The Robber Bridegroom - The Alchemy Theatre

Grand Hotel The Musical

The Robber Bridegroom

Book & Lyrics by Alfred Uhry

Music by Robert Waldman

Adapted from the novella by Eudora Welty

May 29 – June 14, 2026

The Whisenhunt at Zach Theater

Produced by The Alchemy Theatre

This summer, The Alchemy Theatre invites audiences into the woods for a wildly entertaining bluegrass adventure.

The Robber Bridegroom is a high-energy musical bursting with live fiddle and banjo, fast-paced storytelling, romance, mischief, and toe-tapping dance. Inspired by Southern folklore, the show follows a charming (and slightly mysterious) outlaw, a fearless heroine, and a town full of colorful characters as love, legend, and laughter collide.

With its infectious score and vibrant ensemble, The Robber Bridegroom feels as much like a live concert as it does a theatrical performance. It’s joyful, clever, and packed with musical moments that will have you grinning from the first note.

Perfect for music lovers, theatre fans, families, date nights, and anyone looking for a fun night out in Austin, this is a summer event that celebrates storytelling, community, and the irresistible sound of bluegrass.

Boots optional — enthusiasm encouraged.

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

Cast

Cameron La Brie

Jamie Lockhart

Cameron La Brie (Jamie Lockhart)

Originally from the Mojave Desert of California, Cameron began performing professionally while living as an undergrad in the Bay Area. Cameron currently performs every week as a cast member of the legendary Esther’s Follies. Favorite Texas credits include Baron Von Gaigern in Grand Hotel and Dominique in The Baker’s Wife (Alchemy Theatre and B. Iden Payne Award win), Jamie in The Last Five Years and Josh in 9 to 5 (TexArts), and James Watson in Photograph 51 (Filigree Theatre). For more info on what Cameron is up to, follow him on Instagram @cameronlabrie.

Sebastian Vitale

Clemment Musgrove

Sebastian Vitale (Clemment Musgrove)

Sebastian Vitale is thrilled to join the cast of The Robber Bridegroom with the Alchemy family. His diverse career spans from major productions in Argentina—including Aladdin, Cabaret, and Jekyll & Hyde—to a vibrant five-year presence in the Austin theater scene. Local credits include Mack and Mabel, The Baker’s Wife, King of Hearts, Pretty Filthy, El Cid, Follies, and Beauty & the Beast.

A 2025 Austin Critics’ Table Award winner, Sebastian is also the founder and director of Bravo! Performing in Round Rock, where he shares his passion for musical theater with the next generation of performers. For more information, visit sebastianvitale.com.

Rachel Pallante

Salome

Rachel Pallante (Salome)

Rachel is happier than a tick on a fat dog to make her Alchemy debut! Her work spans national commercials and network television, including Better Call Saul opposite Bob Odenkirk. She's an ADDY Award recipient for outstanding performance in radio and TV, and a writer/comedian who produces and performs original works. Her one-woman comedy Miss. Adventure earned a "Best of International Fringe" nomination and was featured in Times Square. Regional credits include Zach, Esther's Follies, Texas Comedies, Mary Moody, and TexArts. Endless gratitude to Mom, friends, family, and everyone who's laughed along the way. More shenanigans at rachelpallante.com.

Taylor Bini

Rosamund

Taylor Bini (Rosamund)

Taylor Bini is an emerging actress and singer known for her intelligent, emotionally nuanced performances in film and theatre. She received acclaim for her breakout role as the protagonist in The Relic: Dragon (2025), and was nominated for a Broadway World Award in 2025 for Best Performer in a Musical for her work in Grand Hotel (Flaemmchen) with The Alchemy Theatre Company. She has toured the United States as a vocalist in a Queen tribute band and is a multifaceted performer with a passion for musicals, 70's rock music, and great storytelling.

Matt Kennedy

Little Harp

Matt Kennedy (Little Harp)

Matt Kennedy is thrilled to be a part of Alchemy Theatre's production of "The Robber Bridegroom" this year. Matt is a local professional actor/choreographer/dance teacher currently working at Zach Theatre, teaching Theater Dance at their Downtown Pre-Professional Company, and The Dance Spot in Round Rock, Texas. Recent credits include "Fiddler On The Roof" (Mordcha/Dance Ensemble) with Austin Opera, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" (Snoopy) with Zach Theatre, and "The Spongebob Squarepants Musical" (Plankton) with Magnolia Musical Theatre. He is a proud member and associate choreographer for Psych! Dance Collective, a Hip Hop/Street Styles Dance Team founded in Austin, Texas! He would like to give all his love to his family, his friends, and to Mariel!

