Coachella Valley Repertory presents ONCE

Adam Karsten is an award winning director for stage and screen, who has earned a reputation for the creation of stylistic works and defined concepts.

While directing and producing works for the Emmy Award winning performing arts series, Live From Lincoln Center and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Adam has had televised programs, films and documentaries air nationally & internationally. He has directed musicals, plays and other theatrical works Off-Broadway; Regionally; Touring productions; Broadway Workshops; and is dedicated to the development of new theatrical and film projects across a wide variety of genres.

Adam is the Executive Artistic Director at Coachella Valley Repertory. This is the second out of three productions he will direct this season.

Michael Reno began his career at age 19 as Music Director for a Summer Stock production of “Cabaret.” He now has over 150 stage shows to his credit, which have taken him to every major city in the US and Canada, and many venues around the world including the White House, The Kennedy Center, Madison Square Garden, the Vienna Concert House, Montreal’s Place des Arts, the Shanghai Center Theater, and most major hotels in Las Vegas. He is the original developer and producer of “Sister Act” the Musical, which premiered at the Palladium in London’s West End prior to its Broadway run. He has done new arrangements and orchestrations sanctioned by the Rodgers and Hammerstein organization for “Grand Hotel” and “Pal Joey”, and Off- Broadway’s “Open Heart.” His composing / arranging film work includes movies such as “The Lion King” and “North ‘Cross Jordan”, and his TV work includes “The Miss America Pageant”, “Time On Their Hands”, “Coming to Ametrica”, the Hallmark movie “Twice Upon a Christmas”, and various comedy programs for NBC including “Evening At the Improv”. He holds a B.A and an M.A. in Theatre, and has taught at several colleges and universities.

PHILIP CHAFFIN (Da) (ukulele, mandolin) moved to Palm Springs in 2020, following nearly 25 years performing up and down the East Coast, from Broadway to regional theatre. Philip has been honored with three Grammy nominations, for producing the Broadway cast albums of Fun Home, Follies and Sondheim on Sondheim. He is currently celebrating the release of his fifth solo CD, Will He Like Me?, which The New York Times named one of the year’s top albums.

MOLLY COYNE (Reza) (violin)could not be happier to join this amazing cast of Once! She lives in New York City and has performed Off-Broadway and in many Regional Theatres along the east coast. She can also be found in commercials for Petco, Heinz, and the recruiting website, WorkingNotWorking. She is represented by Stewart Talent New York and is a member of Actor’s Equity. All the love to Brian, Little Stink, and Pabu.

TREVOR LINDLEY CRAFT (Svec) (guitar, mandolin, cajon, drums) Recent credits include Once (2019 National Tour, Fulton Theater, Hangar Theater, Virginia Repertory Theater), Great Comet of 1812 (Hangar Theater), and Constellations (TheaterLab RVA). Find him on instagram @craft.trevor and on SoundCloud @TrevorLindleyCraft. Big thanks to everyone at CVRep!

EILEEN DOAN (she/him) (Andrej) (bass, guitar, mandolin) is a singer-songwriter and actor based in Chicago. Eileen is passionate about Asian-American representation in theatre and beyond. Past credits include: Cambodian Rock Band (Victory Gardens Theater, City Theatre, Merrimack Repertory Theatre), The Great Leap (Hangar Theatre, Portland Stage), Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play (Theater Wit). TV: Night Sky (Amazon). Eileen is proudly represented by DDO Chicago. Eileen has four original albums available for streaming on all platforms. eileendoan.com | @eileeneileend

PAUL LINCOLN (Bank Manager) (cello, guitar, piano) – Paul is excited to make his CVRep debut and return to the role of the Bank Manager.  Favorite credits include Cabaret First National Tour, My Name is not Indian Joe off-Broadway by Elizabeth A. Davis, Houndini and Very Good Eddie at Goodspeed and Allegro at the Classic Stage Company.  Paul is an also a vocal coach in New York City with dozens of clients in most of the shows on Broadway. Sláinte.

JOYA MCKNIGHT (IVONKA)

EMILY MIKESELL (Baruska) (ukulele, mandolin, accordion, concertina, piano, castanet) —Off-Broadway: WOODY SEZ, LONE STAR LOVE, COTTON PATCH GOSPEL, RADIO GALS, SWINGTIME CANTEEN. Most Recent Regional: THE IRISH…AND HOW THEY GOT THAT WAY (Capital Repertory Theatre). Over the years, there’ve been many shows, many places, often with various instruments in hand. But this story, at this time, is a particular gift to be able to live every night and share with you. Thanks so much for coming.

KEN ALLEN NEELY (Guy) (Guitar) works in NYC as a film and commercial actor.  Favorite credits include…TV: Blue Bloods (CBS), The Equalizer (CBS), The Gilded Age (HBO), The Deuce (HBO), Power Book II: Ghost (Starz).  NATIONAL TOUR: Spank! The 50 Shades of Gray Parody, Little Black Dress.  SELECT REGIONAL THEATRE:  Once (Arden Theatre, Fulton Theatre), Aida (John Engeman Theatre), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Western Stage), Rent (Morgan Stock), Legally Blonde (PacRep Theatre).  He attributes his reason to live to his beautiful wife Kayla Cyphers. 

ADAM HUEL POTTER (Billy) (guitar, cajon, tambourine, harmonica) is a NYC based character actor-musician originally from Kentucky. He’s thrilled to perform at CV Rep and winter in the desert. Favorite credits include being Dad’s favorite child and doing no wrong in Mom’s eyes. For acting stuff, visit IMDB, www.adamhuelpotter.com or just ask. He’ll be at Luchador after the show eating tacos. Alumnus: Circle in the Square, NYU. Actor’s Equity. SAG-AFTRA. SW Artists. Black Box Management. IG: @adamhuelpotter. Love to AMJ – Smirk!

CLAIRE-FRANCES SULLIVAN (Girl) (piano)  is a New York City-based and rural Michigan-bred actor, singer, musician, and writer. She was last seen onstage regionally in the mountains of Colorado as Philia in A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum and headlining at several cabaret venues in NYC. She’s a member of the Dramatists Guild, the Advanced BMI Workshop, Maestra, and the Ring of Keys. Claire-Frances gives all her love to her family and friends. www.clairefrancessullivan.com