An Evening of Performing and Fine Arts 2017
Meet the Entertainers
John most recently performed in the highly acclaimed production of Man of La Mancha as Cervantes/Don Quixote. He performed the role of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables the end of last year to become part of the elite group that can say they have done “The Big Three” referring to the top three leading man roles in musical theatre; Jekyll & Hyde, Jean Valjean. as well as the Phantom. He has performed well over 100 different roles on the professional opera and theatre stages including The 39 Steps (Richard Hannay) NJ, Boeing-Boeing (Bernard), Out of Order (George) FL, Handy Award: Best Actor in a Comedy, West Side Story (Tony) NY–Salt Award: Best Leading Actor in a Musical, Oklahoma (Curly) FL–Apple Award: Best Leading Actor in a Musical, Showboat (Ravenal), The Pajama Game (Sid) NY–Salt Award: Best Leading Actor in a Musical, Grease (Danny Zuko) FL, Unsinkable Molly Brown (Johnny Brown) NY–Salt Award: Best Leading Actor in a Musical, South Pacific (Lt. Joe Cable) WV-Grandview Award: Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, and the title role(s) in Jekyll & Hyde –Salt Award: Best Leading Actor in a Musical. John is the Producing Artistic Director at the Broadway Theatre of Pitman as well as for The Laugh Out Loud Theatre Company and Entertainment Director for Places Please Productions. He has authored several published comedies, including Holy Cannoli, Take My Husband…Please, Watchin’ Waldo, Sorry Wrong Window, Valentine Schmalentine, and two years ago Philadelphia’s highly acclaimed production of ALL ABOARD…And Then Some! John can be heard on several recordings: John D. Smitherman…Live, Opera Passion, and By Popular Demand.
John D. Smitherman
Erica holds an MFA in Acting from Manhattan's New School for Drama as well as a BA in Musical Theater from WV Wesleyan. Recent performance credits include Man of La Mancha (Aldonza, Broadway Theatre of Pitman), Closer Than Ever (Woman 2, Mazeppa Productions), Always...Patsy Cline (Patsy Cline, Candlelight Theatre) and The Musical of Musicals: The Musical! at the Montgomery Theatre (Abby, Barrymore winner: Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical). Some of her favorite performance experiences have been with Disney Cruise Line, performing in both Europe and the Caribbean. In 2004, Erica won the title of Miss New Jersey and went on to compete in the Miss America Pageant (ABC Broadcast, non-finalist talent winner) and spent her year bringing awareness to her platform: Autism Advocacy and Awareness. She is still a passionate advocate for people living with autism and their families and continues to speak at conferences, and to students and professionals. Erica loves working with the remarkable students at Moorestown High School and has felt privileged to work in the theater program under many capacities: photographer, costumer (The Comedy of Errors, Our Town), choreographer (Anything Goes, Legally Blonde), director (Much Ado About Nothing, Treasure Island, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) and as director/choreographer (How to Succeed, Spamalot, Hello, Dolly!, and this upcoming spring's production of Curtains). In the fall, Erica made her Off Broadway debut in Dena Blizzard's One Funny Mother.
Erica Scanlon Harr
Christine broke onto the New York theatre scene playing her dream role, Eva Peron, in Evita at the Paper Mill Playhouse, a performance about which the New York Time wrote, “…just watch Ms. Kienzle smoke!” She is grateful to have been able to reprise this role for MoorArts. Christine has performed all over the country as both Swing and Lily understudy in the 20th Anniversary Broadway tour of Annie, where she met her husband, Todd. Her favorite credits include I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Woman 1); Into the Woods (Witch); Chicago (Roxie); Magic to Do (w/Scott Schwartz); and MoorArts’ Hairspray (Velma VonTussle). Christine is a graduate of Harvard University, where she also studied at the American Repertory Theatre, and has worked with various acting studios and professionals in New York. A member of Actors Equity Association and SAG/AFTRA, she is also a private tutor, a PTO Co-President, and a softball mom. She is pleased to be a part of the MoorArts family, supporting the arts in our community.
Christine Keinzle Serenbetz
Kyrus is an award-winning performer, model, writer, artist, blogger, and photographer based in Central New Jersey, directly between New York City and Philadelphia. Kyrus attended and graduated with a Bachelors Degree from Westminster School of the Performing Arts at Rider University. Tours: GSP Educational Touring Company, Chuckleball. NY Off-Broadway: A River's Current (NYTW). Regional Credits: Mr. Black/Lippa's The Wild Party, Seaweed/Hairspray, Collins/RENT. Recent Credits: John/Miss Saigon, Benny/In The Heights, Curtis/Dreamgirls, Donkey/Shrek. For more, please visit KyrusKeenan.com. Kyrus has supported MoorArts in a leading role in our production of “Spelling Bee” and as a performer at Autumn in Moorestown.
Kyrus Keenan Westcott
Greg teaches World History and Sociology at Moorestown High School and has worked with the Moorestown High School Theater program since 2004, serving as Fall Play director (Rumors, The Curious Savage, Play On!, The Importance of Being Earnest, Noises Off, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Comedy of Errors, The Miracle Worker, Our Town, Witness for the Prosecution), Spring Musical director (Anything Goes, The Wedding Singer, Legally Blonde), and business manager (How to Succeed, Much Ado About Nothing, Spamalot, Treasure Island, Hello, Dolly!, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest). Upcoming MHS Theater events: Spring Musical Curtains, One-Act Plays in May, and Walt Disney World workshop/performance experience in June. He spent twelve years directing with Mainstage Center for the Arts’ Summer Stage children’s theater program, and performance credits include Barefoot in the Park (Paul), Grease (Kenickie), Damn Yankees (Applegate), and A Chorus Line (Zach) at the Eagle Theatre in Hammonton.