Jelly’s Last Jam Philadelphia Area Premiere
Book by George C. Wolfe | Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead | Music by Jelly Roll Morton and Luther Henderson
Directed by Tyrone L. Robinson
Mar 31–Apr 26, 2026
Step into the electrifying world of jazz legend Jelly Roll Morton in Jelly’s Last Jam! This Tony Award-winning musical takes you on a thrilling journey through the life, music, and complex legacy of the self-proclaimed inventor of jazz. Told through dazzling choreography, powerful storytelling, and Morton’s iconic music, the show explores his meteoric rise, struggle with identity, and the cultural impact of his groundbreaking sound. As Jelly reflects on his past from the afterlife, he must confront the truths he tried to outrun.
Estimated Run Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes (including one 15-minute intermission)
Jazz • Tap Dancing • Musical
Content Advisory: This production contains racially charged language and material.
Honorary Producers John H. Martinson | Joseph F. Santy III
Lead support is provided by the William Penn Foundation
Production Photos
Clip from “That’s How You Jazz”
Clip from “Street Scene”
Special Show Events
Mar 8 | 5pm–7:30pm
Take a glimpse into the electrifying world of Jelly’s Last Jam. All are welcome to groove and Shim Sham. Meet the director, Tyrone L. Robinson, and the show’s stars!
The opening night performance of each show is followed by a light reception.
This pre-show event starts at 7pm on the first Friday of each production. Enjoy complimentary spirits, hors d’oeuvres, and dessert.
Apr 8 | 6:30pm
A great way to wind down midweek. The second Wednesday of each production kicks off at 6:30pm with desserts and wine.
Apr 11 | 7pm
Join us for Black Theatre Night! An affinity night championing Black Theatre-makers and the vibrant Black community of Bucks County and beyond.
Apr 16 | 6:30pm
Join us the third Thursday of every production from 6:30pm to 7:30pm, and enjoy snacks and beer from local breweries.
Experience the sensation of jazz! Take a glimpse into the electrifying world of Jelly’s Last Jam. All are welcome to groove and Shim Sham. Meet the director, Tyrone L. Robinson, and the show’s stars!
Live performances | Light refreshments | Free event
Registration required. Limited availability.
March 8 | 5pm–7:30pm
Join us for Black Theatre Night! An affinity night championing Black Theatre-makers and the vibrant Black community of Bucks County and beyond.
Experience Jelly’s Last Jam, light refreshments at a pre-show social mixer, and an optional post-show conversation with director Tyrone L. Robinson, and the show’s stars!
April 11 | Refreshments: 7pm | Show: 8pm
Meet the Cast
Tamara Della Anderson works as an actor, voice actor, singer/songwriter, educator, director, writer, and community organizer. She has been featured in plays and musicals across the US, and her TV and film credits include The Blacklist, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Not Okay, and Barbershop 2 to name a few. She is a proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA and currently serves as an At Large Councilor for the Eastern Region of Actors Equity Association. Tamara and her daughter Maya design original designs for sassy tees and hoodies for T & M Designs. Her company, The Gumbo Lab, features an annual BIPOC ten-minute film festival. She is one of the founding steering committee members of the National Black Lives Matter Week of Action at Schools, and a Teach Truth organizer with Zinn Education Project. She was a 2023 art resident/fellow at Hermitage Artist Retreat. Her writing includes Erasure of Black Women, Black Lives Matter Week of Action in Philadelphia Schools, Chapter 3: From Philly with Love: Black Lives Matter at School goes National, Foreword: The Systemic Cycle of Brokenness, #TeachTruth: Pushing Back Attacks on CRT, Sample Street, and Anywhere.
Jenniellen Beattie (she/her) is excited to be making her debut at Bristol Riverside Theatre! Recent credits: A Christmas Story at Goodspeed Opera House, West Side Story at Pittsburgh CLO and Kansas City Starlight. Point Park University BFA Musical Theatre/Dance. Proud member of Actors Equity. Special thanks to MMV, friends, and family for all your unconditional love and support! Go Birds!! @jenniellenbeattie
Anne Bragg (she/her) is thrilled to make her Bristol Riverside Theater debut. Recent credits include: Joann in Dreamgirls, Lucille/Shirley in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Walnut Street Theatre); Sarah in Ragtime, Portia in Something Rotten, Cinderella in Into The Woods (Candlelight Theatre); Sandra Snyder in Grumpy Old Men: The Musical (Lyceum Theatre); Enid Hoopes in Legally Blonde, Sophie in Mamma Mia!, Dorothy in Wizard of Oz, Sister Berthe in The Sound of Music, Jasmine in Beehive: The 60’s Musical (Media Theatre). Anne is a proud alumna of Morgan State University (B.A.) and New York University (M.M.). Vita brevis, ars longa.
