R.C. Staab
Writer, Playwright, Lyricist
Music & Lyrics
Seth Bisen-Hersh
* 5 actors playing 12 roles
* 95-minute show without an intermission
* catchy melodies
Book & Lyrics
R.C. Staab
Directed by
John Hickok
The Diamond as Big as a Ritz is now available for professional theatre companies, community theatre groups, and colleges, to license and stage!
About The Show
Set to catchy melodies that hark back to the golden age of Broadway, the musical adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's comic novella is told through a framing device of a young couple seeking to immigrate to the United States today. The couple puzzles over Fitzgerald's deliberate satire involving impossibly wealthy Americans and Fitzgerald's cavalier treatment of race issues. As the story moves back and forth from present day to the 1920s, the story takes on added comic satire and an edgy, engrossing perspective.
You can hear the entire cast album on YouTube here or listen to it on Spotify. A song from the show, “Enough Already” was nominated for England’s Best New Song competition for musical theater. See the video with an all-star cast including Daphne Ruben-Vega and introduced by Mario Lopez.
Press
"This is really two plays. The modern thread involves Yash and Mira, two young Muslims who have made their way to the Canadian border. Somewhere, along the way, Mira has obtained a copy of Fitzgerald’s novella, and the two of them are reading it, assuming that it presents a current picture of modern day America. Unfortunately, it’s the actual picture of modern day America they have to face at the Canadian border...The historical thread is, of course, a skillfully rendered version of Fitzgerald’s novella. Slightly altered so that it can be played by five actors, it adheres very closely to the story’s original plot (which is well worth a read on its own). The play is tight and well written, and the time shifting works well. It’s always clear when it takes place, so there’s never any doubt as to which narrative is being presented, something that is a frequent problem in many modern plays.
The music offers a number of beautiful melodies, especially in “The Diamond As Big As The Ritz,” the title song, and the moving finale “Enough, Already,” a sentiment which I think most of us can appreciate in this unsettling age..."
Hi! Drama, Jan Ewing
Off-Off Broadway Cast
Ethan Yaheen-Moy Chan (Yash/John) (he/him) is a Queens born-and-raised actor. New York: Maddie: A New Musical (Teatro LATEA/NYTF), Working: A Musical (LPAC). Select Regional: Double Helix (Bay Street Theater, Goodspeed), BLENDED 和 HARMONY (Theater Mu, History Theater), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Winnipesaukee Playhouse). Commercials: Dear Evan Hansen, Across the Country. BFA Musical Theatre, Western Connecticut State University. Advanced Regents Diploma in Vocal Music, LaGuardia School for Music, Arts and the Performing Arts. Thank you to Ellery, Eric, and Flynn at The Mine Agency, Cyrena at Red Letter Entertainment, and to John Hickok for your trust and mentorship. Finally, the biggest shoutout goes to Mom, Dad, Estella, and 婆婆.
Johana Gracia Lara (Mira/Kismine) is an actor and singer, born in Mexico, raised in the Bronx, who studied classical voice/performance and music and graduated with honors at Lehman College. She is very excited to be part of the cast. As a soprano soloist, she performed major works including Haydn's Nelson Mass, Faure's Requiem, Vivaldi's Gloria, Brahms’ Requiem, and Mozart's Requiem. Johana was selected to sing the national anthem at Yankee Stadium. She was also selected to perform for Carnegie Hall’s West Side Story and other venues such as Roundabout Theater, Circle in the Square Theater and Lincoln Center. Recently, she was in the quintet as Mrs. Anderssen in Sondheim’s A Little Night Music. Other select performance credits include Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Cinderella (Cinderella), Urinetown (Hope Cladwell), and
Evita (Eva Peron).
Megan Lomax (French Official/Gypsum/Mrs. Washington) is thrilled to be a part of A Diamond as Big as the Ritz. She was seen on Broadway in the Tony award winning show Skin of Our Teeth at the Vivian Beaumont. Other theater credits include: Small Town Icons (The Tank), No Good Deeds... (A.R.T/New York), Best Seats in the House (New Perspective Theater), The Great Bluffer (New Perspective Theater), 24 Hour Plays: Nationals, Rosie Revere, Engineer (TheaterWorks National Tour) Kudzu (AL Shakespeare Festival). TV: City on a Hill (Showtime). Education: BA, DeSales University.
