HOOFERS
a new play with music and tap dancing
by Murphy Cross and Fiona Landers
with
Brenda Braxton*
Murphy Cross*
Kennedy Kanagawa*
Donna McKechnie*
Bebe Neuwirth*
*denotes member of Actors Equity Association
Hi! Welcome to the official HOOFERS website.
HOOFERS - a look at what they did after "what they did for love" as they attempt to do it one more time.
The brilliant cast - Brenda Braxton, Murphy Cross, Kennedy Kanagawa, Donna McKechnie and Bebe Neuwirth - takes us on a hilarious, heartfelt journey, as four women dancers reunite to perform a number from a show they did 50 years ago.
Tap dancing is the heartbeat of the play. HOOFERS is yappin’ and tappin’
A workshop to explore the movement and energy of the piece is the next stage in HOOFERS development.
We’re looking forward to that next step!
The Cast
Brenda Braxton
Ronnie Dee
Brenda is a native New Yorker who found success on Broadway. She was nominated for a Tony Award in 1995 for her starring role in SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE and has received the NAACP Theater Award, Chicago's Jefferson Award and a Grammy for Best Musical Show Album. She was last seen on Broadway as Matron Mamma Morton and Velma Kelly in CHICAGO The Musical sharing the stage with Usher, Bebe Neuwirth, Rita Wilson, Brian McKnight and Lisa Rinna. Other Broadway Credits include JELLY’S LAST JAM, CATS, LEGS DIAMOND and the original production of DREAMGIRLS. Her TV credits include “Nurse Jackie”, “Smash” and most recently Partner Madeline Gilford on “The Good Fight” on Paramount +. She can also be seen as Cairo in “Girls Getaway Gone Wrong 2” streaming on TUBI. With 40+ years in theater under her belt, Brenda wrote her first book, The Little Black Book of Backstage Etiquette, to help new artists navigate through their life behind the scenes in theater.
Murphy Cross
Judy/ Playwright
Murphy is a Tony Award winning Producer/Director/Co- Creator of the multi-award winning JAY JOHNSON: THE TWO AND ONLY! She holds a BFA in Dance from UNCSA. After performing on Broadway in the original production of A CHORUS LINE, BUBBLING BROWN SUGAR, PAL JOEY, and DIVISION STREET, she co-starred with Lee Remick in "Torn Between Two Lovers" and guest starred on many television shows including "Cheers", "Night Court" and a celebrated two part episode of "Taxi", playing Louie's blind blind-date. She is known for her film characterizations in "Annie", "Perfect" and "Victim of Love". And for being electrocuted on "Criminal Minds" where she played the worst mother in the world. Murphy's extensive choreographic credits include: TV's "Roseanne", "It's Garry Shandling's Show", "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and "Deadwood". One of her favorite gigs was performing with Peter Allen in his show UP IN ONE in Australia. In the 70's she was featured at the Blue Angel in a drag show called Zou and in an adagio act in Vegas and Wildwood, NJ. Murphy is an alum of UCB and has always subscribed to the notion that our children are our greatest teachers. Thank you, Lily and Fiona
Kennedy Kanagawa
Parker
Kennedy was most recently seen on Broadway and on tour in the 2022 revival of INTO THE WOODS as Milky White, for which he received a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Puppetry. Other recent credits include: GOLD MOUNTAIN (Utah Shakespeare Festival); SATURDAY NIGHT (2nd Stage); THE GOOD SWIMMER (BAM); LOLITA, MY LOVE (York Theatre Company); DINNER WITH GEORGETTE (NYTW Next Door); LAST SHIP TO PROXIMA CENTURI (Portland Stage); EASTBOUND (Village Theater). kennedykanagawa.com
Donna McKechnie
Valerie
Broadway: A CHORUS LINE, Cassie (Tony Award) WICKED (current cast) HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, ON THE TOWN, PROMISES, PROMISES, COMPANY, The Education of H*Y*M*A*N-K*A*P*L*A*N, SONDHEIM- A Musical Tribute (which she also choreographed), STATE FAIR, (Fred Astaire Award for Best Female Dancer for the 1996 Season) and THE VISIT. Donna was featured in ANNIE WARBUCKS and LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE, as well as, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (Nat’l Tour), Her starring appearances on London's West End, include PROMISES, PROMISES; COMPANY; NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY (which she also choreographed); CAN - CAN; and FOLLIES. Bob Fosse invited Ms. McKechnie to star his last production, a National tour of SWEET CHARITY (Helen Hayes Award nomination). Regional credits include: THE GLASS MENAGERIE, THE SUBJECT WAS ROSES, IRMA LA DUCE, CABARET, THE IMAGINARY INVALID, THREE PENNY OPERA, THE GOODBYE GIRL, FOLLIES, MACK AND MABEL, ANNIOE GET YOUR GUN, GYPSY, I DO, I DO; MISALLIANCE, STEPPING OUT, GIRL’S ROOM, and INSIDE THE MUSIC (her one woman musical with text by Christopher Durang) and John Doyle's production of TEN CENTS A DANCE at Williamstown Theatre Festival and the McCarter Theatre. Television roles including HBO "Showstoppers", "Fame", "Cheers", "Family Ties", "Hullabaloo", "Twirl", and "Dark Shadows”. Donna was featured in the documentary film, “Every Little Step” and played the Rose in the film “The Little Prince”. She recently appeared at 54 Below in “A Visit with Kander & Ebb”, and was featured in Christopher Gattelli's new musical, IN YOUR ARMS, at The Old Globe Theatre. Donna created the musical staging for SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS starring Leslie Caron at the Laguna Playhouse and has co-starred with Maureen McGovern, Andrea McArdle and Faith Prince in 4 GIRLS 4. A recent highlight life was to choreograph GUYS AND DOLLS at the Hollywood Bowl directed by Richard Jay-Alexander. Donna continues to perform on the concert stage and with symphony orchestras nation wide. Ms. McKechnie's memoir, Time Steps- My Musical Comedy Life, was published by Simon and Schuster.
