THE COMICS CODE 

Team

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This project is the result of a small village of people coming on board, volunteering, and giving their all to help develop a musical from scratch We cannot give a complete list of everybody involved, but we want to acknowledge some people who have made invaluable contributions... 

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FLETCHER CROSSMAN, writer

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Fletcher Crossman wrote and directed the movie Heavy Objects (nominated for Best Feature at the New York Winter Film Awards, 2017) before embarking of the songs and book for the musical The Comics Code. Previously, Fletcher had written for several newspapers and magazines, including the International Herald Tribune, and Artists and Writers Yearbook, and was the recipient of awards from the Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation, the Puffin Foundation, and the George Sugarman Foundation for his work in the arts.

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RICHARD ISRAEL, mentor/advisor

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Richard Israel read an early draft of The Comics Code script, and gave Fletcher some invaluable feedback which led to its first redraft. Over the following two years, Richard continued to mentor Fletcher through the process of writing and the trajectory of a musical, eventually directing The Comics Code's first public reading at Plummer Park in 2023. Richard is a Los Angeles and New York-based director, a two-time L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation award winner, and the recipient of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Milton Katselas Award for Career Achievement in Direction.​​​​​

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BENAI BOYD, Marie

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​Benai played the part of Marie Severin for our first public reading, and with limited rehearsal time she did a fantastic job on the night. Marie was one of the original Marvel artists, and it is through her eyes that we watch Stan's shaky start as a comics book editor, to his ultimate triumph.

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JENLY CRESPO, Invisible Girl, choreographer

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Jenly joined the team to play the role of Invisible Girl when we were rehearsing to film the Fantastic Four scene, but it soon became apparent that Jenly is also a talented choreographer, and she guided other actors through a number of dance moves. Jenly is a wonderful talent to have on board. 

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WILL COLLYER, Stan Lee

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Will was a standout Stan Lee for our reading at Plummer Park, bringing emotional resonance in both his singing and acting. His pitch perfect vocals gave a show-stopping rendition of Stan's solo song, Exit Stage Right. Will brings just the touch of jaunty good humor and sense of ambition that really bring the role of Stan to life. 

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TODD GIEBENHAIN, Jack Kirby​

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With credits including The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, Young Sheldon, and Malcolm in the Middle, Todd brings real acting chops to his portrayal of Jack Kirby, the legendary Marvel artist. Our short film of the creation of the Fantastic Four was created as a proof-of-concept, but thanks to Todd's contribution, it ended up as a compelling short film in its own right.​​​​

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SAMI NYE, Flo Steinberg

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Always on top of her game, Sami proved to be a wonderful Flo Steinberg - the Marvel Office assistant that became the heartthrob of a million teenage comics fans. Sami is always totally professional and prepared, and takes on every role with energy and positivity, and knocked it out of the ballpark at the reading in Plummer Park.

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JULIA MASTERSON, Joan/Flo

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​Julia joined the gang when we were rehearsing the scene where the Fantastic Four are created, taking the role of Flo. Over time, Julia proved to be a versatile singer and actress, and most recently has taken the role of Joan, with two of her recordings in that role released on Naxos Records. 

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ETHAN ALEXANDER, Stan

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Ethan joined the cast when the project was already well developed, but his presence, energy and talent brought a new perspective to the musical, and when he sang the part of Stan for the Naxos record, Go There, we suddenly heard the song in a whole new way. 

 

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And thanks to everyone else involved, including...

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DON MAGILL - Guitars, vocals, live and recording

BEN CASTELLANA - Guitars and vocals

K.T. SHARP - Vocals

YARI SCHUTZER - Recording Engineer

JOE HART - Judge Murphy (Reading)

KELLY DORNEY - Joan (Reading)

FRANKIE ZABILKA - Ditko (Reading)

CHRIS KERRIGAN - Jack Kirby

MARIA CROSSMAN - Costumes

HEATHER HOLMES - Set Dressing

FAISAL MICHAEL - Stan (Fantastic Four scene)

BEN COHEN - Steve Ditko (Fantastic Four scene)

MANDY MAE CHEATHAM - Marie Severin (Fantastic Four scene)

TODD GIEBENHAIN - Jack Kirby (Fantastic Four scene)

JACK SKYLAR - Mr Fantastic (Fantastic Four scene)

JONAH HWANG - Human Torch (Fantastic Four scene)

BILL BOLTON - The Thing (Fantastic Four scene)

SHAILY SANGHVI - Assistant Director

RYAN VERBEL - Cameraman

TARA JENKINS - Lights

TONY PENA - Sound

FABIAN CROSSMAN - Photography

JESSIE VICTORS - Drums

SETH LUKAS - Recording Producer

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AND OF COURSE, THANKS TO...

To all the others who have played parts, performed songs, recorded tracks, made costumes, and played a hundred other roles during the development of The Comics Code. We thank you all, even if we don't have the space to feature everyone here.​​​​​​