The Doo Wop Project
Table of Contents Welcome About the Artist Artist Bios Lesher Center Programs Support Lesher Center
Program Details Approx 2 hours, including a 20 minute intermission
Welcome Join us for a year of entertainment, joy, and inspiring artistic voices! Building upon your ongoing support, we welcome you to the 23/24 season from Lesher Center Presents, including the Headliners Series, Center Repertory Company productions, and Bedford Gallery exhibitions. You’ll find a diverse array of genres, artists, and themes at your home for incredible, innovative arts experiences. We look forward to seeing you this year – you won’t want to miss what you’ll find at the Lesher Center! Peggy + Carolyn Peggy White Executive Director, Diablo Regional Arts Association Carolyn Jackson General Manager, Lesher Center for the Arts
Digital Programs Beginning in 2024, Lesher Center’s Headliners Series adopted the use of digital programs meant to be viewed on mobile devices. By cutting our paper use and eliminating substantial printing costs we are sustaining our mission to elevate the arts in the greater Contra Costa region.
Please be considerate of other patrons and artists when viewing digital programs on your mobile devices. View digital programs before the performance begins or during intermissions.
Patrons who create distractions may be asked to leave.
The Doo Wop Project
Presented By
Unparalleled Authenticity of Sound and Vocal Excellence The Doo Wop Project, the dynamic, rave-reviewed celebration of a beloved music genre, has a brand new “DOO!” Starring the 6 engaging, charismatic and dashing Broadway stars from smash hits like JERSEY BOYS, A BRONX TALE, BEAUTIFUL, and MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL with their all star band, this exciting new show (with a brand new setlist) features fresh renditions of classic Doo Wop hits (remember “16 candles” and “In the Still of the Night”?) as well as “doowopified” versions of contemporary hits like Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” and Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places.” Of course they’ll keep
some fan favorites in the new show memorable numbers like “Remember When” and “That’s My Desire”. If you’ve seen The Doo Wop Project before, you are in for a brand new treat. If you haven’t seen them yet, you’ll be treated to a fantastic evening of the greatest music in American pop and rock history…from the classic sound of five guys singing harmonies on a street corner to the biggest hits on the radio today.
Artist Bios
Charl Brown Charl was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role as “Smokey Robinson” in Motown The Musical; he reprised this role opening London’s West End production in 2016. He is also featured on the Grammy Nominated Original Broadway Cast recording. In 2014 Charl was honored to work with Stephen Schwartz playing the role of Adam/Noah in Children of Eden in Concert at the Kennedy Center. And returned to Kennedy Center in 2018 as The The Specialist in The Who’s Tommy.
Other Credits include; Jersey Boys on Broadway and Las Vegas (Hal Miller), Sister Act Broadway (Officer Eddie Souther, TJ, Pablo U/S, Ensemble), Hair (Hud) European Tour, Ragtime (Coalhouse Walker Jr) Moonlight Stage, Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Adrian) The Muny, The Who’s Tommy (Captain Walker) Denver Center, Ever After (Captain Laurent) Papermill Playhouse, Johnny Baseball (Tim Wyatt) ART, Dreamgirls (Curtis Taylor Jr.) SDMT, Ragtime (Coalhouse) Performance Riverside, Six Degrees of Separation (Paul) Long Beach Playhouse, JC Superstar (Judas) Music at Westwood Theater, A Chorus Line (Richie) Starlight Theater, Star Wars Trilogy in 30 Minutes (Lando Calrissian) Edinburgh Fringe Festival. TV: Evil; Madam Secretary; America’s Got Talent (US & UK); Macy’s 85th & 87th Thanksgiving
Day Parade, The 63rd Annual Tony Awards, A Capitol 4th 2013. Charl is a proud Graduate of the University of Southern California School of Dramatic Arts where he currently sits on the advisory board for the inaugural BFA in Musical Theater Class.
Michael Fasano Michael is so excited to be performing with The Doo Wop Project! Most notably, Michael has starred as “Frankie Valli” in JERSEY BOYS at Timber Lake Playhouse, Music Theatre of CT, and on the Norwegian Bliss, where he was an Original Company Member. Other Credits include LEND ME A TENOR, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, NEW YORK STATE OF MIND with The Uptown Boys (Bway World Best Cabaret), FOOTLOOSE (CT Critics’ Circle Nom). Tours: GREASE, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Off
Bway: LOUISIANA PURCHASE, OUT OF THIS WORLD. Boston Conservatory. Thank you Dom, Todd & ATB, friends & fam, Elliott. For Dad. Follow @ michaeldfasano.
