Announcing the Cast & Creative Team of A STRANGE LOOP
We are thrilled to announce the cast and creative team for the highly anticipated Canadian premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A STRANGE LOOP!
Created by Michael R. Jackson, A STRANGE LOOP is a sharp, hilarious, and profoundly moving exploration of identity, self-doubt, and creativity. Following the journey of Usher, a young Black queer writer working as an usher at The Lion King, this provocative, groundbreaking musical brilliantly blends humour and heart as Usher battles the swirling voices in his head—personified as “Thoughts”—while writing a musical about his own life.
“Searing and softhearted, uproarious, and disquieting” (The New York Times), A STRANGE LOOP masterfully tackles themes of race, sexuality, familial expectations, and personal authenticity with unmatched wit and honesty. With its bold storytelling and unforgettable music, this production is a must-see event for anyone who has ever wrestled with who they are and who they want to be.
The Musical Stage Company, Soulpepper Theatre, and Crow’s Theatre will now be joined by TO Live, one of Canada’s largest national multi-arts institutions, to co-present the internationally renowned musical A STRANGE LOOP in Toronto.
A STRANGE LOOP runs April 22 – June 1, 2025, at Soulpepper Theatre.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CAST & CREATIVE TEAM
CAST
Malachi McCaskill (He/Him)
USHER
Malachi McCaskill (Usher) is excited to be making his SOULPEPPER/MUSICAL STAGE/CROW’S/TOLIVE debut in A Strange Loop! This North Carolina, U.S. native is ready to bring this world renowned story to Canada, and to share his art for all of Toronto! Credits include; A Strange Loop (Ahmanson Theatre CTG) Elf the Musical (NC Theatre) Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (NC Theatre).
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Sierra Holder (She/Her)
Thought #1
Sierra Holder was born and raised in Ottawa,is lucky to now call Toronto home. SOULPEPPER: A Strange Loop is Sierra’s Soulpepper Debut. Other Theatre: Beaches (Theatre Calgary), The Wizard of OZ ( Canadian Stage) Peter’s Final Flight , The Wizard of Oz (Ross Petty Productions) The Adventures of Pinocchio (Young People’s Theatre) A Belly Full, Freaky Friday (Theatre Aquarius) Film&Television: Gen V, The Maddness, Accused, Bring It On : Cheer or Die (Jackie), Locke & Key, The J Team, Y: The Last Man. Other: I am deeply honoured to be a part of telling this story in this particular moment in the world. To everyone who resonates with this message I love you , I love you.
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Nathanael Judah (He/Him)
Thought #5
Nathanael was born in Kingston Jamaica but raised most of his life in Canada. SOULPEPPER 2025: A Strange Loop FOR SOULPEPPER: Debut OTHER THEATRE: Gem of the Ocean, Just to get Married, The Doctors Dilemma, Gypsy, Antigonick, The Amen Corner (Shaw Festival) FILM AND TELEVISION: Kim’s Convenience (CBC) Spin (Disney) The Parker Anderson’s (BYU) Take Note (Family/Peacock)
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David Lopez (He/Him)
Swing
For Soulpepper: Debut Other Theatre: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (YPT), Seussical (YPT, Citadel), The Wild Party, Passing Strange (Musical Stage Co.), The Rocky Horror Show (CanStage, RMTC, STC), High Society (Shaw Festival), The Little Mermaid (Globe Theatre), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (CanStage, Dora Award Nomination), La Cage aux Folles (Neptune Theatre, Merritt Award Nomination), Kinky Boots (Mirvish Productions) Film &Television: Once Upon A Mattress, At The Hotel, Stormy Weather, A Handmaid’s Tale, Workin’ Moms Other: Backup dancer for Patti LaBelle and Katy Perry. Love to Mom, Dad, and James
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Marcus Nance (He/Him)
Thought #6
Marcus Nance was born and raised in Monterey, California. SOULPEPPER 2025: A Strange Loop OTHER THEATRE: The Little Prince (Pacific Opera, Victoria); Natasha Pierre (Crows/Musical Stage); Cymbeline, Frankenstein Revived, HMS Pinafore, Jesus Christ Superstar, Moby Dick, My One and Only (Stratford); HMS Pinafore (Vancouver Opera); La Bohème, Jesus Christ Superstar (Broadway); Sweeney Todd, Floyd Collins, (Shaw Festival); Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast (Grand Theatre); Evangeline (Charlottetown); Kismet, Of Thee I Sing (Encores! N.Y.C.); Jesus Christ Superstar (La Jolla); Porgy and Bess (Toronto Symphony). FILM AND TELEVISION: Queen Tut, Good Sam, Murdoch Mysteries, Departure, Mayday, Prodigal Son, The Producers.
