An Officer and a Gentleman - Sydney Lyric, The Star, Sydney from 18 May 2012

BERNARD ANGEL

Bernard is graduate of WAAPA. Prior to his training, Bernard appeared on Blue Heelers and the ABC children's series Noah and Saskia. Theatre credits include the New York Music Theatre Festival production of The Goodfight, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival season of Shane Warne: The Musical, Opera Australia's Australian-New Zealand tour of My Fair Lady, Opera Australia's Christmas at the Opera House, and the original Australian cast of Jersey Boys, playing Joe Pesci and understudying and performing the role of Frankie Valli. Bernard also contributed lyrics and vocals for the Melbourne duo The Prince of Seagulls' self titled and soon to be released debut album.

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BIANCA BAYKARA

Bianca is a recent graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art, studying Music Theatre. Upon graduating, Bianca toured Australia performing in The Magic Words and Verbal Combat for Brainstorm Productions. Recent credits include a.void for the Sydney Fringe Festival, Kim in Miss Saigon for CLOC (MTGV nomination for Best Female in a Leading Role), Bathtub Gin at The Forum, Melbourne, as well as numerous TVCs, corporate events and short films.

Originally from Melbourne, Bianca travelled the world as a part of the Qantas I Still Call Australia Home campaign, including performing alongside Hugh Jackman at the GDay LA Black Tie Gala in Los Angeles. Bianca has also studied a B. Science at the University of Melbourne, majoring in Physics.

Bianca is delighted to be making her professional music theatre debut in An Officer and A Gentleman and wishes to thank her wonderful family for their ongoing love and support.

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ELISE BRENNAN

Elise is a graduate of the University of Ballarat Arts Academy. Upon graduation she appeared in the Donmar/Ambassador production of Guys and Dolls as Mimi and cover for Miss Adelaide. She also spent time as a back-up artist to James Reyne for his latest album tour, TCB. Most recently Elise starred in Jersey Boys as Mary Delgado, Frankie Valli's wife. Television appearances include It Takes Two, Hey Hey It's Saturday!, The NRL Footy Show, Channel V Music Max Sessions and Mornings with Kerri-Anne. Having originated the role of Lynette in the original MTC workshop of An Officer and a Gentleman, Elise is now thrilled to be continuing her association with the project into its full-scale production.

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KIRBY BURGESS

A recipient of the prestigious ASCAP Broadway Musical Theatre Scholarship (New York), Kirby's career highlights Include High School Musical Live on Stage Australian Tour (U/S Sharpay, ensemble), 2010 Taiwan tour of Jekyll and Hyde, and Hairspray The Musical Australian Tour (Dance Captain, U/S Tracy Turnblad). As the 2010 face of New Idea Magazine, Kirby has also performed VIP entertainment for the P!NK concerts and pre-show entertainment for Liza Minnelli concerts at the Sydney Entertainment Centre as well as fronting blues band Blue Murder. Kirby was invited to sing at the Rising Stars of Broadway concert in New York City where she was the youngest and only international performer, receiving a standing ovation and the call for a second bow. Kirby is a graduate of Urban Dance Centre Full time Performing Arts course, Co-founder and Director of Carousel Entertainment and a proud graduate of the Talent Development Project. Kirby would like to make special mention to her family for all their love and support.

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LENA CRUZ

A graduate of WAAPA, Lena's music theatre career highlights include The Threepenny Opera, Hair, Fame the Musical, creating the role of Cynthia in the original production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert and one-woman cabarets I'm A Stranger Here Myself, The Singers Guide to the Universe and Bitter Sweet, for which she was nominated for the Sydney Fringe Festival Drum Media Show-stopping Individual Performance Award and the Best of People's Choice Award.

On television she has starred in Shortland Street, Bargain Coast, All Saints and Watch with Mother. Film credits include The Wannabes, The Night We Called It A Day and the short film Upskirt.

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SAM DEVENPORT

Sam Graduated from the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2009. Whilst there, he played the lead role of Roger in Rent, Abner Dillon in 42nd Street, and Jim Conley in Parade among many other musical roles. He also appeared in The Laramie Project.

In 2010, Oklahoma! was Sam's first professional engagement after completing his WAAPA studies. In 2011, Sam appeared in Perth Theatre Company's production of The Removalists as well as partaking in workshops for Sydney Theatre Company and New Musicals Australia.

Sam has been a soloist at the 2008 Carols by Candlelight in the Perth Supreme Court Gardens, and has performed and toured internationally with the Midnite Youth Theatre. He also played Petruchio in Shakespeare in the Woods at Gresham's Amphitheatre, Norfolk, UK and was a key performer for the opening gala of the Heath Ledger Theatre in Perth in 2011.