Kevin Pellicone

Big Harp

Kevin Pellicone (Big Harp)

Kevin is delighted to return to the Whisenhunt stage, where six and a half years ago he played Crumpet/David in The Santaland Diaries at Zach Theater. Other credits include Fiddler on the Roof and Celebrate Opera! with Austin Opera; Bye Bye Birdie at TexArts; Beauty and the Beast at ZACH Theatre and Casa Mañana; The Imbible off-Broadway; and the national tour of The BFG. Kevin holds a BFA from Oklahoma City University and an MA from the University of Texas at Austin. When not performing, he works as an award-winning creative director, specializing in out-of-the-box ideas—regardless of whether he’s currently appearing onstage in one. Much love to the cast, creative team, and everyone who supports live theatre.

Noah Steele

Goat

Noah Steele (Goat)

Credits include: Mack and Mabel (Frank Wyman), The Bakers Wife (Doumergue), Unveiled (Haman), Grand Hotel (Rhona/Cheffuer), L.M. (Pump Boys), CEO (Papakō). Austin native, Noah Steele, grew up surrounded by theatrical opportunity. Starting in the Church at four years old, burping for talent, he went on to sing and act throughout high school. He recently revived his passion for performance as an actor, dancer and songwriter, and is beyond excited to allow his redneck roots to shine in The Robber Bridegroom.

Brittany Marino

Goat’s Mother

Brittany Marino (Goat’s Mother/Townsperson)

Brittany is thrilled to be joining the cast of The Robber Bridegroom with the Alchemy Theater! A native Texan, she is a distinguished educator and musician in the Austin area. As a specialized Voice and Flute teacher, she provides expert instruction that empowers students to master technical proficiency while discovering their unique musical identity. This commitment to pedagogy extends to her leadership as Associate Conductor with the National Children’s Chorus, where she fosters a high standard of vocal excellence in young singers.

Beyond the classroom and podium, Brittany remains an active and versatile local musician. Brittany is deeply grateful for the journey that led her here and thanks their parents and family for their lifelong encouragement. Above all, she sends her deepest love and gratitude to her wonderful husband and daughter, whose unwavering belief makes every performance possible.

Kyra Jackson

Airie

Kyra Jackson (Airie/Townsperson)

Kyra Jackson is a Dancer, Choreographer and Performer born and raised in Austin Tx. She has worked and performed with Impact Arts, Zach Theatre and The Alchemy Theatre as well as many more. Her credits include : Sally in A Charlie Brown Christmas at Zach Theatre, Jimmy 1 in Grand Hotel with The Alchemy Theatre, Harper in Someone To Watch Over Me at Bandwagon Arts, Hotbox Dancer in Guys and Dolls at Summer Stock Austin and more! She is very passionate about theatre and dance and can’t wait be in this production!

Alicia Frias Escobar

A Raven

Alicia Frias Escobar (A Raven/Townsperson)

Alicia Frias Escobar makes her Alchemy Theatre debut! Recent credits include Charlotte’s Web (ZACH Theatre), Rosita y Conchita (Penfold Theatre), and Bye Bye Birdie (TexARTS). 2026 is the year of storytelling theatre, folktales—and of playing non-humans on stage. Your favorite Mexican transplant in ATX, Alicia loves telling stories through movement, heightened emotions, and a little bit of mischief ;). Turn off your phones and allow her to tell you the wild tale of The Robber Bridegroom.

Tony Nielson

Landlord

Tony Nielson (Landlord/Townsperson)

Tony Nielson is thrilled to be making his Alchemy debut with this amazing production! His previous roles have included Victor in Private Lives (Bandwagon Arts), Mitch Mahoney in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Penfold Theatre), Daryl Ames in Bright Star (Georgetown Palace Theatre), and he has toured the state in multiple productions with Texas Comedies. Tony will also be featured as Lonny in Texarts’ production of Rock of Ages later this summer.

Billy Curtis

Fiddle Player

Billy Curtis (Fiddle)

Zach: THE WIZARD OF OZ (Violin/Tenor Saxophone), TexArts: ALWAYS… PATSY CLINE (Fiddle/Guitar), Backdoor Theater: THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM (Fiddle). Billy is a multi-instrumentalist and singer with a deep love of joyful music. He’s spent decades bringing a delightful mix of Texas Swing, Traditional Country and Bluegrass to the dance halls and listening rooms of Texas.

Stevie Trudell

Guitar & Banjo Player

Stevie Trudell (Guitar/Banjo)

Stevie Trudell (he/him) is a multi-instrumentalist from Austin. He has been playing guitar and banjo in musical theater productions and cabarets for over a decade, and has performed with local bands such as The Foxtones and Marry Cherry for nearly as long. Stevie's recent credits on guitar and banjo include The Last Five Years, Next to Normal, Ride the Cyclone, Bright Star, and Spongebob the Musical. He has also provided musical accompaniment for Archive Theatre, Diverse Dance Space Theatre, and Camp Paramount/Story Wranglers at The Paramount.

