Elvis The Musical

Taylor Rodriguez (Elvis) From the moment he takes the stage, Taylor Rodriguez captivates the crowd with his deeply rooted passion for entertaining. Whether performing a tribute to his idol Elvis Presley, gospel and rockabilly music, classic country songs or popular hits from past and present day, his unique voice and intriguing stage presence allows the audience to unwind and enjoy his natural and pleasing manner.Through his quiet and calm demeanor, Taylor takes the audience on a musical journey while invoking memories of days past.

Taylor hails from Lynchburg, Virginia and has had the honor of performing in many musical productions including the Million Dollar Quartet where he starred as Elvis Presley. In 2017 he was named One of the Top 5 Elvis Tribute Artist in the world. In June of 2019, he was crowned the 2019 Tupelo Elvis Festival Champion.

Recently, Taylor Rodriguez was named The 2019 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Champion by Elvis Presley Enterprises(EPE). He won a grand prize of $20,000 and a contract with EPE.

Asher Berg (Kid Elvis) is 11 years old and attends Sonora Elementary School.  He is so excited to return to SRT after appearing as Tom in The Christmas Foundling, Flounder in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and the television-obsessed Mike Teavee in SRT Jr.’s Willy Wonka KIDS. When he is not on the stage, Asher enjoys long-distance running, super competitive Four Square games, and playing with friends.

Into the Woods marks Courtney’s tenth production at Sierra Rep, having debuted as Betty Haynes in our 2010 production of White Christmas.  From leading ladies, to character roles and kicking a leg up in the chorus, SRT has never failed to inspire and challenge Courtney as an artist. She was also seen last year right across the county line as Cathy in The Last Five Years at Murphys Creek Theatre.  Career highlights beyond the California Foothills include the original Broadway company of The Woman in White, the Australian tour of Sweeney Todd and the Austral-Asian premiere of Ragtime with The Production Company in Melbourne, Victoria. 

John made his SRT debut in 1991 and is thrilled to be back! SRT audiences may remember him over the years as Sancho in Man of La Mancha, Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened…, Greater Tuna as well as music directing many productions. John has had the pleasure to work at several regional houses including Great Lakes Theatre, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Barn Theatre, Amarillo Opera, Ocean State Theatre, American Musical Theatre of San Jose, Hope Summer Rep. appearing in such roles as: Plankton in Spongebob Squarepants, Igor in Young Frankenstein, Madam in Pacific Overtures, Maj. General in The Pirates of Penzance, Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar, and Narrator in The Rocky Horror Show.  John’s Conducting/ Music Directing credits include Billy Elliot, Les Misérables, Sunset Boulevard, Tommy, Into the Woods and Zorba.

Camryn is thrilled to return to SRT this season as an Artistic Associate! Previous SRT credits include: Sunday in the Park with George (Dot/Marie), Cinderella (Ella), Jersey Boys (Mary Delgado), and Elf (Jovie). Camryn has had the pleasure to perform at several regional houses including Casa Mañana and Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre. Camryn received her BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Arizona. She would like to thank her friends, family, and SRT for their endless love and support. Enjoy the show!

Sergio is thrilled to be returning to SRT as a company member. He graduated from UC Irvine where he spent 5 years mastering his craft. Favorite credits include: Off-Off Broadway Staged Reading: Worlds Apart, Kiss of The Spiderwoman (Welk Resort), Elf (SRT), West Side Story as Bernardo (TPAC) and Chino (Glendale Center Theatre), In The Heights (Lewis Playhouse), Legally Blonde (Performance Riverside), Carousel (MTW). Huge thanks to Scott, Jerry, mom, Dayanara, Brisa, & my best friend Sarahi. Love y’all. All glory be to God.