Bebe Neuwirth
Sheila
Broadway: A CHORUS LINE, Sheila; CABARET (current revival); LITTLE ME, Monique; DANCIN’, Principal; SWEET CHARITY, Nickie (Tony Award); DAMN YANKEES, Lola; CHICAGO, Velma (Tony, Astaire, Drama Desk, Outer Circle Critics, and Drama League Distinguished Performance of the Year Awards); FOSSE, principal; THE ADDAMS FAMILY, Morticia. Off-Broadway: HERE LIES JENNY (Zipper); WRITER’S BLOCK (Atlantic); BEDWETTER (Atlantic); A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, Titania/Hippolyta (Classic Stage Company). Regional: WEST SIDE STORY, Anita; THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, Katherine. London’s West End: KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN, Aurora/Spiderwoman. Revue: UPSTAIRS AT O’NEAL’S; CABARET VERBOTEN. T.V.: CHEERS, Lilith (2 Emmy Awards); DASH & LILY, Dorothy Parker (Emmy nom.); BORED TO DEATH. Film: GREEN CARD; BUGSY; JUMANJI; LIBERTY HEIGHTS; SUMMER OF SAM; THE FACULTY; CELEBRITY; etc. CDs:“Bebe Neuwirth - Porcelain”; “Stories…in NYC, Live at 54Below”. Recipient of the 2007 ROLEX Dance Award; 2007 Dance Magazine Award; Honorary IATSE Local 1; Honorary Ziegfeld Girl.
Fiona Landers
Playwright
Fiona has contributed satire and essays to The New Yorker, Bust Magazine, Reductress, Dame Magazine, The Los Angeles Review of Books, The Hairpin, Eater LA, and more. Fiona has written and performed in hundreds of sketch/musical comedy shows at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Los Angeles and her musical comedies have enjoyed sold-out runs in Los Angeles, Edinburgh, Adelaide, and London. Currently, you can see Fiona perform Funeral Bouquet, a musical solo show based on her “life.” Fiona Landers.com
Ron Abel
Music/Arranger
Ron is an award winning composer/arranger/musical director. His musicals include TWIST OF FATE for which his score won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle and L.A. Weekly Theatre Awards. Other musicals include IS THIS YOUR LIFE?, ROCKWELL: LIFE ON A PALETTE, TO SIR, WITH LOVE and CAMILLE. Ron is also the co-creator of the Off-Broadway musical BLAME IT ON THE MOVIES. Film and television credits include composing, arranging and/or orchestrating for Michelle Pfeiffer, Kim Basinger, Lily Tomlin, Bea Arthur and Carol Burnett. He scored and supervised film music for Awakening Pictures and was music director and arranger for albums by Petula Clark, Helen Reddy and Linda Purl. He co-produced the album George and Ira Gershwin: A Musical Celebration.As a pianist, arranger and conductor, Ron has appeared live on-stage with Bette Midler, Johnny Mathis, Liza Minnelli, Shirley Jones, Lucie Arnaz, Sam Harris, Mandy Patinkin, Patti LuPone, Jason Alexander, Joely Fisher, David Hyde Pierce, Julia Migenes and Peter Allen.
WetRock Entertainment
Producer
WetRock partners, Paul Kreppel and Murphy Cross, have garnered various awards, winning the prestigious Tony Award, LA Ovation Award, New England's IRNE for co-creating/directing/producing JAY JOHNSON: THE TWO AND ONLY!, an Ovation Award for producing THE BIG VOICE: GOD OR MERMAN? in L.A. and NY, as well as, producing/directing ME & ELLA at The York Theater Co. WetRock is also currently developing "SEEN", David Schechter's groundbreaking personal odyssey. WetRockEntertainment.com
Brierpatch Productions
General Management
BRIERPATCH PRODUCTIONS : Laura Cronin, Scott Newsome with Claire Kedjidjian. Representative productions: Dan Howell: We’re All Doomed Tour; Cagney the Musical; for Rockefeller Productions (New York/Touring): Sesame Street the Musical, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Winnie The Pooh, Paddington Saves Christmas; Harry Townsend’s Last Stand (with Len Cariou/Craig Bierko); The Other Josh Cohen; The Stone Witch (with Dan Lauria); Dan and Phil: Interactive Introverts 2018 Tour; Fuerza Bruta (New York/Las Vegas); Cagney the Musical (NY/London); Party Face (with Hayley Mills); Spamilton (New York/National Tour); Church & State; Forbidden Broadway – The Next Generation; One Funny Mother; Dan and Phil: The Amazing Tour Is Not On Fire; Phoenix; Handle With Care; Grounded; The Two-Character Play (with Amanda Plummer, Brad Dourif); Triassic Parq; Wallenberg; Frog Kiss; Seventh Monarch; Alita -The Immersive Experience;; and the ASDS Repertory Season (2011–current).
Special Thanks
Gwen Hillier, Adinah Alexander, Laura Ware, Theresa Hayes, Rolanda Watts, Danny Quadrino, Sandi Johnson, Arlene Mantegna, Debbie Taylor, Liz Passero, Gia Mantegna, Larry Toyter, Angela Lockett, Dan Mailley, Bianca Taylor, Jean Loreston, Lianne Marie Dobbs, Jeremy Benton, Ben Jones,
Nick King, Alysia Velez
and
Scott Fowler, graphic design
Rainey Rowan, associate producer
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