Cast and Creatives

 

 

Talita Angwarmasse graduated in Performing Arts in 2001 from the school 'Lucia Marthas' in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Talita made her professional debut in the musical industry performing as Ensemble and 'Sister of Toney Manero' in the Dutch version of Saturday Night Fever, produced by Joop van den Ende Theater Produkties and choreographed by Sarah Miles. Between 2001 and 2003, Talita was part of the Original European Cast of Disney's Musical Aida, in which she understudied and effectively played the part of 'Amneris' and 'Nehebka'. Consequently, Talita decided to go and explore the German Musical Scene. She made her German debut in Miami Nights (Dusseldorf), in which she played the leading part of 'Laura'. Talita kept on working in Germany the following years. Between 2003 and 2004, she was 'Annette' in Saturday Night Fever, directed by Alex Balga and choreographed by Arlene Phillips (Thomas Krauth Productions, Dusseldorf). Back in Holland, between 2004 and 2005, Talita was on tour around the country with the musical Love Me Just a Little Bit More, in which she played the part of 'Tina'. Consequently, Talita performed the part of ' Maria Magdalena' in Jesus Christ Superstar, produced by Stadttheater Bolzano in Italy. Between 2006 and 2007, she was one of the soloists in Beatles in Concert, accompanied by the 60-piece orchestra of the Dutch Royal Air Force, the producer (under the musical direction of Jos Pommer / Choreography by Patrick Kiens). In 2007-2008 Talita was playing the part of 'Mabel' in the musical Fame, produced by V en V Entertainment, for which she was nominated for a Johnny Kraaijkamp Musical Award in the catagory 'Best supporting actress in a large musical'. Most recently Talita was playing the part of "Rusty" in the dutch version of the musical Footloose Directed and choreographed by Martin Michel, for which she was once again nominated for a Johnny Kraaijkamp Musical Award in the catagory best supporting actress in a large musical.  At the moment Talita is a Soloist in the concert tour of the Royal Airforce Orchestra 'Concert for Freedom'. 

 


 

Aisata Blackman started singing at the age of fifteen and was inspired by R&B music from the nineties, such as Boys II Men, Silk, Xscape, EnVogue, Jade and soloists such as Johnny Gill and Mary J. Blige.  She started a close-harmony group ‘Essential’ with three friends. She also joined the Lion King Academy between 2003 and 2005.   After six years the group finished performing together and Aisata worked on several new projects such as the ‘Young Gifted & Black Piano Tour”, “Roots & Routes”,” Idols 2006” and “Calypso/Road March Contest”. She also did backing vocals and guest performances such as La Rouge(kawina), Lange Frans & Baas B(HipHop), Mischa Daniels(dance), Orvillle Breeveld (Jazz/Caribisch/Funk/Soul), Claudio Blackman (Urban, Dance) and Dave Imbrechts (Soul/Pop/Gospel).  Aisata enjoys and performs many styles of music and she looks forward to being a part of the cast of Soul of Motown III. 

 

 

Cosmea Panka is an all-round singer, who sings genres like R&B, soul, gospel,jazz and classical. She made her debut in 1996 with her professional career by singing in the gospel choir of Gordon during his tour for NCRV.  Then she began singing in various configurations, inlcuding the Miracle City Singers gospel group and Breeze, all of which performed in national and international theatres and festivals.  Some highlights: the wedding of Ruud and Estelle Gullit, a duet with gospel singer Edwin Hawkins, known composer of the song 'Oh Happy Day," at the festival Holland Symfonia (2007), The Sziget Soul & Gospel Festival in Hungary (2007).  Also, Cosmea was a member of the 'Lichtpuntjes' for two years at the Winter Efteling. Cosmea performed live in the TV shows "De Wereld Draait Door" and "Vrije Geluiden". She took classes at the Lion King College for two years. In 2009 Cosmea was one of the lead singers of Soul of Motown II.   



 

Brandon Delagraentiss is an American actor, singer, and director from Houston, Texas.  As a child, he wrote theatrical skits and performed with his family in an inspirational version of The Jackson 5, called The Delagraentiss 7.  He majored in Theatre Performance at the University of Houston and had private instruction at the Moores School of Music.  After college, he starred in the broadway musical DREAMGIRLS as "James 'Thunder' Early."  He also hosted and produced his own local television show.  Brandon has toured the U.S., directed and starred in a musical in Los Angeles, and starred in the Off-Broadway musicals Nat King Cole & Me and Pure Gospel America.  Since moving to Europe, Brandon performed at the World Cup 2006, recorded two cd's, and has performed in Spain, Germany, Italy, and Belgium.  In The Netherlands, he performed at the Royal Carre' Theatre, starred in Little Shop of Horrors- directed by Barrie Stevens, and toured with Dutch soul band MotownHead.  Brandon is back as the Host of Soul of Motown, after hosting Part II in 2009, and reminds everyone that, "The Sky Is Not The Limit." www.BrandonDelagraentiss.com 

