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.)