love and Death (Warner Bros/HBO Max), Hellion (Official Selection, Sundance 2014), and Pit Stop (Official Selection, Sundance 2013). He has also starred in numerous independent films, including Senses, Happy Tragic Death, and The Devil’s Gun. With a background in physical comedy, stage combat, and various athletic skills, he delivers dynamic and compelling characters on screen and stage.

Taylor Bini

Flaemmchen

Taylor Bini plays Flaemmchen. Her stage credits include Mamma Mia! (Sophie, Maples Repertory Theatre), As You Like It (Rosalind), and The Scarlet Letter (Hester Prynne). She also performed in Frost Bites, produced by The Alchemy Theatre. On screen, Taylor has starred in films such as The Relic: Dragon, Bite, and Interludes. With training in scene study, improv, stage combat, and vocal performance, she brings dynamic energy and versatility to every role.

Leslie R. Hethcox

Otto Kringelein

Leslie R. Hethcox plays Otto Kingelein. His stage credits include King of Hearts (The Barber) and A Christmas Memory (The Narrator) at The Alchemy Theatre, Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere) at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, and multiple productions of Chicago (Billy Flynn, Fred Casely). Leslie has also toured internationally with Fame: Das Tanzmusikal and performed with prestigious companies such as Ballet Mississippi and Fort Worth Ballet. His work spans musical theatre, ballet, and film, including a role in Richard Linklater's Bernie.

Cameron La Brie

Baron Felix Von Gaigern

Cameron La Brie plays Baron Felix Von Gaigern. A seasoned performer, Cameron has appeared in numerous productions, including The Baker’s Wife, The Last Five Years (Jamie Wellerstein), Cabaret (Emcee), and Follies (Young Ben). His work spans theatre, film, and improv, with training from UC Berkeley and extensive experience in musical theatre. Learn more at www.cameronlabrie.com.

Patrick Regner

Erik Litnauer

Patrick Regner plays Erik Litnauer, and is an Illinois native who spent most of his performing career in Chicago. He's excited to return to the Alchemy after a very exciting run last summer in King of Hearts (Johnny). When he's not performing, he enjoys other roles in the theatre such as stage management, directing, casting, and set building. He's grateful to the city of Austin for always making this Midwest boy feel welcome.

Noah Steele

Rohna

Noah Steele plays Rohna, the Chauffeur, a Shareholder, and a Detective. His stage credits include Unveiled (Haman), King of Hearts (Commandant Kost/Patient), The Baker’s Wife (Doumergue), and Much Ado About Nothing (Benedick), with performances at The Alchemy Theatre and The Starlight Theatre Company. He has trained in acting, voice, and dance, including contemporary funk and tap.

Ashton Miller

Doorman

Ashton Slade Miller plays the Doorman, a Scullery Worker, and a Shareholder and is currently pursuing a degree in Theatre Performance and Production at Texas State University. His stage credits include The Lightning Thief (Grover/Mr. D), Little Shop of Horrors (Mr. Mushnik), and Grease (Teen Angel). He has also appeared in films such as The Place We Hide and Single. An accomplished performer, Ashton has received nominations from Broadway World Austin and the Heller Awards, along with top honors at the International Thespian Festival.

Isaiah Jones

Jimmy 2

Isaiah Aaron Jones plays Jimmy 2, the Bellman,part of a Wealthy Couple, a Shareholder. His stage credits include Lizzie (Lizzie), Cabaret (Bobby), Richard III (Murderer II/Henry VI), and Caroline, or Change (The Dryer). He has performed with Theatre for One, The NOLA Project, and Venice Theatre, among others. Isaiah holds a B.A. in Musical Theatre and Theatre Arts from Loyola University in New Orleans.

Noah Wood

Gigolo & Choreographer

Noah Wood plays the Gigolo, a Scullery Worker, part of a Wealthy Couple, and a Bar Dancer. He also serves as the choreographer for Grand Hotel. A graduate of Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts with a BFA in Musical Theatre - Dance, Noah has performed in acclaimed productions such as In the Heights (Benny), 42nd Street (Billy Lawlor), and Alice’s Wonderland (Mad Hatter). He is a two-time B. Iden Payne Award winner, recognized for his outstanding performances in musical theatre. With extensive training in hip-hop, jazz, ballet, tap, and contemporary dance, Noah brings versatility and energy to every role.