Dr. Ellie Jarrett Shattles

Pianist & Music Director

Dr. Ellie Jarrett Shattles (Pianist)

Dr. Ellie Shattles is a mezzo soprano, voice teacher, collaborative pianist/coach, and an award-winning Music Director based in Austin. She holds a DMA in Opera Performance from The University of Texas and an M.M. and B.M. in Vocal Performance from Baylor University. She has performed with renowned opera organizations such as Aspen, Merola, Santa Fe Opera, Canton Symphony, Round Top Symphony, Austin Symphony, UT Orchestra and Austin Opera. Ellie is thrilled to be returning to The Alchemy to music-direct and play for her 5th musical. Former Alchemy productions include Mack & Mabel, The Baker's Wife, King of Hearts, and Grand Hotel. Dr. Shattles' 2025 projects included Footloose (DSHS), Amelie (St. Stephen's Upper School), Unveiled (Scottish Rite Theatre), Lizzie, Toxic Avenger, Pretty Filthy (Doctuh Mistuh Productions), Cabaret (University of Texas at Austin) and co music-directed Parade (Ground Floor Theatre). Dr. Shattles has accompanied singers, musicals, operas, and various ensembles at all levels, playing the piano since she was 3 years old. She also works at Austin Community College as an Adjunct Voice Professor (specializing in Musical Theatre), and enjoys teaching voice lessons out of her private home. Many thanks to The Alchemy!

Creative

Alfred Uhry

Book & Lyrics

Alfred Uhry (Book & Lyrics)

Alfred Uhry has the distinguishing honor of being the only American writer to win a Pulitzer Prize, an Oscar award and a Tony award. A graduate of Brown University, Uhry left his native Atlanta for the bright lights of New York City as a newlywed in 1959 to become a lyricist. Struggling to make ends meet for almost twenty years, he hit success in 1976 with "The Robber Bridegroom"- a bawdy Southern fairy tale based on a Eudora Welty story for which he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Book of a Musical. (The Tony went to the writers of "A Chorus Line.") Ten years later he wrote his first play, the smash hit, Pulitzer Prize-winning "Driving Miss Daisy". He would later win an Oscar for the movie adaptation starring Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman. Soon after, the Olympic Games' Cultural Olympiad commissioned Uhry to write a play for the Summer 1996 Olympics in his hometown of Atlanta. Thus the Tony Award-winning "Last Night of Ballyhoo" was born. Known for writing charming, engaging yet somewhat quirky Southern characters, Mr. Uhry's latest endeavor, "Parade" is a darker look at the nuances and history of the South. This chilling true-life story of the lynching of Leo Frank won a second Tony award for Mr. Uhry as Best Book of a Musical in 1999.

Robert Waldman

Music

Robert Waldman (Music)

Robert Waldman has written primarily for the theater. Beginning his career as a protégé of Frank Loesser, his music has been heard in the World Premiere and Tony Award-Winning production of Alfred Uhry s THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO, and also for the Pulitzer Prize-Winning New York and National Productions of DRIVING MISS DAISY, for which he won Chicago s Jefferson Award for Best Music in a Dramatic Work. He's also been heard in the Broadway productions of THE HEIRESS and VOICES IN THE DARK, as well as in Florida s Poinciana and Parker Playhouse's revue FUNNY YOU DON T LOOK LIKE A GRANDMOTHER (which ran for the past year at The Santa Monica Playhouse).

Waldman composed the music for Broadway s HERE S WHERE I BELONG and THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM (nominated for a Drama Desk Award) as well as for Lincoln Center s DINNER AT EIGHT, IVANOV, ABE LINCOLN IN ILLINOIS, Jon Robin Baitz s TEN UNKNOWNS and A FAIR COUNTRY; New York productions of David Mamet s A LIFE IN THE THEATER and Peter Parnell s THE RISE AND RISE OF DANIEL ROCKET; Cleveland Great Lakes THE GLASS MENAGERIE and A CHRISTMAS CAROL; Hartford Stage s musical AMERICA S SWEETHEART; Long Wharf s AS YOU LIKE IT; the National Theater s SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL; Kennedy Center s musical, SWING; and The Washington Shakespeare Theater s THE COUNTRY WIFE and RICHARD II.

Performances of Waldman s compositions have been heard in film, television, ballets, numerous commercials, recordings and concert halls. G. Schirmer publishes illustrated collections of some forty of his piano compositions, among them A SWING BAG, A RAG BAG, A 3/4 BAG and A SANTA BAG.

