Nellie Olesons Cast Bios

Named after Laura Ingall’s rich-bitch rival on the classic television series, Little House On The Prairie, the Nellie Olesons have created several critically acclaimed shows including Nellier Than Thou (1994), Nellie-A-Go-Go (1995), Fistful of Nellies (1996), Pulp Nellie (1997), Full Frontal Nellie (1998), a best of show, And Now... The Nellie Olesons (1998), the David Schweizer directed You Are Now Entering Nellie Oleson (1999), Nellie Is The Cruelest Bitch (2000), Older! Uglier! Meaner! (2005) and now, Night of 100 Nellies (2006).

Founded by Nora Burns and Terrence Michael in New York in 1993 (John Cantwell joined in 1996), the Nellies have toured all over the U.S. and Canada including Montreal's Just For Laugh's Comedy Festival, Toronto's We're Funny That Way Festival and NYC's P.S. 122, the Ridiculous Theatre Co., LaMama and Town Hall. Based in LA since 1998, they’ve performed at Luna Park, Highways, The Laugh Factory, The Improv, and the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center to name a few. They also made a short film, simply titled The Nellie Olesons, which won the Audience Award for Best Short Video at Outfest in 1997.
After a five year break, the Nellies re-grouped and spent 2005 performing Older! Uglier! Meaner! to sell out houses at L.A.'s Cavern Club Theater, Gay and Lesbian Center and Outlaugh! - L.A.’s first Gay and Lesbian Comedy Festival. They also returned to NYC, christening the new performance space, Ace of Clubs. 2006 finds them working all new material in Night of 100 Nellies and touring with classic material as they return to the 10th Anniversary of Toronto's "We're Funny That Way" Comedy Festival, NYC's Mo Pitkins, Hawaii's Maui Arts Center and The Vixen at The Pilgrim House in Provincetown, MA.

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