ARTISTS

CHECK ALSO THE PHOTO GALLERY

KATE MICHAELS (STARRED IN OUR PRODUCTIONS OF GREEN LIGHT AND GOSSIP, GLITTER & GLAM), originally from California, took classical training at the American Institute of Musical Studies (Graz) and the Garcia-Marchesi Studio (San Fransisco). Musical theater roles include: Evita (Evita), Eliza (My Fair Lady), Hunyak the Hungarian (Chicago), Annie (Annie Get Your Gun), Luisa (The Fantasticks), Beauty (Beauty and the Beast), Adelaide (Guys and Dolls). Kate has her own company in Basel, released her first big band CD, Just Marilyn and created a show Swinging the Marilyn Monroe Songbook. Her recording The Best Things in Life features German jazz trio The Red Thread.  www.katemichaels.com

DAVID MORELL (STARRED IN GOSSIP, GLITTER & GLAM) is one of Switzerland's best known musical stars;  Singer/Actor David Morell’s career took off in the summer of 2002 with a special feature on Stern TV. He was chosen by Günter Jauch for a portrait program during his four years of artistic training including his time at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, the well-known performing arts school in England, supported by Sir Paul McCartney. Following the special television feature, David enjoyed successful performing engagements for West End productions and a European tour. In 2003 David’s recording of original songs, Collection One was released with American songwriter Rhonda Dorsey under the production design of Germany’s Philip Mitov and Swiss' Patrick Wyss. On frequent demand for solo concerts, hosting presentations and portraying leading roles in musicals such as Evita, Les Miz, Beauty & the Beast, Fiddler on the Roof and Hair, David is also a featured soloist for the Swiss Army Concert Band, touring throughout Switzerland including performances at the KKL in Luzern. In 2007 he and American singer, Kate Michaels made a successful tour in New Zealand and Australia. You can find more information about David on his website www.davidmorell.com

DAVID SMITH (MUSICAL DIRECTOR OF GREEN LIGHT, MUSICALS ON TOUR AND GOSSIP,GLITTER & GLAM) was born in Neath, Wales, and began his musical training with violin, flute and piano. He spent 4 years studying piano at the Welsh College of Music and Drama before studying music at University College, Cardiff, majoring in composition with Sir Alun Hoddinott and piano with Martin Jones. He is currently Director of Music at the International School of Zug and since 2003 has been the Representative in Switzerland for the Royal Schools of Music. David has been Musical Director for the English Theatre Group of Zug’s productions of Snoopy and Kiss Me, Kate and for the Swiss premiére of Stephen Sondheim’s Company and Into the Woods. In April 2005 he was Musical Director for the European premiére of the American musical comedy Inside Out in Zürich which he also directed in February 2006 in Zug.

MICHELLE BERGER (STAR OF GERSHWIN AND FRIENDS) is originally from Billings, Montana USA.  She has lived in Europe for many years and now says she has "two homes", Switzerland and the US.  Michelle is primarily an opera singer (and Pilates instructor) but also enjoys performing musicals, singing gospels and giving concerts.  She has been seen in the title role of Bizet's Carmen, as the Witch in "Into the Woods", as Ulrica in Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera", and debuts the role of Dalila in Saint-Saens "Samson et Dalila" in 2008.  After "GREEN LIGHT" Michelle is proud to add the show program of "GERSHWIN & FRIENDS" to her repertoire.

THOMAS BARTHEL(MUSIC DIRECTOR OF GERSHWIN & FRIENDS): A native of German Valley, Illinois (USA), Thomas Barthel began playing the piano at age five.  He received his degrees in Piano Performance from Hope College and Yale University, studying piano with Donald Currier, Claude Frank and Adele Marcus and conducting with Otto-Werner Müller.   After experiences in the New York environs (Lincoln Center Theater, Bronx Opera, New England Lyric Opera) and musical direction at the Indiana Repertory Theater, he came to Zürich to further his studies at the International Opera Studio.  From 1994-2003 he was solo-repetiteur and conductor with the Opernhaus Zürich ensemble, and from 2003 has served as the musical director of the International Opera Studio, Opernhaus Zürich, conducting varied repertoire as „The Consul“ by Menotti (2005), „Les Mamelles de Tiresias“ (2006), „The Beggar’s Opera by Gay/Britten (2007) and „La Didone“ by Cavalli (2007).

CRAIG WOOD (STARRED IN GREEN LIGHT) has been performing for 16 years in musicals, plays and concerts up and down the UK.    An example of just some of his many roles include, Curly in Oklahoma,  Young Ben in Follies, and Marius in a concert version of Les Miserables.  An award winning actor, Craig has also appeared in numerous plays with Studio One and The Stoke Rep, appearing as Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest.  In 2005, Craig joined up with three singers to form Musical Magic, a cabaret group which has been involved in charity concerts that have raised over £30.000 for women with breast cancer and a hospice for terminally ill children. 

YASMINE MEGUID (STARRED IN GREEN LIGHT) is a true New Yorker (mother Swiss, father Egyptian, raised in Brooklyn!) who began singing before she could talk. Soon after arriving in Switzerland she sang in bands, performed in musicals and wrote her own songs as well. She played Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar and Sheila in Hair in both Basel and Zurich, as well as many other leading roles in various musicals. www.yasminemeguid.com  

 

THE ZUG SHOW CHOIR (STARRED IN MUSICALS ON TOUR): consists of 24 musically trained performers from the Zug and Zürich area who have had extensive experience on stage in musicals and musical revues. Most of them also regularly sing in other choirs, many have solo parts. Choir leaders are Hanns (music) and Cari Zöllner (staging and choreography).