CrazySexyCool – The TLC Musical

HOLLI’ GABRIELLE CONWAY

Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins

Holli' Gabrielle Conway (Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins) is honored to help tell yet another powerful woman’s story. She appeared on Broadway in the original casts of Lempicka and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, and in Six, where she became the first black woman to portray Katherine Howard on Broadway. She was recently seen in Whitney White’s groundbreaking Macbeth in Stride at BAM. A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Holli’ is a Louisiana native who served her state as Miss Louisiana 2018. “Gigantic thank you to Steve at 44 West Entertainment, Matt and the entire DGRW team, and The Telsey Office. I wouldn’t be here without the endless love and support of my family and friends. All glory and gratitude to God!”  Instagram: @welcometo_holliwood TikTok: @holligabrielle

JADE MILAN

Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes

Jade Milan (Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes) most recently starred as Ali in Alicia Keys’ Tony-nominated and Grammy-winning Broadway musical Hell’s Kitchen. Jade is a veteran of Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway and in Las Vegas and was a contestant on Fox’s The Four. Jade is an alumnus of the Baltimore School of the Arts. She is represented by Paradigm and The Rosenzweig Group.

STONEY B. WOODS

Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas

Stoney B. Woods (Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas), born and raised in the Bronx, New York, is an award-nominated actress, singer, recording artist, and creative visionary whose work spans Broadway, television, and children’s media. She earned her acting degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and refined her vocal training at The Juilliard School. Stoney’s professional credits include the Broadway hit The Book of Mormon, Law & Order, BET’s Tribute to George Floyd, and the original children’s series Stoney’s Spectacular Show. In 2024, her work on Stoney’s Spectacular Show earned a New York Eastern Emmy nomination, honoring her impact in children’s entertainment. Through music, storytelling, and performance, Stoney uses her art as a vessel for healing, hope, and joy—encouraging audiences to rise above fear and walk in their purpose. Follow her journey on Instagram @stoneyb_nyc.

BRYAN ARCHIBALD

Swing

Bryan Archibald (Swing) is extremely thrilled to be making his debut in CrazySexyCool - The TLC Musical with Arena Stage! International: Voices of Virginia, Japan 2009 Tour. Regional: Olney Theatre Center: Fela! (Helen Haynes Award for Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical), Long Way Down (Swing); Studio Theatre: ChoirBoy (Pharus U/S); Toby’s Dinner Theatre: Dreamgirls (CC U/S); Attucks Theatre: Black Nativity (Lead Vocalist), Railings (Jamal); THEARC West Blackbox: Breathe (Rayford), Armstrong Hall Theatre: Ev’ry Dog Has His Day, (Pepe); Ira Aldridge Theatre: Ain’t Misbehavin, Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, Not About Nightingale, Enjust. EDUCATION: Howard University, BFA ‘17. A proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. IG: @SermonBoy_  Jeremiah 29:11

TRENTON McKENZIE BEAVERS

Tommy/Ensemble

Trenton McKenzie Beavers (Tommy/Ensemble) is elated to be making his Arena Stage debut! His DC area credits include Sister Act! (Ford’s Theater), The Lightning Thief, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale (Adventure Theatre MTC), The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin (Creative Cauldron), Merrily We Roll Along (The Keegan Theatre), Ragtime (Signature Theatre); Spring Awakening (Monumental Theatre Co); SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical (Toby’s Dinner Theatre) Helen Hayes Award Outstanding Ensemble nomination; The Arithmetic of Memory (The Kennedy Center). His TV/Film credits include Black Broadway: A Proud History, A Limitless Future and How Great Thou Art: A Sacred Celebration on PBS. Trenton proudly earned a BFA in Musical Theatre from Howard University. He thanks his family and friends for all of their combined support and encouragement.

AARON BLIDEN

Danny/Ensemble

Aaron Bliden (Danny/Ensemble) is a DC-based actor, musician, designer, and writer. Recent highlights include The American Five (Ford's Theatre), An Enemy of the People (Theater J), and The Waverly Gallery (1st Stage), as well as understudying for The Bedwetter here at Arena Stage. He has over 8 credits with The Second City, including their collaborations with Woolly Mammoth, The Kennedy Center, and a stint on a cruise liner. He has 3 individual Helen Hayes nominations, and has appeared in shows at Signature, Folger, Imagination Stage, Olney, and Arts on the Horizon. Along with other University of Maryland College Park alumni, he helped found Pointless Theatre Company (Est. 2009), of which he is still a member. TV/Film credits include “Turn” (AMC), “Mercy Street” (PBS), “The Sultan and the Saint” (PBS), and “Gothic Slayers” (Independent). He is one-third of DC-based band The French Champagne, and is also currently writing a rock opera.

