JKTS Chat: The Final 5 Questions with Cinderella's Cody Williams

These days, Cody Williams is in an established hit musical, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella.  We've been following him since the show started previews, and he's been gracious enough to give JK's TheatreScene a series of brief interviews chronicling his journey with the show.  (To read his interviews from the beginning, click HERE.  Part 2 HERE. And Part 3 HERE.)  Today, it is my pleasure to bring you the fourth, and final, interview in the series.   Cody shares the view from his home away from home, the secrets behind that amazing chase scene, and much more.  Plus, he answers some of your questions!  Thank you for everything, Cody!

The Final Five Quick Questions

with Cody Williams

ONE

JEFF: Now that you've settled in for what looks to be a long run at the Broadway Theatre, what is life like in your dressing room?  Who do you share with?  How cramped is it?  What do you guys do to make it more like "home"?  What are your pre-show rituals?  

CODY: My dressing room situation is pretty fantastic.  All of the ensemble guys share one large room, but our costumes never go up to it.  Compared to my last show, we have three times the space!  There is no point in the show that I have time to go upstairs, though.  I make all of my changes in the quick change booth below the stage.  Even my intermission is packed full with putting on the Raccoon unitard and wig. Pre-show rituals for me include taking a power nap before almost every show, and at half-hour, I go down to wing 3 (stage left) and warm up.  It’s so nice to do my ballet barre while listening to the sounds of the forest. 

Walking into our dressing room
for the very first time!

Our dressing room looks out directly at The Late Show's
stage door.  Today's guest: Harrison Ford!

TWO

JEFF: One of the things I found interesting about this version of Cinderella is that it isn't so "girl-y."  The family who sat in front of me had a little boy and a little girl in it, and both were equally enthralled throughout.  What do you think it is about this production that makes it seem to have a broader appeal - to adults and children, boys and girls alike?

CODY: I think Douglas Carter Beane’s new book is makes this show appealing to everyone.  Of course any girl would love Cinderella, but Doug’s new story of Prince Topher, along with all of the new humor, really makes the show enjoyable for all.   One of my favorite things to happen at the show is when little kids respond to something that I assume they won’t understand.  For example: while meeting some poor peasants, Prince Topher is confronted by Lord Protector Sebastian and asks, “Sebastian- you said no one needed my help.  What do you call these people?”  Sebastian’s response: “From their attire, I assume artists.”  Every couple of shows a young child will just scream out with laughter at that line.  Haha!

A very cute Cinderella backstage

THREE

JEFF: There are several sequences in the show that are, how do I describe it?...that are "athletic" - the opening scene, the chase sequences, etc.  What was the preparation like for those scenes?  I assume that as a dancer, you are called upon to use different techniques and muscle memory for those scenes versus the more traditional dancing in the ball scenes.  Is this the case, and can you explain it for those of us who aren't dancers?

CODY: “Bang-em up” numbers, as I like to call them, are my specialty.  I have had to do a “Bang-em up” number in every single show I have been in since I moved to New York (both as principal and ensemble).  The reason I am able to do these numbers isn’t because I trained a certain non-traditional way.  It is because I have trained my hardest with as many of the traditional dance/movement techniques (ballet, modern, jazz, gymnastics) as I possibly can.  My ballet training helps me move as quickly and efficiently as possible, my jazz and gymnastics training helps me execute tricks, and my modern training helps me transition from standing to the floor without bumps and bruises.  The key to performing these numbers every night is staying on top of the counts.  Get behind on your counts, and you will feel like Lucy in the chocolate factory.

FOUR

JEFF: You are featured, along with Andy Mills, prominently in one of the sequences.  While I know that it has been extensively rehearsed, there is a feeling of spontaneity to it, not to mention several gasp-inducing moments, how do you and Andy make it look like the first time?  And how are you prepared for any potential mishaps?

CODY: Anyone who has ever taken an acting class knows that one of the best ways to make a scene feel real is to give yourself a physical activity to do.  Usually this is something like sweeping a dirty floor or trying to organize a deck of cards.  In ‘the pursuit” Andy and I can always make it feel like the first time because we are in fact running for our lives. Haha.  It is not the fear of being arrested by the Prince’s men that makes the excitement real; it is the reality that if we don’t move as fast as we possibly can, we will cause a train wreck.  Everything happens so fast in “the pursuit” that the only way to deal with mishaps is to be on our toes and to keep going.  One of the first lessons learned in gymnastics class:  If you get scared you are going to crash a flip, so keep going.  It’s always better to land on all fours than to try and stop the flip and land on your neck.