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AKINA EDMONDS

Akina was raised in New Zealand and graduated from NASDA in 2009 with a Bachelor of Performing Arts. After graduating NASDA (National Academy of Singing and Dramatic arts) in Christchurch in 2009, Akina was cast in a production of Buddy Holly the Musical. In 2010 Akina joined the Australian cast of Avenue Q then went onto the Australia premiere of Hairspray the Musical.

Akina is excited to be a part of the amazing cast and team of the world premiere of An Officer and A Gentleman. She wants to thank her beautiful partner and huge family in New Zealand for being her inspiration & support in achieving her dreams. Akina is a proud member of MEAA.

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ZOY FRANGOS

An Officer and a Gentleman marks Zoy's professional debut in Music Theatre. Hailing from the unconventional music theatre background of a professional athlete and graphic designer, Zoy graduated from the VCA in 2011 with a BA in Music Theatre. At the VCA Zoy performed as Bernardo in West Side Story, Munoz/Vargas in City of Angels and Enoch Snow in Carousel. In 2010 Zoy performed as Jimmy in the world premiere of Deborah Cheetham's Indigenous Opera Pecan Summer. Zoy also performed as a lead vocalist at the 2009 DFAT Naidoc week celebrations and the 2010 ABC Indigenous Staff Awards. He studies voice under the tutelage of Adam Lyon and dance at The Space under Rob Sturrock. Zoy is a proud member of Equity.

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SHERIDAN HARBRIDGE

After studying acting at NIDA, Sheridan toured with Fiddler on the Roof as Fruma Sarah, Carmen and My Fair Lady for Opera Australia understudying Eliza Doolittle, The Threepenny Opera, Miss Julie, Cabaret, The Bald Soprano, Shafana & Aunt Sarrinah, and Macbeth, winning Most Outstanding Performance for her role as Lady Macbeth at the GATS Festival 2009.

Her cabaret Mrs Bang: A Series of Seductions in 55 Minutes toured to acclaim at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Edinburgh Fringe, the Stage Song Review in Poland, and the Sydney Opera House, winning Best Cabaret Melbourne Fringe 2010, and a Green Room Award nomination. She collaborated with UK cult band The Tiger Lillies in Cockatoo Prison for the Biennale, and recently appeared with John Cleese in his show for the Just for Laughs Festival. She played Valerie Solanas and Judy Garland in Jim Sharman's latest film Andy X. TV credits include All Saints and Wild Boys.

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PETER HARDY

Peter has been performing professionally since 1979. In that time he has appeared in over forty stage productions, more than thirty television productions, eight films, two operas and an operetta, six bands, recorded sixteen audio books, two CDs and numerous ABC radio dramas, presented three radio shows, appeared in cyberspace and kept many fish.

Highlights and favourites in a colourful career include Bill Austin in Mamma Mia!; appearing as Dee Anthony with Hugh Jackman in The Boy From Oz - the Arena Spectacular; Phil Rakich in McLeod's Daughters; the hit movie Chopper; Eddie in Sam Shepard's Fool for Love; Harry in Prodigal; Roo in The Summer of the 17th Doll; the title role in Oedipus; Val Xavier in Orpheus Descending; the comedy cabaret duo Divine Decadence – The Classic Sweat Pose Revue; the dance-funk outfit The Fat; and the one-man play and award-winning film Chasing Rabbits.

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BRENDAN IRVING

Brendan graduated from the Talent Development Project in 2004 and the Singer Dancer Actor course at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) in 2007. As a recipient of the ASCAP/TDP "Bound For Broadway" scholarship, he travelled to New York to work with writers and artists including Sheldon Harnick, John Bucchino, Craig Carnelia, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Brendan is also a qualified fitness professional and has been personal training throughout Eastern Sydney since 2009. He is thrilled to have his Australian musical theatre debut in An Officer and A Gentleman.

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TANYA MITFORD

SWING / RESIDENT CHOREOGRAPHER / DIRECTOR

Tanya's versatility has generated an extensive career with opportunities as a Director, Choreographer, Resident Director/Choreographer, Assistant Director/Choreographer, Dance Captain, Performer and Musician. She has creatively managed and performed numerous roles in a variety of works including The Boy from Oz, Billy Elliot, Guys and Dolls, Dusty – The Original Pop Diva, Sam Mendes' Cabaret, Little Voice, Violet, Anna Karenina, Clinchfield, Ruben Guthrie, The Damned, Fiddler on the Roof, Leader of the Pack, Anything Goes, Sugar, Carousel, High Society, Mack and Mabel, Gypsy, Jolson, Dancing with the Stars and The Librarians as well as children's entertainment for The Wiggles, Disney, Warner Bros, Bob the Builder and ABC for Kids. Tanya is proud of her association with the Victorian College of the Arts Music Theatre Degree, and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts as a Director. She is also in demand as a Personal Trainer, Adjudicator, Dance and Performance Lecturer. This season is dedicated to the inspirational legacy of her Nan, Emma Little.

