Meet the Cast of ALMOST FAMOUS, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!

Almost Famous is set to begin preview performances at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre tonight, October 3, 2022 with opening night on November 3, 2022.

Almost Famous features a book and lyrics by Academy Award® winner Cameron Crowe, music and lyrics by Tony, Grammy, Emmy and Pulitzer Prize Award® winner Tom Kitt, direction by Tony and Olivier Award® nominee Jeremy Herrin, and choreography by Sarah O'Gleby.

The year is 1973 and it's all happening. Led Zeppelin is king, Richard Nixon is President, and idealistic 15-year-old William Miller is an aspiring music journalist. When Rolling Stone magazine hires him to go on the road with an up-and-coming band, William is thrust into the rock-and-roll circus, where his love of music, his longing for friendship, and his integrity as a writer collide. Almost Famous is a spirited tale of fandom, family, and the unforgettable characters you'll meet along the way.

Meet the cast bringing this show to the stage below!

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Chris Wood

(Russell Hammond)

Chris Wood is an American actor and writer. He is best known for his portrayal of Mon-El in the hit CW series "Supergirl." Prior to this, Wood led the CW's limited event series "Containment," which earned him a spot on Variety's 2015 "10 TV Actors to Watch" list. Wood first came to notoriety for his villainous turn as Kai Parker on the hit CW series "The Vampire Diaries." His additional credits include PBS' "Mercy Street," the CW's "The Carrie Diaries" and HBO's Emmy Award-winning series "Girls." Wood is also the voice of He-Man/Prince Adam in the Netflix animated series "Masters of the Universe: Revelation."

Anika Larsen

(Elaine Miller)

Anika Larsen has performed on Broadway in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Avenue Q, Xanadu, All Shook Up and Rent. Off-Broadway, she was in Zanna, Don't!; Myths and Hymns, Closer Than Ever, Miracle Brothers, How to Save the World..., Disaster! and Unbroken Circle. Anika grew up in Cambridge, MA, with nine brothers and sisters from different races and countries, and she majored in theater at Yale University. She released an album of lullabies for all ages called Sing You to Sleep and she is a proud member of Actors' Equity and the board of NYC Children's Theater.

Solea Pfeiffer

(Penny Lane)

Solea Pfeiffer most recently premiered her solo show You Are Here for Audible Theater. She will next star in Tyler Perry's Netflix film A Jazzman's Blues. Previous credits include the world premiere of Gun & Powder (Signature Theatre), the title role in Evita (New York City Center), The Light in the Piazza opposite Renée Fleming (Lyric Opera of Chicago), Songs for a New World (New York City Center Encores!), Sondheim on Sondheim (Hollywood Bowl), West Side Story (LA Philharmonic/Dudamel Hollywood Bowl & Steven Reinecke's National Symphony Orchestra) and Hamilton (West Coast premiere). TV credits include The Good Fight (CBS) and Scandal (ABC).

Drew Gehling

(Jeff Bebe)

Broadway: Waitress, On a Clear Day..., Jersey Boys. Regional: Almost Famous; Dave (Hayes Nom); Roman Holiday; The Scarlet Pimpernel in Concert, Waitress, Johnny Baseball (A.R.T.); Billy & Ray (Vineyard Theatre); A Minister's Wife (LCT); Anne of Green Gables (Off-Broadway). Tons of development. TV/Film: "The Blacklist," "Chicago PD," "Blue Bloods," "Instinct," "The Code," "Dietland," "The Good Fight," "Succession," "Kimmy Schmidt," "Elementary," "30 Rock," "Smash," Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight (HBO), "Indoor Boys," "Stomach People," "Unconformity," many others. Academically, he co-authored a paper on Singers with faculty members at the NYU Voice Center. An alumnus of both Carnegie Mellon and Columbia Universities, he is so thankful to be reunited with this group of people on such a special project.