Kevin Worley and I preparing for
The Late Show

FIVE

JEFF: What is your favorite scene/part of the show that you are in?  Now that the show is running, how has it been rehearsing for the roles of Topher and Jean-Michel?  Are you looking forward to the chance to go on and/or how scary is the prospect?

CODY: I have so much fun being onstage that it is hard for me to pick a favorite part.  I’d say my three favorite parts are being a knight at the beginning, being transformed by fairy godmother to drive Cinderella to the ball, and “the pursuit”.  I also love any moments I get to share with Phumzile Sojola.  It has been so great rehearsing for Prince Topher and Jean-Michel.  I am thrilled to get to go on. Shamelessly, I am not scared at all.  I am chomping at the bit to get a chance to sing those songs with that orchestra!

LEFT: Santino Fontana's dressing room is where the party's at on Sundays, post-show

RIGHT: Laura Osnes filming her "Princess Diaries" blog for Broadway.com

OK, Cody, before you go... here are a few questions from my readers!

1.  What is something about the cast (or certain cast members) of Cinderella that you think audiences would be surprised to know?

CODY: I think they would be surprised to learn my name is Andy Jones.  Thanks broadway.com! (For anyone who doesn’t know, Nick Spangler won The Amazing Race.  That’s pretty freaking cool!)

2.  If you could be in any Broadway musical past or present what would it be, and why?

CODY: Oh man that is a hard one!  There are so many I would have loved to have taken part.  I wish I could have played the role of Investor in the original cast of Wicked ;) In seriousness, I think I would pick to be part of the original cast of Oklahoma!  It is so much fun to perform, and I would have worked with Rodgers and Hammerstein as they were just starting out, doing such an inspiring, patriotic show while we were in the middle of WWII.

3.  Is it difficult to keep a Broadway work schedule and have a girlfriend?  (BTW, she's very pretty!)

CODY: It is if the girl works a 9 to 5, but fortunately I don’t have that problem.  And thanks!

4.  If TMZ brought their cameras backstage to do a [segment] on you, what would they find out?

CODY: They would learn that I eat all of the chocolate in the wig room and that I make my dresser Michael buckle over laughing at least once a show.

I met another Cody Williams!

5.  Mounds or Almond Joy?  Plain or Peanut M and M's? Favorite Schmackery's cookie flavor?

CODY: Almond Joy, Peanut butter M and M’s, and I love their classic chocolate chip and sweet corn cookies.

COMING SOON: 5 Quick Questions with Wicked (Tour) and Spider-Man's BRANDAN RUBENDALL!

(Photos and captions by Cody Williams)

Jeff

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JKTS Chat: From Previews to Opening Night: CINDERELLA's Cody Williams, Part 3

When we last spoke with Cinderella's Cody Williams, he was in the midst of rehearsals for the show.  (Click HERE for Part I, and HERE for Part II.) This time around, he shares the experience of previews - from rewrites and new staging to social media scrutiny to the audience's reactions.  And he has sent in some great behind-the-scenes and backstage photos, many exclusive to JK's TheatreScene! (Thanks, Cody!)  Now, here's another...

5 Quick Questions 

with Cody Williams

ONE

JEFF: So, Cody, it's been awhile since we chatted.  Of course, you have been busy!  When we last talked, you were just getting ready start previews.  Over the weeks of previews, what has your schedule been like?  How does a show balance performances with re-working things and additional rehearsals?  How do you, personally, keep up your energy and stamina?

CODY: I have LOVED being part of this preview process.  This was my first time doing previews for a Broadway show, and I have learned an incredible amount during this experience.  Our schedule is pretty much this: show up at noon, work till 5, dinner, and then do a show.  I found it pretty dang exciting to create a new scene or dance during the afternoon rehearsal and perform it in front of an audience that night.  It gives everyone a giddy edginess.  There is nothing like approaching a big change for the first time and seeing everyone think, "Here we go!" For me, the secret to getting through previews was to get sleep.  I am the king of pre-show naps.  You have to respect the Equity cot.

