| "The cast . . .gives an enjoyable performance . . . .Hankins has assembled a group of entertainers whose individual and combined talents infuse the production with an honest enthusiasm and real fun." Agnes E. Green, Spring Creek Sun NY (Click to read Review) |
| THE COOKING THE BOOKS CAST |
| Left to Right: Angel Martinez, Ann Estill, Erika Staples |
Angel Martinez ("Harold Johnson, CEO"),
a government and politics graduate of St. John's University, is a poet, writer and actor. He studied acting at the Raul Julia Drama Unit (The Puerto Rican Traveling
Theatre) and Henry Street Settlement. His published books of poetry include "Spirit, Fire and Flower", as well as, poetry in publications such as, "The Generator"
and "El Grito de la Juventud". He has also been a poetry programmer for CHRY FM, York University in Toronto.
"Angel Martinez plays with conviction the lead role as the shady businessperson." Agnes E. Green, Spring Creek Sun (Click to read review)
Ann Estill ("'Lethal' Liz Carson"),
a Coloratura Soprano, holds a B.M. Degree from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan and is the recipient of the Doctor of Arts degree in Voice
Performance from New York University. She made her European debut as "The Queen of the Night" in Mozart's THE MAGIC FLUTE in Rome, Italy. She has
performed on Network and Cable TV, as well as, in over sixty Oratorios, including Bernstein's MASS at Kennedy Center, Washington, DC, Carl Orff's CARMINA
BURANA at Wolf Trap Farm for the Performing Arts and was in the cast of Scott Joplin's TREEMONISHA at Wolf Trap.
She has performed numerous recitals and presented a recital of opera and operetta arias and duets in Vienna, Austria with her sister, Jeni, touring as "The
Coloratura Sisters". She has participated with the Amato Opera Theater, Henry Street Opera Workshop, Essex County and Garden State Opera Companies, NYU
Opera Workshop and the American Institute of Musical Studies, Graz, Austria. "Dr. Ann's" roles include ZERBINETTA, GILDA, OSCAR, DESPINA and AMAHL.
"Coloratura soprano, Ann Estill . . . gives a sidesplitting performance as 'Lethal Liz'." Agnes E. Green, Spring Creek Sun (Click to read review)
Erika Staples ("Olivia Carson"),
cousin to Jacqueline, is a Spanish and International Studies graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Following the university, she served as an
Officer in the U.S. Air Force. It was during this stint that she began focusing more on her Performing Arts passion and decided she wanted to pursue acting
fulltime. After several small independent films and theatre projects, she now makes her New York debut in "Cooking The Books".
"Newcomer Erika Staples delivers the goods as she performs in her first New York production."
Agnes E. Green, Spring Creek Sun (Click to read review)
a government and politics graduate of St. John's University, is a poet, writer and actor. He studied acting at the Raul Julia Drama Unit (The Puerto Rican Traveling
Theatre) and Henry Street Settlement. His published books of poetry include "Spirit, Fire and Flower", as well as, poetry in publications such as, "The Generator"
and "El Grito de la Juventud". He has also been a poetry programmer for CHRY FM, York University in Toronto.
"Angel Martinez plays with conviction the lead role as the shady businessperson." Agnes E. Green, Spring Creek Sun (Click to read review)
Ann Estill ("'Lethal' Liz Carson"),
a Coloratura Soprano, holds a B.M. Degree from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan and is the recipient of the Doctor of Arts degree in Voice
Performance from New York University. She made her European debut as "The Queen of the Night" in Mozart's THE MAGIC FLUTE in Rome, Italy. She has
performed on Network and Cable TV, as well as, in over sixty Oratorios, including Bernstein's MASS at Kennedy Center, Washington, DC, Carl Orff's CARMINA
BURANA at Wolf Trap Farm for the Performing Arts and was in the cast of Scott Joplin's TREEMONISHA at Wolf Trap.
She has performed numerous recitals and presented a recital of opera and operetta arias and duets in Vienna, Austria with her sister, Jeni, touring as "The
Coloratura Sisters". She has participated with the Amato Opera Theater, Henry Street Opera Workshop, Essex County and Garden State Opera Companies, NYU
Opera Workshop and the American Institute of Musical Studies, Graz, Austria. "Dr. Ann's" roles include ZERBINETTA, GILDA, OSCAR, DESPINA and AMAHL.