Renee Chambers is ecstatic to be back on stage after directing shows as a Theatre Educator in the private sector. Her career spans over thirty years and twelve countries working with such legends as Andrew Lloyd Webber, Mercedes Ellington, Donny Osmond and the late Michael Jackson. Performance credits ; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, West Side Story, Smokey Joes Café, Dream Girls, etc. As Director/Choreographer Renee’s work has been seen on College Campuses to Corporate shows throughout the tri-state area. Shows/Clients include; Ragtime, Godspell , Kiss Me Kate, A Chorus Line, Herrs, Disney and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. This Glam-mom on the move is active behind the scenes and in front of the camera booking TV/Print work for T-Mobile, Santander Bank, A Place for Mom, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau and Main Line Health, to name a few. Renee mentors and coaches the next generation of talent while serving on various boards dedicated to our Youth and Education. Thank you Tyrone and creative team for bringing me back to the stage. I am grateful for my family, friends and my mentees. Let’s keep it moving! Blessings, Mrs. Renee www.reneeliciaga.com
Giada Leigh is an 20-year-old artist based in NYC with a lifelong love for dance—which is no surprise, since her mom is a dance teacher! Giada was awarded the first-ever Debbie Allen Inspire Award, presented by Radix Faculty + Dance One, a huge honor that fuels her passion even more. For the past few years, Giada has been training with top industry professionals in NYC & LA, constantly pushing her artistry, while making meaningful connections. Giada is a proud graduate of Koin & Co, a professional training company for young artists directed by Ali Koinoglou, where she gained invaluable experience. Beyond the convention world, Giada is living her dream as a signed talent with MSA Agency! She was in “Theater Camp” Directed by Ben Platt. Most recently got to work on an original Tap show “Syncopated Avenue” She is a member of Dance Lab New York: Next Gen Company, both as a dancer & choreographer, & performs with SoleTalk Tap Company, directed by Chloé & Maud Arnold. Performed in NYFW for Target & Disney+’s SneakerElla premiere. Her theater credits include pre-production work for Jelly’s Last Jam, The Muny’s Little Shop of Horrors, & The Wrong Man. You can catch Giada following her dreams & documenting her journey all on her social media @giadaleighofficial ! – “Expect nothing, appreciate everything” thank you to all that have gotten me here thus far!
Keith Livingston (He/Him) is exhilarated to be back at BRT with Jelly’s Last Jam. BRT: In the Heights, A Few Good Men, The Producers, Jesus Christ Superstar. Regional: Utah Shakespeare Festival, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Boise Contemporary Theater, Walnut Street Theatre, Media Theatre, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, Philadelphia Artist’s Collective, Lantern Theater Company, Theatre Exile, Elm Shakespeare Company. He holds two B.A.’s from the University of New Haven and is a proud alum of the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center’s National Music Theatre Institute. Endless thanks to Mom. Thank you for introducing me to jazz. Insta: @LivingWithKeith
Stanley Martin is an original Broadway cast member of Disney’s Aladdin at the New Amsterdam Theatre and is honored to return home to portray Jelly Roll Morton in Jelly’s Last Jam. A Bucks County native, Stanley began performing professionally at age nine at Bristol Riverside Theatre in Romeo and Juliet, making this production a meaningful full-circle moment. Off-Broadway: Upside Down (AMT Theatre). World Premieres: Traffic and Weather (Adirondack Theatre Festival) and Syncopated Avenue (Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe), for which he received a 2025 BroadwayWorld Award for Best Supporting Performer in a Musical. Regional credits include The Wiz (The Wiz), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey II), The Legend of Georgia McBride (Rexy/Jason), Rocky Horror (Eddie), Grease (Johnny Casino), Something Rotten (Minstrel), After Midnight (Blaze), and The Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow). National Tours: Smokey Joe’s Café, Sophisticated Ladies, and Five Guys Named Moe. An award-winning cabaret artist and playwright, Stanley’s play Opportunity received six nominations at the Strawberry One-Act Festival, winning Best Direction and Best Actress. Proud dog dad to Hera & Odin. @stanleymartinthethird
Dana Orange is excited to be making his Bristol Riverside Debut! Tour: Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Sebastian). Regional: Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Delaware Theatre Company, Eagle Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre, Sacramento Music Circus. Huge thank you to my amazing support system! Big Love!