Russell Fisher Russell was cast in the Broadway company of Jersey Boys on his 22nd birthday, marking his Broadway debut. Fischer starred in the second national tour of Big: The Musical. His latest NYC credit was in Baby Fat, Act 1: A Rock Opera at LaMama Experimental Theater Club. Regional credits include Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Music Man at Chautauqua Opera, the American premiere of Children of Eden at Papermill Playhouse and most recently, the Atlanta Musical Theatre Festival premiere of The Collins Boy. Fischer
was a featured vocalist on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and in the HBO documentary, The Bronx, USA. He has appeared on the live broadcasts of the 2015 Belmont Stakes, the 2009 Tony Awards, and several spots for TV Land’s 60 Second Sitcoms. He enjoys sharing Doo-Wop music with audiences around the world.
Dominic Nolfi Dominic Nolfi most recently performed on Broadway in Chazz Palminteri’s A Bronx Tale - The Musical, directed by Robert DeNiro and Jerry Zaks. As an Original Cast member of A Bronx Tale - The Musical, Motown: The Musical (Grammy nominated) and Jersey Boys (Grammy Award for Best Cast Album), he can be heard on all three soundtracks. Dominic also performed in the World Premiere productions of A Bronx Tale and Jersey Boys at the Paper Mill Playhouse and the La Jolla Playhouse.
Dom was born and raised in San Francisco where he studied youth acting at the acclaimed American Conservatory Theatre. He studied Voice at the San Francisco Conservatory and attended the Boston Conservatory on scholarship where he graduated with a BFA in Theater. Upon graduation Dominic joined the European production of Grease. It was there that he met his future wife Sonia Iannetti; they have a daughter Vivienne. Dominic is a founding member of The Doo Wop Project and is unbelievably proud of his association with the other men who helped create the group.
Sonny Paladino Sonny Paladino is currently the Music Supervisor, Arranger, Orchestrator and Conductor for the Broadway Musical A Beautiful Noise. Music Supervisor for the Broadway Musical, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, Music Director, arranger and orchestrator for the Broadway musical Getting the Band Back Together, and the offBroadway revival of Smokey Joe’s Café. Coming soon, The Wanderer. Arrangements and orchestrations for The Indianapolis, Baltimore, Vancouver, Detroit and Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra’s and The Philly
Pops. Associate Conductor for The Last Ship (written by 16 time Grammy Award winner, Sting), and the TONY winning best revival, Pippin. Other Broadway credits as a musician, Jesus Christ Superstar, Billy Elliot, Grease, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Guys and Dolls, Mama Mia, Promises, Promises, Addams Family, Women on the Verge. Music Supervisor for Disney’s High School Musical (Milan/Italy tour.) 1st National Tours: Disney’s High School Musical, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Grease. TV: Disney’s Encore!, The X-Factor (Australia), The Next Big Thing. Sonny is also a founding member and arranger of the hit group The Doo Wop Project, which tours the country performing classic Doo Wop music and contemporary songs in that style.
Nicholas Ward Nicholas Ward is honored to be joining the Doo Wop Family! Recently you might have seen him featured (his 5th Broadway production) in the Hit Broadway Revival Of The Music Man Staring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster where he played Oliver Hix (The Baritone in the Quartet). Past credits include: The Lion King (Mufasa), Frozen (OBC-King Agnarr), In Transit (OBC-Chris), On The Town (Workman, Miss Turnstile’s Announcer). Nicholas has also had the great pleasure of performing in 8 New York
City Center Encores! productions including: Brigadoon w/ Kelli O’Hara, Cabin In The Sky w/Chuck Cooper, Pipe Dream w/Leslie Uggams, The Golden Apple, 1776, Zorba w/ Marin Mazzie, Paint Your Wagon, and Annie Get Your Gun. Lincoln Center Productions include Camelot, and Andrew Lippa’s I am Harvey Milk, Symphony Space’s A Little Night Music. Touring productions include: Showboat and Porgy & Bess. Film & TV credits include: Shmigadoon, Frozen 2, Ricky and the Flash, The Tony Awards, The Tonight Show w/ Jimmy Fallon, GMA, One Night Only The Best of Broadway, The Disney Holiday Sing Along, Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting. Regionally he had been featured in many productions including, Ragtime, Man of La Mancha,
Smokey Joe’s Cafe, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Original Broadway Cast Recordings include: Music Man, Frozen, In Transit. Nicholas is grateful to have had such a wonderful career in the performing arts.