"Coloratura soprano, Ann Estill . . . gives a sidesplitting performance as 'Lethal Liz'." Agnes E. Green, Spring Creek Sun (Click to read review)
Erika Staples ("Olivia Carson"),
cousin to Jacqueline, is a Spanish and International Studies graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Following the university, she served as an
Officer in the U.S. Air Force. It was during this stint that she began focusing more on her Performing Arts passion and decided she wanted to pursue acting
fulltime. After several small independent films and theatre projects, she now makes her New York debut in "Cooking The Books".
"Newcomer Erika Staples delivers the goods as she performs in her first New York production."
Agnes E. Green, Spring Creek Sun (Click to read review)
Jacqueline Hankins ("Kenya Johnson", Producer, Composer, Stage & Film Director, Film Editor)
is a graduate of Boston Conservatory and has enjoyed a 27-year career in which she has toured the United States,
Europe, the Caribbean and performed in Kenya, Iceland and the former Soviet Union. In addition to being a much
sought after pianist, singer, actress and singer-dancer, two critically acclaimed albums, "Christmas Joy" and "Let's
Dance to Blues, Swing and Latin Music" were released in Europe. Fluent in German and French, she also sings in
Italian and Yiddish.
An accomplished orchestrator, music director, lyricist, composer, she has composed a series of folk operas she
calls "Hip Hop Musical Mysteries". The critically acclaimed "A Murder At The Church", produced June 2002, was the
first. "Cooking The Books: A Recipe For Murder" is the second in the series.
"Two things about Jacqueline Hankins: she is lacking for neither talent nor energy."
Gene Kilik, Town & Village (Click to read Review)
". . . Jacqueline Hankins is energetic, active, convincing."
Mario Fratti, America Oggi (Click to read Review)
"Multiple-threat Hankins directs with masterful musical cabaret panache."
Jeanette Toomer, Backstage NY (Click to read Review)
is a graduate of Boston Conservatory and has enjoyed a 27-year career in which she has toured the United States,
Europe, the Caribbean and performed in Kenya, Iceland and the former Soviet Union. In addition to being a much
sought after pianist, singer, actress and singer-dancer, two critically acclaimed albums, "Christmas Joy" and "Let's
Dance to Blues, Swing and Latin Music" were released in Europe. Fluent in German and French, she also sings in
Italian and Yiddish.
An accomplished orchestrator, music director, lyricist, composer, she has composed a series of folk operas she
calls "Hip Hop Musical Mysteries". The critically acclaimed "A Murder At The Church", produced June 2002, was the
first. "Cooking The Books: A Recipe For Murder" is the second in the series.
"Two things about Jacqueline Hankins: she is lacking for neither talent nor energy."
Gene Kilik, Town & Village (Click to read Review)
". . . Jacqueline Hankins is energetic, active, convincing."
Mario Fratti, America Oggi (Click to read Review)
"Multiple-threat Hankins directs with masterful musical cabaret panache."
Jeanette Toomer, Backstage NY (Click to read Review)
LeRoy Hankins ("Prison Guard/Hitman", "'Lethal' Liz's Nephew"),
cousin to Jacqueline, has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. He repeats his position as conductor and
sound engineer, having made his debut in "A Murder At The Church". With "Cooking The Books", he makes his
acting debut. The saying goes: "If you hang around Jacqueline long enough, you're in the picture."
He has played in various popular bands, including The blue Notes, Hank Ballard and The Midnighters, Frank
Cornelius of the Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose, Herman Kelly and Life Beat, Timmy Thomas and Leon Parker.
Recently, he has branched out to performing his own music. His songwriting and stage performances blend world
beat, pop and inspirational influences. Check out his CD's, ANTERIAN, THE ANTERIAN EXPERIENCE and IN THE
SHADOW. You will hear his refreshing message of peace, love, harmony and balance.
cousin to Jacqueline, has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. He repeats his position as conductor and
sound engineer, having made his debut in "A Murder At The Church". With "Cooking The Books", he makes his
acting debut. The saying goes: "If you hang around Jacqueline long enough, you're in the picture."