Bobby Barksdale (Man/Percy/Aviator) is an actor, vocalist, producer, musician and content creator based in NYC. Bobby studied at Manhattan School of Music (BM Musical Theatre 2023) and is excited to be out of school and performing in the real world! Recent theatre credits include A Little Night Music (Henrik Egerman) and Rent (Paul, Angel u/s), and Bobby is also active in the film and TV world. Connect with Bobby on social media @booobbbbbyyyy everywhere!
Richard Rowan (American Official/Braddock) played General Genghis Kahn Schmitz in the First National Tour of SEUSSICAL with Cathy Rigby and has performed at many New York and regional theatres. His credits include SUGAR (Osgood), SHE LOVES ME (Headwaiter), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Marley), THE SCHOOL FOR LIES (Oronte), SISTER ACT (Monsignor O'Hara), BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Lumiere), A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (Fredrik), SPELLING BEE (Panch), CRAZY FOR YOU (Eugene), URINETOWN (McQueen), JOSEPH...DREAMCOAT (Pharaoh), THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE (Pirate King), KISS ME KATE (First Gangster), FOREVER PLAID (Smudge) and most recently LUCKY STIFF (Solicitor/Emcee) at AMT Theatre. Richard also appeared on HBO's BOARDWALK EMPIRE.
CREATIVE
Composer and Lyricist Seth Bisen-Hersh is a prolific, versatile and award-winning composer/lyricist and performer. His musicals include Love Quirks (AMT Theater 2022, Off-Broadway BroadwayWorld Award for Best New Score), The Diamond as Big as the Ritz (ATA Theater 2024, 2019 Finalist: Stiles & Drewe Best Song Award), Stanley's Party (Manhattan Children's Theatre, 2010), More to Love (2014 Winner: Best Lyrics, West Village Musical Theatre Festival), The Spickner Spin (2004 Fringe NYC Audience Favorite Award), Meaningless Sex (2003 Fringe NYC Audience Favorite Award) and the Broadway bound Agatha Christie's The Secret Adversary. He wrote the score for the upcoming short musical film “Malka” starring Broadway legend Tovah Feldshuh inspired by his grandmother’s Holocaust experience. He has also written and starred in 10 cabaret song cycles of his work: And Then She Dumped Me, The Gayest Straight Man Alive, Meaningful Sex, Neurotic Tendencies, Why am I Not Famous Yet?, Writer's Block: a cabaret that was hard to write, I'll Relax When I'm Dead: a reluctantly prolific cabaret, If Adele Can Do It, So Can I: an evening of mostly sorrow, Not Your Grandma's Cabaret (unless she’s really naughty) and Self-Isolation Song Cycle. He wrote/starred in the 5 seasons of the web series "Every Day a Little Seth," co-wrote/co-starred in the TV pilot version and has emceed, produced and accompanied over 825 musical theatre talent showcases at Don't Tell Mama. In addition, he has published 4 books: a memoir, "Sleep. Write. Now. Emerging from a dark year of insomnia, anxiety and depression from loss" and two books of essays: "Every Page a Little Seth" and "Millennials are Ruining the World!", which he turned into an audiobook and podcast, and "The Making of a Musical: the 12 year journey of Love Quirks". Also, he's the winner of 4 ASCAP Plus Awards. Additionally, he's had multiple crossword puzzles published in the New York Times, LA Times, Wall Street Journal, Universal Crossword and Modern Crossword. He has two Bachelors from MIT (Computer Science & Engineering and Music Composition) and a Masters in Music Technology from NYU. www.sethbh.com FB/Twitter/Instagram/TikTok/Threads: @sethbhdotcom
Book Writer R.C. Staab is a New York-based playwright, librettist and lyricist whose musicals and plays have been produced in New York, San Francisco, the Midwest and England. He is a two-time nominee for England's Best New Song competition. Among his musicals and plays are How the Westons Won which ran off-Broadway in December 2018 at Jefferson Market Library directed by Joe Barros and co-produce by Out of the Box Theatricals. His musical, Dumb Luck, won the TRU Voices Musical Series and was one of three shows featured at the Music Theatre of Madison's Festival of New Musicals. In collaboration with Daniel Sturman, he wrote Zombie Wedding, featured at FringeNYC. He is the author two books, NYC Scavenger: The Ultimate Search of NYC's Hidden Treasures and 100 Things to Do at the Jersey Shore Before You Die. He frequently writes for travel publications about his and his wife's adventures from Norway to Patagonia and around the world. He lives in Manhattan with his wife, Valari, and their dog, Skye. www.rcstaab.com