Josh has been a familiar face at music scenes in Reno, Sacramento, and San Jose. He’s drummed in jazz clubs, cruise ships, and major venues from the Mother Lode to LA. Since 2013, his main gig is holding down the beat for Grover Anderson & The Lampoliers, with whom he’s headlined regional festivals, sold out shows at Brice Station Vineyards and Inner Sanctum, and opened for America and Creedence Clearwater Revisited. Since performing with Ramblin’ Rose last season, Josh has also performed at Strawberry and Salmonfest in Ninilchik, Alaska.

Olivia is pleased to be back rockin-n’-rollin on the Sierra Repertory stage this season! Her previous SRT credits include last year’s productions of Steel Magnolias and Disney’s The Little Mermaid. These shows are accompanied by her other selected roles; Sheila in Hair, Macy in The Cake, Lorraine in All Shook Up, and Sarah in Ragtime. Olivia would like to thank SRT’s fantastic creative team as well as her supportive friends & family back home!

Miles, a Sacramento native, is excited to be making his Sierra Repertory Debut! He is overjoyed to perform in the West Coast Premiere of Elvis! Regional credits include A Christmas Carol (CenterREP), In the Heights, Little Shop of Horrors (Berkeley Playhouse), On Your Feet (Woodminster), Mamma Mia, HMS Pinafore (Sacramento Theatre Company), The Gift of Magi (Classic Theatre). He thanks his family and friends for the love and support.

Based in the heart of Brooklyn, New York, Christopher is incredibly grateful to finish out the season as a resident company member at Sierra Rep in Cinderella! You may remember him from a number of 2023 MainStage shows, SRT in Schools shows, as well as director/choreographer for SRT Jr. Favorite credits: Buddy the Elf u/s (SRT’s Elf the Musical), Louis/Franz u/s (SRT’s Sunday…), Tobias (Sweeney Todd), Prince Eric (The Little Mermaid), among others. Additionally, he teaches at Mother Lode Dance Academy. Rep: FSE Talent Agency. Love to Kevin.

Sarah is honored to get to reprise the role of Kitty after being a part of the production in 2015. Sarah was last seen at SRT as Marion/others in Elvis the Musical and then co-choreographed the East Coast Premiere at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater in PA. Favorite SRT shows: Elf, Carousel and Annie. Bay Area: Pegeen/Fan in Mame (42nd St Moon) and Lily St Regis in Annie (TVRT).

Sage is thrilled to be making his Sierra Rep debut alongside such a talented cast! Sage based out of the NYC area. Recent credits include Calogero in the regional premiere of A Bronx Tale at Broadway Palm, Phoebus in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Sammy in The Wedding Singer at Southern Appalachian Rep, and Elvis in Million Dollar Quartet for Asbury Park Theatre Company. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Bill has been a working bassist in the Southwest U.S. since the 1970s. He’s a dedicated animal lover and operates an animal rescue group in Texas. Over the course of the last 45 years, he’s had the honour of playing with musicians such as: Yesenia McNett, The Future Ladies of Wrestling, Austin Music Hall of Famer, Terri Lord, Drew Womack, Big John Mills, The Brass Tax, Joey Colarusso, and Grammy Winner Rebecca Valadez.

Dedrick Weathersby a Longview Texas native. A 2022 Emmy Award Winner for Best Interview and Discussion with Theatre Corner on PBS/KPBS. A Broadway World Award Winner and NAACP Award Winner. As a child, his dream was to become a professional actor/singer and impact the world and his community through his storytelling and music. Years and dreams later, he’s living that dream, paying it forward and still has more to do. Dedrick has been a professional actor since 2010 and performed in numerous, Community, Regional, Broadway Tour, Musicals and Plays. Dedrick is a proud member of various professional Union Organizations, recently he became a member of SAG-AFTRA a union for film/television and Dramatist Guild Union, for Playwrights.

The proud Founder and Executive Director of Super Bad Theater Company and Weathersby Productions LLC/Publishing.

Dedrick released his second album titled 5 Minutes Till Places (Songs of Broadway), available on all streaming platforms, This album is a personal tribute to Broadway shows that are near and dear to Dedrick’s heart and his career,

Dedrick is an accomplished author of 6 published books, his most recent literary success would be “How I See Myself”, Short Inspirational Vignettes for African American Youth. Dedrick is a firm believer, if you remember those humble beginnings, you can use each moment for future endeavors and “You can NEVER lose, betting on yourself and giving is connected to your healing.”