 

 

Jorginho Paunussa his love for music and singing started from a young age.  Big names such as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Micheal Jackson have inspired him from the beginning.  He received training at the famed Lion King School.  He is one of the members of the group Gospel Flavour and he sings in the gospel formation Miracle City Singers.  He is also doing the background vocals for Linda Wagenmakers, Leona Fillipo, and Sharon Kips.  In 2009 Jorginho was one of the lead singers in Soul of Motown II.  "All thanks to God!"  

 

 
 
 
Jeffrey Zuhdy is a multi talent. He graduated from the conservatory, both as a singer and guitarist, but also plays piano and is a talented arranger. Jeffrey has been making music all his life, being very succesfull as singer of the a capella band Montezuma's Revenge. With this group he has toured around theaters in the Netherlands and abroad for more than 7 years and they also participated in the National Eurovision Song Contest. Jeffrey was also part of the a capella group Intrmzzo and various pop and soul bands, like Funk Generator and Souls Rock-It. Besides always working on composing his own music and playing in various cover bands, he also lends his voice for cartoons and animated movies, as well as radio and TV commercials. Jeffrey also gives vocal workshops and works as a certified teacher in both vocals- and guitarlessons. Being on stage however is the place Jeffrey loves to be most ! He was one of the leadsingers in Soul of Motown II and again Jeffrey will be able to show you his talent and love for soul music in Soul of Motown III. www.myspace.com/jeffzuhdy 

 


 
 
 

Shari Labadie started singing and dancing at a young age. She started with the premilinary training  ballet, jazz,  popshowmusical, tap, singing and acting classes at the Dance Academy Lucia Marthas between 1992 and 2000. She did different shows since 1992 such as: Mini playback show (Germany/Netherlands);Sound mix show; Foster Parents TV show (Germany/Netherlands); fashionshows (Germany); Call tv for kids presentation at Veronica TV. In 2004 she started with the Dance Academy Lucia Marthas at the Hanze University Groningen and she graduated her bachelor in 2008. In 2007 she toured with the Dutch tour of ‘Bubbling Brown Sugar’ as member of the ensemble. After her graduation she went to the USA to be part of a television show ‘Welcome to Dreamland’. Also she was seen in the Christmas tour of Ruth Jacott as singer and dancer and as dancer in the ‘Toppers’ concerts. Now her focus is on singing and she is working on her first album.

 

 

 

Giovanni Eduard Menig started with his first dancing, singing and acting classes at the age of 13.Graduated in 2008 from the CIOS MBO Dance College in Haarlem. He followed singing and acting classes at the National Youth Musical Theater( NJMT). He played along in the family musicals of the Njmt, " Hundred And One Dalmatians, The Wizard of OZ, Cinderella and Narnia The Musical (Mr. Beaver). He was a swing in the Joop van den Ende Musical 'Tarzan'. Giovanni Loves to work with childeren  thats way he works as a jazz / musical teacher at the Amsterdam Dance Center and the National Youth MusicalTheater. He choreographed the teen musical " Coming Out '' and the children musical " Dip and Dap". Giovanni lives for dancing and the theatre. 

 

 
CREATIVES
 
Director
 
 
 

David A. Tobin the youngest of 8 children had no other choice but to be an entertainer!
David has been singing since the age of 6. The house he grew up in was filled with music. His mother listening and singing old gospel hymns or maybe a Nat King Cole record. His older brother Charles playing Sly and the Family Stone, War and Stevie Wonder while his magical musical sister Cat (Cathy) played Earth, Wind and Fire, The Ohio Players, Carole King, The Emotions, Ashford & Simpson, Phoebie Snow and so many more. Even his father playing Lou Rawls and old Muddy Waters Records. Music was everywhere and David took all of these in to his heart mind and soul.
While other kids where playing out side David was listening to the radio and watching his favorite artist on TV living out all he wanted to do… perform in front of a live audience. The early years in school where spent in every place their was music. The choir, gospel choir and special vocal groups (David was the president) is where David got the foundation for his life as a vocal musician. While still in his early years in school David made his way to join the Trenton Artist Showcase Theater Company and The Trenton Civic Opera Company. La Boheme, Rigoletto, Trial by Jury, The Magic Flute, The Mikado, Showboat, The King and I and The Adventures of A Country Mouse (David was the villain, Hugo the Rat) all allowed David to grow as a artist quickly.