Rehearsing a new scene in our lower lobby

TWO

JEFF: There is a perception out here in "cyber land" that the creative team and producers of Cinderella are keeping an eye on what people are saying on message boards and Twitter and the like, and that what is being said is being used to re-shape things before you open.  Is that the case?  Do you read stuff that people are saying?  How about other cast members?  Some actors tell me they purposely avoid it, and others say they just can't help themselves...
CODY: I honestly had never once looked at a Broadway chat room before this process.  Some of my fellow cast mates were talking about them, so I took a look for myself. So many of the criticisms in the chat room were the same things everyone involved already knew needed to be worked.  We just hadn't had time to get to them yet. 

The Merry Jesters of Oberammergau.  A casualty of previews.

If only the world would have seen their ball dance that never made it to previews!

RIP Griffin!

THREE

JEFF: I don't know how specific can you be with this, but maybe you can generalize... what kinds of changes are being made to tighten, refine and clarify the show?  How different is the show now from the first preview?

CODY: The biggest issue with the show was that it was too long.  We had too much of a good thing.  Therefore, certain scenes and musical numbers needed to go and new shorter scenes needed to be put in to replace them.  The show is a whole lot different today than it was during the first preview.  So if you saw it early on in the process, come on back!  Our genius music supervisor, David Chase, said that there were more changes done to this show than any of the other 27 Broadway shows that he has worked on.

Working a new moment

SIP: Greg Hildreth and Santino Fontana

FOUR

JEFF: According to the weekly grosses, the show is doing very well!  (What a relief, huh?) How has audience reaction been during the show?  What is it like playing to full houses in the enormous Broadway Theatre?  How about fan response at the stage door?  Has it been crazy?  Does the cast get into it?

CODY: Heck, yes, we get into it! Haha!  Having this kind of turnout is a dream come true.  The audience's reactions have been so wonderful.  For me, there have been two parts about the audience's reactions that I will cherish forever.  First, I will never forget how excited the little kids get when the transformations happen.  I love hearing the young ones yelling, "Look, Mom!  Look!"  Secondly, I will never forget seeing the audience members get so emotional at the end of the show.  Seeing tears of joy while we are singing "Impossible" during our curtain call is so touching.

Shooting the B Roll!

Our conductor, Andy Einhorn, at work

FIVE

JEFF: What are you most looking forward to about Opening Night finally getting here?  Will your family be there or have they already seen it?

CODY: I'm really just looking forward to the entire experience!  A Broadway opening night is something that I have dreamed about for years. I'm giving my two tickets to my mom and my girlfriend.  I'm thrilled that they will be able to experience it with me!

(Photos and captions by Cody Williams)

Before you go... don't forget to vote in this week's HOT or NOT poll!  Click on the icon at the top right column!

Jeff

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JKTS Chat: More with CINDERELLA's Cody Williams

Cody as Will at Arena Stage

Last time we heard from Cody Williams, he and the entire Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella company were just getting ready to start previews.  (Click HERE to read that interview!)  He's been a pretty busy guy, but not too busy to talk a little more with me.  This time around, he talks about working with some of the biggest names in the business, what he'd like to talk to Rodgers and Hammerstein about, and he reveals how he keeps in shape during previews AND rehearsals.  PLUS, he shares some fun pictures and an x-ray!  (Yes, you read that right!)  AND he also answers a few of YOUR questions!  Now, here's...

5 MORE QUICK QUESTIONS

FOR CODY WILLIAMS

ONE

JEFF: Last time we chatted, you expressed how exciting it is to create a role versus going into a running show.  So, now that you've been through the bulk of rehearsals for Cinderella, what would you say has been the biggest surprise of the process?  The biggest challenge?

CODY: The biggest surprise of the process happened one day during rehearsal for a dance number called “The Pursuit.”  At one point in the number, I slide stage left into the proscenium, quickly jump up, run stage right, and jump over cast member, Branch Woodman, as he is running directly at me.  We had done this same sequence in the workshop, so Branch and I were familiar with each other.  However, in this rehearsal something about the timing seemed off.  To my surprise, I never touched the ground after jumping over Branch.  I found myself sitting six feet up on the top of his head!!! 

As for the biggest challenge, it is learning the two roles (Prince Topher and Jean-Michel) that I understudy.  There are some moments in the show that I have never seen performed because I am either onstage or changing, so I am really excited to start understudy rehearsals!