Megan Nasche

Countess

Megan E. Nasche plays the Countess, an Operator, part of a Wealthy Couple, a Woman in the Lobby, a Tootsie, and a Bar Dancer. She has performed in Elf: The Musical (TexARTS Theatre), FREAKSHOW and Christmas at the Southern Palace (WOW! Entertainment), and Rock Steeler’s Style (Pittsburgh CLO). Her film work includes R.I.P. and Rhapsody. Megan has trained extensively in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and precision dance, with additional experience in choreography, aerial skills, and video production. She holds a BFA in Dance and a minor in Business Management from Point Park University.

Max Green

Victor Sandor-Witt

Max Green plays Victor Sandor-Witt, a Scullery Worker, part of a Wealthy Couple, and Zinnowitz. His stage credits include Falsettos (Mendel Weisenbachfeld), Matilda: The Musical (Mr. Wormwood), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Demetrius), and Into the Woods (The Baker). He has worked with esteemed companies such as Austin Shakespeare, The Alchemy Theatre, and Ground Floor Theatre. Max holds a theatre degree from Bard College, where he trained in Meisner, Stanislavsky, and physical theatre techniques.

Sharon Robinson

Madame PeePee

Sharon Robinson plays Madame PeePee, part of a Wealthy Couple, a Tootsie, and an Operator. She has starred in regional theatre productions such as 9 to 5 (Judy Bernly), Les Misérables (Éponine), and Spring Awakening (Ilse), with additional credits in A Christmas Carol and The Last Five Years. Sharon has also performed as a lead singer in live music venues and recorded for various projects. She holds a BM in Vocal Performance from San Francisco State University.

Ellie Jarrett Shattles

Trude & Music Director

Ellie Jarrett Shattles plays Trude–the hotel pianist–and is the Music Director. Ellie is a mezzo-soprano, voice teacher, collaborative pianist/coach, and award-winning music director based in Austin. She holds a D.M.A. in Opera Performance from The University of Texas and M.M. and B.M. degrees in Vocal Performance from Baylor University. Ellie has performed with renowned opera programs such as Aspen, Merola, and Santa Fe Opera and has music-directed numerous professional and high school musical productions, earning multiple B. Iden Payne Awards. As a pianist, she has accompanied singers and ensembles at all levels, bringing a unique collaborative style informed by her own vocal expertise.

Michael Cooper

Director

Michael Cooper is the Artistic Director of The Alchemy Theatre. Michael has directed numerous productions in Chicago and Los Angeles, with his Austin credits being the Alchemy Theatre productions of King of Hearts (at The Whisenhunt @ ZACH Theatre), The Baker’s Wife, The Virgin Trial, Mack & Mabel, Truman Capote’s A Christmas Memory (2019 & 2023), The Waverly Gallery, and Reverie Theatre’s production of Outside Mullingar. Michael has also directed the Alchemy’s staged readings of Peter and Alice, Domesticated, The Virgin Trial and a new play, The Sunflower Apostle, which he also wrote. Michael is an alumnus of Lincoln Center Theatre Director’s Lab West and has performed Off-Broadway as Whizzer Brown in William Finn’s In Trousers. He is also the author of Dorothy Parker–Story Time for Grown Ups, based upon the rebellious life and extraordinary short stories of Dorothy Parker.

www.directorcooper.com | mcooper@thealchemytheatre.org

Marnie Near

Producer

Marnie Larson Near is a producer with a background in both the arts and business. She studied acting and producing at Northwestern University and the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco before earning her MBA from Duke University. After building a successful career in marketing, she merged her passion for storytelling with her business expertise to focus on producing for film and theatre.

Her first feature film, the psychological thriller Birdsong, will premiere in March 2025 at the Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose, CA. In theatre, Marnie has produced several acclaimed productions, including King of Hearts (2024), The Baker’s Wife (2023), Mack & Mabel (2022), The Virgin Trial (2022), and Kenneth Lonergan’s The Waverly Gallery (2019) for The Alchemy Theatre.

In addition to her producing work, Marnie is actively involved in the arts community. She serves on the Board of Directors for ZACH Theatre and is the Board Chair for The Alchemy Theatre in Austin, TX.

Britney Salyer

Stage Manager & Props Maker

Britney is a Jane of all trades, with her hands in all sorts of things, and always looking to learn, expand, and challenge herself both professionally and artistically. This is her 5th show with the Alchemy Theatre and she couldn’t be happier to be a part of such a wonderful group of creative, talented, and generous people.

