Cast & creative

JACK HOPEWELL (Jesus) is an actor-singer-musician based out of New York. Thrilled to play the carpenter king once again! Nat’l Tour: Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus). Select Regional: Godspell (Jesus), You’re… Charlie Brown (Snoopy), Ring of Fire (Swing).

UARTS BFA MT 2022. Member of Feyhound. Infinite thanks to Dave, Brian, Calvin, Worklight, Mom & Dad, and Erin, always. For Al and Renée. https://www.jackhopewell.com @jackhopewell

ELVIE ELLIS Thrilled to be returning to this ICONIC piece. National Tours: Hamilton (Principal Standby), Jesus Christ Superstar 50th Anniversary (Judas), Waitress (Swing). International: Best of Rock Musicals. Select Regional: The Music Man (Harold Hill), Songs…New World; Rocky Horror (Riff-Raff), Titanic (Charles Clarke), Smokey Joe’s Cafe. University of Oklahoma grad. Luedtke Agency. For my Savior, family, friends, and teachers. Ephesians 2:10. @elvie.ellis

Faith Jones is a Brooklyn based artist originally from Durham, North Carolina. She’s thrilled to return to this role! National tours: MJ the Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar. Regional: Theatre Raleigh, Playmakers Repertory Company. Education: BA in music from UNC-Chapel Hill. She is passionate about building community and helping people lean into their creative dreams. Let’s dream together! Visit faithjonesmusic.com for more. Instagram: @faithjones.

Ethan Hardy Benson is so excited to be returning back to this amazing production. Off-Broadway: Rolling Thunder (US Premier) Nat’l Tour: Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus Alt). Regional: The Rev (Jesus in JCS), Goodspeed Opera, Philadelphia Orchestra, Skylight Music Theatre. Proud UMich MT. Endless gratitude to the entire JCS team, Craig at Avalon Artists, Zoë, and his always supportive friends & family. @ethanhbenson

Isaac Ryckeghem is thrilled to return to the role of Caiaphas with this production. He studied opera at the Lionel Hampton School of Music, and musical theatre at The Institute for American Musical Theatre in New York. Some credits include THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Franz), and DON GIOVANNI (Leporello).

KODIAK THOMPSON (Annas) is thrilled to make his Ordway début in this special production over the holidays! Tours: Chicago (Harrison, u/s Billy Flynn, Mary Sunshine), Jesus Christ Superstar (Annas). Off-Broadway: DRAG: The Musical. Other favorites: La Cage Aux Folles (The Muny), Head Over Heels (MT Southwest), Gypsy (Gretna Theatre), Kinky Boots (Engeman Theatre), Burn the Floor (NCL). Thanks to About Artists, Temple University and family. Breathe. @kodiakthompson

Maryland Native and AMDA alum. National tours: Hamilton Angelica Tour (Standby), Jesus Christ Superstar (Simon), Girl From the North Country (Soloist). Regional: In the Heights (Benny). He sends his love to his family, friends and dog Snowy. @hoseamundiofficial.

Tommy is thrilled to revisit this remarkable production of a timeless classic. Select credits include—Tours: Jesus Christ Superstar [50th Anniversary Tour] (Peter), Roundabout Theater Company’s Cabaret (Max/Herman, Cliff u/s), American Idiot [1st National] (Swing), A Year With Frog & Toad (Snail); Regional: Urinetown (Bobby Strong), Hairspray (Link Larkin), Grey Gardens (Joe Kennedy, Jr/Jerry), Once (Eamon, Guy u/s), Jersey Boys (Nick Massi), Million Dollar Quartet (Sam Phillips, Carl u/s), The Duck Commander Musical (Jase). Many thanks to Steve, Nancy and the WorkLight team, and to my loving family—both given and chosen.