Casey Likes

(William Miller)

Casey Likes is honored to be a part of Almost Famous in his Broadway debut, returning to William after originating the role at The Old Globe. He's performed since age 3 and is an award-winning director, writer, and producer. He'll soon be seen leading the MGM feature film Dark Harvest and portraying KISS legend Gene Simmons in Spinning Gold. He's also a recent finalist of the NHSMTA (Jimmy Awards). Film: Everything Must Go. TV: "The Birch," "Acts of Crime" (Dir. Sam Esmail), "American Blackout." Regional: A Christmas Carol. He thanks his family, AZ, CESD, Jeff, and Dave. @justcaseylikes

Rob Colletti

(Lester Bangs)

Rob Colletti is honored to bring Lester to Broadway after re-creating the role for Almost Famous' record-breaking regional run. Select credits include Dewey Finn (Original Cast) in the School of Rock First National Tour (Scenie Award); Elder Cunningham in the Broadway, National Tour, and Chicago productions of The Book of Mormon; and Julie DeRogatis in the hit "Sopranos" feature-length prequel film The Many Saints of Newark, now on HBO Max. Regional: The Kennedy Center, The Old Globe, American Theater Company, The Second City, New Theatre, Circle Theatre. Training: Harvard University, Columbia College, The Second City. For Alice and Phil.

Matt Bittner

(Larry Fellows)

Select acting credits include the Tony nominated revival of Present Laughter, starring Kevin Kline; School of Rock (National Tour, Broadway); Almost Famous (The Old Globe); Up Here (La Jolla Playhouse); Much Ado About Nothing (The Public's Shakespeare in the Park); As You Like It (Two River Theater), and various productions with Mile Square Theater and Thingamajig Theatre Co. TV: "Madam Secretary," "The Good Fight." MFA, Rutgers University.

Chad Burris

(Vic Nettles)

Chad Burris is so thrilled to be a part of this incredible company. Other Broadway credits include Mean Girls (Damian) and Frozen (Olaf). National Tour: The Book of Mormon. Regional: Arkansas Rep, Cleveland Playhouse, Cape Playhouse, The Old Globe, and The Muny. TV/Film: "Evil," Better Nate Than Never.

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Gerard Canonico

(Dick Roswell)

Gerard Canonico is an NYC-based Actor/Musician. Broadway credits include Les Misérables, Be More Chill, Spring Awakening, American Idiot, Groundhog Day. Off-Broadway credits include Bare, Dear Evan Hansen, Brooklynite, The Talls. Feature Films: Stuck, Not Fade Away, Boy Wonder. Notable Recordings: Be More Chill, Spring Awakening, American Idiot, Groundhog Day, 21 Chump Street, Dear Evan Hansen, Bubble Boy. Gerard also plays in a variety of projects. Most notably, he fronts and plays guitar in a national touring tribute band to Blink 182 known as The Dude Ranch (@TheDudeRanchNYC) and is the Drummer for the original band Parader (@ParaderNYC).

Julia Cassandra

(Estrella)

Broadway debut! Recent credits include Almost Famous (The Old Globe) and the Farewell Tour of Mamma Mia! Much gratitude to my family, the entire Almost Famous team, and Danny at Hudson Artists. All my love to Dustin. @julia_cassandra

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Brandon Contreras

(Silent Ed Vallencourt, u/s Jeff Bebe)

Brandon Contreras (they/he) is an NYC-born & raised multi-hyphenate creative. As an actor, they've been seen in World Premieres of Almost Famous (Old Globe) and Bhangin' It! (La Jolla Playhouse), Road Show (Encores!), In the Heights (1st National), Jerry Springer: The Opera (The New Group), Beauty and the Beast (Drury Lane), The Play that Goes Wrong (Pioneer), The Hamilton Mixtape (Public Theater) and has worked at countless regional theaters around the country. TV Credits: "WeCrashed," "Mr. Robot" and "Awkwafina is Nora from Queens." Brandon is a freelance filmmaker/writer and a co-creator, writer and EP of the Queer sketch platform "The Homo Sapien Experience" featured on E! News, Queerty, and LogoTV. www.BrandonContreras.com - @OhHey_Brandon

