Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England

Brenda Pressley began her New York theatrical career in And Still I Rise written and directed by Maya Angelou. She later enjoyed success on Broadway in the original cast of Dreamgirls directed by Michael Bennett and as Grizabella in the long running hit Cats.  More recently, Ms Pressley appeared on Broadway opposite Linda Lavin in The Lyons and with Mercedes Ruehl in The American Plan.

Brenda’s many Off Broadway appearances include Fran’s Bed opposite Mia Farrow, the world premiere of the award winning Audible production of the one woman show Proof of Love by Chisa Hutchinson, Surely, Goodness and Mercy, Almost Home, The First Breeze of Summer, Mom, How Did You Meet the Beatles?, Seven Guitars, Marvin’s Room, Blues In The Night and And The World Goes ‘Round-The Songs of Kander and Ebb for which she received the Outer Critics Circle Award.

Regionally, Brenda starred in Alice Childress’ Trouble in Mind and In This House at the Two River Theatre Company and in the world premiere of The Old Settler at the McCarter Theatre and again at The Freedom Theatre.  This performance garnered the Barrymore Award for Best Actress. Additional productions include Jar The Floor at Syracuse Stage and Blues for An Alabama Sky at the Old Globe and Cincinnati Playhouse, and the world premiere of Black Odyssey at the Denver Center Theatre Company.  Brenda starred in To Be Young Gifted and Black at The Kennedy Center.

On television Ms Pressley starred opposite Oprah Winfrey in the ABC series Brewster Place. Other television appearances include guest starring and recurring roles on The Path, The Good Wife, Almost Family, The Mysteries of Laura, Body of Proof, Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Headlines, New York Undercover, Educating Matt Waters, HBO Life Stories, Daddy’s Girl, Here and Now, Ghostwriter, All My Children, Loving and One Life To Live.

She has been featured in numerous national commercials.

Brenda appeared in the films Before/During/After, Detachment opposite Adrien Brody, Third Street Blackout, 16 Blocks starring Bruce Willis and Mos Def and directed by Richard Donner, Cradle Will Rock written and directed by Tim Robbins, Twisted and It Could Happen To You.

Elizabeth Ramos made her Two River debut in The Women of Padilla. Off-Broadway: The Surgeon and her Daughters (Cherry Lane Theatre, dir. Adrienne Campbell-Holt); The Idea of Me (Cherry Lane Theatre, dir. Jose Zayas); and A Month in the Country (Classic Stage Company, dir. Erica Schmidt). Regional: Fade (TheaterWorks, dir. Jerry Ruíz); Deferred Action (Dallas Theater Center, dir. David Lozano); Sleep Rock Thy Brain (Actors Theatre of Louisville, dir. Amy Attaway). Previous credits include Romeo and Juliet; Odilia; and Sonnets for an Old Century. Training: Actors Theatre of Louisville Apprenticeship and California State University, Fullerton. Liz would like to thank Two River Theater for letting her be a part of such an extraordinary family. And to her husband, her bridge…Kenji.