TWO

JEFF: You have had the chance to work with some real big names in the business with this show.  What have you learned from the creative team that you feel you will carry with you for the rest of the career?  

CODY: There are so many things I have learned from them!!!!  The most important lesson I have learned is to be friendly and kind to everyone.  The creative team showed me that the way to work in theater is to know the business/be friends with everyone, know how you fit in the business/be friends with everyone, and have some sort of talent/be friends with everyone.  When you think about it, a person only has two reasons to cast you: they like you, or they think you can make them money.  It is inevitable that people will annoy others when trying to build a show.  By proactively becoming friends with everyone, you will have much more fun, solve problems easier, feel better about yourself, have more success, and so much more!  I can’t tell you how important this is!

Cody Williams and June Schreiner 

(Will and Ado) in Arena Stage’s Oklahoma!

THREE

JEFF: Were Rodgers and Hammerstein alive today and working on the show, what questions would you have for them?  As an actor (and, I assume, fan) what would like to say to them?

CODY: I would love to hear them share their insights and secrets on their work.  Can you imagine how enlightening it would be to hear them describe how they wrote a song like “Impossible”?  When I was working on Oklahoma! at Arena Stage, our dramaturg showed us a map that Lynn Riggs had drawn for Richard Rodgers in rehearsal.  It showed where all of the places in Oklahoma! were in relation to each other.  I would love to have Rodgers and Hammerstein draw a map of Cinderella’s world.   Knowing how long it takes you to walk or ride to a location makes entering a scene much more truthful.  You are given so much as an actor when you know this information.

FOUR

JEFF: You are in a large cast full of relative newcomers mixed with some seasoned stage veterans.  What have you learned from the veterans?  

CODY: Not too long after I moved to New York, I was extremely lucky to have been cast in a workshop of Yank!.  Years of acting classes had taught me enough to get cast in shows, but by doing Yank!, I got to see firsthand how the pros did it.  The entire cast was incredible.  I like to consider my time watching and working with Santino Fontana, Bobby Steggert, Tally Sessions, Morgan Spector, Tyler Maynard, Michael Berresse and Cory Michael Smith (just to name a few!) as my grad school.  Those guys taught me how it was done.  I owe so much of my recent success to that experience.  R + H's Cinderella has given me the most amazing opportunity of understudying Santino.  I get to study his every move and walk in his footsteps.  It has been such a huge learning experience.

Such a great show!!!

FIVE

JEFF: Now that you are in the midst of previews and rehearsals, what kind of routine do you have to keep up your strength, stamina and general health?  I imagine two show days can be grueling!  What kinds of exercises do you do to maintain/prevent injuries, given that you sing, dance and play a raccoon?

CODY: First and foremost, I have to get enough sleep.  Without that everything falls apart.  Since I tend to stay up pretty late; naps are my saving grace.  To warm up for the show, I spend about 20 minutes doing dynamic movements, yoga flows, a ballet barre, and stretching.  At intermission, I throw a back handspring or two and make sure my legs are still warm.   Vocally, I warm up by doing a few exercises.  I try to take a weekly voice lesson too.  Shameless Plug: I have the most incredible voice teacher.  He is the reason I have booked work.  If you are looking for someone, message me on Twitter @odyilliams and I will put you in contact!

Cody, here are a few questions from readers!

1.  Favorite junk food/fast food?  Favorite healthy food?

CODY: I LOVE the chocolate pizza at Max Brenner, but I am staying far away from it because I have to respect the unitard.  To stay healthy, I eat at Chopt about every day.

2.  Favorite sport to watch?  Play? Want to try?

CODY: My favorite sport is Mixed Martial Arts.  UFC fight nights are my favorite!  Alexander Aguilar (Lysistrata Jones, Memphis) and Josh Segarra (Dogfight, Lysistrata Jones) are my fight night buddies.  I used to train MMA when I was in college, but I broke my collarbone sparring.  Alex actually took me to get a plate and six screws put in.  Until I get those taken out, I will stick to dancing.