Jakeim Hart

(Dennis Hope, u/s Russell)

Broadway debut. Select theater credits include Sing Street (NYTW), We Live in Cairo (ART), Saturday Night (Second Stage), Next to Normal (Casa Mañana). TV: "Blue Bloods" (CBS), "The Affair" (Showtime). Debut EP Bad Country coming soon to all streaming platforms. Love to Mom, Bold MP family and Paradigm. Proudly on the autism spectrum ? This moment is dedicated to Keith Hart. "Peace and blessings." @jakeim_hart

Van Hughes

(David Felton, u/s Russell, u/s Jeff Bebe)

Van Hughes was most recently seen Off-Broadway in Space Dogs (MCC), a musical he wrote and starred in with Nick Blaemire. Broadway: Deaf West's Spring Awakening, American Idiot, 9 to 5, and Hairspray. Off-Broadway: Son of a Gun (Beckett), Saved (Playwrights Horizons). Regional: When We're Gone (Lyric Theatre), A Little More Alive (Barrington), Rocky Horror Picture Show (Bucks County). Film: Sex and the City I & II, Rachel Getting Married. TV: "Royal Pains," "Law & Order: SVU," "One Life to Live." As a composer: the films Sequence Break and Space Clown, and the musical Burn All Night (A.R.T.). B.A. in Theatre from Fordham University.

Jana Djenné Jackson

(Polexia, u/s Penny Lane)

Broadway debut! Jana was most recently seen in Little Shop of Horrors in her Off-Broadway debut as the Urchin/Audrey Cover, Dance Captain, and OS singer. She made history as the first Black woman to play Audrey Off-Broadway. Now, she's so excited to be making Broadway history in this fantastic show. Special thanks to her amazing agents at Buchwald, her friends and family who supported her through it all, and her wonderful cast.

Claire Kwon

(Swing)

Claire Kwon is ecstatic to make her Broadway debut a few months after graduating Northwestern University! She recently made her professional debut in LIFE AFTER at Goodman Theatre, and grew up performing at The Apollo. Huge thanks to her family, friends, Soffer Entertainment, and the AF team for this incredible opportunity! @clairekwon_

Katie Ladner

(Sapphire)

Katie Ladner is excited to be back on Broadway with Almost Famous! Other Broadway credits include Wicked (Shen-Shen, Madame Morrible u/s) and the revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close (ensemble). She was in the original Off-Broadway production of Heathers: The Musical (Martha) as well as the regional premieres of Disney's Freaky Friday (Gretchen, Ellie u/s) and Be More Chill (Jenna), and can be heard on all three original cast recordings. All thanks to Mom and Dad, Victoria, Jamie, Sam, and her one hunk of a husband, Clayton! Proud Belmont University Alum! @ktladner www.katieladner.com Galatians 1:3-5

Danny Lindgren

(Swing)

(he/him). Broadway debut! Regional: Candide (Kennedy Center), The Music Man, Rags, Chasing Rainbows, Damn Yankees, The Most Happy Fella (Goodspeed), Almost Famous (The Old Globe), A Christmas Carol (McCarter Theatre Center), All Is Calm (Alabama Shakespeare Festival), Candide (LA Opera), The Addams Family(Ogunquit Playhouse), From Here to Eternity, Oklahoma!, Guys and Dolls (The REV Theatre Company). Love to Family, Andie, HAA, Jim Carnahan, Cameron, Tom, Jeremy, Sarah, and Bryan. Ithaca College Alumn. @Danny_Lindgren

Erica Mansfield

(Swing, Dance Captain, u/s Elaine)

Erica Mansfield was recently seen in the Broadway company of Mrs. Doubtfire understudying the role of Miranda Hillard. Other Broadway credits include Kiss Me Kate, Bandstand, Finding Neverland, On the Town, On the Twentieth Century, Pippin, Evita, How to Succeed... and Broadway and Touring companies of Mamma Mia! She has played Cassie in regional and touring companies of A Chorus Line, Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia! (North Shore Music Theatre), and Lily in Annie (North Carolina Theatre), to name a few. Film/TV credits include recurring as Tawny on "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" (Amazon Prime), "That Damn Michael Che" (HBO Max), and "Nurse Jackie" (Showtime).

