CAST & CREATIVE: Runaway Rue @ Hollywood Fringe
REBECCA RUSSELL (RUE) is thrilled to return to this show and creative team! She first met Rue on the East Coast during her Off-Broadway debut where she was the female swing for Rescue Rue before hopping coasts for the LA reading of Runaway Rue. This bi-coastal actor is grateful for the ability to shift from coast to coast as opportunities arise. Her favorite live theatre experiences, other than with Rue, include Sesame Street the Musical - Puppeteer/Special Guest Cover (Off-Broadway), Ragtime - Kathleen (Theatre Under the Stars), Shrek - Gingy (Arrow Rock), Little Mermaid - Flounder (Arrow Rock), and Madagascar - Maurice (Crane River). IG: @rebecca.lynn.russell WB: rebeccalynnrussell.com
EMILY MARSH (ALEX & OTHERS) is a puppeteer, singer, and actor. She was most recently seen as the newest host, Emily Conor, in the newest season of the critically acclaimed cult classic Mystery Science Theater 3000. As a puppeteer, Emily was a part of the BBC TV show Moon and Me, the newest show created by Andy Davenport, creator of Teletubbies, which debuted in the US on Universal Kids. Emily was also the puppeteer for ‘Slingy,’ Sling TV’s newest slinger in their new commercial campaign with a puppet built by Muppets veteran Tim Clarke. Emily has also performed theatrical puppetry all over the country. Favorite credits have included Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta and Gruff: An Eco-Puppet Musical with Doppleskope Theatre Company in New York City. Instagram @emily.k.marsh Twitter @emily_k_marsh Tik-Tok @emily-k-marsh
GENEVIEVE FLATI (MISHKA, MIKEY, APOLLO & OTHERS) has puppeteered with The Jim Henson Company, Disney+, Netflix, Disneyland, Fail Army, PBS, and countless other shows and commercials. She has been a recurring cast member for the Jim Henson Company's "Puppet Up!" since 2015. She was just puppet captain for Big Bear Mountain Resort's new commercial series (premiering this summer!) and was most recently a producer and puppet captain for Fail Army's new streaming show, Womp & Co. and PBS SoCal’s Kookamakalooka. She had a blast as the Puppet Director for the 2022 national tour of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. "G" performed in two international tours with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and performed at Disneyland for 7 years in various shows. She does extensive voice over acting for video games, cartoons, and commercials. You can currently catch her as a Virtual Reality live performer in 3 video games featured on the Oculus. Genevieve works in humor therapy at Children’s Hospital of Orange County and Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, through Healthy Humor nonprofit. She also works as a humor therapist facilitator through Adlib LA, working in veteran and teen rehab clinics all over Orange and LA Counties, while spending her summers employed at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a summer camp for seriously ill children.
KELSEY BRADY (SQUISH, MOO, & OTHERS) began her puppetry journey at Walt Disney World, performing in shows such as Disney Junior: Live on Stage! and The Muppets Present: Great Moments in American History. She can be seen in the Amazon Kids+ show Blippi’s Treehouse as Scratch, season 13 of Mystery Science Theater 3000 as Crow T. Robot, and her TikTok OneBradyLady (with over 1M followers). She has an adopted half-Ewok brother named Radar (The Animal Rescue Foundation).
JAIME LYN BEATTY (MISS GLADYS, GRACE, & OTHERS) A founding member of Team Starkid, Jaime Lyn is a performer, writer and producer. To date she has originated 15 roles in chart topping new musicals, most recent of which resulted in the Broadway World Award for “Best Featured Actress in A Musical". Favorite credits include: Nickelodeon, Google, Netflix, "Stranger Sings" Off-Broadway, The Getty Villa, & The Superbowl. In addition to her BFA from the University of Michigan, she has trained at The Groundlings, UCB, & Second City. Please tell my emotionally fragile doghter (Nori) that I love her and I'll be home soon for pooptime™️, JLynBeatty.com, @JLBeatty #pooptime.