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Davis Okey-Azunnah (He/Him)
Thought #3
Davis is a Toronto based artist originally from Lagos, Nigeria. FOR SOULPEPPER: Debut OTHER THEATRE: Beautiful: The Carol King Musical (Segal Centre / Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre); Joseph [….] Technicolor Dreamcoat (Drayton); Rock of Ages (Mayfield Dinner Theatre); Brown Eyes: A New Musical (TIFT / Musicals Reimagined); Rocky Horror Show (Neptune Theatre); The Soul of Motown (Stage West). FILM & TELEVISION: Secret Society of Second Born Royals; Olympians at Heart; I Like Movies; Beloved. OTHER: Davis is thrilled to be back on stage sharing the gift of storytelling as a part of the Canadian premiere cast of this phenomenal show.
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David Andrew Reid (He/Him)
Thought #4
Jamaican (Xaymacan) by birth, Canadian (Kanatan) by choice. David is an actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, and educator in theatre. SOULPEPPER 2025: Debut. A Strange Loop OTHER THEATRE (selected): Bitelle in La Cage aux Folles, Wendy & Peter Pan (Stratford); Charlie in Brigadoon (Shaw/5th season); LCpl Harold Dawson in A Few Good Men (Drayton Entertainment); Jamal in Escape to Margaritaville (Theatre Calgary); Beadle in Sweeney Todd (Talk Is Free Theatre); David Heard in Choir Boy (Canadian Stage); The Color Purple (Neptune Theatre) TELEVISION: Milo Strange in Murdoch Mysteries (CBC) INSTAGRAM: @davidandrewreid
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Amaka Umeh (They/Them)
Thought #2
Amaka Umeh was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria and Calgary, AB. SOULPEPPER 2025: A Strange Loop. FOR SOULPEPPER: Three Sisters (2024); Sizwe Banzi is Dead (2023); Dialect Coach for ‘da Kink in my Hair (2022); 1851: Spirit and Voice, Her Words Festival, Around The World in 80 Plays (2021). OTHER THEATRE: Fall On Your Knees (Eastern Canadian tour); Death and the King’s Horseman, Hamlet, (Stratford Festival); The Wolves (Howland Company/Crow’s Theatre). FILM: The Stranger’s Case (CBC Gem). OTHER: Audiobook: Butter Honey Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi (ECW Press).
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Travae Williams (He/Him)
Swing/Usher Understudy
Travae Williams was born and raised in London, ON. SOULPEPPER: Debut. OTHER THEATRE: A Christmas Carol: The Panto, Jersey Boys (Drayton Entertainment), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Théâtre Capitol), RENT, Richard II ) (Stratford Festival)
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CREATIVE & PRODUCTION TEAM
Michael R. Jackson
Bookwriter, Composer & Lyricist
Michael R. Jackson’s A Strange Loop won the 2022 Tony Award for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical. It was also the recipient of the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. He is also the author of White Girl in Danger, produced by the Vineyard Theatre in co-production with Second Stage Theater, and the co-author of Teeth, produced by Playwrights Horizons. Michael is the recipient of an Obie Award, Drama Desk Award, Jonathan Larson Grant, Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award, ASCAP Foundation Harold Adamson Award, Whiting Award, and Helen Merrill Award for Playwriting. Jackson holds a BFA and MFA in playwriting and Musical Theatre Writing from the NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
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Ray Hogg (He/Him)
Director
Ray Hogg is an award-winning Black theatre artist known for creating and presenting virtuosic, visually stunning, viscerally moving theatre and live performance. He has over 25 years of artistic, educational and leadership experience in the most celebrated opera, dance, and theatre companies around the world. His work as a theatre artist, director, and choreographer has taken him across Europe, The United States, and Canada. He has created for stages as diverse as Neptune Theatre in the east, The Arts Club Theatre Company in the west and many others in between. From 2012-2017 Ray served as Artistic Director of Rainbow Stage. He is currently Artistic Director for The Musical Stage Company, an Associate Artist at Halifax’s Neptune Theatre, and the founder of Prime Mover Theatre Company. Directing credits include: Controlled Damage (The Grand Theatre London), Lady Day At Emerson’s Bar & Grill (Theatre Calgary), Dixon Road, Starwalker, Soft Magical Tofu Boys (The Musical Stage Company), Da Kink In My Hair (Arts Club Theatre Co); Cats, The Producers, Sister Act, Shrek, Little Shop of Horrors (Rainbow Stage); Billy Elliot, Five Guys Named Moe, Dreamgirls (Neptune Theatre), Love and Information, An Enemy of the People, Mary Poppins, Damn Yankees and Chicago (Sheridan College). His award-winning choreography has been seen at Crow’s Theatre (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812), the Shaw Festival, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Neptune Theatre, the Segal Centre Montreal, and more. Social Media: Twitter & FB: @rayhogg • IG: @rayhogg2021