Holly & Patrick Crowley

Set Designers

These two Austinites have graced many stages together designing and building sets for more than fifty companies over the past 15 years. They have been featured in Broadway.com and have received awards in Set Design from Austin Critics Table Awards and B. Iden Payne. A few past credits include -- Penfold Theatre: Ordinary Days, Now Then Again, Comedy of Errors, Ghost Quartet. Austin Playhouse Design/Build Team Highland Mall New Space Construction and Productions 2012-2014 Seasons: The Game’s Afoot, Other Desert Cities, Lady Windermere’s Fan, Noises Off, Triumph of Love, Man of La Mancha, And Then There Were None, The Liar, The Dead President’s Club, Venus in Fur. Long Center for The Performing Arts: Heller Awards for Young Artists, Summer Stock Austin 2016 (Build/Paint-The Addams Family, Carnival, and The Steadfast Tin Soldier). Austin Opera: Fidelio, Sweeny Todd (Additional Build/Bridges). Austin Symphony: Leonard Bernstein’s Mass (100th Celebration Produced by Merick and Karen Bernstein). Ballet Austin: Grimm Tales (Build team for designers George Tsypin and Natalie Frank), Exit Wounds, Cinderella, POE (Design/build Pendulum), The Nutcrackers (Fabrication/2x Lifesize). Ballet Austin TWO: Donde van las Mariposas, Maria and the Mouse Deer. Other companies include: Fairmont Hotel, Theatre En Bloc (Fat Pig /Rude Mechs Old Space), Salvage Vanguard Theater, Pollyanna Theatre Co., Street Corner Arts (A Walk in the Woods), KLRU, PSAV, Corpus Christi Ballet, The Aurora Arts Theatre, Southwestern University Outdoor Stage Build 2021, and Turn-Key builder for Beyond Exhibitions/Paquin Entertainment USA – Beyond Van Gogh USA Tour/The Normal Studio. Patrick is currently a Production Supervisor for The Long Center and Head Designer for DDP. Holly is found most days at the Scene Shop painting a backdrop or backstage at venues working as a Lead Carpenter for other wonderful productions. DDP would like to Thank Zach Scott/The Alchemy Theatre, the cast and crew, our kids Zena and Riah, our family, and you “The Audience”.

Kallie Pierce

Lighting & Sound Designer

Kallie Pierce is the lighting and sound designer for Grand Hotel.

Sarah Rosenkranz

Costume Designer

Sarah Rosenkranz is a costume designer with experience in theatre and film, specializing in costume construction, fabric modification, and theatrical makeup. She has designed for productions such as Urinetown, Three Sisters, Life Sucks, and Lucky Stiff, and has worked with Texas Shakespeare Festival and Maples Repertory Theatre in various costume roles. Sarah holds a B.F.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Texas at Arlington and is completing her M.F.A. in Theatre Arts at Texas State University.

Paige Freeman

Graphic Designer

Paige is a graduate of the CHAS Acting Conservatory program, working actor, and creative director with experience designing for Broadway and Off-Broadway theater productions, NY based stand-up comedians, and Grammy Award-winning record labels. Her work has appeared in: The New York Times, BBC Music Magazine, The Tonight Show, Late Show, and The Late Late Show. Paige played Brianne/Chaya in The Alchemy Theatre’s production of Mary Jane, and she designed the posters for Alchemy’s The Waverly Gallery, A Christmas Memory, Mack & Mabel, The Virgin Trial, FrostBites: A Holiday Cabaret, The Baker’s Wife, Pipeline, King of Hearts, and for Reverie Theatre’s production of Outside Mullingar. paigefreemandesign.com | @paigefreemanhoover

Gwenny Govea

Social Media

Guinevere “Gwenny” Govea is a media professional and award winning maker-of-musicals whose works have been produced at multiple notable theater spaces including The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and Metro Theater Company in St. Louis. Gwenny has created content for The Atlas Obscura Podcast, The Drag Audio, Texas Tasty, and her own musical Spells of the Sea in addition to multiple shows at The Alchemy Theatre. She holds Bachelor's degrees in Theatre and Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin and is very grateful to get the opportunity to promote gems such as Grand Hotel. For more about Gwenny, visit guineveregovea.com and follow her instagram @gwennygov.