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THERN REYNOLDS

SWING / DANCE CAPTAIN

Thern has had an extensive international performance career and most recently appeared in Rock of Ages as the Mayor, Paul Gill and Dance Captain.

Thern's early Australian theatre credits include 42nd Street, West Side Story (Nibbles), Mack and Mabel in Concert, Hot Shoe Shuffle (Wing), Miss Saigon (Dance Captain), My Fair Lady, Red Hot And Rhonda, Chess, Easter Parade, The Boy From Oz, Rent (Dance Captain), Happy Days (Dance Captain), Chicago (Dance Captain) and Gypsy (Tulsa).

Thern toured overseas when cast in the European tour of Fosse (Cherries Man). Other international credits include Mind the Gap (Millenium Man), Chicago (Harry) and the West End Premiere of Tonight's the Night (Sex Devil).

On returning to Australia Thern played leading roles in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Joseph), Pippin (Lewis) and 42nd Street (Billy Lawlor) as well as appearing as the lead vocalist in the cabaret show Play the Game.

His television credits include The Logies, People's Choice Awards, IMT, GMA, The Midday Show and Hey Hey It's Saturday and he has appeared in the feature films Moulin Rouge and De-Lovely.

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SIMON ROBORGH

Simon graduated from the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art, New Zealand in 1997. Since then his stage credits have included Jekyll & Hyde (TML Enterprises), Billy Elliot (Billy Australia P/L), South Pacific (Seabiscuit Prods), for Auckland Theatre Company, Hair, Secret Bridesmaids Business, Into The Woods, Wit and Cabaret. He has also appeared as principal singer on the Tahitian Princess for Princess Cruises.

Simon's screen credits include roles on Crownies, Rescue Special Ops, Satisfaction, Micallef Tonight, Crashburn, Blue Heelers, The Strip and as a regular on Shortland Street to name a few. Simon has also worked extensively in the corporate arena hosting events such as Top Gear Live and appeared in numerous short films and commercials.

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MICHAEL WHALLEY

Since graduating from New Zealand Drama School, Michael Whalley has established a fine career in film, theatre and television in New Zealand and now Australia. Michael's most recent theatre performance was with the Michael Kantor's The Threepenny Opera, a Malthouse Theatre and Victorian Opera's coproduction featuring a stellar cast at Sydney Theatre Company. Michael's other theatre credits include Auckland Theatre Company's Romeo and Juliet in the lead role and She Stoops to Conquer, the lead role in Taki Rua Theatre Company's Te Karakia for the International and Dreaming Festivals and Wellington Musical Theatre Company's production of High School Musical as Troy Bolton. Michael has also performed in and co- devised Apollo 13, a multi award-winning interactive theatre piece, which has toured extensively in Australia and New Zealand.

Michael's film credits include the Michael Bennett directed drama Matariki, the crime/drama Out of the Blue and Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings. For the silver screen, Michael has appeared in Paradise Café (shot in Rarotonga), TVNZ's Killian's Curse and Karaoke High, and played Flynn in the US series Legend of the Seeker.

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PATRICK WILLIAMS

Melbourne born and raised, African-Australian Patrick Williams is enjoying an ongoing career as a versatile talent.

As a vocalist, he began his singing career with The Big Bang Combo in the early 80's and has since performed with INXS, Hunters & Collectors, The Models, Tina Arena, Renee Geyer, Kate Ceberano, Joe Camilleri, Stephen Cummings, Michael Franti and The Bamboos and was a regular guest vocalist on Good Morning Australia with Bert Newton. He is also a published songwriter and has fronted some of Melbourne's popular cover bands.

Patrick made his professional musical theatre debut in the controversial Bad Boy Johnny and the Prophets of Doom. He has subsequently performed lead roles in national and international tours of Hair, The Buddy Holly Story and Oh! What a Night.

As an actor, he performed his first leading roles as Kelsey/Spruiker in Strangers in the Night for Playbox and more recently as Black in the 2009 Australian premiere of Cormac McCarthy's The Sunset Limited for Ensemble Theatre. In 2010 he played Pontius Pilate in The Last Days Of Judas Iscariot for HST at Fortyfivedownstairs in Melbourne. His television credits include Neighbours, The Mercury, Raw FM, Kangaroo Palace, Stingers, Answered By Fire, Carla Cametti P.D, The Librarians, Laid and Winners and Losers.

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