Cody Williams as a white belt

Josh Segarra, Cody Williams, and Alexander Aguilar

6 Screws... 1 Collarbone 

3.  Who is the biggest influence in your life so far and why?

CODY: That is an extremely hard question to answer.  My family has raised and cared for me.  My teachers have helped me become the person I wanted to be.  My friends have enriched my life.  If I would have to pick one person, I might say my older cousin Warren.  The summer before I started 3rd grade, 6'7" sports star Warren told me that he swam 100 laps without stopping.  He bet me that I couldn't do the same.  The next day I went to the pool, put on my goggles, and started swimming.  At adult swim I completely ignored the lifeguard.  I swam for hours!  At 100 laps I was feeling strong so I started for the next hundred.  At 127, my mother who was tired of sitting in the sun told me Warren had been kidding!  I went home and slept for two days.  That experience influenced the rest of my life.  It taught me that if I gave something my all, I could accomplish anything.

PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS COURTESY OF CODY WILLIAMS

• Have a question for Cody?  Email it to: jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com or Tweet me: @jkstheatrescene and I'll pass it on!
• Read more about Cody' pal, Josh Segarra, by clicking on the "JKTS CHAT: The Interviews" tab at the top of the blog and scroll down to Josh's links!

Jeff

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JKTS Chat: A Quick Chat with CINDERELLA's Cody Williams

A couple weeks ago, I posted my latest "Face of the Future," and it must have really struck a nerve with a lot of you.  So many of you hit this blog that day that I had to re-set it.  TWICE!  Well, that guy was Cody Williams and now he's agreed to do an interview series for this blog!

It seems especially appropriate that we start this series on the day before the first preview of his new show, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella.  Today, he reminisces about his Broadway debut in Memphis, his high school and college training, the luxury of originating a role, and how he had to make a big choice after a pair of auditions.   Here is the first in a series...

5 Quick Questions

with Cody Williams

“Steal Your Rock ‘N’ Roll” Memphis

(From L to R) Besty Struxness, Cody Williams, Andy Mills 

(the Fox in R + H’s Cinderella!!!), Angela Brydon, and Jamison Scott

ONE

JEFF: Cody, thanks so much for sharing the momentous journey of opening a new Broadway show with us!  But this isn't your Broadway debut.  That came when you joined the cast of Memphis, right?  How was that first taste of "the Big Time"?  Was it everything you dreamed your debut would be?  What is it like joining a show already in motion?

CODY: My pleasure!  It was definitely everything I had dreamed it to be, and at the same time it was completely different than I had imagined! The excitement of being on Broadway for the first time was absolutely present and even more special than I had imagined it would be.  What I didn't realize, however, was how difficult it is to be a replacement in a show.  Replacements are essentially given a few hours of rehearsal to learn a part that someone had months to create.  I was the tumble track in the show, and I had never done those tricks with the lights, band, or set, when I first had to do them for an audience.  It certainly made things exciting!  For me, an actor’s first show on Broadway is the equivalent to a baseball player’s first chance at bat in the majors.  It doesn't matter if you one day become the next Babe Ruth - you don't want to whiff your first at bat!  (On a side note, something that made my debut extra special was that I was taking over the track created by Cary Tedder.  Cary was my best friend in high school.  He is the reason I learned how to tumble.  It was so special to take over his track.)

(From L to R) Kevin Massey, Cody Williams, 

Justin Patterson, Andy Mills, Adam Pascal

High School best buds! 

Cary Tedder and Cody Williams

TWO

JEFF: In contrast, you are a part of the original Broadway company of Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella.  I imagine that this experience is completely different!  From design to staging, you are starting it all.  Just how different is it?  What have been some of the great surprises?  And the unexpected challenges?

CODY: Creating a track in a show has been completely different than taking over a track!  Honestly, it has been much easier.  There has been much less stress because the creative team built my role around my strengths.  I also have had much more time to prepare!  I’ve been working on R + H's Cinderella since the beginning on July, and we don't open until March 3rd.  One of the biggest perks of originating this role has been getting to develop relationships with the creative team.  Watching these amazing artists work while becoming their friend has been an incredible gift.

THREE

JEFF: Congratulations on your really awesome blog series for Broadway World.com!  Your enthusiasm is infectious!  Judging from some of the rehearsal pictures you've shared there, animals play a part in this show.  What do you have to do with that aspect of the show?  How does an actor prepare for such a task?

CODY: Thanks so much!  I have to be careful not to give away any surprises, but nature in general plays a big role in Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella.  I play the raccoon that drives Cinderella to the ball.  To prepare for this, I watched a lot of videos of raccoons to see how they move. Also, I've never driven a horse-drawn carriage, so I went to Central Park and watched the carriage drivers.

