Thunderclap Productions presents THE CHOSEN ONES, a John Steven Kellett Memorial Series Production

World Premiere

Aug. 28 – Sept. 6, 2025

Directed & Choreographed by

AISHA USSERY

Music Direction by

PHILLIP D. HALL

August 28-Sept. 6, 2025
MATCH – Matchbox 3
Musical  |  90 minutes (no intermission)
Recommended for older teens & adults

The Story

Thunderclap Productions presents the world premiere of The Chosen Ones, a riveting new musical by Aaron Alon. Heart-wrenching, hilarious, and ultimately unforgettable, the show follows a group of LGBTQ+ teens in a conversion therapy summer camp, led by an “ex-gay” minister. The Chosen Ones is a timely story of living authentically and finding your chosen family, even when the world tells you not to. This world premiere is part of our John Steven Kellett Memorial Series of works relating to LGBTQ+ equity. 

CONTENT WARNING
This show contains adult language, descriptions of sexual acts, and content relating to
conversion therapy, self-harm/suicide, homophobia, and transphobia. 

Performances: August 28 – Sept. 6, 2025

Performances

Aug. 28, 2025 @ 7:30PM
Preview Performance*

Aug. 29, 2025 @7:30PM
Aug. 30, 2025 @7:30PM
Aug. 31, 2025 @2:30PM
Sept. 1, 2025 @7:30PM
Industry Night*

Sept. 4, 2025 @7:30PM
Sept. 5, 2025 @7:30PM
Sept. 6, 2025 @2:30PM
Sept. 6, 2025 @ 7:30PM

Location

MATCH Houston

3400 Main St, Houston, TX 77002
(Location & Parking)

Matchbox 3

Tickets

$25 General Admission | $15 Students

*Tickets are pay-what-you-can on opening preview (Aug. 28, 2025) and $15 for theatre industry professionals on Industry Night (Sept. 1, 2025)

Cast

Nicole Campos (Alex)

Nicole is a 22 year old from Houston, Tx. She is a current student at Sam Houston State University, majoring in Musical Theatre (Dance Emphasis). Regional: Lightning Thief (Swing); Sam Houston State University: Austen’s Pride (Jane Austen); Carrie: The Musical (Chris); She Loves Me (Ensemble/ Amalia Understudy).

Ashley Duplechien (Iris)

Ashley Duplechien, a Louisiana native based in Houston, is a mezzo-soprano trained first at Louisiana State University then at the Royal Academy of Music in London by renowned mezzo-soprano Anne Howells. Ashley’s agile voice has allowed her the privilege to perform a variety of orchestral repertoire as a soloist including Verdi’s Messa da Requiem, Wagner’s Wesendonck Lieder, Bach’s St. John Passion, and Handel’s Messiah. Operatic repertoire includes title role in Rossini’s La Cenerentola, Le Feu in Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges, and Fiordiligi and Dorabella in Mozart’s Così fan tutte. Since 2014, she has been a member of the Houston Grand Opera chorus and holds a leadership role at HOPERA, an immersive classical music initiative emphasizing accessibility and affordability.

Isaac A. Gonzalez (Daniel)

Isaac Gonzalez is a Musical Theatre major from Houston, Texas attending Sam Houston State University. He’s been in college productions such as American Idiot (St. Jimmy understudy), Sweeney Todd (Ensemble/Birdseller), She Loves Me (Swing), and local productions such as Seussical (Cat in the Hat)! He is very excited to be debuting the role of Daniel!

Santiago Pena (Matt)

Santiago is incredibly excited to be a part of The Chosen Ones, playing the role of Matt. He’s a freshman Acting student at the University of Houston. Previous credits include Reefer Madness at the Garden Theatre (Ensemble) and The Wizard of Oz at the Queensbury Theatre (Ensemble). He would like to thank his family for supporting him, his directors for giving him this amazing opportunity, his friends for helping him run lines, and his talented castmates. IG: @santiago.pena04

Christian Tannous (Pastor Noah)

Christian Tannous is a Houston-based actor-director and is thrilled to be making his Thunderclap Productions debut with such an extraordinary new work, cast and production team. Other acting credits around Houston include: And Then There Were None (Understudy) at the Alley, The Sound Inside (Christopher Dunn) at 4th Wall Theatre Co., Kingdom Undone (Jesus of Nazareth) at A.D. Players, and The Wanderers (Abe) at Mildred’s Umbrella. Endless amounts of love and gratitude go to his friends, family and partner — without their relentless love and support, none of this would be possible.

