The full cast and creative team for the new musical Life After at CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto have been announced and tickets are now on sale at Mirvish. With book, music & lyrics by Britta Johnson, one of Canada’s most acclaimed young composers, lyricists and writers for musical theatre, Life After will play a limited engagement from Wednesday, April 16 – Sunday, May 4, 2025 as part of the 2024/25 Off-Mirvish Season. The production is directed by Annie Tippe (Dave Malloy’s Octet, Cult of Love).
Despite being a famous self-help author, Frank Carter’s optimistic advice offers little solace to his 16-year-old daughter, Alice. After his untimely death, Alice embarks on a quest for truth, unravelling the events that changed her family forever.
Life After is the celebrated and luminous musical that premiered in Toronto in 2017 and played a sold-out run at the Berkeley Street Theatre. It was subsequently produced at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre and Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. It returns to Toronto’s CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre in a major new production helmed by Tony Award and Olivier Award-winning producers Yonge Street Theatricals for a strictly limited engagement.
The creative team includes Ann Yee (choreography), Tony Award winner Todd Rosenthal (scenic design), Tony Award nominee Sarafina Bush (costume design), five-time Tony Award nominee Japhy Weideman (lighting design), Tony Award winner Kai Harada (sound design), Haley Parcher (sound design), Greg Dougherty (production manager), and Kate Sandeson (production stage manager).
David Mirvish said, “I’m delighted to be working with Linda Barnett and Natalie Bartello, two dynamos who have worked in developing new Canadian musicals and nurturing exceptional new talent for many years under the banner of Yonge Street Theatricals. This mighty but small company was one of the early co-producers of Come From Away. I’m honoured they have chosen the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre as the home of a major new production of Life After.
The cast features Isabella Esler (First National Tour of Beetlejuice the Musical) with Jake Epstein (Beautiful and Spider-Man Broadway), Chilina Kennedy (Beautiful, Jesus Christ Superstar and Mamma Mia! Broadway) and Mariand Torres (Lempicka and Wicked Broadway). Alongside them are Valeria Ceballos, Jay Davis, Kaylee Harwood, Arinea Hermans, Isidora Kecman, Zoë O’Connor, Eva Petris and Julia Pulo.
ISABELLA ESLER (Alice). Isabella is a Colombian-American actress raised in San Jose, California. She began her career at eighteen, fresh out of high school, when she landed the role of Lydia Deetz in the first national tour of Beetlejuice. For nearly two years, she toured across North America, receiving widespread recognition for her performance and solidifying her place in the musical theater world. When she’s not on stage, Isabella can be found exploring bookstores, rating matcha lattes, or curating the perfect Spotify playlist. Making her Toronto debut in LIFE AFTER feels like the next big adventure. Instagram/TikTok: @Isabella.esler
JAKE EPSTEIN (Frank) is a Toronto-based actor, singer and writer. He originated the role of Gerry Goffin on Broadway in the Tony-nominated hit Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and survived a year as Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark. On tour, he has performed in most major theatres across the U.S., starring in the Tony-winning hit Spring Awakening (Melchior) as well as Green Day’s American Idiot (Will). Off-Broadway, he starred in the New York Times critics pick Straight. Selected regional credits include Billy Elliot (Mirvish), Therefore Choose Life (Harold Green Jewish Theatre, Broadway World Award), Dog Sees God (Michael Rubinoff), two Ross Petty Pantos, and the world premiere of Ken Ludwig’s Dear Jack, Dear Louise (Arena Stages in Washington D.C.). He has appeared in over 40 TV shows and films, but is best known for “Degrassi” (Gemini Award), “Designated Survivor” (ABC and Netflix), “Suits” (USA Network and Netflix) and “The Umbrella Academy” (Netflix). Jake recently wrote and performed his acclaimed solo show Boy Falls From the Sky at the Royal Alex Theatre in Toronto (Dora Nomination for Outstanding Performance in a Musical).