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Rodney Diverlus (They/Them)
Choreographer
RODNEY DIVERLUS is a multidisciplinary movement artist. SOULPEPPER 2025: A Strange Loop. FOR SOULEPPER: The Guide to Being Fabulous (2023). SELECT THEATRE/DANCE: Nightmare Dream (IFT/Obsidian); Blackout (Tableau D’Hôte); Hadrian (Canadian Opera Company); Floreus (L’Organisme; Dérives (Bentway); Exit Strategies (Museum of Contemporary Art); Juliet & Romeo (Decidedly Jazz). CHOREOGRAPHY: you,me,freedom (Atlantic Ballet); welcome, we’ve been waiting (Toronto Dance Theatre); RUR Torrent of Light (Tapestry Opera); in your eyes, the sparkle of gunpowder (Art Gallery of Ontario); you, meet us (Toronto Metropolitan University), in your eyes, the sparkle of gunpowder (Art Gallery of Ontario); sagittarius, meet capricorn (Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre).
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Chris Tsujiuchi (any pronouns)
Music Director
Chris Tsujiuchi was born and raised in Toronto, ON. FOR SOULPEPPER: Debut. OTHER THEATRE: Onegin (Musical Stage Co./National Arts Centre); Into the Woods (Talk is Free/Winter Garden Theatre); Escape to Margaritaville (Theatre Calgary) OTHER: Chris has toured extensively with Sharron Matthews, and can also be seen performing in Asian Riffing Trio (aka ART) and his own “Chris-terical” series of cabarets.
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Brian Dudkiewicz (He/Him)
Set Designer
Brian Dudkiewicz was born in Montreal, but currently resides in Toronto SOULPEPPER Debut OTHER THEATRE: Dixon Road (MSC), Jukebox Hero (Mirvish); Priscilla, Kinky Boots, The Sound of Music, Newsies, Rocky (Drayton); King James, Never Not Once (Theatre Aquarius); Controlled Damage, Titanic (The Grand), Frozen, Billy Elliot, The Last Five Years (Neptune), Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill (Theatre Calgary); April Fools, Prayer for the French Republic, Indecent, Million Dollar Quartet, Bad Jews (Segal Center). Many shows Off-Broadway in NYC. OTHER: Brian holds an MFA in Set Design from the Yale and a BSc in Architecture from McGill. @briandud1
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Ming Wong (She/Her)
Costume Designer
Ming is an award-winning Toronto costume designer working in theatre, dance, opera, and film & television for over 15 years. She is a graduate from the Ontario College of Art & Design. Soulpepper 2024/25: The Master Plan, Kim’s Convenience, A Strange Loop For Soulpepper: Three Sisters, De Profundiis, Sizwe Banzi is Dead, Pipeline Other Theatre: Wights, Rosmersholm, The Wrong Bashir, Natasha, Pierre, & The Great Comet of 1812, The Master Plan, Red Velvet, Uncle Vanya, The Wedding Party, Crow’s; Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, YPT; Salesman in China, Rent, Hamlet 911, Stratford Festival; Once, TIP, Things I Know to be True, Company Theatre/Mirvish; Peter’s Final Flight, Ross Petty Productions; The Wizard of Oz Panto, The Inheritance, Public Enemy, Canadian Stage; Is God Is, Canadian Stage/Obsidian/Necessary Angel; Candida, Just to Get Married, Trouble in Mind, Shaw Festival; Hansel und Gretel, Canadian Opera Company; The Color Purple, Citadel Theatre/RMTC. Upcoming: Trident Moon, Flex, Crow’s; Wait Until Dark, Shaw. Other: 2021 Virginia & Myrtle Cooper Award recipient, 2 time Dora Award Winner. www.mingwongdesign.com
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Michelle Ramsay (She/Her)
Lighting Designer
Michelle Ramsay was born and raised in Prince George, B.C. SOULPEPPER 2024: A Strange Loop FOR SOULPEPPER: Lighting Designer for The Guide to Being Fabulous; The Royale; for coloured girls… OTHER THEATRE: Snow in Midsummer (Shaw Festival); Come Home: The Legend of Daddy Hall (Tarragon Theatre); Million Dollar Quartet (Grand Theatre); Women of the Fur Trade (Stratford Festival); Prison Dancer (Citadel Theatre); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Theatre Rusticle) OTHER: Michelle is a recipient of eight Dora Awards, the Pauline McGibbon Award, and was a finalist for the 2021 Siminovitch Prize.