FELICIA CURRY

Dr. Nzinga / Christina

Felicia Curry (Dr. Nzinga / Christina) last appeared at Arena Stage in The Age of Innocence and Ken Ludwig’s adaptation of Death on the Nile. Most recently, she was in the one-woman thriller, Sandra, at TheaterWorks Hartford, and performed her solo cabaret at Everyman Theatre. Felicia received a Helen Hayes Award for Lela & Co. at Factory 449 where she is a company member. She is also a Resident Company Member at Everyman Theatre and an Artistic Associate at Ford’s Theatre. Felicia made her Broadway debut in the Tony-nominated revival of Into the Woods, and then toured with the show around the country, including at The Kennedy Center. She has a Berkshire Theatre Critics Award, a RTCC Award, an Anderson-Hopkins Award, and is a two-time AUDELCO nominee for Queens Girl in the World at Abingdon Theatre and Fabulation at The Billie Holiday Theatre, both off-Broadway. Felicia has been named one of “12 DC Stage Dynamos” by The Washington Post and one of “DC’s Biggest Theater Stars” by Washingtonian magazine. She is on the WAPAVA Board of Directors and the Emmy-nominated host of WETA Arts on PBS. Instagram: @thefeliciacurry

JOSH A. DAWSON

Blake/Ensemble

Josh A. Dawson (Blake/Ensemble) Broadway: Beautiful. Off-Broadway: Cyrano. TOUR: Hamilton, MJ the Musical. Regional: Dallas Theatre Center, Signature theatre. TV/Film: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (Harry Belafonte), “Nora from Queens” (Blake). EDUCATION: CCM, UMich. CGF & Robyn Bluestone Management. @mrjoshdawsonmusic

NICHOLE FORDE

Ensemble

Nichole Forde (Ensemble) is a Brooklyn native who is excited to make her debut at Arena Stage. Career highlights include: In The Heights (Signature Theatre); Anne of Green Gables (Off-Broadway); Jersey Boys (Las Vegas Residency); Jersey Boys (Associate Choreographer at Paper Mill Playhouse); SUMMER (Regional + Cruise); New York Knicks (7th Avenue Squad). Nichole is grateful for the continued support of her family, friends, and team at Bloc Agency. She hopes to touch, move and inspire those in attendance. Instagram: @theenikkiforde

DEON'TE GOODMAN

Rain/Ensemble

Deon’te Goodman (Rain/Ensemble) is thrilled to make his debut at Arena Stage! He was previously seen as Aaron Burr in the National Tour of Hamilton. Other notable credits include Hamilton on Broadway (U/S Aaron Burr, George Washington, and Hercules Mulligan/James Madison), Off-Broadway in Rolling Thunder. Regional credits include Sweeney Todd, In the Heights, SongBird, and Rent. As a vocal producer, Deon’te has worked with a variety of artists, including MJ Rodriguez (Pose), guiding them through studio sessions and vocal development. While musical collaborations with artists are currently available on all major streaming platforms, his solo project will be released soon. Deon’te wants to shout out his family, his team of collaborators, agents, and manager, and community of love and support. IG: @thedeontegoodman

CIARA ALYSE HARRIS

Rikara/Ensemble / u/s Chilli

Ciara Alyse Harris (Rikara/Ensemble / u/s Chilli) is thrilled to be making her Arena Stage debut with CrazySexyCool! Her credits include Dear Evan Hansen, (Broadway) Macbeth in Stride (Off-Broadway), the First National Tour of Dear Evan Hansen and Celie in The Color Purple (Casa Manana Theatre). She thanks HCKR, Rochel Saks, her loving and supportive family, and she gives God all the glory!