Erich W. Schleck (Ensemble/Herod) he/they. Overjoyed to be back in gold after playing Herod in the 50th Anniversary Tour. West End: Blippi the Musical (Blippi, Olivier Award Nomination). Off-Bway: Night of the Living Dead. Regional: A Christmas Story (5th Avenue Theatre, Original Cast Recording), JCS (Peter). BFA: CCM. Endless gratitude to LA Talent and My Tapestry. @erichschleck

Courtney Arango is thrilled to be returning to The Ordway (In the Heights)!!! Broadway/ Pre-Broadway: Boop the Betty Boop Musical. National Tours: Jesus Christ Superstar 50th Anniversary Tour (Dance Captain), JCS Pilate Tour (US Assistant Choreographer). Recent: (Fastrada) Pippin, (Anita) West Side Story, (Diana) A Chorus Line. Other Credits: Weston Theater Company, Milwaukee Rep, Seattle Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The MUNY, and Moonlight Stage Productions. Courtney was awarded  2019 Craig Noel Award for her portrayal of Anita in West Side Story by the San Diego Outer Theater Critics Circle. Thanks to God, AAG, Worklight, and My Village! You guys are my heart and soul! Find me @courtney_arango or courtneyarango.com

Wesley J. Barnes BROADWAY: A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical. NEW YORK: New York City Center Encores!: The Tap Dance Kid. NATIONAL TOURS: Mean Girls (1st Nat’l), Jesus Christ Superstar (50th Anniversary Tour). INTERNATIONAL: Magic of the Dance (Germany, Taiwan), Kinky Boots (Canadian; Drayton Entertainment). SELECT REGIONAL: Signature Theatre: Play On! (Jester) , Marriott Theatre: In the Heights; JAG Productions: Choir Boy; NJ PAC: Sophisticated Ladies; Phoenix Theatre Co.: The Scottsboro Boys, Newsies; Theatre Aspen: Hairspray. OTHER: Founder of The MPACT (Mentoring Performing Artists and Curating Talent) Group, Founder. EDUCATION: Concordia University Irvine. https://www.wesleyjbarnes.com. @wesjbarnes @thempactgroup

Joshua Bess (ensemble/understudy Jesus/Pilate) Joshua hails from Denver Colorado and could not be more ecstatic to return to JCS here at The Ordway! RECENT THEATRICAL CREDITS: Jesus Christ Superstar 2nd National Tour, RENT 20th Anniversary tour, SpongeBob: The Musical 1st National Tour and Dear Evan Hansen at The Muny of St. Louis. FILM/TV: Law and Order: SVU, Oh, Canada. “Massive thank you to my friends and family, to my agents at Hudson Artists, and to Worklight Productions! Love you, Mom.”

KALEI COTECSON (Ensemble) is blessed to dance her soul out every single night. Returning to JCS after touring two years on the road, Kalei instructs in fitness and models out of New York City. Recent credits: Les Misérables (Eponine), A Chorus Line (Diana Morales), Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney), Kiss Me, Kate, Catch Me If You Can. Awards: ‘20 Artist of the Year (NYA), Best Actress in a Major Role (Zoni), Standout Female Dance (Marlie). Endless love and gratitude to family and friends for their joy, presence, and support. @kalei.roma

Jaylon C. Crump (he/they) is a non binary singer, actor and poet based in NYC. NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL TOUR: Hadestown (Hermes), Jesus Christ Superstar, Kinky Boots, Rent 25th Anniv. REGIONAL: Ain’t Misbehavin’, Rent, Carousel, Matilda. Love and Thanks to their manager Becky and everyone at Kreativ Artists. IG: @jaylon.crump

Lydia Ruth Dawson is THRILLED to be returning to Jesus Christ Superstar after originally swinging 16 tracks on the First National Tour! Off -Broadway: Fate Still Rests, Pinwheel!, Cotton Candy and Cocaine. Favorite others: Mary Poppins (Mary), Mad Hatter (Rose), Sweeney Todd (Johanna), West Side Story (Anybodys), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Truly), RENT (Alexi Darling), Mamma Mia (Lisa). TV/Film: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Billions,” “Horizon.” She has danced with dANCEpROjECt, the Grand Rapids Ballet, and the Joffrey Ballet in NYC. She recently made her Off-Broadway directorial debut with the premiere of Katherine Vellis' new play Number Up? in Theater for the New City's Freshfruit New Works Festival. Producer of DRENCHED, a dance film with critically acclaimed filmmakers Wilder Project. Proud Founder of the artists collective: th3rdspace. BA: Hope College. Instagram: @lydiaruthdawson