Lesher Center Resident Programs
Our nonprofit partner, (DRAA), invests in the power of the arts to transform lives and creates avenues for everyone to experience the arts.
HEADLINERS SERIES Up Next
Buy Tickets
HEADLINERS SERIES Up Next Mountain Stage February 1 Featuring Colin Hay, Bruce Cockburn, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express, The Lucky Valentines.
Buy Tickets Mads Tolling & The Mads Men February 9 Celebrating the 1960s with their own distinctive style and innovative flair.
Buy Tickets Sarah McKenzie February 15 Australian jazz singer, pianist, composer, and arranger returns to the Lesher Center!
Buy Tickets
Bundle & Save up to 25% on Headliners performances! Buy A Bundle
Buy Tickets
Learn More
Support Lesher Center
Fiesta Cultural 2023 Street Fair, Chavalos Danzas por Nicaragua, photo by Ben Krantz Studio
There are many ways to show your support! Your gifts through the Lesher Center’s nonprofit partner, Diablo Regional Arts Association, drive excellence, innovation, diversity, and access for all through performances, exhibitions, and education programs. • Make a one-time or monthly donation • Sponsor an event or program • Donate stock or IRA • Make a legacy with planned giving • Use your corporate match program • Volunteer
Donate Now
QUESTIONS? Contact DRAA! (925) 295-1470 or info@draa.org
Thank you to our Sponsors Presenting Sponsor
Season Sponsors
Thank you to our Donors Donors 1-1-23 thru 1-8-24
$100-$249
Jennifer & Andy Enzminger
June Aguilar
Robert & Carrol Foxall
Amy Alanes
Jean & Richard Frankel
Beverly Anderson
Barry Gross
Marty Aufhauser
Carol Haig
Christine Barclay
Sandra Haley
Carol & Claude Benedix
Tom & Anjali Hanzel
Muriel Bentsen
Carol Hess
Amos & Carla Blackmon
Susan & Donald Hill
Stephen & Anne Bruenn
Virginia Hind Hodgson
Alan Burckin
Virginia Horgan
Zenaida Campos
Ruth Hussey
Sue & Rich Carlston
Diana Ichikawa
Tameca Carr
Glenn Jackson
Javier Carrillo
Ruth James
Duane & Helen Carroll
Ning Jiang
Christy Casassa
Sophia Kassab
David Clark
Ann Keiffer
Chris Clevers
Sally Kennedy
Marilyn Dalziel
Toni & Craig Kilcoyne
Jan Dolan
Carol Ann King
Joan Dorsey
Louanne Klein & Dave Radosevich
Ben Drew Sheila Driscoll John Edwards & Anna Meniktas-Edwards Richard Einstoss Paula Elliott
Cheryl & Eric Kohleriter Alisa Kramer Dave Kwinter Yvonne LaLanne & Mark Rubenstein
Thank you to our Donors Donors 1-1-23 thru 1-8-24
Linda Lamerdin
Rebecca Thompson
Claire Laverdiere
June Thornton
John & Gwenn Lennox
Brooke Trost
Kiran Lopez
Pat Van Oss
Margaret Marx
Linda & Clark Vilas
Heather Marx-Zavattero
Alison Willett
Terry Mason
Gary Wong
Larry & Kathy McEwen
Hua Yang
Tracy Melone Gene Miller John Minney & Susan Cliff Amal Moulik Jacquelyn Nissim Candace O`Brien Martha Parriott
$250-$499 Lori Allio Cherlene Andresen Jeanie & Edward Beatson Jamie Broadhurst
Rayna & Richard Ravitz
Margaret & Karl BuckleyBrown
Andy & Meghan Read
Carolyn Bybee
Ronald & Phyllis Rogness
Manny Cho
Dennis & Renee Ross
Phyllis Christopher & Jill Garcia
Louise Schulden Fred Sciammas Andrea Shipman Marilyn Simonsen Linda Sonner Gail Stevens Lori Talbot Carole Temps
Dottie & Eric Curole Chris & Nancy Doan Bill & Keva Dodd Jerome S. Frantz Linda Giffin Marsha Ginsburg Jean Godwin Nicole Green
