CREATIVE TEAM

Willy Mason was born in 1984 in Tarrytown NY. His father, Michael Mason, was recording the first song demos for Billy Baloo on the Otari tape recorder in the next room. His mother, Jemima James, was writing songs that would later be incorporated into the play. A few years later his brother Sam was born and together they began studying to take over the family musical. Willy graduated from MVRHS. He has written and recorded 4 full length albums of music which were released internationally.

Jessie is thrilled to be returning to the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse once again with Billy Baloo! She had such fun playing Laura Lindsay in this show last October that she uprooted from Brooklyn to make a new home here on the Vineyard. You can catch her in the upcoming HBO Max series THE PENGUIN premiering September 19. She would like to thank MJ for her beautiful direction, support, and humor as well as Jemima James, Mike Mason and Willy Mason for this wonderful story!

Joe Casey was born and raised in the Berkshire hills of western Massachusetts, so he’s thrilled to be making his Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse debut! Regionally, favorite roles include Robert Kincaid in THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY (Majestic Theatre), John Proctor in THE CRUCIBLE (Great Escape Stage Company), Elvis Presley in BLUE SUEDE SHOES (Florida Studio Theatre), The Historian in the world premiere of the new actor/musician play WILD FIRE (Denver Center for the Performing Arts), Franklin Hart in 9 TO 5 (Majestic Theatre) and numerous productions of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET as Johnny Cash. New York Theatre includes the world premiere of ALLEN WILDER 2.0 (Theatre for the New City), Johnny Brash in THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKSTAGE MUSICAL (Wings Theatre) and The Antichrist in WHATEVER HAPPENED TO REST ON THE 7th DAY (Theatre for the New City). TV: AMERICAN DYNASTY, THE KNICK, A CRIME TO REMEMBER. Film: THERE FOR ALL THE MOMENTS, THE UTI FAIRY, SELF HELP.

Theatre: The Buffer, Crown Cork Cafeteria, Till Then, The Working Theater, founding member; The Room Where I Was Held, Billy Baloo 2023, MV Playhouse; The Writer, Actor’s Studio; Film/TV; The Life List, Netflix upcoming,Fleishman Is in Trouble, Hulu, The Red Shoe, The Naming of the Things, Once Upon A Bookshop, Old Camp and Trophy Boys (independent films), Ryan's Hope, Masada (ABC). In the Drawing Room, a Visit with S.N. Behrman, a one person show in development. Jonathan is a rabbi and Jewish educator. He is thrilled to be back at MV Playhouse.

Paul has been a familiar face at Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse for over 30 years. You may have seen him on stage, singing or acting. You can also find him in the scenic shop, where he works as the Master Carpenter, building scenery for all our productions. He also manages the care of our beautiful restored historic theater building.

Michaela has been coming to Martha’s Vineyard since she was a baby, and considers this island and ocean home. She graduated from Bennington College with a BA in acting and has most recently been living and working as an artist in Brooklyn NY. She is thrilled to be making her MV Playhouse debut as Laura Lindsay in Billy Baloo. Thank you to this wonderful cast and crew!

Michael is thrilled to be back at The Playhouse having previously appeared in RED and PASSIONATA Broadway: CAMELOT (concert) OLIVER! (concert) BRIGADOON (concert) SOMETHING WONDERFUL (concert) Off Broadway/NYC Theatre: COLLEGE:THE MUSICAL! (Chernuchin Theatre) THE SECRET GARDEN (APAC) EQUITY (Theatre Row) PERICLES (Anti-matter Collective) HAMLET, JOAN OF ARC (Gorilla Rep) IRENE, ERNEST IN LOVE, NAUGHTY MARIETTA, ROBERTA, HALF A SIXPENCE (Musicals Tonight!) Regional: The Guthrie Theater (MN) Trinity Repertory Company (RI) Hudson Stage Company (NY) Central Square Theater (MA) Savannah Repertory Theatre (GA) Greater Boston Stage Company (MA) Ocean State Theatre Company (RI) White Heron Theatre Company (MA) Kentucky Repertory Theatre (KY) Tennessee Williams Festival (MA) The Wheelock Family Theatre (MA) The Here And Now (VT) Media Theatre (PA) Film/TV The Invisible Girl (Feature Dir. Jaclyn Bethany) Richard III (Feature Dir. Christopher Carter Sanderson) Love In NY (Web Series, Recurring)) BFA: Musical Theatre, University of Michigan MFA: Acting, Brown University/Trinity Rep. (Stephen Sondheim Fellow) Special Thanks and Love to Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Carson.

