Emily Padgett-Young's performance career spans two decades and six Broadway shows, most recently as the original Mrs. Bucket in the musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s "Charlie and The Chocolate Factory," directed by Jack O’Brien.
Drawing upon her Southern roots, Emily played a key role in Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s first musical, "Bright Star," from its performances at the Kennedy Center through to its Tony-nominated Broadway run. Similarly, she participated in Bill Condon’s reimagined revival of "Side Show," portraying Daisy Hilton from its development at The La Jolla Playhouse, where she was awarded The San Diego Critics Circle Award for Best Actress in a Musical, to The Kennedy Center, earning a Helen Hayes Award nomination, and finally Broadway’s St. James Theatre.
Emily was part of the original cast of the recent Broadway revival of "Grease" and played Sandy on its first National Tour. A true "triple threat" performer, she toured the U.S. and Mexico as Demeter in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s "Cats" and originated the role of Alex in the musical adaptation of the 80’s classic, "Flashdance". Her dance prowess led to a Chita Rivera Award nomination for her role as Helene in the recent revival of "Sweet Charity," performing alongside Tony Award Winner, Sutton Foster.
Emily has recently joined the voice faculty at Missouri State University, having previously served on the vocal coaching faculty at Oakland University, where she also taught Musical Theatre Dance.
Josh Young
Prior to his TONY-nominated Broadway debut as Judas Iscariot in Jesus
Christ Superstar, Josh had the distinction of playing the role of Marius in Cameron Macintosh’s Les Miserables and in more subsequent productions than any other actor. He went on to originate the role of John Newton on Broadway in the world premiere of Amazing Grace. Josh was awarded the Broadway World Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his turn as Che in the North American Tour of the Olivier Award-winning revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita, directed by Michael Grandage. Josh was a company member of The Stratford Festival for two seasons, the rare American to be given the opportunity at this world-renowned institution. It was Stratford’s production of the Des McAnuff re-imagined Jesus Christ Superstar that brought Josh back to the states. Regionally, Josh’s performance as Tateh in Ragtime earned him the prestigious IRNE Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He’s performed in North America's finest regional theaters including La Jolla Playhouse, Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre, Walnut Street Theater, St. Louis MUNY, Baltimore Center Stage, Ogunquit Playhouse, San Diego Repertory Theatre, Huston’s Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS), DC’s Shakespeare Theatre Company and North Carolina Theatre. He's been involved in new works with NYC's Roundabout Theatre Company, The Transport Group, and The New York Musical Theater Festival. Josh can be heard on numerous albums, including the original cast recording of Amazing Grace and on his two solo albums: Still Dreaming of Paradise and his self-titled debut album, Josh Young - several songs of which have been used by championship figure skaters, Megan Duhamel and Eric Radford. Josh is the Coordinator of Musical Theatre at Missouri State University having just left Oakland University where he led the musical theater program for the past four years.