Michael Cooper

Director

Michael Cooper (Director)

Michael is the Artistic Director of The Alchemy Theatre. Michael has directed numerous productions in Chicago and Los Angeles, with his Austin directing credits being the Alchemy Theatre productions of ‘Night, Mother, Grand Hotel, the Musical, King of Hearts (all at The Whisenhunt @ Zach Theater), The Baker’s Wife, The Virgin Trial, Mack & Mabel, Alchemy’s annual production of Truman Capote’s A Christmas Memory, 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 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, premiered in March 2025 at the Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose, CA where it won the Audience Favorite award and then went on to be featured at the New Orleans Film Festival. In theatre, Marnie has produced several acclaimed productions, including ‘night, Mother (2025), Grand Hotel, The Musical (2025), 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.

Noah Wood

Choreographer

Noah Wood (Choreography)

Noah Wood is 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 three-time B. Iden Payne Award winner, recognized for his outstanding performances in musical theatre and choreography. With extensive training in hip-hop, jazz, ballet, tap, and contemporary dance, Noah brings versatility and energy to every role.

Britney Salyer

Props Designer & Fight Coordinator

Britney Salyer (Fight Coordinator & Props Designer)

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.

Paige Freeman

Graphic Designer

Paige Freeman (Graphic Design)

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

Kallie Pierce

Lighting and Sound Designer

Kallie Pierce (Lighting & Sound Design)

KP Pierce is a Lighting and Sound Designer from Shreveport, Louisiana. They are currently an M.F.A Candidate at The University of Texas at Austin. Recently they have worked on Butler Opera Center’s Le Nozze Di Figaro. Upcoming projects include Cabaret with UT’s Theatre and Dance and their thesis which explores childhood methodology within the creative process. They want to thank Alchemy Theatre for a warm welcome into their community.

Pam Fletcher Friday

Costume Designer

Pam Fletcher Friday (Costume Design)

Pam Fletcher Friday has been creating costumes for shows and museums for over 30 years. Her work has been seen across Texas, Maryland and NYC. She is thrilled to have this opportunity to costume one of her very favorite shows and hopes you enjoy the show as much as she does! Shout out to her loving and supportive family. Woo hoo! Xoxox

Holly & Patrick Crowley, Dynamic Duo Productions

Scenic Designers

Holly & Patrick Crowley - Dynamic Duo Productions (Scenic Design)

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”.

Production Team

Olivia Dockens

Assistant Stage Manager

Olivia Dockens (Assistant Stage Manager)

Olivia just graduated from Texas State University with a degree in Theatre focused in Technical Production. This is her first production with The Alchemy Theater and she is very excited to be a part of the production.

Sarah-Marie Curry

Intimacy Coordinator

Sarah-Marie Curry (Intimacy Coordinator)

Sarah-Marie is an award winning actor, teacher, singer and producer living in Austin, Texas. With an education firmly grounded in on-the-job training Sarah-Marie holds no degree, but has clocked over ten thousand hours both on stage and in the classroom, winning multiple awards and numerous testimonials from students and mentors alike. Her approach to artistry is firmly rooted in the joy, passion and pursuit of excellence in storytelling. Her hunger for growth and compassion for the human condition know no bounds. Her intimacy coordination training has come from Open Intimacy Creatives and has been utilized on Alchemy Productions The King of Hearts, Grand Hotel and now The Robber Bridegroom. Sarah Marie is a passionate director of improvised narrative productions such as Risen: Improvised Stories in World War Z and Tarantula: Dynamic Dreamlike Improv. She has directed staged readings such as Phoenix by Scott Organ and sketch shows including F*&K It's Christmas at The Institution Theatre. She has studied improvisation with Mick Napier, Craig Cackowski, Todd Stashwick, Laura Hall and interactive visionary Jeff Wirth. She trained and taught at Carol Hickey Acting Studio in the lineage of Charles Jellinger and Harry Maestrogeorge for seven years until opening her own micro-studio: The Actor's Lab. The Act Lab ATX is dedicated to serving the Austin community with affordable, incredible, curated improv story and acting practicum.

For show updates and more go to www.sarahmariecurry.com and/or www.actlabatx.org/

Sebastian Vitale

Group Sales

Sebastian Vitale (Group Sales)

Sebastian Vitale is thrilled to join the cast of The Robber Bridegroom with the Alchemy family. His diverse career spans from major productions in Argentina—including Aladdin, Cabaret, and Jekyll & Hyde—to a vibrant five-year presence in the Austin theater scene. Local credits include Mack and Mabel, The Baker’s Wife, King of Hearts, Pretty Filthy, El Cid, Follies, and Beauty & the Beast.

A 2025 Austin Critics’ Table Award winner, Sebastian is also the founder and director of Bravo! Performing in Round Rock, where he shares his passion for musical theater with the next generation of performers. For more information, visit sebastianvitale.com.

Gwenny Govea

Social Media

Gwenny Govea (Social Media)

Guinevere “Gwenny” Govea is a media professional and award winning maker-of-musicals whose works have been produced at national and regional theater spaces. 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 The Robber Bridegroom. For more about Gwenny, visit guineveregovea.com and follow her instagram @gwennygov.