Jordi Viscarri (Caleb)

Jordi Viscarri is a Houston native, currently based out of NYC. Off Broadway: Oh, Soledad, Bomba and The Coquí, Alley Theatre: The Christians, Milton Theatre: Jersey Boys, Stages Houston: Alicia in Wonderland, Panto Little Mermaid, Panto Cinderella, Uptown Players: The View UpStairs, Main Street Theatre: Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus, The Diary of Anne Frank, Lyric Stage: Evita, AD Players: Hero Squad, Houston Grand Opera: Faust. Film credits include Sole Mates and Bully. Jordi has also performed as a Lead Vocalist with Norwegian Cruise Line. He is so excited to continue working on the development of this important show! BFA: Sam Houston State University. @jordi_vel / jordiviscarri.com

Director/
Choreographer

AISHA USSERY

Aisha Ussery, M.Ed. is a choreographer, director, musician, vocalist, songwriter, playwright, and arts educator who enjoys both being on stage and behind the scenes. Regional: TUTS: Mary Poppins (Mrs. Corry), Cinderella (Ensemble, U/S Fairy Godmother and Queen). International: Ain’t Misbehavin’. Local: Once on This Island (TiMoune), Little Shop of Horrors (Chiffon), Two Trains Running (Risa), Parade (Angela). Film: VH1’s 2 Legit: The MC Hammer Story (B Angie B/ MC Hammer dancer). Director/Choreography: A Motown Christmas, Maya Angelou: Phenomenal Woman, The Lawsons: A Civil Rights Love Story, The Twelve Ways of Christmas, and notable others.

Music Director

Phillip D. Hall

A native of Roosevelt, New York, Phillip D. Hall moved to Houston to attend Rice University. After graduating, he opted to begin a teaching career in the Houston Independent School District. An accomplished pianist, he has performed with Aretha Franklin, Delfeayo Marsalis and for Presidents George H.W. Bush and William J. Clinton. Phillip traveled to South Africa to accompany a choir assembled to commemorate Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday. He has served as musical director for productions of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Smokey Joe’s Café, Little Shop of Horrors and Ain’t Misbehavin’. He is in great demand as a gospel pianist in the greater Houston metropolitan area. He’s lent his talents to groups such as the Bay Area Chorus, Trinity Episcopal Church, Clear Lake United Methodist Church and Houston Choral Society. Phillip has been a staff musician at Jones Memorial United Methodist Church for twenty-five years.

Writer/Composer

Aaron Alon (Music, Lyrics, Book, Orchestrations)

Aaron Alon (he/him) is an award-winning composer, writer, director, filmmaker, and teacher. His classical music has been played in concert venues around the world, awarded multiple international awards, and released on several CDs. Since earning his doctorate in composition from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, he has shifted his focus to plays, musicals, films, and short-form YouTube videos. His plays and musicals have been performed around the US and in the UK, and his 2017 feature film musical Bully has been screened in and awarded prizes from film festivals around the world. Aaron was one of six finalists for the 2022 Fred Ebb Awards for musical theatre writers and his musical The Great White Way: the Bert Williams Musical was one of three international finalists for the 2023 Stanley Drama Award. Current projects include recordings of his musicals, as well as new content for his YouTube channel, which has had over 10 million views.  He is a founding member and president of the board of directors of Thunderclap productions. Learn more about Aaron Alon at aaronalon.com.

The Production Team

Ryan Amie (Stage Manager)

Ryan Amie is a Houston Native. Who has been studying and participating in theatre for the last 15 years. He is an HSPVA alumnus and studied briefly at CALARTS before returning to Houston. Some of his recent credits as a Stage Manager include Beatbox: a Raparetta, Twelve Ways of Christmas, and Flex at the Enesemble Theatre. When he is not stage managing, he is an actor and DJ. He is thrilled to be working on this production!