CREATIVE TEAM
TERRENCE L. CRANERT (BOOK, MUSIC, LYRICS)
Originally from Cincinnati, Terrence Cranert worked as an Equity actor in New York and Los Angeles after receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Theatre and Music from Indiana University. After leaving Indiana, Terrence and fellow classmate Howard Ashman attended the BMI Musical Theatre workshop under the tutelage of the Dean of the Broadway Musical, the late Lehman Engel.Terrence was an associate producer of the Broadway productions of A Night With Janis Joplin, On The Town and The 39 Steps. He also continues to perfect his craft as a member of the ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshop at Dreamworks under the direction of Stephen Schwartz. In addition to The Lincolns of Springfield Terrence has composed the musicals Joan of Arc, Pinocchio in Tinsel Town and When The Fat Lady Sings. A graduate of Loyola Law School, he is Chief Trial Counsel for Zurich Insurance Company at the offices of Mavredakis Cranert in Pasadena, California. Currently he lives with his wife and two sons.
REBECCA POWERS CRANERT (CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
THE LINCOLNS OF SPRINGFIELD, LLC)
Rebecca Powers Cranert brings a multifaceted background to our production team, having served in leadership positions in The Arts, Education and Business. Rebecca served as Director of Theater Programs for the Los Angeles County Arts Counsel supervising all professional theaters throughout Los Angeles County, including those at the Los Angeles Music Center. She also produced and directed professional theatrical productions throughout California. Rebecca developed the Multi-Cultural Theater Enrichment Program for the Los Angeles Unified School District. She was also a school administrator serving as Principal of a K-12 private Arts Emphasis school. Rebecca first arrived in LA when she was invited to join the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera where she appeared as a lead singer and actress at theaters such as The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, The Ahmanson Theater and many other Southern California regional theaters. As a professional singer, Rebecca headlined at major venues throughout the West Coast with her ten-piece, Grammy winning show band for which Rebecca served not only as Lead singer but as Manager and Contractor, and whose members recorded and toured with such luminaries as The Eagles, Foreigner, Boz Skaggs, Seales and Crofts, and Toto,
MARIA DEL BAGNO (CHOREGRAPHER)
Los Angeles Jazz Dance Foundation listed Del Bagno one of LA’s top choreographers. She worked with renowned Choreographer Alan Johnson where she co-wrote and produced a retrospective of his life’s work, Alan Johnson – Let Me Entertain You! She collaborated with actress Alicia Silverstone on a new project and her choreography for other musical theatre productions include Les Miserables, Fiddler On The Roof, Legally Blonde, Grease, Peter Pan, Shrek: The Musical, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Little Shop of Horrors.
SHON LEBLANC (COSTUME DESIGNER)
Shon has been designing costumes for 38 years in Los Angeles and all of the county and at Ogunquit Playhouse, Charlottsville Opera, Kentucky Opera, and Shakespeare. His shows include the world premiere of the Athol Fugard plays including Exit and Entrances, The Human Comedy, Art of Seduction, and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. His West coast premieres include Murder on the Orient Express, 1940s Radio Hour and The Men From the Boys. He is a multi-award winning Costumer, winning an Ovation Award for The Women and I Love Lucy: Live on Stage, as well as seven Dramalogues, five Garlands (including Local Hero for excellence in theatre), two Drama Critics Circle Awards, and more. Shon is a member of The Costume Designers Guild and the owner of Valentino's Costume Group, Inc. in North Hollywood.
STEVEN APPLEGATE (MUSICAL DIRECTOR)
An award-winning musical director, he has worked in almost every theatre and concert hall in the LA area, as well as many prestigious concert halls throughout the United States and in Europe. He has had the honor of performing for Kings and Queens, and United States dignitaries, as well as private celebrity functions, presidential candidate fundraisers, and numerous benefits around the world. Some of his favorite memories include being the guest conductor for the Dallas Symphony and the Denver Symphony in concert with singer John Raitt. Others include working with Christina Aguilera, Sandy Duncan, Cybil Shephard, Maureen McGovern, Sally Struthers, Adrianne Barbeau, Jack Jones, Alexis Gershwin, Frank Gorshen, Lorna Luft, and Christine Ebersole. His theatrical experiences have included: Godspell, The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret, Showboat, Footloose, The Secret Garden, 42nd St., Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Kiss Me Kate, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Little Shop Of Horrors, Jeykll and Hyde (Ovation nominee), Candide, Rags. Steven is a very sought-after arranger, producer, and conductor with numerous recording credits. He has extensive experience in the world of choral music, and is currently the Director of Music Ministries at the Valencia United Methodist Church.
The Cast
MATTHEW PATRICK DAVIS (ABRAHAM LINCOLN)
Matthew Patrick Davis most recently portrayed “The Mother” in the 20th Century Studios film, Barbarian. As a songwriter, he co-wrote & produced songs for the upcoming season of The Ghost and Molly McGee on the Disney Channel and T.O.T.S. on Disney Junior, alongside series songwriter, Rob Cantor. He was also commissioned to write a children’s album, “I Love My Dog,” for the screen-free audio device, YOTO Player. Other acting credits include: Broadway: Side Show. Selected Regional: The Wizard of Oz (TACFA); The Nightingale, Limelight, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (La Jolla Playhouse); A Cinderella Christmas, South Street (Pasadena Playhouse); Haunted House Party (Getty Villa); Four Chords and a Gun (Bootleg Theater); The Complete History of America (abridged) (Falcon Theatre) *LA Ovation Award winner; A Funny Thing…, Sunday in the Park… (Reprise). Selected TV: Dwight in Shining Armor, Henry Danger, The Late Late Show, Comedy Bang Bang, Tosh.0, Sam & Cat, Community, The Sarah Silverman Program, Greek. matthewpatrickdavis.com
DEBORAH ROBIN (MARY TODD LINCOLN)
Rosemary Blankson was born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She received her B.A. in music from Berklee College of Music in Boston and went on to attend the University of Miami where she received her Master of Music. Rosemary is also a licensed music educator and experienced vocal coach and has taught both in Georgia and California. Rosemary is a member of the Actor’s Equity Association and originated the role of Elizabeth Keckley in the debut of The Lincolns of Springfield in 2009. She has been a headlining artist on Princess and Celebrity Cruise Lines and has also starred in many theatrical and stage productions including Hairspray, Once on This Island, Smokey Joe’s Cafe and Thoroughly Modern Millie, to name a few. Rosemary currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
ROSEMARY BLANKSON (ELIZABETH KECKLEY)
Along with playing Mary Todd Lincoln, Deborah has also played the lead character of Doris Day in Day After Day: The Life and Music of Doris Day for which she was named Best Actress in a Musical by the Orange County Theater Guild. She also played Mary Poppins at Center Theater Group, Christine in Phantom of the Opera and Belle in Beauty & the Beast among others.
MICHAL CONNOR (WILLIAM HENRY JOHNSON)
Michal’s Broadway credits include starring roles in Ragtime, Porgy and Bess, Showboat, and Big River. He is an accomplished performer and composer of choral, chamber and solo vocal works with a particular emphasis on slave songs created before the Civil War. He has soloed for President Reagan, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Billy Graham.