Dedrick, has written numerous Plays and Musicals, his notable successes would be Remembering James: The Life and Music of James Brown, and The New Teacher (A Stage Play Comedy).

Remembering James: The Life and Music of James Brown opened in February 2019 to SOLD OUT audiences for a 6-month run with the collaboration of Boxcar Theatre and the Creators of Speakeasy San Francisco. The show embarked on a National Tour from 2019-2020 (pre-pandemic) and performed over 60 Shows. Dedrick would continue touring to states and cities based on request from fans, promoters, and theater partners until closing on May 14. 2022.

The New Teacher (A Stage Play Comedy) premiered in Longview TX on February 19, 2022 with the collaboration of Longview Independent School District (Bramlette Elementary) and performed a Encore on March 12, 2022 by Popular Demand. This show will continue to provide artistic opportunities to youth in marginalized communities where Theatre is not a part of their schools.

Josh has lived in Sonora, and enjoyed playing, teaching  and supporting music in the Mother Lode region since 2002. In addition to playing guitar in Elvis, Josh has performed in previous Sierra Rep productions of Respect: A Celebration of Women in Music, and Always… Patsy Cline. Currently a realtor with KW Sierra Foothills Realty since 2018, you can regularly find him hop-tending at Inner Sanctum Cellars, or performing out with his Americana band, The Blonde Tells.

Prior to launching Broadway Licensing, Cercone served as Chief Business Officer and Senior Vice President of Professional and International Licensing for Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW). Since 2011, Cercone helped build TRW through the acquisition of marquee Broadway titles, including Jersey Boys and Million Dollar Quartet, and led the worldwide distribution of The Addams Family, Monty Python’s Spamalot, The Color Purple, Curtains, All Shook Up, and Memphis by achieving productions in 69 different countries. He additionally led the redevelopment of Ghost: The Musical (with Oscar winning author Bruce Joel Rubin and Grammy Award winners Glen Ballard and Dave Stewart), Ring of Fire: Small Cast Version (w/ Tony Award winner Richard Maltby Jr.), and Big Fish: 12 Chair Version (with Tony and Grammy Nominee Andrew Lippa and Grammy Nominee John August.) Cercone co-wrote the newest adaptation of Saturday Night Fever with collaborator David Abbinanti which has been seen in 2016 and 2017 throughout North America, South Africa, Italy, Brazil, and Peru. Cercone is a proud member of the Broadway League and previously served as the Producing Artistic Director of The Carousel, Executive Producer of Theatre Building Chicago, and founded the West Virginia Shakespeare Festival. He has served on the board of the National Alliance of Musical Theaters, Co-Chaired of the NAMT New Musical Theatre Festival and served as Board President of the Cleveland Theatre Collective. Cercone was named to Crain’s Business Top 40 Under 40, holds an MFA in Theatre from West Virginia University, and is an avid Ironman.

David Abbinanti is a national award-winning composer, songwriter and orchestrator. Credits include ELVIS: THE MUSICAL (Book co-written with Sean Cercone, Orchestrations, Arrangements and Additional Music & Lyrics), SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER THE MUSICAL (Book co-written with Sean Cercone, Orchestrations, Arrangements and Additional Music & Lyrics), DISENCHANTED (Orchestrations and Arrangements), THE PERFECT DOG (Music and Lyrics), GHOST THE MUSICAL; (Orchestrations), GHOST THE MUSICAL CHAMBER VERSION (Orchestrations and Arrangements), BEEHIVE (Orchestrations and Arrangements), RING OF FIRE 5-THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH; (Additional Arrangements) and Molly Shannon’s TILLY THE TRICKSTER (Orchestrations); Tour, Stock & Amateur editions.

