Who’s Who: The View UpStairs Cast

JOHANNA CARLISLE-ZEPEDA* (Inez/Realtor) is thrilled to be making her SpeakEasy debut! Other Boston shows include Kiss of the Spider Woman (Lyric Stage) and In the Heights (Wheelock Family Theatre). Johanna also appeared as Ana in The Clean House with Threshold Stage in Kittery, ME.  A native of AZ, Johanna has appeared nationally with Phoenix Theatre, Arizona Broadway Theatre, Ft. Peck Summer Theatre, Stray Cat Theatre, and Nearly Naked Theatre to name a few.  A strong proponent of new works and youth theatre, Johanna recently participated in a reading for Dreaming in Cuban in NYC with playwright/author Christina Garcia. She is currently developing a new work about Ethel Merman.  Johanna is also the proud mom of NYC drag queen Rhiannon Nichelle! @rhirhi.nichelle @divasandinista

RUSSELL GARRETT* (Richard) is thrilled to return to SpeakEasy where he played The Interlocutor in The Scottsboro Boys.  New England stage appearances include A Christmas Carol (North Shore Music Theatre); Amadeus, The Elephant Man (New Rep); The Sparrow, Something’s Afoot, Dames at Sea (Greater Boston Stage Company); Cabaret, The Producers (Ogunquit Playhouse); and 42nd Street, Around the World in 80 Days (Ocean State Theatre Company). Broadway and National Tours include The Scarlet Pimpernel, Show Boat, A Chorus Line, and 42nd Street. Russell also works extensively around the country as a director and choreographer.

J’ROYCE JATA* (Wes) is beyond blessed to be making their SpeakEasy debut with such a groundbreaking piece of art. Currently a Garth Fagan Dance company member, Jata’s select credits include:   TV/Film: HBO’s Random Acts of Flyness, Killer Unicorn, Royal Pains, Babylon Fields. Off-Broadway: Endangered (Tour Guide/Snoop). National Tours: Dirty Dancing (Ensemble/Tito Suarez u/s); Fame (Tyrone Jackson); Memphis (Swing/Black DJ u/s). NYC: BroadwayCon, Symphony Space, La Mama. Regional: The Wiz, Passing Strange, Footloose, The Little Mermaid (NY Regional Premiere). Love and light to the stellar team at SpeakEasy, and to you for supporting live art. jroycejata.com | @jroycejah

MICHAEL LEVESQUE (Cop/ Buddy u/s) is grateful to be back at SpeakEasy having previously appeared in Next to Normal, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, and Far From Heaven. Other regional credits: Altar Boyz (Greater Boston Stage Company); Man of La Mancha (New Rep); City of Angels (Lyric Stage); and Creative License (Boston and NYC premieres, via FringeNYC).  Michael holds a BS in Computer Engineering from Northeastern University and has worked with OunceIT, a local IT consulting firm since 2011. To Ashley and H: SHMILY.

WILL McGARRAHAN* (Buddy) is happy to return to SpeakEasy Stage where he performed in The Bridges of Madison County; Casa Valentina; Big Fish; Far From Heaven; Next Fall; The Drowsy Chaperone; Reckless; Some Men; The Mystery of Edwin Drood; Five By Tenn; Company; The Last Sunday in June; Elegies: A Song Cycle; Ruthless!; A Class Act; and A New Brain.    Other local credits include Souvenir (Elliot Norton Award), Stage Kiss, Peter and the Starcatcher, Light Up The Sky, Into The Woods, Death of a Salesman, Becky’s New Car, 33 Variations, The Chosen, The Temperamentals, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Grey Gardens, November, and Dirty Blonde. (Lyric Stage); A Raisin in the Sun (Huntington Theatre), The Wind in the Willows, Happy Days (Gloucester Stage); Nine Circles (Publick Theatre and Gloucester Stage); The Moon For The Misbegotten; Buried Child (Nora Theater); and The Wrestling Patient (SpeakEasy Stage/Boston Playwrights/40 Magnolias). Will worked as an actor, singer, and pianist for many years in Seattle before moving to Boston’s South End in 2001.

 DAVRON MONROE* (Willie) is excited to be making his SpeakEasy debut!  In New England, Davron has appeared with the Lyric Stage, New Rep, Moonbox Productions, Wheelock Family Theatre, and The Company Theatre. He has also appeared as a soloist with The South Florida Symphony and several other orchestral organizations in New England.  Davron was also the first recipient of the Bob Jolly award.

 YEWANDE ODETOYINBO* (Henri) is excited to be making her SpeakEasy debut. She is a proud native of Detroit, graduate of Howard University (BFA Theatre Arts), and graduate of The Boston Conservatory at Berklee (MFA Musical Theatre Performance). She has performed at Carnegie Hall, Seven Angels Theatre, Reagle Music Theatre, Fiddlehead Theatre, Wheelock Family Theatre, Goodspeed Opera House, Lyric Stage, and Front Porch Arts Collective, and has directed at Mosaic Youth Theatre. She enjoys teaching theatre to inner city youth and plans to open a performing arts school in Nigeria. She thanks the Lord this blessing, and her family and friends for their love and support. Also thanks to Paul and the SpeakEasy family for this incredible opportunity. Ase!

 EDDIE SHIELDS* (Patrick) is thrilled to be returning to SpeakEasy having previously appeared in Shakespeare in Love, Significant Other (IRNE Award), and Casa Valentina (IRNE nom). New England credits: Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Nora Theater); Edward II (IRNE nom), The Comedy of Errors (ASP); Edith Can Shoot Things…(Company One). NY: A Class Act (Robert Moss Theater), The Good Girl’s High (Manhattan Rep), Henry VI.3, Midsummer (Drilling Theater Co.), Twelfth Night (Chekhov Theater Fest), If on a Winter’s Night (Everyday Inferno Company), Julie (Workshop Theater). Film/TV: Moonrise Kingdom, Road to Joy, Unsure/Positive, The Entertainment. MFA: Brandeis University.

JARED TROILO* (Dale) returns to SpeakEasy having previously appeared in Significant Other, Dogfight, Far From Heaven, and Jerry Springer – The Opera.  Area credits include productions with the Lyric Stage, Wheelock Family Theatre, The Palace Theatre, Moonbox Productions, Fiddlehead Theatre, and Greater Boston Stage Company, where he received an IRNE Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for his performance in She Loves Me. Jared is a graduate of The Boston Conservatory, and a proud member of AEA. Love to Kira and Levi.

SHAWN VERRIER (Freddy) recently played the role of Loki in Company One’s production of Wig Out! at the ART, and originated the role of Dylan in a new work called Fire on Flaming Roads. NYC credits: Bastard Blood (Richard III); Romeo and Juliet (Nurse); The Halls of Importance (Arthur); concerts at 54 Below, and various supporting roles in Regroup Theatre Company’s The Lost Group Theatre Plays. Regional: Rent (Angel). Shawn is a graduate of Emerson College’s Musical Theatre program, and dedicates this performance to Dr. William Martin.