Meet The Team
Cody Lassen & Associates
Production Consultant
Cody Lassen is a Tony Award-winning and Grammy-nominated theatre, film, and music producer and consultant. His most recent feature, Summoning Sylvia, had a theatrical release in 23 markets and was acquired by Starz. He has produced albums with Burt Bacharach, Rufus Wainwright, and Duncan Sheik.
He was most recently represented on Broadway by Paula Vogel’s How I Learned To Drive, Indecent, which transferred from Off-Broadway to Broadway in just 11 months, and the Deaf West Theatre revival of Spring Awakening, which transferred from a 99-seat production in Los Angeles to Broadway in just 366 days. His most recent Off-Broadway production was the first new musical to open in New York since the pandemic began, A Commercial Jingle for Regina Comet. Coming soon: The 12, Directed by John Doyle, Empire Records directed by Trip Cullman, and the romantic dark comedy feature How To Get Clicks. Combined, his productions have grossed over $951M and have a recoupment rate of 42.3%, which is more than twice the industry average.
Kay Cole
Director
Director: In a Booth at Chasen’s, I Only have Eyes for You, Firecracker, Cover of Life, The Dining Room, Dull Pain, Firecracker, Poison, Desperate Writers, and Washington Affair.
Director/Choreographer: High Heels on Wheels, Adam and Eve and Steve, Reunion, Ecstasy, The Flunky, Rose Bowl Queens, No Strings, Bark!, The World Goes ‘Round, American Tales, Nuncrackers, Judy’s Scary Little Christmas, A Year with Frog and Toad, A Chorus Line, I’m Getting My Act Together, Grass Harp, Robber Bridegroom, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Sing, Wild Women Blues & Sony Pictures Broadway, Oliver, Phantom of the Opera, The Addams Family.
Her inventive choreography and staging credits include: Hunger, It’s the Housewives, Great Expectations, Assassins, Pirates Of Penzance, Cabaret, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, South Pacific, Triumph of Love, Actor, Lawyer, Indian Chief, Dancing at Lughnasa, Take Me Along, The Baker’s Wife.
Broadway: Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks (Choreographer). Off Broadway: Desperate Writers (Director). Reprise! Broadway: Three Penny Opera, Fiorello, City of Angels, Company, On the 20th Century, Follies, Sweeney Todd, Most Happy Fella. London West End: The Fantasticks , Snoopy, Blockheads. Pasadena Playhouse: Under One Umbrella, 110 in the Shade, Do I Hear A Waltz. Hollywood Bowl: Sound of Music, Bernsteins’ Mass, Mame, My Fair Lady, Music Man, Camelot. Geffen Playhouse: Nightmare Alley, Atlanta, Paint Your Wagon, Six Dances in Six Weeks. Hudson Theatre: Grave White Way. Kirk Douglas Theatre: Gaytino, Dogeaters. Falcon Theatre: Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks. Antaeus Theatre: Tonight at 8:30. Playwrights Arena: The Next Step, Songs For A New World. Shakespeare Center LA: As You Like It, Comedy of Errors. Film & Television: Directing: Country Rules, THQ, Waiting in Line; Choreographing: Guidepost Junction, Ella, Jekyll, Disney’s Santa Clause 3, Awakening of Spring and Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks.