RUDY MARTINEZ (JACK, ARTEMIS, & OTHERS)
Rudy Martinez is a television, stage, and film actor known for his recurring roles on The CW's "Jane The Virgin” and the Netflix series “Dear White People.” He got his start in TV as a host on "Disney 365," a beloved interstitial program on The Disney Channel, and he has had roles on "Grace and Frankie",“The Lincoln Lawer,” “Family Reunion,” "Speechless," “Veronica Mars,” and many more. Rudy earned his BFA from UC Santa Barbara where he received a grant to study puppetry. This allowed him to create a found-object puppetry play called “Beginnings.” Apropos to the title, that was the start of a decade filled with puppetry commissions for several theater companies. In 2018 Rudy starred as Pinocchio in “Wood Boy Dog Fish” produced by Rogue Artist Ensemble. He made his directorial debut in 2020 receiving a grant to create a puppet film for Heather Henson’s “Handmade Puppet Dreams” film series. Rudy’s film, HAM, tells the story of the first chimp in space and is currently being featured at several film festivals nationwide and internationally.
YANNIV FRANK (STEFEN & OTHERS - SWING) Yanniv Frank is an artistic creative based in New York City. He is a Sesame Workshop trained puppeteer and was a cast member in Sesame Street the Musical Off-Broadway. Yanniv is the creator of Boyish Charms, a film that challenges and expands young audiences’ understanding of masculinity, which has been selected for global festival screening. He created the original stories and characters for Feel Your Best Self which took home the 2023 Kidscreen Award for Best Original Web/App Series. He holds an MFA in Puppet Arts from the University of Connecticut and a BA in Performing and Visual Arts from the CUNY Baccalaureate program for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies. Yanniv has released two albums of original music and holds a certificate in music and video production from Berklee College of Music. @yannivfrank | www.yannivfrank.com
PAUL DUPREE (Stefen & Others) Coming Soon.
ALEX BURNETTE (Mishka & Others- ENCORE!) Tesla Vs Edison (Center Puppetry Arts), National Tour: Madagascar the Musical (Skipper/Puppet Capt-Wrangler), A Charlie Brown Christmas (Linus), NY Theatre: Rescue Rue (Off-Broadway, NYMF, Workshops), The Sleepy Hollow Experience, 'Olivier Py's The Young Girl, The Devil, & The Mill'. Regional: Young Frankenstein, Anything Goes. B.F.A. from Marymount Manhattan College. Alex has written and directed original mainstage shows for Cedar Fair Parks' Haunt Seasons for the past two years, as well as performed as jazz singer/pianist on Holland America Line. IG: @AlexBBurnette
RUE (Production Consultant) is thrilled to be the inspirawtion for her very own musical, and hopes her journey helps doggies, kitties, and many others find their own furever families! Originally from somewhere in West Virginia, Rue was found on the streets and brought to a high-kill shelter, and then rescued by the Badass Animal Rescue and brought to New York City where she met her mom on what they now call Rue-perbowl Sunday (not a National Howliday, but it should be!). Rue's favorite pastimes are eating snackies, napping, sleeping, and eating more snackies. She also likes a good squeaky toy, and loves her human grandma and step-brother Jack Jack, even if he can be annoying sometimes. She understands why her mom wrote a sequel.
STACEY WEINGARTEN (Director, Book, Lyrics; Producer) is an Emmy-winning artist who specializes in writing, directing, and producing musical and puppet works. She develops projects for both stage and screen, often with an agenda of social awareness and understanding through entertainment. Other kids and family works include: Monica’s Mixing Bowl, a digital series that helps families “make friends with food”; Runaway Rue, the second in the ‘Rescue Rue’ series; short films Cone of Shame (A Handmade Puppet Dreams Commission) and Beach Day (48 Hour Puppet Film Project - Award Winner). A former Dramatist Guild Fellow, her favorite projects not-quite-for-kiddos include 5th Republic (DG Fellowship), Madame (NYMF), spirits – the bar plays (Players Theatre NY; Skylight Theater LA), and LUDO’s Broken Bride (Ars Nova; The Cutting Room; NYMF). As a self-described 'puppet person', Stacey's consulted on projects including Blippi’s Treehouse (Amazon) and Reading Buddies (PBS), which includes directing for Reading Buddies’ Season 2 premiering later this year!. In her life as a puppet wrangler she’s worked everywhere from Sesame Street (Sesame Workshop) and Julie’s Greenroom (Netflix) to Crank Yankers (Comedy Central), and Avenue Q (Original Production). She’s also a trained puppeteer! Stacey teaches puppetry at Pace University, and serves as President of the Children’s Media Association LA. Please visit saweingarten.com or follow her @sayetc.