BETHANY HEMMANS

Ensemble / u/s Dr. Nzinga/Christina

Bethany Hemmans (Ensemble / u/s Dr. Nzinga/Christina) is thrilled to be making her debut at Arena Stage! A seasoned singer, dancer, and actress with over 30 years of training, Bethany brings a dynamic blend of technique and storytelling to the stage. Her diverse background includes ballet, jazz, musical theater, hip hop, and even theme park performance! Her favorite credits include Lady In Yellow in for colored girls… (Theater West End),the Charlaine Woodard track in Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Orlando Shakes), Felichia in Memphis (Theater West End), and Adult Dara and u/s Disco Donna in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (NCL). Bethany would like to thank The Telsey Office, her Pantera/Murphy Agency family, as well as her family and friends for all the love and support! IG: @beeizmee 

JUSTIN RAYNARD HICKS

Swing

Justin Raynard Hicks (Swing) is a singer-songwriter, actor, dancer, and native of Memphis, Tennessee. A force in the Memphis theatre scene, Justin has starred in over 30 regional and community productions including Fences, The Scottsboro Boys, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Mary Poppins, Dreamgirls, Grease, The Hot Wing King, and Ruined. He has also performed across the nation on stages at the Apollo Theater, the Kennedy Center, the Lincoln Center, and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. In 2021, Justin released his independent R&B-funk album, Who Do U Think U R?. He is delighted to make his Arena Stage debut in CrazySexyCool: The TLC Musical—especially because TLC is one of his biggest musical influences. With passion and hard work, Justin hopes to become one of the greatest entertainers show business has ever seen. Instagram: @justinraynardhicks TikTok: @justinraynardhicks

KENNEDY HOLMES

Ensemble / Understudy Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins / Understudy Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas

Kennedy Holmes (Ensemble / Understudy Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins / Understudy Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas) is beyond thrilled to be making her Arena Stage debut. Formerly a USC musical theatre student, Kennedy is currently deepening and refining her craft at Webster University’s Conservatory of Theatre Arts. Regional theater credits include Bring It On as Danielle, Rent  as Joanne, Dreamgirls as Ensemble, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical  as Little Eva/The Shirelles/Ensemble, Little Shop of Horrors  at Crystal, The Color Purple as Olivia/Ensemble/ Nettie Understudy, Smokey Joe’s Café as Ensemble, Footloose as Ensemble, A Christmas Carol as Belinda Cratchit, and Hairspray as Little Inez. Educational theater credits include Bat Boy as Ensemble/Reverend, Chicago as Velma, and Spelling Bee as Rona Lisa Peretti. TV: The Voice Season 15 (Finalist) and A New Holiday. Symphony Performances: Mercy Holiday Celebration (lead vocalist), Tina Turner Tribute (vocalist), A Gospel Christmas (lead vocalist). Instagram: @imkennedyholmes

LINDSEY JOLYN JACKSON

Ensemble / Dance Captain

Lindsey Jolyn Jackson (Ensemble / Dance Captain) Los Angeles native. Broadway: The Lion King; Hell’s Kitchen. BA: Fordham University; MSEd: University of Pennsylvania; MS: University of Massachusetts. 2008 student excellence Lorna Strassler Award from Jacobs Pillow. Glory to God. I love you Aaron, Jack Major, Action Major, Shine Major, Liv Major & Christmas. So much love to my family and friends. @firstcomeslovetcm

MALIK KITCHEN

Ensemble

Malik Kitchen (Ensemble) debuted on Broadway in Hamilton (understudy John Laurens & Philip Hamilton) after transferring from the original cast of the Chicago production. Previous notable theater credits include the Off-Broadway revival of Working at NYCC Encores, Off-Broadway's The Wrong Man - for which he earned a Chita Rivera Award, and the Broadway-bound new musical Wanted at Paper Mill Playhouse. Malik began his career on network television in the principal cast of MTV's “Taking the Stage” (season 1). Other notable TV/Film credits include “Good Morning America” (ABC), “Last Week Tonight” (HBO), “Passing” (Netflix), and a commercial for “Cadillac.” Malik is an NYC-based member of AEA and is represented by MSA Agency. “Reverence and gratitude to God and my cherished loved ones!.” Follow my journey on Instagram: @Malikshabazzkitchen

DARIUS JORDAN LEE

Michael/Ensemble

Darius Jordan Lee (Michael/Ensemble) is honored to be making his Arena Stage Debut in the world premiere of CrazySexyCool! He’s a Newark Native from New Jersey and loves making the world a better place through storytelling. Broadway: Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations (Lamont, Imperial Theatre). TV/Film: “East of the River,” “Sub/liminal,” “Dexter: Resurrection,” “Will Trent,” “FBI,” “The Last O.G.,” and “Power Book II: Ghost.” Off-Broadway: Clueless, The Musical (Signature Theatre). Regional: Blues for an Alabama Sky (Guthrie Theatre) West Side Story (Guthrie Theatre); The Scottsboro Boys (Theatre Raleigh) Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Theatre Raleigh); Fences (Delaware Rep); Summer Stock (Goodspeed Opera House); HAIR (Broadway at Music Circus); Dreamgirls (Cape Fear Regional Theatre); I’ll Be Home for Christmas (Arvada Center). He holds a B.F.A. & M.A. from Montclair State University, where he is currently a theatre professor. IG: @dariusjordanlee

