ZEPHYR BENSON / Writer, Director and Actor

Zephyr Benson makes his feature screenwriting and directorial debut in March 2015 with his bold and gritty drama “Straight Outta Tompkins” (Indican Pictures). Taking place in New York City’s Lower East Side, “Straight Outta Tompkins” follows the story of a young high schooler (Benson) who is recruited by a known drug dealer and inevitably becomes entwined with his inner city drug ring. “Straight Outta Tompkins” was filmed entirely in Manhattan over the course of less than 20 days and with an impressive ultra-low budget of $160,000.  He also will appear in the upcoming independent drama, “Coming Through the Rye,” the story of two teenagers and their search for elusive author JD Salinger (Chris Cooper).  In a pivotal role, Benson plays Gerry Schwartz, the older brother to one of the teens.  Benson was born in California in 1992 to singer/actress Karla DeVito and multi-hyphenate talent Robby Benson. Surrounded by a loving family he felt most at home in NYC when his parents relocated there in 2004 to debut their musical ‘Open Heart’ at The Cherry Lane Theater, with Benson as the voice of Adam. But it wasn’t until age 16, while working as a production assistant in all departments on his father’s film “Billy,” starring Armie Hammer, where he fell in love with every aspect of production. Back in New York, Benson attended an unconventional Arts high school which allowed him the freedom to participate in his dad’s highly sought after senior level filmmaking courses at New York University. Upon graduation, he entered NYU/Tisch Filmmaking and Television class of 2014.  After a short time and at only 18 years old, Benson opted to leave the University and pursue his passion project – writing and producing his own film based on his  experiences and people he interacted with on the Lower East Side. From there, and one year later, “Straight Outta Tompkins” was born.  Benson still lives in New York City and is busy writing and developing several projects for Lyric Films: an edgy, dark comedic series about a young artist in NYC; an untitled horror feature set in Brooklyn; and producing the screenplay ‘Garth Garmen’ - a palpable, revealing look at the insanity within the worldwide pharmaceutical industry. Zephyr Benson is president of Lyric Films, in partnership with his executive producing team Benson Rudd Benson, David Rudd and Robby Benson.

David Rudd is a Los Angeles based Producer, Director and Director of Photography with over 30 years experience.  Credits include features, commercials, promos and music videos.  Directing Commercial Campaigns for Nissan, Infiniti, Thomasville Furniture, Nutrilte, Community Hospital of Monterey and Crest.  Directing Live performances for Transiberian Orchestra and Cirque Du Soleil.  Protographing Commercails for McDonalds, Discover Card, Ameritech, AT&T, Captain D’s and Cincinatti Bell.  Feature films credits include Keeper of the Pinstripes, Billy, Wisteria, The Grey Man and Captain Nuke and the Bomber Boys.  Television credits include ABC’s Ugly Betty, Comedy Central and Happy Madison’s Pretend Time, PBS’s Sting: Inside the Songs of Sacred Love, Sting: All This Time, Sting: Songs from the Labyrinth.  Over 200 music videos and live shows including Sting, Metallica, Keith Urban, Dave Matthews, Rolling Stones, David Bowie and John Mayer.

ROBBY BENSON / Executive Producer

Robby Benson has written, produced and directed feature films and television series for 40 years, including directing over 100 sitcom episodes, most notably for Friends and Ellen. A musician and composer, he wrote the iconic “We Are Not Alone” for John Hughes’ seminal film The Breakfast Club.  Most recently he produced Lyric’s Love Light Revolution (2012) for his daughter, Lyric Benson. He is a two time Golden Globe nominated actor. He starred in Jeremy, Ode to Billy Joe, Ice Castles, Tribute, Harry and Son, Running Brave, The Chosen, and is the voice of Beast in Disney’s Academy Award winning Beauty and the Beast.  On Broadway he starred in Zelda, The Rothchilds and Joseph Papp’s Pirates of Penzance, where he met his wife, singer/actress Karla DeVito.  In 2007 he wrote the best-selling Who Stole the Funny? A Novel of Hollywood (Harper Collins) and in 2012 the multimedia medical memoir, I’m Not Dead…Yet!  At age 19, working with his father, Robby sold his first original screenplay for the basketball classic One on One to Warner Brothers, and is thrilled to be continuing that family tradition collaborating with his son, Zephyr Benson. 