CHILINA KENNEDY (Ms. Hopkins) most recently played “Myrtle” in The Great Gatsby on Broadway. Other credits: “Michelle” in The Last Timbit (currently streaming on Crave), “Billie Jean King” in the play Love All by Anna Deavere Smith (La Jolla Playhouse), “Annie O’Brien” in Broadway’s Paradise Square, “Elle” in the one woman play The Human Voice (filmed for Toronto OIC), “Dina” in the International Tour of The Band’s Visit opposite Sasson Gabay (Toronto Theatre Critics’ Award), “Mary Magdalene” in Broadway’s Jesus Christ Superstar and “Sophie” in the 1st US National Tour of Mamma Mia!. Chilina was Broadway’s longest running “Carole King” in Beautiful – The Carole King Musical with over 1200 performances. Off-Broadway: “Binky” in This Ain’t No Disco (Atlantic Theater Company) and “Cindy” in A Sign Of The Times (New World Stages). Film/TV: “The 2015 Kennedy Center Honors” (as Carole King), With Me (BravoFact, NY Shorts and Whistler Film Festivals). Selected Regional: “Pheobe” in A Gentleman’s Guide To Love And Murder (CT and San Diego Critics’ Circle Nominations), “Evangeline” in Evangeline (original production and album), “Philia” in Des McAnuff’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Toronto/Mirvish), Ross Petty’s Pantomime The Little Mermaid (Toronto Theatre Critics’ Award), three seasons at the Stratford Festival, three seasons at the Shaw Festival and The Lord of the Rings (World Premiere Mirvish/Toronto). Chilina is the composer of a new musical Wild About You and the concept album is available on iTunes. She is also the Artistic Producer of Toronto’s Eclipse Theatre Company. www.chilinakennedy.com
MARIAND TORRES (Beth) was recently on Broadway in the musical Lempicka, where she stood by for and performed the titular role to great acclaim. She has also been seen on Broadway as Elphaba in Wicked, a role she also played on tour throughout North America; a Fate in Hadestown; and in the original cast of In Transit, Broadway’s first acapella musical. Other notable credits include: originating the role of Millie in Alicia Keys’ new musical Hell’s Kitchen at the Public Theater; the Japan world premiere of Prince of Broadway, a retrospective on the career of the legendary Hal Prince, directed by Susan Stroman and Mr. Prince himself; and the off-Broadway run of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. Regionally she has been seen as Eva Perón in Evita, the Lady of the Lake in Spamalot, and Helen Bechdel in Fun Home, among others. Mariand has appeared on television in “Law & Order SVU” and “Madam Secretary,” and can be heard as a principal vocalist in the Grammy nominated recording of Stephen Schwartz’s Snapshots (Broadway Records).
VALERIA CEBALLOS (Kate) (She/Her). This little Latina from Fort Lauderdale, Florida is so honored to be making her Toronto debut in this beautiful show! Favorite credits include Zoe/Alana cover in Dear Evan Hansen (1st National Tour), Diana Morales in A Chorus Line (The Wick Theatre) and Yolanda in In the Heights (MT Wichita). @valeriaeceballos
JAY DAVIS (Frank Standby) is thrilled to be a part of this very special Canadian musical. Other Canadian credits include Queen For A Day, Dracula A Chamber Musical, Baco Noir, Maggie, Bittergirl The Musical, Colours in the Storm, Jasper Station, The 27 Club, and Anne of Green Gables. West End credits include Jesus Christ Superstar (The Really Useful Group) and Miss Saigon (Cameron Macintosh). Other stage credits include Dear Evan Hansen (Mirvish/Michael Greif), Magic To Do (Stephan Schwartz/Gabriel Barre). TV and film credits include “Designated Survivor” (ABC Network), “The Handmaid’s Tale” (MGM Studios), Titans (Warner Bros) and “The Unbelieveable with Dan Akroyd.”