Thank you to our Donors Donors 1-1-23 thru 1-8-24
Ellen & Peter Hauskens
Vickie & David Tugwell
Ira Hillyer
Susan Tuttle
Nancy & Bruce Kaufman
Mary & Thomas Twist
Carol & James Kennedy
Catherine Watters
Kathy Klein & Scott Fink
Kim & Stuart Weinstein
Linda & James Landau
Judy & Bob Wilkenfeld
Marjorie & Peter Li
James & Barbara Wolpman
Elaine & Ward Lindenmayer Sidne Long Paula & Mark Lowery Rita MacKay Christiane & Jeffrey Maier Ann Merideth Toni Ratner Miller Richard & Suzi Mills Maryanne Mitchell Matt Morrow Kathryn Mulkey Jenny & Bill Perttula Jean & Gary Pokorny Jason Pretzlaf Sue Rainey Gerald Ricker Adrienne & Jeff Rogers Andrea & Chad Silver Mary Jane Sullivan Meredith Taylor
$500-$999 Andrea Baldacci Samantha Caygill Lorraine & Lionel Chan Paul Cocotis Serdar Copur Jana Corral Brian Dean & Palvir Shoker Scott Denison & Kerri Shawn Dennis Drew Jim & Beverly Dubrin Michele Ducharme Holly Eliot Jane & Roger Emanuel Emilee Enders Joseph Ficurelli Gary & Susie Fisher Barney Fonzi Shannon Gross
Thank you to our Donors Donors 1-1-23 thru 1-8-24
Kathy & John Hemmenway
Gerry Wallace
Carol Holland Reshea Holman Natalie & Roger Hughes Carolyn & Anthony Jackson Linda Johnson Barbara Kline Linda Kramer
$1,000-$2,499 Judy Ackerhalt Clara & Marty Ardron Angela & Dan Ashley Bobbi & Marty Bach
June Krug
Gretchen Bartzen & Michael Rippey
Richard Leffingwell
Donna Batchelor
Leslie Lessenger
Annette & Don Bausley
Tina Locke
Virginia & Mark Bigelow
Christine Mitroff
David & Manny Bowlby
Tracy & Robyn Nishimura
Dawn & Peter Brightbill
Elizabeth & Mark Orcutt
Kristen & Dan Buckshi
Johnathan Plumpton
Patrick & Shirley Campbell
Elaine & Ken Richter
Jacqueline & James Carroll
Davis & Louise Riemer
Melissa Carucci
Barbara & Danny Riggio
Barbara Cavella
Jeff & Jodi Riley
Gloria & Randy Christensen
Allison & Sean Roberts
Tricia & Eric Copeland
Andrew Robinson
Carrie Cox
Gary Schaub & Maria Gounaris
Cindy & Gary Darling
William & Nathalie Schmicker
Jennifer Fish
Chris & Rosario Toler Violet & Carl Torneros
Juliet Don Mary & Jan Francis Lynn Garrett
Thank you to our Donors Donors 1-1-23 thru 1-8-24
Nishta & Vito Giallorenzo
Jonathan & Jane Raymond
Claude Grillo
Susan & Mark Reckers
Anne Grodin
Ruth Reeves
Susie & Charles Hanson
Mari Reid
Nicholas Harrison
Paul Renard
Robin & Chuck Henry
Susanne & Chip Renner
Carle Hirahara
Jeffrey Rose
Ellen Hole
Olga Jane & Maynard Rotermund
Alice Hunter & Mark McKenna
M. Louise Rothman-Riemer
Marion Iles
Vanessa & Glen Ryan
Peter Johnson
Michele & Kevin Safine
Robert Kaliski
Christine & Fred Seely
Lynda & Bill Keller
Maryann Sheridan
Trudy Ketelhut
Tina & Scott Simmons
Julianne & Bill Kloos
Linda & Rory Snyder
Ellen & James Kocins
Anne Marie & Tom Taylor
Bob Linscheid
Sue & Tom Terrill
Beverly & David Loder
Allan Tobias & Carol Gegner
Carol Jane Louisell
Melissa Ward
David & Joan Lucchese
Donna & John Warnken-Brill
Sandra & Thomas Magill
Ann & Tom Watrous
Denise & Frank Mallozzi
Gayl Westendorf & Laura Kim
Katie McDonald Gail & Jim Murray
Matt Whelan & Camille Priselac
Kathleen & John Odne
Kevin & Jill Wilk
Isabelle Ord & Doug Spear
Stephen Woodhead & Lisa McConnell
Jill & Bill Purcell
Thank you to our Donors Donors 1-1-23 thru 1-8-24
Emily & Danny Wu
Carolyn & Don Moeller
Carole Wynstra
Jeannie & Bob Power
