Jade Stice
Jade Stice (Florence) is excited to be in the warmth of the islands after spending 10 cold winters in
New York City. She was a member of the Original Broadway Production of Miss Saigon. Jade was with the
Saigon family in New York and on the 1st National Tour for five years during which time she performed
all the female ensemble roles. She was the first non-Caucasian to understudy and perform the role of Ellen,
the American Wife. Most recently, Jade performed several roles in the Broadway National Tour of Jekyll
& Hyde. Other favorite credits include the leading role in Cambodia Agoniste with the Pan
Asian Repertory Theatre in New York, Cecelia in 13 Daughters! at the Hawaii Theatre, and Maria in the
10th Anniversary Production of West Side Story at CPAC. DHT audiences may remember her from Ain't
Misbehavin' and Singin' in the Rain. In addition to her performances on stage, Jade has
co-choreographed a national tour of Jekyll & Hyde and produced the Hawaii premiere of Forever
Plaid at the Hula Hut in Waikiki. Jade can be heard on the International Cast Recording of Miss
Saigon, Houdini (a new musical) and is currently working on her debut album.
Matthew Pedersen
Matthew Pedersen (Freddie) was in the Original Broadway Company and the National Tour of
Miss Saigon as well as the Final Broadway Company of A Chorus Line. After marrying a
local girl, Matthew and his wife, Jackie, returned to Hawaii to settle down and raise their two
children, Hailey and Bryce. His last appearance at DHT was in the title role of Joseph and the
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Locally, he can also be seen in television, movies, theater,
and has performed with the Honolulu Symphony and Hawaii Opera Theatre, the Blaisdell, and the
Waikiki Shell. Matthew is president and founder of JAMARAMA Productions, a children's arts and
education program, and is very proud to call Hawaii home.
Guy Merola
Guy Merola (Anatoly) has been an active member of Hawaii's musical community since his
arrival in 1980. Originally from Connecticut, he received his Bachelor of Music degree from
the Manhattan School of Music. Some of his earliest work here involved touring the public
schools with DOE sponsored shows that brought classical and operatic music to young school
children. On the popular side he has been featured at several Waikiki nightclubs and has
appeared as soloist with the Honolulu Symphony. He has had leading roles in productions of
Carousel, Master Class and Falsettos at DHT, and Song of Singapore and
Kiss of the Spider Woman at Manoa Valley Theatre. In his non-musical life he is
Vice-President of Commercial Data Systems, Inc.
Renee Angelique Garcia
Renee Angelique Garcia (Svetlana) is proud to be making her Hawaii debut with
DHT. Originally from California, some of her favorite roles are Eva Perón in
Evita, The Acid Queen in The Who's Tommy, Viola in Rock 'n Roll
Twelfth Night, and The Wizard in The Wiz. She would like to thank her
friends and family for all their love and support and the Almighty because it is SHE
who has made this possible.
Mikel J. Humerickhouse
Mikel J. Humerickhouse (Molokov) returns to the stage at DHT after a
two year hiatus following the birth of his second son. He was last seen as
Bill Sikes in Oliver!. He has also appeared in Little Shop of
Horrors, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and The
Pirates of Penzance. Thanks to Grace, Chase and AJ for putting up
with him.
Leonard Piggee
Leonard Piggee (Walter) made his DHT debut in Blues in the
Night with Galyn Kong, Leilani Jones and Star Williams. He
has appeared on Broadway and in national touring companies of
Dreamgirls, Eubie!, Showboat, Your Arm's Too Short to Box With
God, Godspell, The Amen Corner, and Joseph and the
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He is founder and director of
the Honolulu African American Repertory Theatre and has taught drama
classes at the Kapahulu Senior Center. Leonard is currently the
drama teacher at the Washington Middle School.
John L. Bryan
John L. Bryan (Arbiter) J.B. is ecsstatic to be home
in the islands after a 12 year absence. A Castle High School
graduate and Ronald Bright protégé (and
worshipper), he was blessed in his travels to perform on
stages in Los Angeles, on cruise ships in the Caribbean and
most recently, seven incredible years in Japan. Hawaii:
Tadaima! Jade: Reunion for life! Andrew: Finally! God: All
the Glory FOREVER, AMEN!!!
Jim Kleveland
Jim Kleveland (Gregor/Ensemble) is thrilled to
be making his DHT debut in Chess after being
away from performing for more than ten years. A
recent arrival from Illinois, some of his favorite
roles have been Frank Butler in Annie Get Your
Gun, Noah in The Rainmaker and
Clement Musgrove in The Robber
Bridegroom.
Katherine Clifton
Katherine Clifton (Young Florence) is
a third grader at Punahou School and an avid
Brownie Girl Scout. She is a member of the
Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus and studies dance
at Punahou under John Rampage, Kristin Ing
and Nancy Jensen. Katherine made her debut
at DHT last December playing Gladys Herdman
in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
She has also appeared in an HBT production
of The Nutcracker. Katherine is the
daughter of Terry and Rick Clifton.
Misaki Kawachi
Misaki Kawachi (Young
Florence) is a fourth grader
at Word of Life Academy. This is her
second musical at DHT, and she is
very excited to be a part of the
Chess cast. Misaki is a
member of the AT&T Diamond Head
Theatre Shooting Stars and most
recently performed in
Carousel at DHT, Jim Nabors'
Christmas Show at Hawaii Theatre and
the First Presbyterian Church
production of Godspell. A big
"ARIGATO" to Mr. Sakaguchi
for casting her in this awesome
production!
(Note: All biographies are from
the 2001 Chess program.)