Before joining Broadway Licensing, David was a Vice President at Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW), where he oversaw all curation of scores, scripts, recordings, arrangements and orchestrations for TRW’s catalog of shows. Ranging from children’s musicals to major Broadway blockbusters, shows included were JERSEY BOYS, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, GREASE, MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT, BIG FISH, ALL SHOOK UP and many more.

He was the first recipient of the Songwriters Guild of America’s National Award for Best Pop Song for “Back to Las Vegas”–part of his debut CD-Local Train to Babylon. David has worked as a music engraver and editor for many of the major publishers in New York City including G. Schirmer, Peer Music and Boosey & Hawkes. He is also a member of the adjunct faculty at Nassau Community College, where he teaches music theory, piano and the history of rock and roll. David is a proud member of ASCAP, The Dramatists Guild of America and the American Federation of Musicians (Local 802).

Jerry Lee is Sierra Rep’s Artistic Director. He’s appeared in the SRT productions of Misery, Sunday in the Park with George, Elf The Musical, Shrek The Musical, Camelot, Cabaret, Route 66, Intimate Apparel, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Man of La Mancha, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s State Fair, and The Drowsy Chaperone. As an actor: I Love You…Change, Forbidden Broadway (California Musical Theatre); Life Could Be a Dream, A Christmas Carol (CenterREP); A Little Princess, The Fantasticks (Sacramento Theatre Company); West Side Story (Mountain Play); Orlando, An Iliad, A Tale of Two Cities (SacImpulse Theatre). As a soloist: Rodgers and Hammerstein Celebration (Sacramento Choral Society); Billy Bigelow in Carousel in Concert (Sacramento Philharmonic). As a director: HAIR, Little Shop of Horrors, Mean Girls JR., Sh-Boom! A Christmas Miracle (World Premiere), Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Twelfth Night, Jersey Boys, Clue, Disney’s Winnie the Pooh KIDS, Elvis The Musical (West Coast Premiere), Dogfight, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Steel Magnolias, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka KIDS, I Love You…Change, The Wizard of Oz, Holiday Jukebox, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, The Robber Bridegroom (SRT); I Love You…Change (STC). Lee began his association with Sierra Rep in 2010 when he stepped in as a replacement in Guys and Dolls.

In 2019, Lee created SRT in Schools, a touring program that brings live professional theatre to Tuolumne County schools at no cost to the schools, students, or their families. In 2023, the program branched out to include Stanislaus and Calaveras counties.

Scott Viets is Sierra Rep’s Executive Producer. He has directed over 60 shows for SRT since his arrival in 2002. As a director, his SRT favorites include The Wizard of Oz, Intimate Apparel, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Christmas Story, All My Sons, Shipwrecked, The Robber Bridegroom, and The Glass Menagerie. Thank you for supporting live theatre and continuing (or beginning) your journey with us!

John made his SRT debut in 1991 and is thrilled to be back! SRT audiences may remember him over the years as Sancho in Man of La Mancha, Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened…, Greater Tuna as well as music directing many productions. John has had the pleasure to work at several regional houses including Great Lakes Theatre, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Barn Theatre, Amarillo Opera, Ocean State Theatre, American Musical Theatre of San Jose, Hope Summer Rep. appearing in such roles as: Plankton in Spongebob Squarepants, Igor in Young Frankenstein, Madam in Pacific Overtures, Maj. General in The Pirates of Penzance, Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar, and Narrator in The Rocky Horror Show.  John’s Conducting/ Music Directing credits include Billy Elliot, Les Misérables, Sunset Boulevard, Tommy, Into the Woods and Zorba.