Broadway Plaza
Desiree Renee Ralph
Dudum Corp
Jana & Gary Stein
F&M Bank
Elaine Taylor
Macy’s/Bloomingdales
Lavergne & Howard Thomas
The Safeway Foundation
Wendy & Mike Thomas
TWANDA Foundation
Peggy & Michael White Wendy & Scott Wilcox
$2,500-$4,999
COPA Innovations Laboratories
Annette & Tom Alborg
Hanson Bridgett LLP
Douglas Alvey
ZMC Hotels, LLC
Catharine & Dan Baker Sharon & Paul Baker Alice Beckman Diane Crowley Young & Lance Young
$5,000-$9,999 Beth & Bob Borchers Janet & Rick Cronk
Suzanne & CJ Doherty
Denise & Ed Del Beccaro
Carol & Ken Fowler
Julie & Tom Ducharme
Samantha & Matt Francois
Nikita & Barry Gordon
Richard Goodman
Deborah & Phil Herndon
Loella & Ralph Haskew
Kathy & Jerry Hicks
Todd & Katrine Heintz
Nevin Kessler
Natalie Inouye
Laura & Eric Lamison
Tineke & Torsten Jacobsen
Cynthia Ann Lesher
Sandeep Kaujalgi & Reeni Sondhi
Steve & Mackenzie Lesher
Linda & Steven Lazare
Jill O’Brien
Thank you to our Donors Donors 1-1-23 thru 1-8-24
Celia Mason
Spalding Rooker
Robert Mathewson & Lucinda Tay
Kevin Sánchez
Patricia Niven & Chris Dix Jeanne Ryan Marsha & Richard Servetnick Cindy & Tom Silva Linda & Jack Thompson Deveney & Larry Totten Bonnie Waters & Dennis Winslow
Gary Skrel Patricia Stull Jennifer & Peters Suh Cheryl & Christian Valentine Mike & Paula Weintraub John Muir Health Martinez Refining Company Miller Starr Regalia
Community Bank of the Bay ParkSmart, Inc.
$25,000-$49,999
Republic Services
Hofmann Family Foundation
William A. Kerr Foundation
Holly Ingraham & David Julius
$10,000-$24,999 Anonymous (2) Tammy & Ken Anderson Angie & Peter Coffee
Gay White
$50,000-$99,999 Sharon Simpson
Brian Hirahara Mort Johnson & Donna Andrews Karen Kahn & Bill Kaufmann Sharon & Jim Moore Bob Power Dino Riggio Jane & Chuck Roehrig
$100,000 + Eric Rudney Chevron Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation Kaiser Permanente, Diablo Area
Leadership Lesher Center Leadership Carolyn Jackson General Manager Emilee Enders Bedford Gallery Curator of Exhibitions and Programs Matt M. Morrow Center REP Artistic Director
City of Walnut Creek Leadership Loella Haskew Mayor Cindy Darling, Matt Francois, Cindy Silva, Kevin Wilk City Council Members Sarah Baltazar, Jill Dresser, Jane Emanuel, Iasmine Klauber, Ann Merideth Arts Commission Members Dan Buckshi City Manager Kevin Safine Arts + Recreation Department Director
Diablo Regional Arts Association Board of Directors David Julius Board President Catharine Baker Peter Brightbill Jamie Broadhurst Angie Coffee Nadia Costa Juliet Don Julie Ducharme Barry Gordon Todd Heintz Brian Hirahara Natalie Inouye Laura Lamison Sandeep Kaujalgi Nevin Kessler Bob Power Dino Riggio Spalding Rooker Eric Rudney Kevin Sanchez Marsha Servetnick Patricia Stull Peters Suh Mike Weintraub Deneen Wohlford Steve Woodhead Peggy White Executive Director
Bedford Gallery provides exhibitions and public programs that reflect and engage the diverse audiences of the Contra Costa region.
Follow Us!
@BedfordGallery
The resident professional theatre company of Lesher Center Celebrate the power of the human imagination and enrich the cultural life of our community.
Follow Us! @CenterREP
1601 Civic Drive Walnut Creek, CA, 94596 LesherArtsCenter.org
Follow Us! @LesherCenter