KAYLEE HARWOOD (Fury). Recent credits include: Titanique (Mirvish/Segal); Kiss Me, Kate (Drayton). Other: The Invisible (Catalyst, The Grand); Controlled Damage (The Grand); Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (1st & 2nd National Tours, Arts Club, Stage West); Radio City Christmas Spectacular; Serving Elizabeth (Theatre Aquarius); Cabaret, Trifles, The Light in the Piazza (Shaw Festival); Camelot (Stratford Festival); Jesus Christ Superstar (Broadway/Stratford/La Jolla Playhouse); Les Misérables (Arts Club); Sweeney Todd (Citadel); also Musical Stage Company, Niagara Symphony Orchestra. Film/TV: “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” “Workin’ Moms,” “Reign,” “Good Witch,” Christmas Movie Magic, Mayday, Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, “America’s Got Talent,” “The View,” “The Tony Awards.” Kaylee recently directed The Musical Stage Company’s productions of UnCovered: Fleetwood Mac & The Eagles, UnCovered: U2 & The Rolling Stones and Retold (Dora nomination), as well as Theatre Sheridan’s In Studio. www.kayleeharwood.com
ARINEA HERMANS (Fury) is a Dora-nominated singer and actor. She has loved LIFE AFTER since she first saw it at the Toronto Fringe years ago, and can’t believe she gets to be a part of the show now. Recent credits include: Oliver, Chicago, Into the Woods (YES Theatre); Pollyanna (Theatre Aquarius); Murder at Ackerton Manor (Tweed & Co.); Grow (The Grand Theatre); The Adventures of Pinocchio, Seussical (Young People’s Theatre – Dora Nominations for both); Obeah Opera (Luminato Festival); UnCovered (The Musical Stage Co.). Arinea is a graduate of Sheridan College’s Bachelor of Music Theatre Program.
ISIDORA KECMAN (Swing) is beyond excited to be returning home from the Big Apple to make her Mirvish debut alongside this incredible cast. Select theatre credits include Rooted (Toronto Fringe), Flying Lovers of Vitebsk (WJT), The Louder We Get (Theatre Calgary), Chicago (The Globe Theatre), Kelly v. Kelly (CMTP/Musical Stage Company). She has been trying to weasel her way into this show since she first fell in love with it in 2017, and she’s very happy to have finally succeeded! @isidorakecman
ZOË O’CONNOR (Fury) is beyond excited to be a part of this beautiful and compelling story. Born and raised in Bermuda, Zoë is a Toronto based artist. Selected credits: Frozen (Neptune Theatre); Into the Woods (Grove Theatre); Jack! A Beanstalk Panto (Capitol Theatre Port Hope); Cabaret (Ovation Productions); Jenny’s House of Joy (Foster Festival); 9 to 5 (Stage West Calgary); Jersey Boys (Thousand Islands Playhouse); Mamma Mia! (Tweed & Co); Ghost the Musical (Starvox Entertainment); Happy End, Casimir and Caroline (Theatre Sheridan). Training Sheridan College Honours Bach. Music Theatre Performance.
EVA PETRIS (Swing) is thrilled to be making her Mirvish debut! Born and raised in Montreal, she has performed on stages across Canada. Most recently, she co-created and starred in Christmas Clichés: A Sisterly Cabaret and played Ali in Mamma Mia! at Thousand Islands Playhouse. Select theatre credits include: Ascalaphus/Greek Chorus in Mythic: An Immortal Rock Musical (Segal Centre, Montreal); Rogers & Hammerstein’s A Grand Night for Singing and Mrs. Phelps in Matilda (North Stage); Nerva in Fatal Charade (Elkabong, Toronto Fringe); two seasons as Philippa Gordon in Anne & Gilbert: The Musical (The Guild, Charlottetown, PEI); the title role in Captain Aurora: A Superhero Musical (Montreal Fringe & Wildside); Divine Intervention (Atlantic Fringe); Val in A Chorus Line: In Concert; and Godspell (Beautiful City Theatre).
JULIA PULO (Hannah). After performing as Anne Boleyn in the original Canadian cast of SIX last season, Julia is very excited to return to Mirvish in this beautiful and important show! Born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario. Training: Sheridan Honours Bachelor Music Theatre Performance (graduating class of 2023). Select theatre credits: Dorothy in Ross Petty’s Wizard of Oz (Canadian Stage), Lucy in Narnia (Bad Hats Theatre); Polly in Polly Peel (Theatre Sheridan); Constance in Ride the Cyclone (Tweed &Co). TV/Film: Bakugan (SpinMaster), “Teletubbies” (WildBrain/Netflix). @_juliapulia
