Be More Chill

DANNY JONOKUCHI is thrilled (and slightly confused) to be reprising his groundbreaking, career-defining role as “Theremin Guy” in this production. A multi-hyphenate jazz artist, Danny hasn’t touched a theremin in years and honestly had to Google how it works before rehearsal. His groundbreaking technique of “playing theremin with the trumpet” continues to mystify musicians, Aubrey Plaza, and house pets alike. When not conjuring otherworldly tones from antennas, Danny enjoys a refined diet of whiskey and Pop-Tarts, ideally consumed while arranging music for large ensembles who almost play it correctly. He is a proud member of the BMC family, who, for reasons unknown, have invited him to perform for the Two River, Off-Broadway, and Broadway productions of Be More Chill. Danny would like to thank Robert Moog, his chiropractor, and the ghost of Leon Theremin for guiding his electromagnetic journey. He will be available for theremin signings at the stage door following this performance — limit one frequency per fan. Despite his historic debut as the first thereminist on Broadway, he is not (yet) endorsed by Moog synthesizers, but if you know anyone that works there, please forward their LinkedIn info to his manager. Follow his further questionable life choices at @dannyjonokuchi.

Dan McMillan is happy to be back in Red Bank after being part of Two River’s production of Camelot. A Monmouth County native (Freehold), he studied at Mannes College of Music, BM, MM. Orchestras include the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Princeton Symphony, and Long Island Philharmonic. Broadway: West Side Story (2009 revival), A Chorus Line (2006 revival), The Boy from Oz with Hugh Jackman. He was Associate Producer and drummer for Silence! The Musical. On screen: Music and Lyrics with Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore. Recordings include the Grammy-winning West Side Story revival cast, Stephen Schwartz’s Children of Eden, and Douglas J. Cohen’s No Way to Treat a Lady. He proudly plays Pearl Drums, Paiste Cymbals and Yamaha Concert Percussion. Faculty Member, Guitar Center Studios, East Brunswick. Member of Local 802, American Federation of Musicians.

Josh Plotner is a producer, recording artist, composer, arranger, contractor, and woodwind multi-instrumentalist with a collection of over 150 instruments from around the world. With a broad musical background spanning dozens of genres—including many non-Western traditions—Josh has contributed to Emmy-winning, Grammy- and Oscar-nominated projects, and is a multi-platinum hip-hop producer. He has orchestrated and recorded for artists such as pop trio AJR and the hit YouTube series Helluva Boss, performed everywhere from intimate cabarets to Carnegie Hall, and played on numerous Broadway productions. His work can be heard across film, television, video game, and commercial scores. Josh has also served in roles including contractor, orchestrator, and music coordinator for major live concert productions such as the U.S. national tour of Naruto: The Symphonic Experience, Avatar: The Last Airbender Live in Concert, The Witcher in Concert, and Demon Slayer Live in Concert. Based in Los Angeles, Josh regularly travels to New York City, where he continues to perform, record, and collaborate on projects throughout the entertainment industry. @joshplotner https://www.joshplotnermusic.com/

The true definition of a gentleman, Mike Rosengarten knows how to play the accordion, but chooses not to. Mike was last seen on Broadway covering one of the band roles in “Dead Outlaw.” He served as Associate Music Director as well as Guitar 2 / Keys 2 for “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical,” and before that played Guitar 1 for the show you’re currently enjoying, “Be More Chill.”  He made his Carnegie Hall/Feature Film debut playing with Jon Batiste on his new work “American Symphony.” He plays regularly with several bands and artists, both live as well as in the studio. You may also recognize him from his recurring TV appearances on “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” A New York native, he now lives in Manhattan with his wife, daughter, son, dog, and far too many instrument cases.

Joe Iconis is a Tony Award®-nominated musical theater writer and performer. He is the recipient of the Ed Kleban Award, Jonathan Larson Award, and Richard Rodgers Award. His musical The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical plays the Signature Theatre in Washington D.C. this June & July. Be More Chill (with Joe Tracz) played Broadway, London, and Tokyo after originating at Two River Theater in Red Bank, NJ. Joe is the author of Love in Hate Nation (directed by John Simpkins), Broadway Bounty Hunter (with Lance Rubin and Jason SweetTooth Williams), Bloodsong of Love, Punk Rock Girl! The Black Suits(with Robert Maddock), ReWrite, and many more. His work has been produced by La Jolla Playhouse, Ars Nova, Theaterworks USA, Urban Stages, Barrington Stage Company and his music has been heard on NBC’s Smash and Riverdale. Joe’s annual Christmas Extravaganza (produced by Jennifer Ashley Tepper) is in its fifteenth year, and he frequently performs his concert act at the Laurie Beechman Theater and 54 Below, where he is the Artist-in-Residence. His albums on Ghostlight Records include the 44-song retrospective Album (Joe Iconis & Family), Two-Player Game (with George Salazar), and many cast recordings. Joe is hugely inspired by Robert Altman, Dolly Parton, The Muppets, and the Family of artists he frequently surrounds himself with. 

