Director/Writer SAUL ILSON was nominated for 5 Emmy Awards and won the Writer's Guild of America Award for comedy during his hugely successful 40+ years in television. As partner of Ilson/Chambers Productions, Saul produced and wrote some of the most successful comedy-variety series and specials on television including the legendary Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. He began his career writing musicals for television in Canada in the early 60s - one introducing an actor by the name of Robert Goulet and was directed by a Norman Jewison. He subsequently moved to Hollywood working with Billy Crystal, Dick Van Dyke, Bill Cosby, Bea Arthur, Carol Channing, Frank Sinatra and many others. He won an International Emmy and a Juno Award, (Canada's version of the Grammy) for his score for “Rich Little's Christmas Carol” which aired in Canada, on HBO and in 27 other countries. "Don't Leave It All To Your Children" is Saul's second stage production – he wrote and directed a musical-comedy called “How The West Was Sung”, starring Mel Tillis, which ran for more than two years in Branson, MO.
JAY STUART began his New York career as the leading man in Richard Rodgers' revival of THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE. On Broadway, he succeeded Hal Linden as co-star of THE PAJAMA GAME, with Barbara McNair and Cab Calloway, was featured in CRY FOR US ALL with Robert Weede, APPLAUSE with Arlene Dahl, THE GRAND TOUR with Joel Grey and was stand-by for Dick Van Dyke in the revival of THE MUSIC MAN. He also played Fredrick in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at The York Theatre. Mr. Stuart was featured in all three national tours of SUGAR BABIES with Mickey Rooney, Ann Miller, Eddie Bracken, Robert Morse and Carol Channing. He appeared in TITANIC, SATURDAY NIGHT AT GROSSINGER’S, THE GREAT AMERICAN FOLLIES and THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS. With Marty Brill, he co-wrote and co-starred in his own TV series, THE LITTLE KIDS DYNAMITE ALL-STAR BAND.
CHERYL STERN appeared on Broadway with Cynthia Nixon, Jennifer Tilly and Rue McClanahan in The Women (Roundabout; filmed for PBS), Candide (NY City Opera) and was featured with Jackie Mason in Laughing Room Only. Off-Broadway, Cheryl recently starred in Being Audrey and as Alice B. Toklas in 27 Rue de Fleurus, She won critical acclaim as Mamie Eisenhower in the Drama Desk-nominated production of First Lady Suite at Transport Group. Other Off-Broadway credits include, Requiem for William (also at Transport Group), I Love You, You’re Perfect, Game Show, That’s Life! and The Immigrant. She has appeared in first national tours of A Grand Night for Singing, Les Miserables, Evita and Fiddler on the Roof.
JAMES DYBAS made his Broadway stage debut playing Sergio Franchi's son in the Richard Rodgers/Stephen Sondheim musical “Do I Hear A Waltz?” His other Broadway credits include “Sunset Blvd.”, “42nd Street” and original companies of “George M!”, “Via Galactica“, “Pacific Overtures” and “The Scarlet Pimpernel“. A six time recipient of the L.A. Drama-Logue Award, he played featured roles in “Travesties“, “Nine“, “That Championship Season“, “The King and I“, “Breaking Legs“, “Romeo & Juliet“, “Guys & Dolls“, “Plaza Suite” and a host of other plays and musicals in theaters throughout the U.S. and Europe. Film and TV credits include Sins of the City, Miami Vice, Somebody's Daughter and Guilty As Charged with Rod Steiger.
JOY FRANZ appeared in the original Broadway production of Into the Woods as well as on the PBS broadcast and in the national company. She also appeared in the original cast of Assassins, A Little Night Music and in the Broadway, London and national company of Company. Her other Broadway credits include Pippin, Musical Chairs, Open Admissions, Sweet Charity, Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant, and Leonard Bernstein’s Mass. She also toured as Meg Boyd in Damn Yankees with Jerry Lewis.
RUDY TRONTO received a TONY Award nomination as Best Director for “SUGAR BABIES”. He directed and choreographed “MUSICAL CHAIRS” on Broadway and also appeared in the Broadway productions of “BALLROOM,” “MAN OF LA MANCHA” as Sancho Panza, “CARNIVAL” and “IRMA LA DOUCE.”