Kay has taught Acting for Film & Television at Emerson College Los Angeles, UCLA Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory. She is the proud recipient of the 2006 Playwrights Arena Award for her outstanding contribution to Los Angeles Theatre. In 2009, she received a nomination for best choreography from the NAACP Theatre
Awards for her work on Atlanta at the Geffen Playhouse. Visit: www.kaycole.net
Matthew Herrmann
General Manager
Matthew Herrmann is is an award winning theatrical multi-hyphenate based in Los Angeles. Off-Broadway: DRAG: the Musical (GLAAD Media Award, Queerties and Outer Critics Circle Award winner), Jack! (The York) Select Los Angeles Credits: I’ll Give You My Heart (The Colony Theatre), Perfect World (El Portal), The Wedding Singer (The Colony Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Sonder Theatre Company), Parents in Chains (The Whitley), Tesla a Radio Play (CalTech) The Civility of Albert Cashier (The Colony Theatre) Mack and Mabel (El Portal), The Belles are Swingin’ (Garry Marshall), Did You See What Walter Paisley Did Today? (La Mirada Theatre), Drag: the Musical (Bourbon Room), 44 the Obama Musical (Bourbon Room), Women Behind Bars (Montalban), Sweet Charity (Freud Playhouse), Little House on the Prairieoke! (Cavern Club at Casita del Campo) Podcast: HAiR: the american tribal love rock podcast Faculty: California School of the Arts-San Gabriel Valley. Proud member AEA and SAG/AFTRA. IG: hey_matt_herrmann
Music Director
Ron Colvard
Rons’ work ranges all genres of music as a music director, music producer, conductor, singer, pianist, arranger & orchestrator–from Stage to Film and Television. As a musical director, Ron has conducted staged events across the United States, Canada, Asia & Europe. He is Music Director/Conductor for Tony and Grammy Award-winning artist Heather Headley with performances at Carnegie Hall, Boston Pops 4th of July Spectacular, Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Chicago Symphony at Ravinia, and the Philadelphia Pops.
He was the Conductor for the LA Premier of Dr. Suess’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS starring John Larrouquette at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood. Before that he was the Music Director/Conductor for THE GRINCH at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego for 7 years. Also at the Old Globe he was the Associate Conductor for DANCING IN THE DARK starring Scott Bakula. He was the Assistant Conductor for the 1st National Tour of the Tony Award winning musical HAIRSPRAY. National Tours: AIN’T TOO PROUD, BOOK OF MORMON, LEGALLY BLONDE, WICKED, A CHORUS LINE, JERSEY BOYS, AVENUE Q, MOVIN' OUT, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS. Regional theater: NEWSIES, SOMETHING ROTTEN, A CHORUS LINE, CHICAGO, INTO THE WOODS, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, SOPHISTICATED LADIES, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, MAN OF LAMANCHA. Ron also enjoys a rewarding role with Disney Parks Live Entertainment as Music Producer.
Darryl Archibald
Music Supervisor
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SOME LIKE IT HOT (Broadway - Shubert Theatre); MOTOWN THE MUSICAL (Broadway - Nederlander Theatre); JELLY’S LAST JAM (New York City Center - guest conductor); YEMANDJA the new Angelique Kidjo musical (world tour - music supervisor); Bob Fosse’s DANCIN’ (Pre Broadway engagement - The Old Globe); ENCORE! on Disney+ (Ragtime episode); THE COLOR PURPLE (Broadway tour and Paper Mill Playhouse); WICKED (Pantages Theater - substitute conductor ); MEMPHIS (Broadway tour); LA CAGE AUX FAUX, RAGTIME, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS with M.J. Rodriguez (Pasadena Playhouse); FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, FROZEN, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (The Muny); DEAR WORLD with Tyne Daly (VPAC); TWO BY TWO with Jason Alexander (Reprise); PASSION (Boston Court); Jonathan Dove;s INNOCENCE (Banff Centre).
Zev Burrows
Music Assistant
Zev Burrows is a composer/lyricist for stage and screen. His involvement with Perfect World extends back to the 2022 workshop in New York City, acting as copyist, guitarist, and bells player. He has contributed music to hundreds of episodes of film and television projects (including the 2020 Oscar-qualifying documentary Sky Blossom and regular spots on shows such as Dateline NBC and ABC 20/20), and is currently composing the score for an original stage musical. Previously, he was also the music assistant for the premiere production of Sugar Hill: The Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker, which played at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre from December 20-30, 2023. To learn more, please visit https://www.zevburrowsmusic.com/.