JOE TRACZ is a writer for musical theatre and streaming television. Broadway: BE MORE CHILL (with Joe Iconis); THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL (with Rob Rokicki). TV: Netflix’s LEMONY SNICKET’S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS; Netflix’s DASH & LILY (Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing); Disney’s PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS (Emmy Award for Outstanding YA Series). He is currently showrunning Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the anime ONE PIECE and collaborating with Joe Iconis on a new musical theatre commission for Two River Theater. He is an alumnus of Kalamazoo College and NYU, and lives in Manhattan with his husband and sons. He dreams of one making a BE MORE CHILL movie a reality.

Ned Vizzini (1981-2013) was the bestselling author of the acclaimed young-adult books It’s Kind of a Funny Story (also a major motion picture), The Other Normals, Be More Chill, and Teen Angst? Naaah…. He wrote for The New York Times, Salon, and The New Yorker. In television, he wrote for MTV’s Teen Wolf. His work has been translated into 25 languages.

STEPHEN BRACKETT Broadway: A Strange Loop (Lyceum, Tony nomination), Be More Chill (Lyceum) and The Lightning Thief (Longacre). London: A Strange Loop (Barbican), Be More Chill (Shaftsbury and Other Palace) and Buyer & Cellar (Menier Chocolate Factory). Off-Broadway: To My Girls (Second Stage), A Strange Loop (Playwrights Horizons/Page 73/Wooly Mammoth, A.C.T. and C.T.G.) [Obie and Drama Desk Awards], Be More Chill (Signature/Two River), The Lightning Thief (Theaterworks USA/National Tour), Buyer & Cellar (Rattlestick/Barrow Street/National Tour), Ultimate Beauty Bible (Page 73), Carnival Kids (Lesser America), and Be A Good Little Widow (Ars Nova). Regional: AD 16 (Olney Theater), Fall Springs (Barrington Stage), Significant Other (Geffen Playhouse), I Now Pronounce (Humana Festival), Le Switch (About Face), and The Great Pretender (TheatreWorks).

Chase Brock Broadway: Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, Picnic. Off-Broadway: The Blue Flower (Second Stage, Lortel Award nomination); Tamar of the River (Prospect Theatre Company, Callaway Award finalist); Venice (Public Theater’s Public LAB); Much Ado About Nothing (Public Theater’s Mobile Shakespeare Unit); The Tempest, The Winter’s Tale (Public Theater’s Public Works); Lost in the Stars, Irma La Douce (City Center Encores!); The Cradle Will Rock (Encores! Off-Center); The Mysteries (Flea Theater). Regional: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (La Jolla Playhouse, Paper Mill Playhouse), Twelfth Night (The Old Globe). TV: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO), Late Show with David Letterman (CBS). Video games: Dance on Broadway (Nintendo Wii, PlayStation Move). Dance: 26 dances for The Chase Brock Experience including American Sadness; The Four Seasons; Mission: Implausible; Slow Float; Whoa, Nellie! and The Song That I Sing; Or, Meow So Pretty. Opera: Romeo et Juliette (Salzburger Festspiele). Brock is the subject of the documentary film Chasing Dance. Upcoming: Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater’s Alice by Heart and Randy Blair, Tim Drucker and Matthew roi Berger’s Fat Camp; Michael
John LaChiusa’s First Daughter Suite and Sara Bareilles’s Waitress. chasebrock.com