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Brian Kenny (He/Him)
Sound Designer
Brian is a designer for theatre from Newfoundland and Labrador and is a graduate from The National Theatre School of Canada and Sheridan College. FOR SOULPEPPER: Debut. OTHER THEATRE: La Cage Aux Folles (Stratford Festival), Fall On Your Knees (Vita Brevis/Canadian Stage), Kelly vs Kelly (Musical Stage Company), Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (YPT), Everybody Just C@lm The F#ck Down, Between Breaths (Artistic Fraud). UPCOMING: After The Rain (Tarragon/Musical Stage Company). OTHER: Brian is a board member of the IATSE Local 659, The Associated Designers of Canada.
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Lisa Karen Cox
Intimacy Director
FOR SOULPEPPER: 1851: Spirit and Voice OTHER THEATRE: Post Democracy (Tarragon); Doubt, Intimate Apparel (Thousand Island Playhouse); Hamlet (Canadian Stage) FILM & TELEVISION: 21 Black Futures’ Beyere (CBC Gem/Obsidian Theatre) OTHER: She has been nominated for two Dora Awards, and is faculty at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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Sarah Miller (She/Her)
Stage Manager
Sarah Miller was born and raised in St. Catharines, ON. SOULPEPPER 2025: Strange Loop FOR SOULPEPPER: Sizwe Banzi is Dead, Innocence Lost, Of Human Bondage, Spoon River, A Christmas Carol, Hosanna, The Heidi Chronicles, Angels in America. OTHER THEATRE: I Send You This Cadmium Red (Art of Time); 1939, Fall on Your Knees (Canadian Stage); A Year with Frog & Toad, Little Shop of Horrors (Capitol Theatre); Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Crow’s Theatre/Musical Stage); The Runner (Human Cargo/RMTC); Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Mirvish); Yaga (Tarragon Theatre).
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Farnoosh Talebpour (She/Her)
Assistant Stage Manager
Farnoosh Talebpour was born in Tehran, Iran but has now spent most of her life in Toronto, ON SOULPEPPER 2025: A Strange Loop FOR SOULPEPPER: English (2023), Queen Goneril, King Lear (2022) OTHER THEATER: Bittergirl the Musical (TIP), Red Velvet (Crow’s theatre), Dido & Aeneas (Opera Atelier), Dixon Road (Musical Stage Company/Obsidian Theatre Company). SM: Dear Robert (Video Cabaret), Let Me Explain (Green Light Arts), Songs from The Journey (Daniels Corporation/RCM ), seven methods of killing kylie jenner (OTC), Lessons in Temperament (Outside the March), No Save Points (OtM). FILM: Assistant Production Design for One Small Visit, Lune. Costume design for Tête à Tête, Queen of the Morning Calm. OTHER: She would like to thank all the people around her who have helped keep her feet grounded, joined in laughter, and kept her heart safe.
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Evan Reid (He/They)
Apprentice Stage Manager
Evan Reid was born and raised in Toronto, ON. SOULPEPPER 2024: A Strange Loop. OTHER THEATRE: Uncovered: U2 and The Rolling Stones (The Musical Stage Company); Boy Boy and The Magic Drum (Toronto Fringe Festival); Mary Poppins, Sweeney Todd, Jesus Christ Superstar, In Studio: The Words and Music of Britta Johnson, Happy End (Theatre Sheridan); The Calling (Random Noise Theatre). OTHER: Evan is a graduate of Sheridan College’s Technical Production program.
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Za Hughes (They/Them)
Associate Lighting Designer
Za Hughes was born and raised in the GTA. SOUL PEPPER 2025: A Strange Loop. OTHER THEATRE: The Noose (Next Stage Festival), A Wrinkle in Time (StoryBook Theatre), Doctor Faustus (Edinburgh Fringe), Cabaret (St. Lawrence College), Peter and the Star Catcher (StoryBook Theatre), A Scandal for All Seasons (Theatre by the Bay), Antigones (University of Victoria MFA Pro Forma). Assistant Lighting Designer: Prison Dancer (Citadel Theatre), As You Like It (Theatre Calgary), Little Shop of Horrors (Capitol Theatre), Made in Italy (Theatre Calgary) and Martyr (ARC).