Pebblebrook visits Mount Blanc, Switzerland.

Recognize Colt Prattes (center) from Pink’s “Try” music video?

He was a senior buddy to me in both high school and college.

 Pebblebrook and CCM peer 

Ryan Breslin (Newsies) and myself.

FOUR

JEFF: Speaking of preparation, tell us about your high school and college experience at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.  I read in an interview that you did that they try to create "triple threats."  How has that helped your developing career?  And specifically, how has that helped (or hindered) working on a show where you are creating the role?  Of the three aspects of "triple threat-dom," which is your favorite and why?

CODY: I never performed at all until high school.  By a tremendous stroke of luck, I was talked into going to an amazing performing arts high school in Atlanta.  Pebblebrook High School is absolutely the reason I have the life I do today.  While in high school, I focused most on dance and acting.  To be honest, I couldn't sing at all.  That's why I wanted to go to Cincinnati (CCM).  Pebblebrook took me to all of the big musical theater schools to see shows and take master classes.  After seeing students from every school perform, I knew that I needed to go to Cincinnati.  It was clear that if I could train with CCM’s voice faculty I could become the singer I hoped to be.  CCM's mission is to train triple threats, and I feel they succeeded with me.  Being solid in all areas is the reason I have had luck getting work.  When I was at Pebblebrook, we used to visit New York to see shows.  I dreamed of being able to act and sing like the cast of The Light in the Piazza and dance like the dancers in Movin' Out.  Everyday, I am so happy to be at work because it is an affirmation that my dream has come true.  I get to perform WITH those amazing people!

    

Playing the Soldier in CCM’s 

Hello Again opposite Mia Gentile

FIVE

JEFF: Describe for us the audition process for Cinderella, from the call/notice to your reaction upon finding out you got a part in the show.  And what does your track in the show entail?

CODY: This past May, my agent called me with an audition for the workshop of R + H's Cinderella.  I went in to dance and sing initially, and I felt my audition had gone very well.  There were a couple of callbacks where I was asked to perform sides for [the roles of] Prince Topher and Jean-Michel.  I also was asked to come to a callback to partner dance.  The day I found out that I had gotten R + H's Cinderella was a really special one for me.  I had auditioned for Drood that morning.  That afternoon I found out I had gotten R + H's Cinderella, and a few hours later I found out I had been cast in Drood as well.  I was on cloud nine!  Unfortunately, once the dates for both shows were finalized, it became clear that I couldn't do both shows.  In R + H’s Cinderella, I am in the ensemble and have a great feature as the raccoon.  I also understudy Prince Topher and Jean-Michel.

PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY CODY WILLIAMS.

Jeff
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FACE of the FUTURE: CINDERELLA'S Cody Williams

IT'S BACK!  BE SURE TO VOTE IN THIS WEEK'S "HOT OR NOT"!

IT'S THE FIRST ROUND OF VOTING FOR 

RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA!

CLICK THE GLASS SLIPPER TO YOUR RIGHT AND VOTE!

 I have to give credit where credit is due.  The usual bane of my existence, Broadway World, has selected a most excellent "guest blogger."  With a fun mix of backstage gossipy stuff, a clear knowledge of his profession, and the excitement of a fan boy, BWW has hit pay dirt with Cody Williams.  (Click HERE for his first blog.  As of today, he's done 3.)

Now in rehearsal for Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, this cutie patootie shows a lot of potential.  This marks his second show on Broadway, the first being Memphis.  Previous credits include leading roles in Yank! and Singin' in the Rain.  Most impressively, he was Helen Hayes Award-nominated (DC's Tony Awards) as the lead in the critically-acclaimed Arena Stage production of Oklahoma! as Will Parker.

With such a resume, I can only assume that Cody Williams will be name we will hear from for a long time to come.

University of Cincinnati - CCM's How to Succeed...
(Center, as Bud Frump) 

As Cosmo in Singin' in the Rain

As Will Parker
You can tell he his ballet training, right?

Oklahoma!'s Will Parker, aka Cody Williams,
Helen Hayes nominee!

He's in there somewhere...
A rehearsal shot from his Broadway World blog

Apparently, animals figure prominently
in Cody's Cinderella track...

Jeff
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