Charlie Rosen is a 2x Grammy Award and 2x Tony Award winning composer and orchestrator whose music has been heard worldwide across many stages and screens around the world. Some recent credits include: Broadway: Some Like it Hot (Orchestrations), A Strange Loop (Orchestrations), Be More Chill (Music Sup/Orchestrations), Moulin Rouge (Orchestrations), Prince of Broadway (Orchestrations), American Psycho (Assoc MD/Keys), The Visit (Guitar/Zither), Honeymoon in Vegas (Orchestrations), Cyrano de Bergerac (Composer), One Man, Two Guv’nors (Music Director, Bass), 13 The Musical (Guitars, Bass, Keys), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Assoc. MD, Bass, addl. Orch). Off Broadway/Regional: Guys and Dolls (Orchestrations) – The Bridge Theater London, Love in Hate Nation (Orchestrator) – Two River Theater, Broadway Bounty Hunter (Orchestrations) – Greenwich House Theater, A Legendary Romance (MD/Orch.) – Williamstown Theater Festival, Miss You Like Hell (Orchestrations), The Public Theater. In addition to his theater credits, Charlie is the bandleader for the Grammy award winning Video Game Music Jazz orchestra “The 8-Bit Big Band”

Nathan Dame Music Director: A Little Night Music (Berkshire Theatre Group); Pretty Filthy (The Civilians); Dying for It (Atlantic Theater Company); Pump Boys and Dinettes (Geva Theatre); The Lightning Thief (Theatreworks USA); Fly Guy and Other Stories (Theatreworks USA); Adam Lives (Goodspeed NMF). Music Supervisor: Mr. Burns by Anne Washburn, music by Michael Friedman (Playwrights Horizons). Assoc. Music Director: What’s It All About? (New York Theatre Workshop); Fly by Night (Dallas Theater Center); Triassic Parq: The Musical (Amas Musical Theatre); Himself and Nora (NYMF, Tritone Productions); Nightmare Alley (NYMF, Tritone Productions). Music Assistant: First National Tour of The Addams Family.

Dane Laffrey at Two River: My Wonderful Day (costumes) and Be More Chill (set). Broadway: set and costumes for Deaf West’s Spring Awakening, set for Fool for Love. Recent Off-Broadway credits include set and/or costumes for Iowa, The Christians and Indian Summer (Playwrights Horizons), Cloud Nine (Atlantic Theater Company), The Glory of the World (BAM Harvey), Bad Jews and Tigers Be Still (Roundabout), Disgraced (Lincoln Center), Arlington (Vineyard), King Liz, American Hero and The Talls (Second Stage), The Maids (Red Bull), I Remember Mama and The Patsy (Transport Group), The Few (Rattlestick). Regional work at the Humana Festival, Mark Taper Forum, Williamstown, Old Globe, Huntington, Denver Center, Deaf West, Goodspeed, Center Stage, Dallas Theater Center, New York Stage & Film, The Studio, Signature, others. International work in Tokyo, Oslo, Osaka, and throughout Australia. Nominations for a Drama Desk Award and four Henry Hewes Awards. www.danelaffrey.com

Bobby Frederick Tilley Costume designs for theater include: the world premiere of Guards at the Taj, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, The Pinter Plays: The Collection and A Kind of Alaska, world premiere of Annie Baker’s Body Awareness, and Birth and After Birth, The Butter and Egg Man (Atlantic Theater Company); The Power of Duff (Geffen Playhouse); The Taming of the Shrew (Virginia Stage Company); world premiere of Open House (Signature Theatre); The Power of Duff, Captors, Sons of the Prophet, and Circle Mirror Transformation (Huntington); Chapter Two (Bucks County Playhouse); The Power of Duff (NYS&F); Sons of the Prophet (Roundabout); world premiere of All New People (Second Stage); Proof (Merrimack Rep); Thinner Than Water (LAByrinth Theater Company); world premiere of Annie Baker’s The Aliens (Rattlestick); The Aliens (Company One, Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Design), Body Awareness (Speakeasy Stage Company); Lizzie Borden (The Living Theatre, Drama Desk nomination); Top Girls (Act 1, MTC/Biltmore); Mel and El: Show & Tell (Ars Nova). His costume designs for film include Hello, I Must Be Going; The Green; Four Lane Highway; Little Kings; and Rubout.

Tyler Micoleau has designed lighting for over 350 live productions including plays, dance, movement-theater, multimedia performance, and puppetry. Designs for Two River Theater: A Wind in the Willows Christmas, Opus, Orestes: A Tragic Romp, The Charlatan’s Seance. Recent Off-Broadway credits: Iowa (Playwrights Horizons); The World of Extreme Happiness (Manhattan Theatre Club); The Invisible Hand (NYTW); The Fortress of Solitude (Public); The Wayside Motor Inn (Signature); The City of Conversation (LCT). Notable design credits: When the Rain Stops Falling (Lincoln Center Theater); The Aliens (Rattlestick); Blasted (Soho Rep); God’s Ear (Vineyard); Bug (Barrow Street). Regional credits: Huntington, Goodman, American Repertory Theatre, Trinity Rep, Old Globe, Dallas Theater Center, Long Wharf, among others. He is the recipient of an American Theatre Wing Hewes Award, two Lucille Lortel Awards, two Village Voice OBIE Awards, the Connecticut Critics Circle Award, a Helen Hayes nomination, four Barrymore nominations, a Jefferson nomination, and the NEA/Theatre Communications Group Career Development Program. He has held visiting artist positions at Yale University, Dartmouth College and for six years served as adjunct faculty at Sarah Lawrence College Department of Dance. www.tylermicoleau.com