Michael Mason was a writer who in the mid sixties had two stories published in the Evergreen Review, wrote and edited non-fiction books including The Country Music Book, Psycho-Business Skills; and children's books including Clyde of Africa, The Book That Daniel Wrote, and Willie. He recorded an album with Mitch Miller for Columbia Records which has not been released, and he was a staff songwriter at Famous Music alongside his partner Jemima James. In the 60s he worked with John Hendrix and Yoko Ono on The Stone and other performance art and installations. Later he worked installing sound systems in prisons and other public spaces, and for the City Of New York testing computer monitors for electromagnetic radiation. His song Girl In A Tree was covered by many, including Burl Ives.

Jemima James grew up in Colorado not far from Leadville, the mining town that inspired her partner Michael Mason to create the town of Sodderville. When she wrote the song Billy Baloo about Mike, he created the character. He worked on the script for 50 years and they both kept writing songs while they raised their sons, Willy and Sam. Jemima's sixth album, Silver & Gold, was released in July '24, on Team Love Records. She does elder care on the island and is on the board of Island Elder Housing.

In addition to developing and directing plays, MJ serves as Artistic & Executive Director of MV Playhouse. She has been at the Playhouse in many capacities since she first appeared onstage in 1984. Her work as a stage director is extensive. Recent credits include MISS MAYBELLINE’S NOCTURNAL FLIGHTS OF FANCY, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, and the 12 x '20 PROJECT.

Bill Peek has been a year-round island resident for six years. He serves as Organist and Music Director for the West Tisbury Congregational Church as well as for summer services at Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs. He is the director of the Island Community Chorus, has worked with the Island Theater Workshop and served as Music Director for the MV Playhouse production of Angela’s Mixtape in 2018. Before moving to the Vineyard, Bill enjoyed an active career as choral director, music educator, and performer in the New York area. He has a life-long interest in traditional music and has performed widely and recorded with several different bands playing piano, guitar, banjo, and bass.

Leonard Bernstein called Paul Woodiel as "a first-class performer, who combines spirituality with intellect". A busy New York - based purveyor of violin and fiddle music, Paul’s broad stylistic compass includes the dance fiddle traditions of America and the British Isles, ragtime and traditional jazz, and he has presented concerts at festivals from Bard College, NY to Moab, Utah. A veteran of dozens of Broadway orchestra pits, Paul has been fiddle/violin soloist for the original Broadway productions of RAGTIME, Sting’s THE LAST SHIP, THE COLOR PURPLE, CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, as well as revivals of THE MUSIC MAN, WEST SIDE STORY, and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, for which he performed the eponymous role in 36 cities in the US, Canada and Japan. He is a three-time New England Fiddle Contest champion, and has worked for many years with The American Ballet Theater, Vince Giordano's Nighthawks, American Composers Orchestra, and the Grammy Awards Orchestra. He is married to the celebrated violinist Robin Zeh, and lives in South Orange, NJ. Paul is utterly delighted to be participating in this special production at MV Playhouse!

Nathan Varga maintains a vibrant career as a double bassist on the New England coast. His experience ranges from orchestral and chamber music to period performance, opera, and theater. He holds degrees from Boston University and Baldwin Wallace College. Desiring to engage a diverse audience, he also enjoys playing music from a wide range of genres and arranging covers with friends. Other interests include cycling, woodworking, synthesis and electronic music, and bicycle and auto-mechanics. Nathan has recently begun his study of bow maintenance, restoration, repair, and rehairing.