Devon Sinclair is dancing with joy to be making his Bristol Riverside Theatre debut; Devon is a rapturous and multi-faceted artist! The Penn State alum works across the Greater Philadelphia region as an Actor, Director/Choreographer, Emcee, and Professor at Temple University. Recent projects include A Christmas Story (Walnut Street Theatre), Franklin’s Key (Pig Iron Theatre Company), Stompin’ at the Savoy (Delaware Theatre Company), and Jesus Christ Superstar (Fulton Theatre). Devon sends gratitude to his community of loved ones, and vibrant thanks to the cast, crew, creative team, and BRT patrons for their work/support of this production. For more 5,6, Devon, 8 flair follow @CHOREATOR | #FiveSixDevonEight
J. Andrew Speas is a native of Winston-Salem, NC, and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (BFA Acting, Minor in Musical Theatre). He also studied opera at the UNC School of the Arts in the Dr. Marilyn Taylor voice studio and trained with the NC Black Repertory Teen Theatre Ensemble under Mabel Robinson. Touring credits include Disney’s Aladdin and Spamilton: An American Parody. Off-Broadway: Ze Follies Dorée (Kerri Inc./AMT). Regional theatre: They That Sit in Darkness, On the Brink of Silence, A Christmas Carol, and Man of La Mancha (Triad Stage); Jelly’s Last Jam (National Black Theatre Festival); The Glory of Gospel (NC Black Repertory Company); and Flor to Somewhere, Proceed Moon, and The Tourist Trap (Peppercorn Theatre). Opera credits include The Italian Straw Hat (UNCSA), Huddle (Carnegie Hall), and The Italian Girl in Algiers (Piedmont Opera). Film credits include Rat, Sad Clown and Inspace (dir Kemari Bryant), winner of the Utah Dance Festival Audience Choice Award.
Ryane Nicole Studivant is so happy to be making her debut at Bristol Riverside! A full-time producer, Ryane is beyond excited to be back on stage with this incredible company of artists after a year off from performing. Select Regional: Mama Rose in Gypsy at Gretna Theatre; Erzulie in Once on This Island at Arden Theatre Company (Barrymore Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical), Paulette in Legally Blonde at Media Theatre and Jemima in Galilee at Azuka Theatre (World Premiere). Other favorites: The Color Purple and Little Shop of Horrors (Theatre Horizon), The Prom, Newsies and Elf (Media Theatre), Joanne in RENT (Playhouse on the Square-Ostrander Nomination for Supporting Actress in a Musical), Avenue Q, Smokey Joe’s Café, In the Heights, Aida. (Midtown Arts Center). Ryane is so grateful to Tyrone, Victoria and Amy for this opportunity. She sends all the love and thanks to her ever supportive family and friends -especially her most devoted and loving husband and chauffeur, Ian. IG and TT: @RyaneStud
Miranda Thompson is grateful to be making her BRT debut! She is an actress, singer, prop designer, and stagehand from Philadelphia. Performance: an understudy for Dreamgirls (Walnut Street Theatre). Sarah in Cocktails and Congress (Historical Philadelphia Incorporation). Background singer (“The Great American Songbook” tribute band.) Prop Design: Fire!! Devoted To The Younger Negro Artist (Quintessence Theatre Group). Stagehand: Flyrail Operator for Shrek the Musical (Delaware Theatre Company). Currently, you can hear Miranda sharing stories on https://www. visitphilly.com/52-weeks-offirsts/. Stories: 6,7,8,9. “It’s never too late to follow your calling!” -“Blessed.” mirandathompson.com
Meet the Band
Jasyn Brazoban is a Philadelphia-based trombonist, bandleader, and arts leader whose work bridges performance and community engagement. A versatile musician, Brazoban has performed at major venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club, The Met Philadelphia, and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and at festivals such as the Roots Picnic. His work spans multiple genres, including collaborations with Philadelphia hip-hop artist Beanie Sigel, and he has contributed as a recording artist for the 2025 Super Bowl. Brazoban also performed on a 2024 recording with Tye Tribbett that received the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album. Beyond the stage, Brazoban is committed to expanding access to the performing arts. A former music teacher in the School District of Philadelphia, he now serves as Community Engagement Manager for Artcinia, helping develop neighborhood-based performances through the organization’s Music in Your Neighborhood program. As both an artist and community leader, Brazoban is dedicated to creating musical experiences that are artistically compelling while remaining rooted in the communities they serve.
