Current Cast

Jarrod Emick (Hank Williams) Mr. Emick was last seen on Broadway as Himself in Ring of Fire at the Barrymore Theatre directed by Richard Maltby, Jr. and choreographed by Lisa Shriver. Prior to that, he co-starred with Hugh Jackman in The Boy from Oz at the Imperial Theatre directed by Phillip McKinley and choreographed by Joey McNeely. He starred as Jerry in London’s West End premiere of The Full Monty at the Prince of Whales Theatre, directed by Jack O’Brien and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell. He was Brad in the revival of The Rocky Horror Show-Live at the Circle In the Square Theatre, directed by Christopher Ashley and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell. He won the Tony, Drama-Desk and Theatre World Awards for his portrayal of slugger Joe Hardy in the 1994 revival of Damn Yankees, also directed by Jack O’Brien and choreographed by Rob Marshall. Chris in Miss Saigon at the Broadway Theatre as well as opening the 1st Nat’l Tour of Miss Saigon in Chicago, both directed by Nick Hytner and choreographed by Bob Avian. He also was featured as the student leader Enjolras in the 3rd Nat’l Tour of Les Miserables. Other favorites regionally include F. Scott Fitzgerald in the World Premiere of Waiting for the Moon, a new musical by Frank Wildhorn at the Lenepe PAC co-starring Lauren Kennedy as Zelda directed by Vincent Marini and choreographed by Andy Blankenbueler. The title role in Sweeney Todd at the Capital Playhouse (Olympia,WA), Directed by Jeff Kingsbury. Peter in Drift with Christian Cambell, a new musical by Jeremy Schonefeld Directed by Jeremy Dobrish. He starred as Josiah Day in the TNT mini-series Andersonville, directed by the late and most definitely great John Frankenheimer. He starred with Christine Elise in LA Firefighters for FOX and also for FOX, Pacific Palisades for the equally great and terribly missed Aaron Spelling. He also starred in It’s True for CBS. Countless workshops, concerts and benefits. He is honored to be making Virginia Stage debut in this inspired piece about a legend gone too soon.

Mississippi Charles Bevel (Tee-Tot) joins Virginia Stage Company for the first time with his appearance in Hank Williams: Lost Highway. Other professional productions include, It Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues (Lincoln Center Theatre and Seattle Repertory Theatre, et al); Let Me Live (Goodman Theatre); The Piano Lesson (Karamu Performing Arts Theatre); I Am A Man; Thunder Knocking at The Door (Meadow Brook Theatre); Famous Orpheus (Geva Theatre); Ma’ Rainey’s Black Bottom (Plowshares Theatre Company); Polk County (McCarter and Berkeley Repertory Theatres); Stories About The Old Days (St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre Company); Fire On The Mountain (San Diego Repertory, Northlight Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville and Denver Center Theatre Company). Awards: 2005 Jeff Award “Best Actor in a Revue”—Chicago; 2005 Woodie Award “Outstanding Lead Actor”—St. Louis; 2007 Jeff Award “Best Actor in a Revue”—Chicago; Nominations: Tony Award (1999), Helen Hayes Award (2001)

Angela Funk (Waitress) NYC. Professional credits include: Hank Williams: Lost Highway – Waitress (NY); Grand Night for Singing – Victoria (MT Tour); Hemingway: It Just Catches – Chanteuse (MT/Chicago); Carousel – Julie Jordan (MT); Pirates of Penzance – Mabel (MT); Jekyll and Hyde – Emma (MT); 1940’s Radio Hour – Geneva Lee Brown (MT); Brigadoon – Fiona (MT); Dr. Seuss Celebration – Gertrude McFuzz, with Springfield Symphony (MA); SistaFunk – various roles, co-produced with sister (MA); multiple roles in numerous vaudeville and original comedic musical productions; film Three Priests – Laura (ME/MT). A NYC-Montana hybrid ever-intoxicated by Hank’s music, she’s elated to have a second go of it. Love and gratitude to this fantastic cast and crew, and especially to her best friends, M&D.

Laurie Birmingham (Mama Lilly) has been doing theatre of some form for 30+ years. She moved to the Midwest from her home in Redondo Beach, California back in 1981 to attend the UW-Milwaukee Professional Theatre Training Program (now located in Delaware) then traveled all around the U.S. working at some wonderful theatres. Pioneer Square Theatre in Seattle, Utah Shakespearean Festival, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Asolo Theatre Company, and Atlanta’s Roxy Theatre to name a few. In Wisconsin, Laurie has worked for just about every theatre in Milwaukee including 10 years with the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Chamber Theatre, Skylight Opera Theatre, Next Act Theatre Company, to name a few, as well as American Player’s Theatre in Spring Green, WI and the Madison Repertory Theatre. She coaches actors and public speakers privately in her “spare” time. Laurie is thrilled to be making her debut with VSC.