He has played in various popular bands, including The blue Notes, Hank Ballard and The Midnighters, Frank
Cornelius of the Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose, Herman Kelly and Life Beat, Timmy Thomas and Leon Parker.
Recently, he has branched out to performing his own music. His songwriting and stage performances blend world
beat, pop and inspirational influences. Check out his CD's, ANTERIAN, THE ANTERIAN EXPERIENCE and IN THE
SHADOW. You will hear his refreshing message of peace, love, harmony and balance.
Mike Bryant ("Tommy Hall"),
cousin to Jacqueline and a native North Carolinian, has recently returned to New York City after living and working
in Barcelona, Spain where he studied Spanish and Catalan at Universitat de Barcelona. He received a Bachelor of
Arts degree from New York University.
He has appeared in Off-Broadway productions such as "Who Collects the Pain" at Theatre for the New City and
"Hair" at Theatre 22. He also appeared on Nickelodeon's "Don't Just Sit There". In addition to his camera work,
Mykeko was murdered in Jacqueline's first Hip Hop Musical Mystery, "A Murder At The Church", and is thrilled to be
murdered again in "Cooking The Books: A Recipe For Murder".
cousin to Jacqueline and a native North Carolinian, has recently returned to New York City after living and working
in Barcelona, Spain where he studied Spanish and Catalan at Universitat de Barcelona. He received a Bachelor of
Arts degree from New York University.
He has appeared in Off-Broadway productions such as "Who Collects the Pain" at Theatre for the New City and
"Hair" at Theatre 22. He also appeared on Nickelodeon's "Don't Just Sit There". In addition to his camera work,
Mykeko was murdered in Jacqueline's first Hip Hop Musical Mystery, "A Murder At The Church", and is thrilled to be
murdered again in "Cooking The Books: A Recipe For Murder".
Loretta Poole ("Mama Hall"),
cousin to Jacqueline, has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Drama from Hampton Institute in Hampton, VA
and a Master of Science in Education, specializing in instructional systems technology from Indiana University,
Bloomington. Presently, she is the Chief Compliance Officer for the Yonkers Public Schools.
A wiz at vocal imitation, Loretta recorded four character voices on the cast album of "A Murder At The Church",
Jacqueline's first musical mystery. Also in "Murder", she filmed much of the sequences. She makes her
on-screen acting debut with "Cooking The Books".
cousin to Jacqueline, has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Drama from Hampton Institute in Hampton, VA
and a Master of Science in Education, specializing in instructional systems technology from Indiana University,
Bloomington. Presently, she is the Chief Compliance Officer for the Yonkers Public Schools.
A wiz at vocal imitation, Loretta recorded four character voices on the cast album of "A Murder At The Church",
Jacqueline's first musical mystery. Also in "Murder", she filmed much of the sequences. She makes her
on-screen acting debut with "Cooking The Books".
Anna Hill ("Abigail Morris, Corporate Attorney")
After a hiatus, this writer, actress and singer made her return to her first love, the theatre, in Jacqueline Hankins' Hip
Hop Musical Mystery, "Cooking The Books: A Recipe For Murder", with her critically acclaimed portrayal of a
corporate lawyer. She finds her critically acclaimed role in "A Weapon Most Unusual", as the Barfly witness,
challenging and fun.
"The cast has fine expressive voices. Anna Hill who plays the lawyer and Angel Martinez who plays
the shady entrepreneur who is a sucker for a conniving woman are particularly fine singers."
Gene Kilik, Town and Village NYC
After a hiatus, this writer, actress and singer made her return to her first love, the theatre, in Jacqueline Hankins' Hip
Hop Musical Mystery, "Cooking The Books: A Recipe For Murder", with her critically acclaimed portrayal of a
corporate lawyer. She finds her critically acclaimed role in "A Weapon Most Unusual", as the Barfly witness,
challenging and fun.
"The cast has fine expressive voices. Anna Hill who plays the lawyer and Angel Martinez who plays
the shady entrepreneur who is a sucker for a conniving woman are particularly fine singers."
Gene Kilik, Town and Village NYC