ADONIS RODRIGUEZ / Ivan

Adonis Rodriquez is a Brooklyn born and raised actor making his feature film debut in STRAIGHT OUTTA TOMPKINS.  After ditching a pre law political science major, he found his true passion in acting and attended the New York Film Academy.  There, he immersed himself in the world of acting and filmmaking and hasn’t looked back.

Jon McCormick film credits include Further Lane (2009), Poetry Man (2010), Greenwood.  His Off Broadway stage credits include Luke in Phantom Killer, Abingdon Theatre Company. Chi in Tuesday Night Poker, Theatre Row. Garcin in No Exit, 59E59. His Off Off Broadway stage credits include Jake in happYouth, The Gene Frankle Theatre. Grazy in Revolution on the Roof, NY Fringe Festival. Turner in Thunder Rock, ReGroup Theatre Company. His other credits include Laertes/Guildenstern in 3D Hamlet, and A Lost Generation, Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

MICHAEL STEINMETZ / Bobby

Mike Steinmetz film credits include Not Fade Away (2012) (Dir. David Chase), the indie feature I Don't Want to Kill Myself (2011) and for television Unforgettable (CBS). He is a proud member of the Pipeline Theatre Company and of the band Miko and the Musket. Graduate of NYU Tisch.

Angelina Fiordellisi has acted on Broadway, Off-Broadway, on national tours and in every venue imaginable across the country in about 50 plays. Her film credits include When a Man Loves A Woman, Where The Heart Is, Big Stone Gap, Out Of Darkness, Delusion and Word of Honor. Her television credits include Law & Order, LA Law, Star Trek: TNG, The Cosby Show, Roseanne, Thunder Alley, The Kennedy Center Honors Program and The New Munsters. Angelina owns and operates the historic Cherry Lane Theatre in Greenwich Village. On Broadway, she won her first Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critic's Circle and Drama League awards for producing the revival of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolff.

CLIFF BEMIS / Headmaster Toddman

Cliff Bemis originated and performed the role of Ezekiel Foster in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas on Broadway and in San Francisco, LA and Detroit. He has worked Off-Broadway at the Irish Repertory Theatre and The Mint Theatre in NYC, toured nationally in The Drowsy Chaperone and White Christmas, and appeared in regional theatres.  His film work includes Billy: The Early Years, Nancy Drew, The Distinguished Gentleman, World Trade Center, and Au Pair II. His more than 75 guest star TV appearances include shows like White Collar, Law and Order SVU, One Life To Live, Dallas, and Cheers. He has worked with such distinguished directors as Robby Benson, Clint Eastwood, Oliver Stone, David Zucker, and Ted Demme.

Christina Saragaglia made her television debut as the lead in an episode of Fatal Encounters, and will soon appear in the new HBO series The Leftovers. She can also be seen on MTV in the upcoming PSA “Bias Isn’t a Good Look.” Other credits include the film Campus Life (Dir. Catherine Scorsese), the web series Wave Goodbye, and various theater productions in New York City. Christina graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in marketing, and previously worked in advertising before making the transition to acting. She is a member of the Anthony Meindl Acting Studio, and was recently selected to join their advanced master class.

ERICA EVERAGE/ Gene's Sister

Erica Everage was born and raised in Santa Monica, CA. She began acting as a child, appearing in numerous TV commercials and playing Michael Madsen's daughter (and the title role) in the film The Sender (1998). After graduating from Crossroads School in Santa Monica, she went on to major in Theatre at Northwestern University. After graduation Erica returned to Los Angeles, where she has appeared in many short films, commercials, and comedic web sketches, as well as starred in an original sitcom created and produced at the USC graduate film school.