Zachary Williamson is very pleased to be designing again for Two River, where previous designs include A Wind in the Willows Christmas, Carry It On, Jacques Brel, Opus, Charlie Brown, 26 Miles, ReEntry, Glass Menagerie, Charlatan’s Seance, Umbrellas of Cherbourg and House of Blue Leaves. Broadway credits (Associate): Lysistrata Jones, The Ritz, and Pal Joey. Off-Broadway credits: Irish Repertory Theater, Second Stage, Origin, Partial Comfort, American Records and Urban Stages. Recent regional credits: Denver Center Theatre Company, Cincinnati Playhouse, Dallas Theater Center, Kansas City Rep, Baltimore Center Stage, Westport Country Playhouse, 5th Avenue Seattle, Ordway Center, Clarence Brown, Long Wharf, Round House, St. Louis Rep, Syracuse Stage, Vermont Stage, Virginia Stage, Pasadena Playhouse, Goodspeed, Asolo, and TheaterWorks Hartford. International credits: Broadway Asia International and Edinburgh Fringe.

UNKLEDAVE’S FIGHT HOUSE (FIGHT DIRECTION) is a team of fight/
intimacy coordinators comprised of LGBTQ theater makers. Two River credits: Hombres; El
Coqui Espectacular & The Bottle of Doom; Theo; Raisin In The Sun, Be More Chill; Seven
Guitars, King Hedley ll. Broadway: Ain’t No Mo; Kimberly Akimbo; Girl From The North Country;
Tuck Everlasting; Escape To Margaritaville; The Great Society ; An American In Paris; Disgraced.
Off-Broadway: Merrily We Roll Along (NYTW) ; On Sugarland (NYTW) ; soft (MCC) ; Halfway
Bitches Go Straight To Heaven (Labyrinth/Atlantic, Drama Desk Nom.); Oedipus El Rey (The
Public)(Drama Desk Nom.) Film: Poor Behavior; Emoticon. TV: AnnieLive!

Adam Caldwell works with Cindy Tolan. Broadway: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Betrayal, Cinderella, The Performers, Lysistrata Jones, Relatively Speaking, That Championship Season, A View from the Bridge, All My Sons, Avenue Q, and Xanadu. Previous productions with Vineyard Theatre, Bay Street, Dallas Theater Center, Playwrights Horizons, The Public Theater, and Lincoln Center Theater. Film: This Is Where I Leave you, The Place Beyond the Pines, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Winter’s Tale, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Blue Valentine, Another Happy Day, It’s Kind of a Funny Story, Letters to Juliet, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, Starting Out in the Evening, Death of a President, The Darjeeling Limited. Upcoming films: Katie Says Goodbye, Breakable You. Television: Odd Mom Out, Deadbeat, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Flight of the Conchords, Fringe, The Return of Jezebel James, and multiple HBO pilots. Member of CSA.

Bertie Michaels (Production Stage Manager): is thrilled to be back at Two River Theater and couldn’t be happier to be reunited with her favorite Loser, Geek, Whatevers. Other TRT favorites include The Ballad of Little Joe, Be More Chill, Two Trains Running, Jitney, Orestes; A Tragic Romp. Broadway: Be More Chill, Dead Outlaw, Moulin Rouge, Leopoldstadt, Come From Away, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, Thérèse Raquin, The Children, A Bronx Tale. Off-Broadway/NYC: Be More Chill, Encores! Urinetown, Mack & Mabel, The Public, Signature Theatre, Atlantic Theater, Lincoln Center/LCT3, 2econd Stage. Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse, Berkeley Rep, Hartford Stage, Bucks County Playhouse, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Two River Theater, Shakespeare Theatre of NJ. Other: August Wilson’s American Century Cycle with WNYC. Also a professional quilter. www.BroadwayQuilting.com@BroadwayQuilting. Love and thanks to my family and Sean.