Just out of High School David won his first recording contract in a city wide talent show. Though he won he never recorded a single note. Disappointed, David hosted a weekly talent show where A&R director Nelson Roman came to see him perform. Within the next few weeks David was in the studio. Writing came naturally for him. One week after recording a new song Plaything, David was on his way to New York and on the radio came his voice. The next week he was signed to Big Beat/Atlantic Records. Recording singles for the next two years. This was a good move for David but it still was not what he longed for. He wanted to be back on the stage.

David and the late pope John Paul IIDavid and the late pope John Paul II

The change came when he audition and got a spot to tour with the world´s biggest gospel touring show The Harlem Gospel Singers. The first 2 years David was a singer in the show. The 3rd year is the year that David stepped into the front as the Choir Director and Vocal Arranger. Two cd's later , one television special (David was the Musical Director) a host of wonderful first, like performing for the late John Paul II 4 times or being the first Gospel Group to close the Montreal Jazz Festival. Performing at Fords Theater for a month run and going back to perform for President Clinton or even sealing over a million copies of a cd's that David produced all have been great achievements in his career, something was still missing. The music he had been doing was not the really the way David wanted to produce a show or music, it was time for him to move on.
David had now moved on to Bottom Line records where he recorded many singles and recently released the dance cd Who Do You Love (available via iTunes). Back in New York and no long on the road David went back to his first love the stage. Directing a one women show Chewing the Fat gave him a taste for directing and gave him a new gold. This time it would be on his terms. His first show he wrote landed at the legendary John Houseman Theater in New York off Broadway.  In this time David also found time to be apart of and Direct at Royal Albert Hall in London.

Scene from 'A Pure Gospel Christmas' at the Ensemble Theatre HoustonScene from A Pure Gospel Christmas at the Ensemble Theatre Houston

Not only did he write the show but co directed it, musically directed it and stared in it. A Pure Gospel Christmas won rave reviews from the New York Times and sold out houses loved the music… Tobinized! David followed up with two more off broadway shows. A Pure Gospel Valentine and A Pure Gospel America all receiving great reviews. A Pure Gospel America has been renamed America's Song Book.
A Pure Gospel Christmas was also performed at the largest Black Theater Company in America. The Ensemble Theater in Houston Texas. David flew down to Direct both these show. He also won the Musical Director of the Year. Not only did it break box office records but they asked David back next year with a new show, A Pure Gospel Christmas II, Coming Home, another box office and creative success!

David A. Tobin's 'Ministry of Song'David A. Tobin's Ministry of Song (left to right: Johnny Tune, David A. Tobin, Shaun H. Mykals)

Shortly after this David packed his bags and moved to Germany. The chance to be back on stage and do some of his favorite soul music classics was more than David could turn down. The group Ministry of Song 1st tour set them apart from all other groups in Europe. It was soul music from the heart and soul. Two years later still lives in Germany with a new lot of musical shows. David A. Tobin's Gospel Singers toured for the first time in 2007 and is back this year for a short tour. David A. Tobin's Soul Singers had great success with A Tribute to James Brown. David A. Tobin and Friends and David A. Tobin's Kings of Soul are touring now with dates all over Germany and Europe.  David a has now also been a member of "The Leres Humphrires Singers" and been on German tv for over the last 2 years. 

Musical Director
 
 
 
Kees Douma started his music career at the conservatorium in Groningen where he pursued a major in classical contrabass. When he was 33 years old he started the group “Diep Triest” together with Theo Driessen. Diep Triest turned out to be the number one cover band in the Netherlands.  Now the band had their 15th anniversary with more than 15.000 shows.  In 2003 Diep Triest also performed in the theatre with shows such as “Those Were the Days”, "Fame the musical," and “Soul of Motown”.  Kees Douma has been with Soul of Motown from the beginning and will be responsible for the music again for the third show of Soul of Motown in September 2010. 

Choreografie

 
Marjan Hommes went straight to work, after her study at the Fontys Dance Academie of Musical Theatre, for the Koninklijk Ballet van Vlaanderen, Studio 100 , and Wentink Events.  For television she had a guest part in the dutch soap ‘Goede Tijden Slechte Tijden’.  She did the choreography of the musical 'You 're a Good Man Charlie Brown' by Theatre group Scala.  For Staytuned, she took care of staging various shows.  For the English Musical FAME she was creative assistant, swing and understudly for Lamchops.  She also gave master classes in Musical Mania, founded by Barrie Stevens.  In recent years, she has also been responsible for the choreography and staging of Soul of Motown 1 and 2.  As a dancer she was involved in BinnensteBuiten, a modern production by Germa Scholten.  This year you can see her work in Sportlets theatre tour, Good Vibrations, a tribute to the Beach Boys and The Soul of Motown Goes Middle East.  And, she'll be back to choreograph Soul of Motown III!