ANGELA PARRISH (Music & Lyrics) As a toddler, Angela Parrish used to eat kibble straight from the food bowl of her poodle, Brandy Doodle. This precocious display of complete commitment to the authentic canine experience paved the way for Angela to meet Stacey, and the two have been writing about pups (and more) ever since!
Angela is a songwriter, composer, record producer, artist, and multi-instrumentalist. She is a joyful collaborator and a musical Swiss Army Knife who thrives in multiple genres. Angela has sung alongside The Weeknd, Jimmy Kimmel, Florence + the Machine, and Mickey Mouse. Millions of cinema devotees heard her buoyant vocals on “Another Day of Sun,” the song that opens the Academy Award-winning film musical La La Land.
Angela most recently wrote the mini-musical “Frankly, Franklin!” for writer/director Rian Johnson’s hit detective series, Poker Face, starring Natasha Lyonne. She co-wrote songs for the 2020 film Chance, and composed the score for the webseries GLOP! - The Glorious Ladies of Puppetry. She had her Off-Broadway debut as a composer in 2021 with additional music for Rescue Rue. She is the vocal producer for the TV series Batwheels and Slumberkins, both of which feature her songwriting in several episodes. Her songwriting can also be heard in the Disney series Hamster and Gretel.
Angela lives in Los Angeles with her husband in a house owned by their dog, Frank Zappa, who allows them to pay the mortgage. For anyone in LA who needs a great vet recommendation, Angela would love to shout out Dr. Christian Sharp and his team, who have given Zappa excellent care. Twitter, IG, Tik Tok: @songsbyangela
JONATHAN QUESENBERRY (Musical Director) COMING SOON.
MARGOT LE DUY (Costume Associate) Credits.
RHONDA MILLER (Choreographer) is a highly acclaimed choreographer. Her work has been seen in countless venues nationally and abroad. She has vast experience choreographing for Stage, TV, Film and Commercials. Rhonda is an extremely popular and sought after master teacher of various styles of dance around the world and is proud to have written the highly respected, BFA Commercial dance program for Pace University in New York City. She is thrilled to add the world of puppet choreography to her list of accomplishments. www.rhondamillerdance.com
PETER HODGSON (Music Dept. Consultant) hails from Sacramento, California, but now lives in New York City working as a composer and music director. He holds a BM and an MFA from NYU. Since graduating, he’s been working regionally as a music director, orchestrator, and writing his own shows. Selected: A Christmas Story: LIVE! (FOX), Pippin (B-way revival), West Side Story (Tisch New Theatre) Thanks to the cast and crew, my family, and Bethany. www.peterhodgsonmusic.com
Jack (Consultant) COMING SOON.
Moo Kitty (Consultant) COMING SOON.