Shea Roebuck (Hoss)Shea Roebuck, a Hampton Roads native, is excited to make his acting debut with the Virginia Stage Company. A lifelong musician, Shea enjoyed national success with his band The Hollowbodies (Polygram) from 1995-2000. Currently as a working voice over talent, Shea can be heard on both TV and radio commercials for Toyota, Six Flags and many other national brands. Over the years he has contributed to many musical groups in the area and remains an active member of the music community.

Scott Wakefield (Jimmy (Burrhead) and Music Director) Broadway: Ring Of Fire; It Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues. Off Broadway: The Joy Luck Club; The American Clock; Howling At The Moon; The Wonderful “O”. Regional: Cincinnati Playhouse, Milwaukee Repertory, Seattle Repertory, Alliance Theatre, Delaware Theatre Company, Missouri Repertory, Walnut Street Theatre, Syracuse Stage, Ford’s Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival, etc…AWARDS: Best Actor for “Will Rogers” in Will Rogers Follies (Boston Outer Critics and Honolulu P’Okela Awards); Best Novelty Song Award 2004 for his original song, Toilet Seat, from the LA Songwriter’s Association. Many critical mentions and recommendations for his original CD, Older Than Dirt, available at ScottWakefield.com.

Mark Baczynski (Leon (Loudmouth)) began his theatre career back in 1975 when he played opposite of Scott Bakula in a local production of Godspell. Since then he has found his niche in live theatre using his musical abilities. He has performed in over 2500 productions of A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline and Patsy - A World Premier Tribute. Other credits include a national tour of Lost Highway, Big River, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Raleigh, North Carolina), The Grapes of Wrath (Alliance Theatre, Atlanta), and he just finished as a featured performer in Fire On The Mountain, at the Actors Theatre of Louisville. Mark has degrees in the performing arts and elementary education. His home is outside of Nashville, Tennessee. Mark’s fiddle CD in available in the lobby or e-mail thefiddlist69@aol.com

Robert Nelson (Fred “Pap” Rose) played Judge Taylor and Walter Cunningham in To Kill A Mockingbird last season, and is delighted to be directed once again by Edward Morgan. He has played a number of roles at VSC, including Candy in Of Mice And Men and the King in the workshop production of Chris Hanna’s play King Lear - The Storm At Home. Bob was Artistic Director of Norfolk’s Generic Theater for 8 years, has taught acting, directing, and Shakespeare classes for the Governor’s School for the Arts, and directs Shakespeare productions in 4 public schools each year. He has appeared in several largely unseen independent films, and has done a variety of roles on such shows as The Prosecutors, FBI Story, and The New Detectives. This spring he will direct the 2nd season of 1607: First Landing performed on the dunes in Virginia Beach.

Lauren Bauer (Audrey Williams) is excited to be making her Virginia Stage Company debut in Hank Williams: Lost Highway! She was most recently seen in Sunday on the Rocks (Ampersand Theatre Co) Other New York credits include: Neon Mirage (NYC Fringe Festival). Regional: Dracula (Premiere Stages), A Flea in her Ear, Ah Wilderness!, How to Succeed… (The Monomoy Theatre) Lauren moved to New York City last year after finishing the acting apprenticeship at Actors Theatre of Louisville, where she appeared in Neon Mirage in the 2006 Humana Festival. She is proud to hold her BFA in performance from Ohio University.

Russ Wever (Shag) plays the Steel Guitar, the instrument that puts the ‘cry and moan’ in Hanks’ music, and is glad to be performing for you at the Virginia Stage Company. Russ is no stranger to Lost Highway, having first performed on its first National Tour in 1999/2000 and since has performed on well over one thousand performances including an extended Off-Broadway run. Russ began performing on the Steel Guitar at age twenty-one and has since travelled and performed with various Country Music Artists and many Broadway Musicals. When not on the musical theatre stage, Russ enjoys performing at various Steel Guitar shows and concerts around the country. Russ, a native Chicagoan, now resides in Kansas City and wishes to thank his lovely wife Carla for her love and support and thanks God for the talent with which to share with you.

Dita Beard (Ensemble)is pleased to make her debut at Virginia Stage Company. She is currently working on her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in acting at Old Dominion University. She appeared in The Fabulous Fable Factory and The Butterfly’s Evil Spell at Shenandoah Conservatory. She has been seen in several ODU productions including MacBeth, Jamestown, and The Birds. She also appeared regionally in The Vagina Monologues with the Reliance Theatre Company in Winchester, VA.

Abigail Matzeder (Ensemble) is so excited to be making her debut on the mainstage here at the Virginia Stage Company. She can also currently be seen as Capulet in the VSC Education Program’s touring production of Romeo & Juliet. Her past credits include Jamestown (Ensemble), Endgame (Nell), The Miracle Worker (Annie Sullivan), Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (The Player), and Mourning Becomes Electra (Lavinia). Abigail is senior in the BFA Acting program at ODU. She’d like to thank all the swell people at VSC for giving her this fantastic opportunity. And also, her mommy.