John Hickok, Director was the director of the acclaimed premier of Burning Blue on London's West End at the Theater Royal Haymarket, which won 2 Olivier Awards. He directed, designed the set and sound for subsequent productions in New York, San Francisco and L.A. Other directing credits include an award-winning Midsummer Night's Dream in Ohio, the off-B'way premiere of Eye of the Beholder with Kim Hunter and a production of Bus Stop which made the "10 Best Plays of 1980" in Boston. As an actor, on Broadway, John created the role of Governor Slaton in the Tony-winning Parade, directed by Hal Prince; Chief Minister Zoser in Elton John's Aida, and Professor Baer opposite Sutton Foster in Little Women. He can be heard on three cast alumbus. He is also Special Agent Milton in Red Dead Redemption 2. He has been a professional actor for more than 40 years performing in New York and throughout the United States. Favorite gigs include Cowboy Eddie in the premiere of Joy/George St. Playhouse, Man & Boy opposite Frank Langella/B'way, John Adams in Frank Galati's 1776, Wizard in John Doyle's August Rush, Polonius in Hamlet, Beauregard in Mame opposite Michelle Lee and Kathy Rigby's Peter Pan. He's done Romeo and Juliet three times (Mercutio, Tybalt and directed it) and Midsummer Night's Dream four times (Lysander twice, Peter Quice and direct it.) He's taught Shakespeare and directing at Queens and Bard Colleges and is an adjunct profession of theater at WestConn, where he directs and teaches Performance and Meisner Techniques.
Mitchell Brownell, Music Director is a Buffalo born, Queen’s based music director. They are a classically trained pianist, conductor, and vocal coach graduated from the Crane School of Music. Other credits include Into the Woods/ A Little Night Music/ Les Miserables/ Mother Courage and Her Children/ The Rocky Horror Picture Show/ Rent/ Chicago/ Mean Girls/ Spamalot/ Urinetown/ Mamma Mia/ Legally Blonde/ Little Shop of Horrors/ Last Five Years/ 13/ Frog and Toad/ Seussical/ The SpongeBob Musical/ The Addams Family/ The Little Mermaid/ Falsettos.
Ethan Gueldenzopf, Drummer is a freelance drummer, recording engineer, and private music teacher. Some recent theatre credits include Kimberly Akimbo (Broadway, sub), Grease (The Cape Playhouse, Assistant MD), and Love Quirks (Off Broadway). Outside of the theatre world Ethan joyously plays drums as loud as he can for the sludge metal band Bonespitter, and bass guitar for rock group The Usual. He has also found a home at the studios Golden Girl Sound and Heavy Shoe Studio where he records and mixes for local rock and indie artists. Ethan extends a big thanks to everyone at The Diamond for having him on board! www.EthanGDrums.com @EthanGDrums
Ana Lei, Cellist is a Venezuelan-born cellist working in the New York scene since graduating with a Masters Degree in Cello Performance under the tutelage of Marion Feldman in 2022. In addition to teaching her private studio of students, she has performed and recorded with a variety of high profile artists and for several productions in the city. Ana is active in the recording scene working for artists such as Zach Bryan and Djo, and commits herself most actively to her live work. She regularly performs as a member of the string quartet in Smokey Robinson’s touring band, has appeared with Kelsea Ballerini at the VMA’s, with H.E.R. in a viral busking setting, with KYGO at major festivals, and can often be found gracing the stage with Broadway Sings. Some of Ana’s off-broadway credits include Love Quirks: A New Musical as well as Alex Wyse’s solo musical Picking Up Speed and the subsequent Cast Album.
Lindsey Alterman, Assistant Director is a New York-based director and graduate of the Actors Studio Drama School. Recent productions include Why (Nuworks Theatre Festival), The Laramie Project (ASDS Repertory) and Reflection of a Shadow (NYTF Award Winner). She has also dramaturged for several productions, including Red (Ghostlight Theatre) and What We Choose to Breathe (The Tank.) As an Assistant Director, she worked previously on Seth Bisen-Hersh's Off-Broadway production of Love Quirks (AMT Theatre) and she's pleased to be joining him again on this production of The Diamond as Big as the Ritz.