Kimily Conkle (Dialect Coach) recently coached Steel Magnolias for SRT and is delighted to join the creative team once again. She has coached dialects extensively throughout the Bay Area, including 20 shows for TheatreWorks (notably the world premiere of Memphis). Other theatres include Marin Theatre Company, San Jose Stage, South Bay Musical Theatre, Broadway by the Bay, Los Altos Stage, The Mountain Play, Foothill Music Theatre, Palo Alto Players, Tabard Theatre, Dragon Productions, Pear Theatre, Woodside Community Theatre, Hillbarn Theatre, Ross Valley Players, and at Stanford University and Santa Rosa Junior College. Kimily has performed with TheatreWorks, San Jose Stage, PCPA Theaterfest, Western Stage, Los Altos Conservatory Theatre, Empire Plush Room, Palo Alto Players, and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She is a former member of the Theatre Arts faculty at Foothill College and received her training from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, American Conservatory Theater, and Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts.

Michael Kramer: Theatre: Cabaret, 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Always Patsy Cline, Beehive the 60’s Musical Sensation, The Great American Trailer Park Musical at Sierra Repertory Theatre. Ragtime and Children of Eden at APAC (New York Innovative Theatre Award winners for Outstanding Scenic Design), Saturday Night Fever, North Shore Music Theatre My Fair Lady Theatre by the Sea. and The Wake of Jamey Foster – The Cherry Lane. A Christmas Story – Seacoast Repertory, Steel Magnolias – Le Petit Theatre NOLA. Television: ESPN’s SportsNation, CBS Super Bowl New Orleans, & NFL Total Access.  Dedicated to new baby Vivien and her mother.

Janetta is very pleased to be working once again in a loving and professional theatre! She received her MFA from New York University. Coming from a broad base she has managed several costume shops, worked as an assistant for Broadway and numerous regional theaters. Additionally, she was a member of Elsen Associates, the wig and makeup company. Some of her favorite work venue’s include Washington Opera, Sesame Street Live, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Alice Tully Hall, The Denver Center, Philadelphia Street Theater, Jacobs’ Pillow and Central City Opera.  Favorite shows which she has been able to design are: The Comedy of Errors, The Threepenny Opera, Tartuffe, Electra, The Turn of the Screw, Blood Wedding, Noises Off and Ragtime.

Jonnie Painter is excited to be returning to SRT! They have designed shows at SRT such as ELVIS, JERSEY BOYS, ROGERS AND HAMERSTINES CINDERELLA, as well as others. Jonnie has a BFA in Fine Arts from Texas State University, and now lives and works out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but loves getting to journey back out West for their favorite country artists. Yee-Haw!!

George is delighted to working with Sierra Rep. An actor as well as a professional hair and wig designer, he has created hair designs for more than 350 shows such as Mamma Mia!; Anything Goes; Dreamgirls; The Producers; 42^nd Street; Thoroughly Modern Millie, Cabaret; The Mikado; la Cage aux Folles; White Christmas; A Little Night Music, and Gypsy to name a few. He recently was Hair Department Head for LEGO Masters, Season 3.

Tatiana Covington-Parra is thrilled to be diving into another season at Sierra Rep after a whirlwind 2021 return. Beginning as a sound engineer at Modesto Junior College, she is grateful to have found a community and the opportunity to grow as an artist thanks to the guidance and support of the SRT company. Her favorite design work at SRT includes Cabaret, The Wizard of Oz, and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. She would like to thank her Mom, Grandma, family, friends, the MJC Theatre staff, and all her mentors for always allowing her to create, explore, and grow with love.

Alicia Dooley is excited to be back at SRT for the season! Her previous props credits include Elf, A Christmas Foundling, Man of La Mancha, Noises Off, and Cyrano. Alicia has a degree in Theater Arts from Azusa Pacific University, where she was Prop Master for the Theater Department. She would like to thank Jerry for the opportunity to do what she loves, and her husband Kyle and kids Finnegan and Daisy for their love and support.

Maggie Braun (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be back at her theatre home! SRT: Steel Magnolias, Murder on the Orient Express, Route 66, The Wizard of Oz, Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, and Million Dollar Quartet. With her associate degree in Theater from Modesto Junior College, she is proud to have her dream job here in Sonora. She would like to thank her family, best friends, and Connor for supporting her in her journey of chasing her dreams. “Look ma, I made it!”