Before it’s fully staged as a part of our upcoming season, come see a concert version of Juke Joint Jukebox!

One Night Only! Saturday, June 17th @ 8pm

Tickets Here!

Juke Joint Jukebox: A Juneteenth Celebration pays homage to the lineage of Gary Stanford Jr (Creator/Director), and hopes to present a slice of history you may find challenged to learn in standard academia. His grandmother and her brother spend many years making a living behind the closed doors of adult-only entertainment Juke Joints of the east coast.

Gary Stanford’s show takes a look at a number of African American musical icons as well as famous performers that opened the doors for African American performers during very difficult times in our country.

Cast:

• Monica Airo
• Sumi Cardinale
• Sharon Griffith
• Joe Hudelson
• Kristina Hudelson
• Parker Jones
• Daniel Marchbanks
• J. Demetrius Olivier
• Gary Stanford
• Annabelle Terry

Cast Bios:

Gary Stanford Jr. is a freelance actor/choreographer/director based in Woodside CA. Recent directing credits include Annie (Woodside Theater Company), In The Heights (West Valley Light Opera), Ragtime (Woodside Community Theater), A Little Princess (Sunnyvale Players), Brigadoon (Lyric Theater of San Jose). Recent acting credits include Curly, Oklahoma (Woodminster), Cagelle, La Cage Aux Follies (NYC), Hud, Hair (Marin Theater In the Mountains) Curtis, Sister Act (Hillbarn Theater). He grew up in a performing household and started learning to sing and dance at age 8 with his 3 year old brother, Kevin. His mother (Priscilla) ended up creating her own performing arts company and teaching/training kids. They entered and won numerous State Talent Competitions in singing, dance and acting. He has also been a print ad/tv/film talent model for Brebner Agency (previously of SF).

Annabelle Terry is a 21 year old senior, music major at University California, Berkeley. Annabelle takes pride in being a versatile artist and has a deep passion for vocal studies. She has over four years of classical vocal training and was a member of Rhythmical Madness Dance Company for three years.  When not studying, Annabelle spends her time songwriting and singing at gigs in Sacramento and the Bay Area. The stage is where her heart is, and she is beyond thrilled to be working with such an amazing group!

Daniel MarchBanks is an actor/group exercise instructor/personal Trainer based in Santa Rosa, CA. He has danced and sang in local plays such as Rent and West Side Story. He grew up in a church household and sang and danced in church. After high school he explored different styles of dancing, singing and piano courses at the Jc. Fitness became the main focus but every now and then will take time to express his passion for theatrical arts.

Sharon Griffith is a lifelong performer that has lived in Ohio, NY and California. Her first live performance was for her mother’s attorney at the Havana Goula Attorney Convention. In Ohio, she was part of a singing group called the“Wayfarers” with her twin sister and two older sisters. She performed in a trio group called “Double and More” in NYC that once opened for Rodney Dngerfield and Joan Rivers.

Joe Hudelson returns to the Juke Joint after a year of stage directing and writing. His original musical Athena’s Island premiered @ Mills High School on in 2021. Joe also plays drums and is a Bay Area musical theater veteran.

Kristina Hudelson returns to the Juke Joint as a vocal director of musicals and a Broadway by the Bay alum known for her roles in My Fair Lady, The Music Man, and Les Miz. She’s also performed in the long-running SF shows Are We Almost There? and Foodies.

Sumi Cardinale – Sumi Narendran is honored to be included in this production pertaining to the rich and prolific contributions of black artists amidst abject oppression.  She is a huge proponent of BLACK LIVES MATTER and will fight tooth and nail for the rights of Black people and celebrate all they have achieved against all odds. She recently performed as King Duncan and multiple other roles in Marin Shakespeare Company’s “MacBeth”.

Monica Airo has had onstage principal roles as Salsa Dancer in Guys and Dolls, Kathy on Guitar in Actor/Muso Stephen Soundhiems’ Company Touring Cast, The Villain in Saving the Old Homestead, and Belle in a Christmas Carol. As a model she has worked for Macy’s, Vera Wang, Facade Cosmetics, Ellington Fans, Teen Magazine and has been featured on buses, banners, and billboards in three campaigns. As a Dancer she performed with New Ground in the Fringe Festival, Edinburg, sponsored by GAP as ambassador for the US at Dance For Peace conference in Czech Republic, sugar plum fairy, Music Videos, Salsa Shows in Los Angeles, and NFL Cheerleader. She has been taught Tango in Argentina and now Flamenco in Spain. She currently dances in LA, New York, and London. As a singer she sang the national anthem at an NFL game and sings background vocals for local artist in English and Spanish. Specializes as a Realtor in Global Relocation, investments, and business development consultant. Enjoys outdoor activities, long walks on the beach, and supporting environmental causes.

Parker Jones moved from South Carolina to Sonoma County 17 years ago and has been involved in the arts and nightlife scene across the bay area. He has been the front man of a few bands, in musical theater productions, hosting night club events and occasional mic nights. Parker has been in productions of RENT, Avenue Q, Smokey Joe’s Cafe and Grease, to name a few; in theaters from Sonoma to Marin. This is his first time working with Spreckles and he is thrilled to be working with a group of talented artists!

Demetrius Olivier is pleased to return to 6th Street, having previously appeared as an actor for the Broadway  « Hair » and « To Kill a Mockingbird » and as a Stage Director for « Annie, Jr. » Additionally he has appeared in Sonoma County for «  Ain’t Misbehavin’ »  at Sonoma Arts Live, and “Topdog/Underdog “ at Main Stage West.

Paul Hogarth (he/him/his) is an actor, pianist & singer living who has performed throughout the Bay Area. He was last seen playing Elton John in Amélie at Masquers Playhouse, and has twice played Schroeder in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Other acting credits include Harry in Company, Vinnie in Lucky Stiff, the Lounge Singer in Dogfight & Schrank in West Side Story. A lawyer by training, Paul works for the liberal political website Daily Kos. Come see Paul at Martuni’s Piano Bar in San Francisco on July 18, where he will sing & play his one-man show called “Broadway A-Z: Anything Goes to Zombie Prom.”