ABOUT
Summary:
In her debut theatrical production, Ashli St. Armant brings us NORTH, a new musical for intergenerational audiences.
Follow precocious Lawrence and his mother, Minnie, as they escape the Deep South and travel North through the Underground Railroad, to seek freedom.
Their route through the Louisiana’s bayous, the bustling city of New Orleans, and the young town of Lawrence, Kansas introduces Lawrence, Minnie, and the audience to the diverse, multi-faceted lives of Black Americans during this time period.
Set in the 1850s, NORTH is based on actual accounts of slave escapes through the Underground Railroad network, as well as St. Armant’s personal family history of overcoming slavery in Louisiana.
While acknowledging the realities of slavery, the book and original musical compositions by St. Armant bring out the full experience of freedom-seekers: optimism, bravery, playfulness, wonder, suspense and mystery.
Meet the Characters:
LAWRENCE
Young Lawrence is clever, quick, and hopelessly naive. Perhaps his zest for life and quest for something more will carry him through the darkness and into free land.
Lawrence is also on a journey of self-discovery. So, as he navigates the wilderness and strange lands, he must also navigate the power struggle between mother and nearly-adult son.
MINNIE
Life on the plantation is all Minnie knows. And Lawrence’s young mother has a steadfast strategy for survival - just keep your head down and be grateful. But after making an earth-shattering discovery, she’s forced to consider other plans. Now the real question is, will Lawrence be a trustworthy partner on this journey of life-or-death, or will he be a burden?
ALTHEA
She’s Minnie’s best friend and, in some ways, she’s the mother Minnie never had. Now Minnie must trust her friend’s instinct and wisdom as Althea helps to concoct a plan of escape.
WETHERBY
He is a conductor on the Underground Railroad, and Minnie and Lawrence’s guide to freedom. But can Minnie trust this unusual man with a mysterious past?
GENEVIEVE
She’s a free woman of color - poised, well-dressed and eloquent. Genevieve was born free and lives in a Creole cottage, which she owns. She’s a complete anomaly to Lawrence and Minnie, but they’ll have to learn to trust her if the plan is going to work.
THAM
Based on a distant relative of playwright Ashli St. Armant, “Tham the Brave” is an almost-mythical character who emerges from the forest and introduces Minnie and Lawrence to his community of Maroons. This accidental meeting has the potential to change the course of their path - and lives - forever.
Meet the Cast:
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Don Cameron (he/him)
LAWRENCE
Don Cameron is a versatile entertainer from Anderson, Indiana, who fell in love with performing while singing in his church choir as a young boy.
In 2022, Don moved to Los Angeles to pursue his LA dreams, studying acting with renowned teachers like Johnathan Pope Evans (Los Angeles Southwest College) and Anthony Meindl.
Don has since appeared in short films such as A Sound To Remember and Colorful Minds and, in his theatrical debut, I Need Help.
This is Don’s first national tour and he’s thrilled to join the NORTH family!
Alyssa Holmes (she/her)
MINNIE
Alyssa Holmes is a proud graduate of Howard University where she received her B.F.A in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Dance.
She has always loved performing arts.
A natural born Chatty Cathy, the first time she was completely quiet was when her parents took her to see The Lion King at the Pantages Theatre.
Alyssa is elated to be rejoining the cast of NORTH The Musical.
A special shout out to my family, thank you for your never ending support. Thank you for sitting through every performance, and countless musical marathons! Thank you Jesus for getting me here, and keeping your promises. Lastly, little Lys, we’re doing it!!!
Rayevin Johnson (she/her)
ALTHEA
Tyler Marshall (he/him)
WETHERBY
Tyler Marshall is so excited to embark on his first national tour with this beautiful story! As a native of Orange County, California, Tyler is a graduate of the Orange County High School of the Arts Musical Theater Conservatory, and the University of California, Irvine's Theater Department.
Tyler's work spans in experience from Carnegie Hall to regional theater, and now the gorgeous NORTH: The Musical!
Some fun facts: his favorite musical is Parade, he is related to Queen Elizabeth I, and he can sing the entire score to Wicked in German (such a musical theater nerd!)
Reyna Papotto (she/her)
GENEVIEVE
Mell-Vonti (he/him)
THAM
Mell-Vonti is ecstatic to be embarking on his first National Tour in North: the Musical!
Mell-Vonti is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace University, is a Actor/Singer/Dancer/Model & Writer who’s in the process of releasing his debut album later this year. Stay tuned!
He is grateful to God, Family, and Friends for their love and support and would like to thank this wonderful cast & crew for this journey!
Danquai Draughon (he/him)
ENSEMBLE/UNDERSTUDY
Danquai Draughon is a performer with almost thirty years of experience. His career spans credits alongside major orchestras, renowned institutions, and popular Hollywood productions.
Some credits include: Performing Guide at One World Trade Center Observatory, Tame Impala - Lost in Yesterday (2020), Seal Team (CBS - 2021) Woman II Woman 2 - (Armstrong Theater, Torrance 2023), Snowfall (FX - 2023), and The Sound (2024).
Juliet Parker (she/her)
UNDERSTUDY
Juliet is delighted to be returning to the NORTH:The Musical family as the female understudy and assistant stage manager! She is an aspiring actress, singer, photographer, and model.
Some of her favorite roles include Carla (In the Heights), Richie (A Chorus Line), Esmerelda U/S (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Bree (Fancy Nancy), and a Lost Boy (Peter Pan).
She would like to thank God, her parents, Chavyn, Josiah, and family for their love and support.
Experience the music.
The score for NORTH was recorded at legendary East West Studios in Los Angeles, CA by an extraordinarily skilled and inspired team of musicians:
Chris Schlarb | Producer
Alex Sadnik | Alto Saxophone
Anthony Shadduck | Bass
Doug Carter | Piano
Danny Frankel | Drums/Percussion
Philip Glenn | Fiddle/Mandolin/Organ
Ramsey Hampton | Trombone
Steve Lorentzen | Guitar
The creative team.
Our creative team is the backbone of the show, and each bring an individual mastery that contributes to the heart, and authenticity of the production .
Ashli St. Armant | Creator/Director
Sarah McCarthy | Producer
Isaiah Johnson | Creative Producer
Matthew Ryan Pest | Assistant Director
Juliet Parker | Assistant Stage Manager
Christopher Scott Murillo | Scenic Design
Jojo Siu | Costume Design
Tim Swiss | Lighting Design
Monik Jones | Choreography
Tristan Dolce | Sound Engineer
Chris Schlarb | Music Producer
Alex Sadnik | Music Arranger
