Nellie Olesons Cast Bios

After their exuberant cameo in last year’s hit film Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, the nasty knee-slapping Nellie Olesons bring in 2009 with their new show, Nine-Inch Nellies, at the Cavern Club Theater in Los Angeles and The Madeira Room at the Pilgrim House in Provincetown, MA. Depression, torture and nuclear proliferation have nothing on the Nellies. Their fast, funny, flatulent comedy will make your head spin faster than a CIA interrogation. Like Kids In The Hall, South Park and a Ziegfeld Follies show rolled into one, get ready for an hour of non-stop comedy sketches, f*cked up dance routines and hilarious takes on gay marriage, obesity, speed dating, Mommie Dearest, Psycho and more.

Founded by Nora Burns and Terrence Michael in New York in 1993 (John Cantwell joined in 1996), the Nellies have created over ten critically acclaimed shows, garnered a loyal cult following and toured all over the U.S. and Canada. Based in L.A. since 1998, they’ve performed at Highways, The Improv, UCB, Luna Park and The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center to name a few. Their short film, The Nellie Olesons, won the Audience Award for Best Short Video at Outfest in 1997. Since 2005 the group has been presenting new work via the Cavern Club at Casita Del Campo. In addition to their appearance in Nick & Norah, the group has also been seen in the films Legally Blonde, Outlaugh: The Movie, Broken Hearts Club, Flintstones Viva Rock Vegas and on TV in Pushing Daisies, Nip/Tuck, Will & Grace, The Riches and Logo’s Wisecrack series.

Nora Burns

Burns spent her Nellie downtime performing with Mike Albo and David Ilku in Unitard and made a solo debut at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen. She appeared on TV’s Everwood, the films A Lot Like Love, Broken Hearts Club and writes for various publications. She has two small hyper-active children who she keeps in Maui with some goats and chickens.

Email nora@thenellieolesons.com here

John Cantwell

Cantwell made a memorable appearance in the smash hit film, Legally Blonde, as the “bend and snap” guy. He has appeared on Will & Grace, Norm, Dharma & Greg, the film Dog Gone Love and the upcoming skateboard flick, Dishdogz. He also made his debut as a playwright/producer in 2004 with Saltine Crackers.

Email john@thenellieolesons.com here

Terrence Michael

In addition to being a gifted screenwriter, Michael most recently appeared in The Phacts of Life (a spoof of the 80's sitcom The Facts of Life), brilliantly playing “differently-abled” Cousin Geri. He has appeared (with Cantwell) on Will & Grace, was left on the cutting room floor of Legally Blonde and recently joined comedienne Julie Brown onstage in her new one-woman show.

Email terrence@thenellieolesons.com here