Off-Broadway: Madison Square Garden; Annie ft. Whoopi Goldberg (Star-To-Be). National/International Tours: Annie (Star-To-Be), Jesus Christ Superstar 50th Anniv. (Soul Singer), Dog Man: The Musical! (Flippy). Regional: Theatre Aspen; Godspell, Ragtime (Ensemble). Other favorites: Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown), Sister Act (Deloris), The Wiz (Glinda). Special thanks to my loving family, friends, D’Marreon and TPG agency! IG: @savannahmfisher

Icis Hammond (She/Her) - Originally from Houston, Tx, Icis has been performing since the age of seven and has never turned back! She graduated in 2023 with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Molloy University/CAP21. She is so grateful to be making a return to her JCS family and to this life changing show, and is so excited to be debuting a new track this time around as Mary understudy. She would like to thank her family and friends for all the support over the years and thank you to the audience for loving this show as much as we do! Some of her credits include: Carousel [regional] (Julie Jordan), Broadway Votes 2024 [music video] (dir. Kenny Ortega) , and most recently Jesus Christ Superstar: 50th anniversary national tour (Soul Singer/Ensemble). @icishammond

Domanick Anton Hubbard: B.A. Musical Theatre, minor in Dance from SE Oklahoma State University. National Tour: Charlie and The Chocolate Factory as Mrs. Green/Ensemble/Mr. Beauregarde U/S. Regional credits: Referee Angel/Lola U/S Kinky Boots (Uptown Players, Dallas) Curtis, Sister Act (Virginia Musical Theatre); Jim, Big River (Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival); Man 1 in In the Heights (Lyric Theatre OKC/ZACH Theatre); Mamma Mia (Casa Mañana) TV/FILM: Wig with Todrick Hall

HALEY HUELSMAN (Ensemble) was born and raised in Madison Connecticut. She was currently in Wizard Of Oz and The Effectors on Royal Caribbean Icon Of The Seas. She was in the 2nd/3rd national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar and is beyond blessed to have the opportunity to be back this season. She has appeared on Dance Moms season 5&7, Mad House season 2 and Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition season 2.

Rep: Avalon Artists Group

@haleyhuelsmandance

Josh Jordan is an actor, singer/songwriter, and choreographer hailing from Nashville. After traveling the country with the company of &Juliet, he’s excited to return to Jerusalem and reunite with this electric company. Much love to the fam, Dave, and Jesus (not that one). Belmont Alum. @joshthejordan

Cameron Kuhn (he/him) is ecstatic to be back in the superstar family! Cameron is an alumni of Ball State University’s BFA musical theatre program an. Recent credits- National Tour: Jesus Christ Superstar, Regional: Cats (Flat Rock Playhouse), Cabaret (Alabama Shakespeare Festival), Cruise Line: Footloose and Elements (Norwegian). Cameron would like to thank Work Light Productions, his agents at Kreativ Artists, and all of his mentors who have helped get him here today. @cameronakuhn

Caroline is beyond ecstatic to be returning to the magic that is JCS after making her National Tour debut with the show in 2022. Special shout out to her mom who continues to inspire her to be a strong woman in the arts. Much love to those who helped to get me here! @perry.carolineg

DARREN ROBINSON was born in Enoch, Utah as the youngest of nine children. He studied dance at the University of Utah and is now performing full time with the world renowned Pilobolus Dance Theater. He has performed in shows including Little Mermaid, Newsies, Grease, and Les Misérables on stages ranging from the Hale Center Theater and Universal Studios Japan, to Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and after a few years away, Darren is thrilled to return to Jesus Christ Superstar at the Ordway. He was most recently rehearsal director with Brian Sanders’ JUNK in “Urban Scuba” after performing as a featured dancer/aerialist. When not on stage, you’ll find Darren hiking, camping, gardening or sitting in a cozy coffee shop.

SANDYREDD powerhouse singer, actress, Chicago native featured on NBC’s The Voice, The Kelly Clarkson Show, & honored as Leading Lady of Success by IHeart Radio. Follow @SandyReddMusic