Scenic Designer
Stephen Gifford
Stephen is a designer for plays, musicals, operas, immersive events and themed interiors. Originally from Missouri, where he spent many years working with companies like The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and The MUNY. Stephen’s work has been seen internationally and on both coasts from New York City where he received his MFA in Scenic Design from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, to Alaska, where he designed for Juneau’s Civic Light Opera. A resident of Los Angeles, Stephen has close relationships with La Mirada Performing Arts Center/McCoy Rigby Entertainment, 3-D Theatricals, Laguna Playhouse, Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara, and many more within the Los Angeles area. His designs have been seen on stages across the country and internationally including: The Grand Ole Opry, 5th Avenue Theatre, Bass Hall, Chicago Theatre, Madison Square Garden, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and Alandaleeb, Kawkab Elsharq, and Studio 1 Theaters (Riyadh, Saudi Arabria). Gifford’s work has given him the opportunity to work with people like Jason Alexander, Melanie Griffith, Laura Bell Bundy, Pink, Ellen Degeneres, Barbara Cook, Manny Paquiao, soccer teams F.C. Barcelona and Inter Milan and Directors Kathleen Marshall, Stafford Arima, Sheldon Epps, Ken Page, Matt August, Glenn Casale, Michael Matthews, and many more. He has garnered many awards and nominations for his work including eight Ovation Award nominations, three LA Weekly/Stage Raw nominations (one win), three LA Drama Critics Circle nominations (one win), was awarded The Bob Z Award for career achievement in set design by the Los Angeles Drama Critic Circle, 2014 & 2015 Sage Award, has been awarded the Scenie Award for LA Scenic Designer of the Year every year since 2008, and was awarded Scenic Design of the Decade for CABARET by Broadwayworld.com. Stephen is also a proud member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829. IG - @swgifford1, www.stephengifforddesign.com
Brian Gale
Lighting Designer
Brian’s recent designs include Paranormal Inside, Brothers Paranormal and Pacific Overtures at East West Players. He has designed Lighting and Projection extensively in Southern California including for the Lewis Family Playhouse, South Coast Repertory, Rogue Machine, The Matrix Theater, Laguna Playhouse, Skylight Theater, Pasadena Playhouse, San Diego Rep, The Rubicon Theater, The El Portal in Hollywood as well as several productions at the Mark Taper forum including Waiting For Godot,The Lieutenant of Inishmore and Harps’ and Angels. Mr. Gale has also designed lighting for Carrie the Musical, God of Carnage and recently, Waitress at La Mirada Theater for the Performing Arts and Lighting and projection for LA Opera’s complete Ring Cycle.
Brian spent 24 years with the Walt Disney Company designing Theme Parks, Shows and Special Events worldwide. Mr. Gale is a member of IATSE USA Local 829.
Costume Designer
Jennifer Lynn Deck
Jennifer Lynn Deck Is a costume and fashion designer originally from St. Louis, Missouri, now based on the West Coast, she is thrilled to be joining this creative team for the upcoming musical Perfect World. Some of her more recent design credits include; Am I Roxie (Upcoming) at the Geffen Playhouse, Pericles at New Swan Shakespeare, Reefer Madness the 25th
Anniversary Revival at the Whitney (Hair Designer & Asst. Costumes), The Amish Project at Playmakers Repertory; As You Like It, Untitled Russian Project, Jump, The Amish Project at Chautauqua Theater Company; The Book of Will, The Refugee Hotel, American Idiot at the Claire Trevor Theater; Shrek: The Musical at Carousel Theater; and Lucky Stiff, Little Shop of Horrors, The Butler Did It…Singing, Titanic: The Musical, Our American Cousin, Honk! The Musical, I Love You, Because, Forbidden Broadway, I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change at KP&R Theater. Touring: Backhaus Dance Concerts 2022-2025. Film Design: Blocked. Jennifer also works as a commercial stylist with brands such as, Mattel, Paul Mitchell, Shark/Ninja, CA Walnuts, The House of Florals, and more. Thank you and love you to my husband and goon squad. Instagram: @jennylynndeck , jenniferclarkdesign.com
Associate Choreographer
Hector Guerrero
Hector Guerrero has traveled throughout the world as a Director, Choreographer, Performer and Master Teacher working extensively in film, television, theatre and opera. Hector is one of the few approved by the Robbins Rights Trust to reproduce WEST SIDE STORY which he has set throughout the United States, China and for the Shakespeare Festival. In New York City, he choreographed GIMME A BREAK! (Transport Group) and CONCERT OF EXCELLENCE (Lincoln Center). At the Hollywood Bowl, he was the Assistant Choreographer for their production of A CHORUS LINE.