Alisa Melendez

(Swing, u/s Penny Lane)

Broadway debut! Recently graduated from Pace University and is honored to have been with Almost Famous since 2019. A3 Artists Agency and Lakey Wolff Management.

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Kevin Trinio Perdido

(Swing)

Broadway debut! Off-Broadway: Fire Island The Musical (Theatre Row). Regional: Once Upon a One More Time (Shakespeare Theatre Company, D.C.), In the Heights (La Mirada Theatre), Mamma Mia! (East West Players), Frederick (Mainstreet Theatre Company). Awards: 2003 San Fernando Valley Academy Elementary Spelling Bee Champion, 2005 Simi Valley Basketball Camp Award for Best Attitude. Other: Disneyland Resort Puppeteer and Dancer for "Fantasmic!," "Pixar Play! Parade," and "Paint the Night Parade." Praise God for all the continuous blessings. Love to Arleen, Mom & Dad, family, and friends. @perderder_k

Andrew Poston

(Swing, u/s William)

Broadway Debut! National Tour: Kinky Boots. Select Regional: Godspell; Hello, Dolly!; Newsies. South Carolina native and graduate of Anderson University (B.M. in Commercial Music). Andrew's debut, self-titled EP can be heard on all streaming platforms. Endless gratitude to God, my family, friends, KMR, and all of my mentors for the continued love and support! @andrewposton96. Psalm 108:1

Emily Schultheis

(Anita Miller)

Almost Famous will be her Broadway debut! Other favorite theater credits include Bat Out of Hell (Nat'l Tour, Raven), Wicked (Nat'l Tour, Elphaba Standby), Almost Famous (The Old Globe). @em_schultheis

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Daniel Sovich

(Darryl, u/s William)

Daniel Sovich is the creator and lead singer of the band DISCOFOX down in Nashville, TN, and will be making his Broadway debut in Almost Famous. Aside from writing and releasing music, which can be found at https://linktr.ee/discofox, Sovich began his career as an actor in NYC with roles in The New Group's production of Downtown Race Riot as well as guest-starring in the CBS Productions "Blue Bloods" and "The Code." Daniel is repped with CESD Talent Agency as well as Authentic Talent and Literary Management.

Libby Winters

(Leslie, u/s Elaine)

(she/they). Broadway: American Idiot (Extraordinary Girl, OBC ensemble), Mamma Mia! (Sophie, Vegas company). Off-Broadway: Big Love (Signature Theater). Regional: Almost Famous (Old Globe), Jen Silverman's All the Roads Home (Cincinnati Playhouse), Steve Martin's Bright Star (Old Globe), American Idiot (Berkeley Rep). TV credits include "Escape At Dannemora" (Showtime), "Billions" (Showtime), "Olive Kittredge" (HBO), "Smash" (NBC), "Champs" (ABC). Libby fronts the grunge-pop band L4KES (@lakestheband) and is a sommelier/educator with beverage consulting group Lake Effect.

Matthew C. Yee

(Ben Fong-Torres)

Matthew C. Yee (he/him/his) is thrilled to be making his Broadway debut. He is an actor, playwright, and musician. Regional theatre credits include Cambodian Rock Band (Victory Gardens), Vietgone (Writers Theatre), Treasure Island (Berkeley Rep), The Wheel (Steppenwolf Theatre), Moby Dick (Lookingglass Theatre). TV credits include "Chicago Fire," "Chicago Justice," "61st Street," and "Empire." He is a company member of Lookingglass Theatre Company in Chicago. @matthewcyee