Nero Catalano [he/him] is a South Philly-based multi-instrumentalist and composer. He is thrilled to return to the Bristol Riverside Theatre. Past shows at BRT: Always…Patsy Cline, Man of La Mancha, Jesus Christ Superstar. Regional credits: Empire Records (McCarter Theatre) Love Story (Walnut Street Theatre) The Tattooed Lady, The Bridges of Madison County (PTC) Rent, Assassins, Ragtime, Once, Tulipomania, The Flea and the Professor (Arden) Always…Patsy Cline, Man of La Mancha, One Man, Two Guvnors, Here You Come Again, A Sign of the Times, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Because of Winn-Dixie (DTC) Wishing to Grow Up Brightly (Theatre Horizon) Rocky Horror Picture Show, Mamma Mia, Kinky Boots, Last of the Red Hot Mamas, Hard Road to Heaven, Starstruck (Bucks County Playhouse) Personality (People’s Light) Minors (Lantern Theatre) Rock School (New Market Films) Nero is a faculty member at the Settlement Music School. He plays in the Beatles tribute the Newspaper Taxis, Work Drugs and many other projects. Nero is currently working on an instrumental EP. “Doors Open” and “Berkeley Springs” are available on all streaming services. www.nerocatalano.com
Michael Anthony Clark is a Philadelphia-born trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, producer, and composer. He began playing trumpet at age nine and has since built a versatile career defined by dynamic live performance and genre-spanning artistry. Clark earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance in 2013, studying both jazz and classical performance. While at Temple, he performed at the Apollo Theater, the Kimmel Center, and Dizzy’s Coke Club, sharing the stage with celebrated artists including Christian McBride, Terell Stafford and Wycliffe Gordon. Following graduation, he toured internationally as a lounge musician with Carnival Cruise Lines, performing throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and the United States. These experiences sharpened his adaptability across styles and audiences, shaping the engaging stage presence he brings to every production. Since returning to Philadelphia, Clark has continued performing throughout the region with a variety of ensembles and collaborative projects. In addition to maintaining a role in arts education within the School District of Philadelphia and local youth theatre programs, Clark remains deeply committed to performance. Blending jazz with elements of House, Soul, Pop, and Funk, he delivers expressive, high-energy performances rooted in storytelling, musicality, and connection.
Dan McCain is a Philadelphia based bass player, teacher and composer. He graduated from University of the Arts on scholarship, and studied with bassists such as Steve Beskrone, Katie Thiroux, John Clayton and Joseph Conyers. McCain has since received a DownBeat Award, and released his debut album Moments in Time. His unique feel and warm sound cause him to “[make] waves in the city these days” according to All About Jazz. He has shared the stage with notable musicians such as Christian McBride, Ingrid Jenson, and Stefon Harris. He currently teaches music in the Philadelphia School District and performs as a freelancer across the country.
Dave Tweedie (Percussion) is an award-winning Film Composer, Producer, Songwriter, Multi-Instrumentalist & Inventor based in Los Angeles. Dave has written music for multiple movies, television shows and musicals including Co-Founders the Musical (2025), Hulu’s Dear Santa Series (Composer 2020, 2022, 2024), Disney’s Pick Of The Litter (Composer 2019), NOVA’s The Impossible Flight (Composer 2018), The Final Show (composer and winner best score in a short NYC Independent Film Festival 2018), Warner Bros BatKid Begins (Composer 2015), So You Think You Can Dance (Composer 45 Episodes), American Idol, Orange Is the New Black, Nashville, Bernie Mac Show, Make it or Break It, Superstars of Dance, MTV’s Celebrity Rap Superstar, Bad Girls Club, Paris Hiltons New BFF, Wake Bros Downtown Girl’s, Keeping up With the Kardashians and The Devils Ride. Dave’s music has also been featured in several commercials, including Direct T.V, Express and JCPenney.
Production Credits
Director: Tyrone L. Robinson
Music Director: Victoria Theodore
Choreographer: yaTande Whitney V. Hunter, PhD
Tap Choreographer: DeWitt Fleming Jr.
Set Designer: Jason Simms
Costume Designer: LeVonne Lindsay
Lighting Designer: Alan C. Edwards
Sound Designer: Ryk Lewis
Production Stage Manager: Amy Massari
Assistant Stage Manager: Amir M. Watkins
Important Event Information
Concessions available for purchase, including beer and wine
Free parking
Wheelchair accessible; assisted listening devices available
The play will take place at Bristol Riverside Theatre located at 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, PA