Soaring Stars: Temple Alumni Shine Bright on Stage This Holiday Season

Moreno  
InterAct Theatre Company | Philadelphia 
November 1–24, 2024 

Moreno is a powerful play that tackles the intersection of sports and politics, as superstar running back Luis Moreno faces the aftermath of Colin Kaepernick’s protest against police brutality. 

Gabriel Elmore, MFA ’21, plays quarterback Danny Lombardo. Gabriel’s impressive resume includes roles like Actor #3 in QvK at the Philadelphia Arts Collective, Neil in The Bitter Earth at InterAct Theatre, and several classical works with the Valley Shakespeare Company. He has also performed in An Enemy of the People and A Midsummer Night's Dream, showcasing his versatility across genres. 

Elf: The Broadway Musical 
Walnut Street Theatre | Philadelphia 
November 27–December 31, 2024 

This holiday season, Elf brings Buddy’s heartwarming adventure to the stage, filled with laughter, catchy songs and the joy of Christmas magic! Join Buddy the Elf as he heads to New York City in search of his birth father and a chance to save Christmas. 

Zummy Mohammed, TFM ’19, returns to the Walnut stage in multiple roles as New York locals and North Pole residents. An AEA performer and Broadway World Award-winning choreographer, Zummy’s past credits include Relapse: A New Musical (Off-Broadway), Cinderella (Broadway at Music Circus), Tuck Everlasting (Centre Theater), and Elf, Beauty and the Beast, and Legally Blonde (Walnut Street Theatre).

Kiss Me, Kate!  
Quintessence Theatre | Philadelphia 
November 27–January 5, 2024 

This production of Kiss Me, Kate at Quintessence Theatre features hot jazz, high-kicks and slapstick comedy to make your holiday season unforgettable!  

Jennie Eisenhower, a two-time Barrymore Award winner and former adjunct professor at Temple, stars as Lilli Vanessi/Katherine. Jennie’s impressive resume includes roles in Parade, Hello Dolly and Kiss Me, Kate! at local theaters, and she taught musical theater at Temple for 13 years.

Michael Kozloski, TFM ’24, performs as Hortensio and in the ensemble. His past credits include Into the Woods, Xanadu and Spring Awakening at Temple, and he recently assistant directed tick, tick... BOOM! at Theatre Horizon. You can also catch current student Jacob Flaschen on trumpet, and Jerry Tanenbaum, BYR '92, on drums. 

Peter Pan 
Arden Theatre Co. | Philadelphia 
November 27, 2024–January 19, 2025 

Join Peter Pan on an adventure to Neverland this holiday season in a brand-new production from Arden Children’s Theatre that celebrates the joy of storytelling and the power of imagination! 

Lee Minora, TFM ’09, plays multiple roles including Darling, Smee, Nibs, Tinker Bell and Mermaid. A writer, performer and theater-maker, Lee’s solo shows Cheeks and White Feminist have been featured at Ars Nova, The Wilma Theater and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She has appeared in over 20 productions, including Tartuffe and The Hairy Ape, and is a Barrymore nominee and two-time recipient of The Jilline Ringle Performance Grant.

The production also features former Owl Jessica Money in the roles of Jane Darling, Tootles, Bill Jukes, Tiger Lily, Cookson, Tinker Bell and Mermaid.  

Yellowface 
Roundabout Theatre Company | New York City  
September 13—November 24 

In Yellowface, an Asian American playwright protests yellowface casting in Miss Saigon, only to mistakenly cast a white actor as the Asian lead in his own play. This farce tackles the complexities of race with humor and builds to a powerful, thought-provoking conclusion. 

Kevin Del Aguila, TFM ’94, who plays Actor A, was nominated for a Tony Award® and received a Drama Desk Award for his role as Osgood in Some Like It Hot on Broadway. His other Broadway credits include Frozen (Oaken), Peter and the Starcatcher (Smee), and Rocky (ensemble). Off-Broadway, he has appeared in Little Shop of Horrors, Love's Labour's Lost and God Bless You Mr. Rosewater. Kevin’s film and TV credits include Peg+Cat, Law & Order: SVU and Frozen (Disney). When not acting, Kevin is an Emmy-winning TV writer and lyricist, with credits like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dog Man, Madagascar and Altar Boyz. 

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club 
August Wilson Theatre | New York City 
Now–March 29, 2024 

Cabaret invites you into the decadent world of Berlin’s infamous Kit Kat Club, where performers, misfits and outsiders come together for a night of revelry and escape. Set against the rise of the Nazi regime, the musical explores love, freedom and identity in a time of political upheaval. 

Paige Smallwood, TFM ’17, shines as Rosie in Cabaret and also serves as the understudy for the iconic role of Sally Bowles. A Temple University alum and former 30 Under 30 awardee, Paige’s previous Broadway credits include Bad Cinderella, and she has toured nationally with Hamilton (as Peggy/Maria & standby) and Les Misérables (as Eponine). 

DRAG: The Musical 
New World Stages | New York City  
Now–Ongoing 

In DRAG: The Musical, two rival Drag Houses battle for supremacy in a fierce, wig-snatching competition filled with fashion, family and forgiveness. After a bitter breakup, two queens open competing clubs, reigniting old tensions in a high-stakes game of survival. 

Kodiak Thompson, TFM ’21, serves as the understudy for Alexis Gillmore, Dance Captain and Onstage Swing in DRAG: The Musical. Kodiak, a Hershey, Pennsylvania native, has performed on national tours in Chicago (Doctor/Harrison, u/s Billy Flynn, Mary Sunshine) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Annas). This is his fifth piece of drag theater, following performances in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Kinky Boots, La Cage aux Folles and Chicago. 

Elf: The Broadway Musical 
Marquis Theatre | New York City 
November 27–January 4, 2025 

This holiday season, Elf brings Buddy’s heartwarming adventure to the stage, filled with laughter, catchy songs and Christmas magic! Join Buddy the Elf as he heads to New York City in search of his birth father and a chance to save Christmas. 

Kalen Allen, TFM ’18, makes his Broadway debut in the roles of the store manager and hot dog vendor. This former 30 Under 30 awardee is known for his appearances on The Ellen Show and as a judge on the Food Network. Kalen has also starred in Netflix’s Meet Me Next Christmas and recently released his debut holiday album, Christmas Memories. Kalen’s career skyrocketed after his viral “Kalen Reacts” videos, leading to opportunities on Ellen’s digital platforms and as a correspondent at major events. He has also appeared in An American Pickle (HBO Max), With Love (Amazon Prime), and A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO).  

Funny Girl 
On Tour 
Ongoing 

Don’t miss the inspiring and hilarious story of Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she’d never be a star, but then something funny happened—she became one of the most beloved performers in history.  

Sean Seamus Thompson, TFM '09, is currently touring with Funny Girl as part of the ensemble, covering the roles of Tom Keeney, Nick Arnstein and Florenz Ziegfeld. His Broadway credits include Sunset Boulevard (Joe Gillis u/s), and he has toured in Love Never Dies (Raoul) and The Sound of Music (Captain u/s). Off-Broadway, he appeared in Penelope (Barius, original cast album). Sean has also appeared in regional productions of Hunchback (Phoebus), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Prince Eric), and Cabaret (Cliff). On TV, he has featured in The Walking Dead: Dead City(AMC) and An Evening with Lerner and Loewe (PBS).