DAVID GOLDSTEIN (Scenic Design Consultant) loves dogs, puppets, and musicals, and this show checks all boxes! Currently represented Off Broadway by Winnie the Pooh, his other credits include Emojiland, Church and State, Stalking the Bogeymaan, That Golden Girls Show, The Portal, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, Soul Doctor. Regional Credits Include: Timberlake Playhouse, Tibbets Opera House, Cohoes Music Hall, Des Moines Playhouse, Grand Theatre Salt Lake, NC Stage Co, JAG Productions, Luna Stage, WV Public Theatre, Allenberry Playhouse. www.davidgoldsteindesigns.com
VANESSA LEUCK (Costume Design) is a New York City based designer who is thrilled to be collaborating with the team and bringing Runaway Rue to the Hollywood Fringe! Vanessa designed Rescue Rue Off-Broadway and finds the characters a joy to design. She’s currently deigning The Great Gatsby Immersive NYC opening in June. Some other favorite designs: Broadway: True Crime Obsessed Live! (Hayes), Off-Broadway: Emojiland (The Duke on 42nd Street); Outer Critics Circle Honoree, Drama Desk Nominee; Disenchanted! (Westside Theater); Henry Hewes Award Nominee. National Tours: Disney on Ice: Let’s Celebrate!, Disenchanted! (Starvox) Disney on Ice: Frozen, Ringling Brothers’ Barnum and Bailey Circus, and Disney Live! Select Regional Designs: Portland Stage, Capital Repertory Theatre, Sierra Repertory Theatre, American Music Theatre. Vanessa serves as an assistant professor of costume design at Marymount Manhattan College and is a member of USA 829. Love to Ethan, Aldrin and our fur babies Emmett and DeLorean. vanessaleuckcostumes.com
RS Buck (Lighting Design) is a Los Angeles-based international producer, designer, and manager for live experiences. Their work focuses on creating safe-spaces for whimsical satisfaction.
CECILIA DURBIN (Lighting Design Consultant) Recent Designs: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Kansas City Rep); The Wolves, A Doll’s House, Part 2 (Actor’s Theatre Louisville); Sense & Sensibility, Love Alone (Playmakers Rep); This is Sadie, The Little Red Fish (New York City Children’s Theatre); Calling: a dance with faith (Ping Chong DanceCo); Selkie (Dutch Kills Theater); Bernie & Mikey’s Trip to the Moon (Strangemen Theatre, 59E59); Birthday Candles, Marie & Rosetta, Murder Ballad (Detroit Public Theatre). MFA from NYU; member USA829. www.durbinlighting.com
JOSHUA HILL (SOUND) COMING SOON.
DARIA GRACE (Sound Assistant/Run Crew) COMING SOON.
RACHEL HERRERA (HMU) Rachel Herrera is a Celebrity Make Up artist working in television for the last 20 years. Her favorite celebrity client was the amazing Betty White. She has worked on various shows at E! Entertainment, NFL Network and Disney Channel. She is also CEO of her own company Raquel Inc which sells a patented cat eye wing stamp called CateyesByRaquel. She loves to travel visiting many companies around the world and is a complete Disney nerd with the magical dream of visiting all of the Disney Parks worldwide (9 down 3 to go) Greece is her favorite country she has visited so far.
She volunteers and fosters with The Yorkie Rescue of America and I Stand with my Pack Rescue. Insta @Rachelherrera11 @CateyesByRaquel
ANDY HAYWARD (Puppet Design) Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock (Apple TV / Henson), Waffles + Mochi (Netflix / Higher Ground), Come Play (Amblin), Super Simple Songs (Skyship Entertainment). Puppet Design: Miss Persona (Daytime Emmy Nomination: Outstanding Preschool Series), Chuck E. Cheese Entertainment, Sesame Street Live, Bear In the Big Blue House Live. The puppets of Rescue Rue are dedicated to Andy's rescued Shiba Inus, Jeff and Gus. Adopt; don't shop! www.andyhayward.me
GEORGIA WESTWOOD (Props/Run Crew) Georgia Westwood is a prop maker and stop motion animator. She has worked as an art department PA on "Sesame Street" and "Super Pumped" and as a set decoration PA on "The L Word: Generation Q", and has her own stop motion children's web series: "Humphrey's Holiday on Earth". She is pursuing a career in prop and miniature set fabrication as well as development in children's television.
BRIE MANN-HERNANDEZ (Stage Manager) COMING SOON.
ADDITIONAL CREDITS & SPECIAL THANKS
Elise and Harvey Weingarten, Ann Hu, Randy Overland, Sierra Schoening, Former Casts/Creatives/Crews of Rescue Rue, Badass Animal Rescue, Purrs and Purrs Animal Rescue, the Pixie Project, Bree Perry for the design of Fairy Dogmother's Dress.