Parker Jenkins, Lighting Director (he/him) is thrilled to be a part of the design team for The Diamond as Big as the Ritz. Parker is a New York based actor, director, playwright, and lighting designer, and recently received his MFA in Acting from the Actors Studio Drama School. As an artist, Parker is drawn towards exciting, dynamic, and experimental theatre that challenges our perceptions of what theatre can be. Recent lighting credits include: The Edge of Tonight (Equity Library Theater of New York), Someone Has To Die (Teatro Latea), Reflections of a Shadow (Teatro Latea), What We Choose To Breathe (The Tank), Flaccid (The Tank).
www.parker-jenkins.com / @_parkerjenkins_
Georgia Evans, Costume Designer (she/they) is an NYC-based theatre artist and alum of Playwrights Horizons Theatre School. Her directing and performance work was most recently seen at the 2024 ChaShaMa Gala, The 2023 Edinburgh Fringe and Studio 440. She currently holds the position of Inaugural Directing Fellow at Theatre Company Built4Collapse. Her design credits include The New Electric Ballroom (Hedgerow Theatre), Passage (NYU Meisner), Afterlife (NYU Meisner), and Scenes from Chekhov (NYU Meisner). Assistant credits include Kin (WP), and Dance Nation (Atlantic Theatre School). PA credits include Hells Kitchen (Broadway), Once Upon a Mattress (NY City Center), and Tick, Tick, Boom! (The Kennedy Center).
Jen Turey, Choreographer, professional performing experience includes the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular as a Rockette, touring throughout the US, Canada and Europe with the Broadway National and International tours of 42nd Street, Crazy for You and The Will Rogers Follies and regionally at Northshore Music Theatre (Cabaret and 42 Street), The Cape Playhouse (Erma in Anything Goes), Westchester Broadway Theatre (Crazy for You and Good News), The Reagle Players (Crazy for You, Guys and Dolls, Gloria in Bye Bye Birdie, Showboat, Gertie in Oklahoma, The Will Rogers Follies and My One and Only) and The Shubert Theatre in New Haven, CT (Erma in Anything Goes). Her professional choreography career has brought her to the Weston Playhouse (The Light in the Piazza and the world premiere of Saint-Ex), Merry-Go-Round Playhouse (Crazy for You, No, No, Nanette and Thoroughly Modern Millie) The Reagle Players (Crazy for You - Co-Director and The Will Rogers Follies - Assistant Choreographer), Richter Park (Pippin, Crazy For You, Funny Girl, 42nd Street and 9 to 5) and Western Connecticut State University (The Donkey Show, Bat Boy, Marat/Sade, Spring Awakening, Anything Goes, et al.) where she is also an adjunct professor. Jen also holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts with an Acting concentration from Hunter College, an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Dance Education at Teachers College Columbia University. www.jenniferturey.com
Emma Weiner, Stage Manager is theatrical Stage Manager born in Westchester NY, where she still resides. She has worked as the Production Stage Manager on productions such as Twelfth Night with Hudson Classical, Aftershocks and The Boy Who Listened to Paintings at Theatre for the New City. She has also worked as Assistant Stage Manager for The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) and Margaret: Shakespeare’s Warrior Queen with Hudson Classical, Titus Andronicus with Barefoot Shakespeare, and Sunday in the Park with George with Theater2020. You can find her on Instagram for the occasional update on her upcoming shows and items she crochets at @emma.weiner821
Hannah Simpson, Box Office Manager (she/her) is thrilled to return to theater for the first time since college, where she limped as a wounded soldier—then died—in a Boston University Shakespeare Society production of Troilus and Cressida and produced a classmate’s original musical Hear Me! with BU Hillel’s Jewish Playwrights. You might have seen Hannah giving a rally speech at 2019’s Women’s March on NYC, commenting on news with MSNBC, or in a segment of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. Hannah tells jokes and recently debuted an original character act The E-T-H, a Diversity Holo-Webinar imagined within a sci-fi fandom. ig@hsimpso
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