MADISON McBRIDE

Ensemble / u/s Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes

Madison McBride (Ensemble / u/s Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes) An Atlanta, GA native, TLC is woven into the fabric of Madison's life! A graduate of the University of Michigan with a BFA in Musical Theatre, she was recently seen in the World Premiere of Clueless The Musical in London as the iconic Dionne Davenport, as well as Off-Broadway in Teeth. She has also garnered industry approval with a recurring role in HBO's Full Circle, directed by Oscar Award recipient Stephen Soderbergh, and stamps of approval from names like Alan Menken and Siedah Garrett. Madison is ready to bring her talent to this next singular moment. She sends love and gratitude to her friends, family, and team at HCKR and Management Perennial Entertainment for championing her dreams! @Madison_McB

KALEN ROBINSON

Swing

Kalen Robinson (Swing) is an actress, dancer, and singer from Atlanta, GA. She was in Chez Joey (Ambrosial) at Arena Stage and is excited to be back! Kalen credits her success to God and her endlessly supportive village of family and friends who believe in her! Some of her notable DMV theatre credits: Play On! at Signature Theatre, Paradise Blue (Pumpkin) at Studio Theatre, Finn (Seasil) and Look Both Ways National Tour at The Kennedy Center, The Sensational Sea-Minkettes (Raquel/Dionne) at Woolly Mammoth, and Metamorphosis at Folger Theatre. Regional theatre credits: Once on This Island (Ti Moune) at the Lyric Theatre, Cinderella and 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Logainne S.) at Fulton Theatre. Education: BFA in Musical Theatre at Howard University. Instagram: @k_nicole143 kalenrobinson.com

MIKARI TARPLEY

Swing

Mikari Tarpley (Swing) is a multi-hyphenate performer born and raised in Metro Atlanta, GA! She is beyond thrilled and grateful to be debuting at Arena Stage with CrazySexyCool! Credits include Ceilings (original piece) at Theater Alliance, Disney’s The Lion King Broadway National Tour (Young Nala), Warner Brothers and Nickelodeon’s Alex and Me (Lexi), OWN’s Queen Sugar (Tia). Mikari spends her time advocating and fundraising for Childhood Cancer Awareness and other illnesses after conquering her own battle of Lymphatic Cancer in 2020. She is in the 2026 BFA Musical Theatre class in the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University. Mikari sends all her love and thanks to God and her family for keeping her. Instagram: @mikari.nichelle

CHRISTOPHER HENRY YOUNG

MC Hammer/Ensemble

Christopher Henry Young (MC Hammer/Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his Arena Stage debut in CrazySexyCool. He previously appeared on tour with the revival of Company, which played the Kennedy Center, and the Nat’l tour of Hamilton. New York credits include A Bronx Tale (Broadway), Goddess and The Harder They Come (The Public Theater). Other theater highlights include The Little Mermaid, Personality: Lloyd Price Musical, Guys & Dolls, The Wiz, Sweat, and Smokey Joe’s Cafe. He made his network television debut as Christian on the CBS show Elsbeth. He’s grateful for the support of his family and the tireless work of his reps at HCKR. Instagram: @cyoungonstage

KWAME KWEI-ARMAH

Playwright and Director

CHLOE O. DAVIS

Choreographer

DAVID HOLCENBERG

Music Supervisor, Arranger, Orchestrator, and Co-Vocal Arranger

JARET LANDON

Music Director, Associate Music Supervisor, and Co-Vocal Arranger

DAVID ZINN

Set Designer

DEDE AYITE

Costume Designer

JAPHY WEIDEMAN

Lighting Designer

GARETH OWEN

Sound Designer

PETER NIGRINI

Projection Designer

NIKIYA MATHIS

Hair and Wig Designer

JERRICA D. WHITE

Associate Director

QUINTON 'Q' ROBINSON

Associate Music Director/Drums

HANA S. SHARIF

Dramaturg

THE TELSEY OFFICE/RACHEL HOFFMAN, CSA AND RASHAD NAYLOR, CSA

NYC Casting

RAIYON HUNTER, CSA

DC Casting

JEREME KYLE LEWIS

Stage Manager

DANIELLE TEAGUE-DANIELS

Assistant Stage Manager

STEFANIA GIRON ZULUAGA

Assistant Stage Manager