Mating Games

A new musical about ornithology, human desire and female choice. Is male beauty superior genes or just horny propaganda?

What if female choice in nature isn't about selecting the "fittest" male — but simply the one who gives the most pleasure?
Mating Games is a new musical about brilliant ornithologist Samantha, who travels to a steamy bird lab in Papua New Guinea to prove her radical ideas about evolution: that female desire — not just male dominance — has been quietly reshaping species for millions of years. She joins a ragtag team of post-docs who are one mosquito bite away from complete psychological collapse, and together they set out to give Darwin the upgrade he never knew he needed.
Raucous, funny, and surprisingly moving, Mating Games turns the real science of sexual selection into a passionate argument for female autonomy. Think Drunk Planet Earth meets academic existential crisis...with songs!

Featuring:
Kindred Moore, a native of Charleston SC, recently moved to NYC after earning her BFA in Musical Theatre at Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Some of her favorite credits include As You Like It (Rosalind), The Robber Bridegroom (Rosamund), and Into The Woods (Cinderella’s Mother). Most recently she originated the role of Sam in Pleasure Never Lies at PURE Theatre with music and lyrics by Brad Moranz and Marshall Hagins. “All glory to God!” Rep: Clear Talent Group. Instagram: @kindred_moore. Website: kindredmoore.com

Dr. Doug Carpenter holds Vocal Performance degrees from UNLV (BM, DMA) and UCLA (MM). An accomplished classical crossover artist, Doug has won the American Traditions(2011) and Lotte Lenya (2013) competitions. Doug is an Assistant Professor leading the musical theatre program at Christopher Newport University. Selected Credits: Broadway: Nick/Righteous Brother (Beautiful-Carole King Musical). National Tour: Billy (Dirty Dancing). Regional: Papermill Playhouse - Cable (South Pacific), Goodspeed Opera House/Dallas Lyric- Joey (Most Happy Fella), Pasadena Playhouse - Lancelot (Camelot), Penn Shakes/Fullerton Civic Light Opera – Curly (Oklahoma), FCLO - Tony (West Side Story), Moonlight Amphitheatre – Chris (Miss Saigon), Venetian Hotel Casino – Gatsby (Baz), Music Theatre West – Billy (Carousel), Ogunquit- Curtis(Summer of Love), Signature Theatre-Nick(Cloak and Dagger), Laguna Playhouse/Hudson- Skip(Life Could Be A Dream).

Matt Shingledecker is thrilled to bring Mating Games to New York City after having performed in the concert performance and regional premiere of the show in his hometown of Charleston, SC. Select credits include Broadway’s Wicked (Fiyero), West Side Story (Tony - Featured in Arthur Laurent’s Memoir “The Rest of the Story: A Life Completed), Spring Awakening. Off-Broadway: Rent (Roger - Original Revival Cast), Standby. Tour: Les Miserables (Enjolras), Wicked (Fiyero) and Spring Awakening (Georg). West End: Homemade Fusion. Immersive: Dani Girl, Michael Arden’s Adaptation of La Ronde (College Boy), The Golden Lotus, For Madmen Only, Private Lives, The Zoo Story. TV/Film: Blue Bloods, Regis & Kelly (Regis’s Farewell Episode), Seaside, Future 38, Sweet Parents, Grind, Eugenia & John, Barflies. He recently opened the first of Disney’s newest fleet of cruise ships, The Wish, as King Triton in The Little Mermaid and Jafar in Aladdin. BFA in Music Theater from Elon University. Currently developing the role of Simon in a new musical adaptation of Ang Lee’s award-winning film “The Wedding Banquet” currently in its third year touring Taiwan.

Follow him on Instagram for information on future concert dates, upcoming productions, private lessons, coachings, and more: @m_shingledecker

Tiffany Parker is thrilled to be a part of this exciting new project. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Queens University and a JD from Charleston School of Law. When she is not working full time as a government lawyer, she enjoys regional theatre in Charleston, SC.

Maddie Casto is a graduate of Wright State University, where she earned her BFA in Musical Theatre. She has lived and performed from New York to Las Vegas and everywhere in between. Maddie is a proud company member at The Black Fedora Comedy Mystery Theatre and one-quarter owner of the vintage radio theatre company, Shortwave Kitsch.

Favorite regional credits include Miss Hannigan (Annie), Eliza (The Curious Case of the Watson Intelligence), Mattie Fae Aiken (August: Osage County), Widow Corney (Oliver!), DeeDee (The DWord – Las Vegas Cast*), Swill (How I Became a Pirate – National Tour), Marlafaye Mosely (The Savannah Sipping Society), Janet Compton / The Brain (The Brain That Wouldn’t Die – World Premiere), Ollie Fitster (Boogie Woogie Bugle Gals), Ethel Merman (Hollywood! The Golden Age!), and Sarah Ferguson (My Princess Diana).

Many thanks to Brad, Marshall, Jenny, and this wonderful cast and crew for such a special experience. Much love to Eileen, Dad, and her Daniel. For Mom, always. And to the very best role she’s ever played — being Mommy to Isla Rose. 143

Sabrina Marlene is an award winning vocalist and professional entertainer of over 25 years. Sabrina was part of the original reading of Mating Games mounted in SC and is excited to bring it to NYC! She has served as Associate Director to Broadways Jeff Whiting for the 85th and 86th reimagined seasons of the Lost Colony and as Vocal Director for the highly awarded theme park, Busch Gardens Williamsburg. She has performed and helped to mount productions off-Broadway, on cruise ships, national tours, national resorts, and regional theatres all over the country. When she is not Directing, Vocal Coaching or Performing on stage, she can be found with local party band DysFunkTion. Credits include: Ars Nova, Goodspeed Opera House, Holland America Line, The Virginia Opera, The Gaylord National, Westchester Broadway Theatre, and more. *Member of AEA and winner of 2018 IAAPA for Best Performer World Wide.