Cast Bios

JAMIE WAX* (Charles Thompson) started his career as an actor, writer, and comedian at the age of fourteen. His Equity stage roles include Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar, Brad in The Rocky Horror Show, Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, Father Flynn in multiple productions of Doubt, and Mr. Applegate in Damn Yankees. He also appeared as Toy in the play Guns for the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. He is the author of seven plays, including the acclaimed one-man show Goin’ to Jackson, which he continues to tour throughout the country. With composer Paul Taranto, he created and appeared in the musical Evangeline, which was seen nationally on PBS. The pair later collaborated on the musical Passages, which was also made into an award-winning special for public television. His latest play, The Scutley Papers, was recently awarded the Eudora Welty prize. He has several television, film, and theatre projects in development, and is the father of two amazing kids.

KRISTY CATES* (Katherine Reese) was a member of the Original Broadway Cast of Wicked and understudy to the lead role of Elphaba, played by Idina Menzel. She performed with the Wicked cast on the 2004 Tony Awards, the Late Show with David Letterman and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Cates went on to play Elphaba in the Chicago and first National Tour productions of Wicked. Recently, Kristy starred as Madison in Click, Clack, Moo at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. Also, Off-Broadway, Kristy starred in Boobs! The Musical which celebrated the songs of legendary 50’s and 60’s singer Ruth Wallis. She received positive reviews for playing Ruth Wallis and a barrage of other characters (including a medicated Mary Poppins and a Follies Bergere wannabe). Cates was also seen in Snapshots (by Stephen Schwartz), the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players’ Production of Princess Ida and the world premiere of the new musical Unbeatable (original cast album available at www.unbeatablemusical.com. She has performed at St. Louis MUNY, The Eugene O’Neill Conference and the NY Fringe Festival. Kristy’s extensive concert experience ranges from guest spots at Joe’s Pub and The Duplex to solo concerts at the Metropolis in Chicago, the Laurie Beechman Theatre and various other venues across the nation. Recently, she was honored to perform concerts at the Palace of Versailles in Paris and on a chartered cruise in the Mediterranean. She is also a voice-over artist and National Anthem soloist for several professional sports teams.

BRYAN MCELROY* (Brian Scott) is happy to be a part of Wine Lovers. A Chicago native, his past credits include: Chicago: Jersey Boys (Tommy). First National Tour: Thoroughly Modern Millie (Jimmy). Off Broadway: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Chuck) Regional: Across the Way (Peter), King O’ the Moon (Rudy), Grease (Kenickie), Taming of the Shrew (Hortensio), Evita (Che), The Big Funk (Gregory), Lucky Stiff (Bellhop), The Rink (Lucky), School House Rock Live! (Joe and Tom). Off-Broadway reading: The Navigator (Nate), Wingman (Josh). Bryan is a proud member of AEA and would like to thank you for your support of the arts. www.bryanmcelroy.com

ZAK MOSES (Production Stage Manager) is a proud NOLA native. Last August, he became a member of The Young Americans. Since then, Zak has been spreading his love of music with at-risk children in Southern California. He has recently returned to the States after having spent the last three months with The Young Americans traveling through Germany, Lithuania, and the Netherlands, giving the gift of music to local students and communities. He is happy to be back with the Wine Lovers team after Stage Managing the New Orleans production. Other credits include Soul Doctor (SM), The Little Dog Laughed (SM), 13 (ASM), and [title of show] (ASM)—all with Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré. He also served as the Assistant Stage Manager for the National WWII Museum’s live exhibit Let Freedom Swing.

*Actor appears courtesy of Actors Equity Association