Other Director/Choreographer credits include International: BIG FISH (China Premiere), CHICAGO, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, HAIR. Regional: A CHORUS LINE, BYE BYE BIRDIE, EVITA, 42ND STREET, IN THE HEIGHTS, MY FAIR LADY, OLIVER, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, WHITE CHRISTMAS. Television: LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY. Commercials: SCOPE (with Ryan Seacrest). Opera: CARMEN. As a performer, Hector’s credits include Broadway/Tours: Hal Prince’s EVITA, Gower Champion’s 42ND STREET, Chino in Jerome Robbins’ WEST SIDE STORY. Regional: Carl in BELLS ARE RINGING, A CHORUS LINE (Paul, Mark, Larry with Bebe Neuwirth), MAME (with Jo Anne Worley), NO NO NANETTE (with Susan Egan). Concerts/Reviews: BROADWAY BARES (with Jane Krakowski), GYPSY AWARDS (with Donna McKechnie), LOVE IS ALL THAT MATTERS (with Christina Applegate), REVELATIONS (with Jasmine Guy). Film: COOL AS ICE. Television: BACKSTREET BOYS IN CONCERT, ÉTOILE, LITTLE AMERICA, PENNY DREADFUL, PHYSICAL. Commercials: Crest. Videos: Björk, Foo Fighters, Ice-T. Opera: WONDERFUL TOWN (with Faith Prince and Nikki M James).
He is also a Professor at UCLA. You may visit his website at www.hectorguerrerodance.com and follow him at Instagram @hectorguerrerodance for more information.
Conwell Worthington
Producer
Conwell S. Worthington, II has worked as a producer since the notable 1977 Broadway Revival of The King and I starring Yul Brynner and Constance Towers that extensively toured North America. He staged a second national tour with Mitch Lee that returned to Broadway at the Broadway Theatre. A highlight was celebrating Yul Brynner’s 4,000th performance in the role with Richard Rodgers and Billie Hammerstein in attendance in Los Angeles. Conwell worked on the first Broadway revival of The Music Man starring Dick Van Dyke and Dirty Dancing. Following he was one of the three producers of the original production team of Disney’s Beauty on the Beast on Broadway and then the Los Angeles production at the Shubert Theatre. He also produced international productions of Beauty and the Beast in Austria, Germany, Australia and Japan. Conwell will be producing a revival of Hair, the musical comedy Adam Eve & Steve, and new musicals An Extra Penny and with the Andrews Sisters estate, The Swing Sisters based on their life and times. www.jbtheatricalproductionsllc.com
Alan Edmunds
Librettist & Co-Lyricist
Alan’s first exposure to musicals was the 1969 movie “Paint Your Wagon.” With no access to theatre-produced shows, he grew up on his parents’ cast albums. From the mid-eighties to 2001 he performed in, produced, wrote and directed many shows. Playing Orin Scrivello and the other 7 roles in “Little Shop of Horrors” was a highlight, as were several shows in which both his daughters were also cast. In ’97 and ’98 he wrote and directed extensive musical revues with large casts, but he had a real job so his itch to write more had to wait. “Perfect World” emerged when he was researching Barbara Follett by day, and seeing NYC Broadway shows by night. “Perfect World” was literally sketched out on his knee on the subway on his way to see “La Cage Aux Folles.” Ever since, he’s been consumed by Barbara’s compelling story.
Richard Winzeler
Composer & Co-Lyricist
Richard Winzeler started his association with musical theatre performing in a regional summer stock production of "The King and I" at the ripe age of 5 in Peoria, Illinois (yes, it played in Peoria!) and he went on to enjoy performing through high school and college, often jumping from the orchestra pit to the stage. He went on to study music and theater at the University of Miami FL, and the Dick Grove School of Music in Los Angeles. His first professional gigs were working as a rehearsal pianist for a variety of television specials before moving on to arranging and conducting in Vegas, Tahoe and Atlantic City for such performers as Suzanne Somers and Cathy Rigby. As a songwriter, Richard has had a Billboard Top 10 R&B single, and had songs recorded by Diane Schuur, Lou Rawls, Michael Johnson, Terry Steele, Gladys Knight, and Phil Perry. He also worked as a SAG actor for many years. His first musical as a composer was “Great Expectations,” initially produced in Los Angeles, and world premiered at the Tony award winning Utah Shakespearean Festival in 2010. He is grateful to be able to use not only his songwriting and composing skills, but also his acting experience, in service to each creative project, with the ultimate goal of serving others.