AMDA Alumni in the News - February 5, 2021
February 05, 2021 - Alumni
IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK
TV / FILM
Rizwan Manji ’94:
Will star as “Jamil” in James Gunn’s upcoming HBO Max series and Suicide Squad spinoff, Peacemaker. Rizwan will also star in the upcoming drama film Basement, based on Robert Rosenbaum’s Off-Broadway play of the same name.
Myrtali Nomicou ’18:
Appeared as a contestant in Season 7 of The Voice (Greece). Myrtali performed “Over the Rainbow” for the blind audition and advanced to the “Cross Battles” live show on Panos Mouzourakis’ team.
WEB
Nicole Pasquale ’06:
Selected for ViacomCBS’ esteemed 2021 Showcase program, writing and performing material for the annual live hybrid comedy-Broadway-sketch show. Performances stream live on February 17 at 4PM PT and February 18 at 1PM PT and 4PM PT.
Jake Speck ’03:
Stars in A Speck-Tacular Evening of Stories & Song with Emily & Jake Speck, streaming February 12 – 28. Jake’s “I’ll Take You Dreaming” cabaret at The Duplex in NYC was featured in the recently published BWW Feature: A Tapestry of Cabaret. Jake currently serves as executive director for A.D. Players.
Jon Hoche ’99:
Stars in “One Day (Parker Berkshire Remix)” on IGTV. Jon discussed the play Vietgone at the Vietgone Viewing Party on Manhattan Theatre Club’s YouTube channel in December.
Peppermint ’99 and Mauricio Martinez ’99:
Spoke about what they love about New York City in NY Forever’s video tribute.
Caissie Levy ’02:
Virtually reunites with fellow original Broadway cast members of Frozen on The Broadway Cast Reunion Series on February 17. Caissie performed in The Museum of Jewish Heritage’s 18 Voices: A Liberation Day Reading of Young Writers’ Diaries From The Holocaust in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27.
Zhailon Levingston ’15:
Directs a live virtual reading of Chicken and Biscuits starring Janet Hubert on February 27. A recorded version is available to purchase through March 3. All ticket sales benefit The Next Wave Initiative. Zhailon and Leandra Ellis Gaston ’15 (in association with AMDA Faculty John Znidarsic) produced Broadway’s Black Voices of the Future on January 25, also featuring alumni Avionce Hoyles ‘10, Denise Manning ‘14, and Carla R. Stewart ‘10. Andre De Shields features Zhailon in Emerging Artist: Andre’s Choice, as part of Crossroads’ Emerging Artist program.
Hannah Duran ’18:
Performs in the new comedy musical USUCC: An Original Zoomsical premiering on HOCACA TV’s Youtube channel on February 12. Hannah performed as “Sloth” in the standing musical performance of Infernal: A Rock Musical concept album on January 30.
PODCAST
Sky Lakota-Lynch ‘12:
Stars as “Lucius” in Shakespeare@ Home's free radio play adaptation of Julius Caesar, premiering February 22 at 7PM ET. Remaining parts will be released on the following Mondays - March 1, 8, and 15.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Jarvis B. Manning Jr. ’06:
Featured by The Ensemblist. In December, Jarvis performed in NBC’s One Night Only: The Best of Broadway and Rockefeller Tree Lighting special with Broadway’s Ain’t Too Proud.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson ’95:
Joins Dawn and Swiffer’s “Close the Chore Gap” campaign. Jesse was a guest on Season 1 of the podcast Tanya’s Table, where he discussed his performance and cooking background. His cookbook with Julie Tanous, Food Between Friends, is available for pre-order ahead of its March 9 release.
Janaya Jones ’15:
Nominated for the 31st Annual LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards in “Featured Actress in a Musical” for her role in Rockwell Musical Parodies Presents: Stephen King’s IT.
Russell Dennis Lewis ’06:
Led a live Zoom event for The Queen’s Gambit on January 29. Russell and his twin brother Matthew Dennis Lewis discussed how their roles on the Netflix show were created with them in mind in DA MAN magazine. The Queen’s Gambit won a 2020 AFI award.