For one night only, Amy Holland Pennell brings her passion for the arts—and the extraordinary people who make them come alive—to the stage at Blue Strawberry.
In Spotlight, Amy invites audiences on an unforgettable journey through love, loss, hope, and the enduring power of dreams. Through heartfelt stories and unforgettable songs, she celebrates the magic of music, theater, and the resilience of the human spirit. As the evening unfolds, audiences are encouraged to discover their own inner light—and bask in its glow.
Joining Amy for this extraordinary evening are acclaimed Broadway Star, Tim Martin Gleason, with performances by the multi talented London Kimble, Thomas Halbrook, Ascher Phillips and Jon Garrett.
Produced by Holland St. James Entertainment, this one-night-only cabaret promises heartfelt storytelling, exceptional musical performances, and moments of laughter, reflection, and inspiration.
Don't miss this special evening celebrating the artists, stories, and dreams that connect us all.
Amy Holland Pennell
Amy Holland Pennell is a dynamic performer whose talent, charm, and versatility have taken her from the stage to the screen with effortless grace. A proud graduate Cum Laude from Saint Louis University, Amy earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Theatre and Communication. She was honored by the College of Fine Arts as the Outstanding Graduate for Performance and Academic Excellence, a testament to her dedication both on stage and in the classroom.
Amy’s breakout role came on HBO’s critically acclaimed series The Newsroom, where she starred opposite Jane Fonda, Marsha Gay Harden, Sam Waterston, and Chris Messina as the unforgettable Jackie. She quickly became a familiar face to television audiences with recurring and guest-starring roles on hit shows like Instant Mom (Nickelodeon) as the hilariously neurotic Trish, Mighty Med (Disney) as the robotic receptionist, NCIS: LA (CBS), and the fan-favorite drama Scandal (ABC).
Her comedic timing has shone through on series such as How I Met Your Mother (CBS) alongside Neil Patrick Harris, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX) with Danny DeVito, and Saint George with George Lopez. She appeared on Mixed-ish (ABC), sharing the screen with Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Tika Sumpter, and can be seen most recently in the buzzworthy ABC series What Would You Do? in the thought-provoking episode DINKS.
On the big screen, Amy starred in the Twentieth Century Fox feature I Am, as well as indie favorites The Importance of Doubting Tom, Game Day, and Exorcist House of Evil. On stage, she’s brought iconic characters to life—Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Abigail in The Crucible, and Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker. She shared the spotlight at The Wilshire Ebell Theater with legends like Loretta Devine, Jackée Harry, Darius McCrary, and Ernest Thomas, under the direction of Donald B. Welch.
Amy's talents extend beyond acting. She hosted national television programs, uplifted troops worldwide as a captain of the NFL Rams Cheerleaders, and proudly served as Mistress of Ceremonies for events such as The Race for the Cure and the Spinal Cord Research Gala.
Amy shares her joy of the arts by teaching acting, technical theater, coaching actors and public speakers.
Fueled by faith, grounded by gratitude, and supported by an incredible circle of family and friends, Amy continues to bring passion, heart, and humor to everything she does—onstage, on camera, and in life. www.hollandofficial.org
Tim Martin Gleason
Tim Martin Gleason is thrilled to be back singing in the beautiful city of St. Louis, a city that holds a unique and deeply personal place in his career. It was at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis that Tim gave his very first performance as Raoul in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera — a role he would go on to perform more than 2,600 times, more than any actor in the history of the production.
Years later, Tim returned to the Fox Theatre, this time wearing the mask, as the Phantom himself. During that engagement, he was introduced to legendary Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who invited him to sing for his Animal Rescue Foundation. That invitation began a connection that has lasted for years, with Tim now having performed for ARF multiple times. Coming back to St. Louis to sing again feels like a true full-circle moment.
Tim is best known to theater audiences for his work in The Phantom of the Opera, where he had the rare distinction of playing both leading roles: Raoul and the Phantom. His performance as the Phantom earned praise from audiences across the country, as well as recognition from legendary director Harold Prince and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
After years on Broadway and national tours, Tim set his sights on Los Angeles and transitioned into film and television, building an extensive screen career with dozens of guest star and recurring roles. He was a series regular as Tom Burke on the Amazon series The Kicks, and his television work has allowed him to bring the same emotional honesty and craft from the stage to the screen.
A New Jersey native now based in Los Angeles, Tim remains grateful for every opportunity to tell stories, make music, and share a room with an audience — especially here in St. Louis.
Go Cards!
London Kimble
London Kimble is thrilled to return to Blue Strawberry! She is an actor and vocalist currently based out of Saint Louis, Missouri. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Saint Louis University, in May of 2025. With Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Theatre, Music, and Communications, London has gained the knowledge and the skillset to thrive as a triple threat. Since the tender age of eight, she has been represented by Talent Plus, in St. Louis, MO. Professional theatrical credits include: The Sound Of Music (St. Louis MUNY) and Beauty and the Beast, (St. Louis MUNY). London has had the honor of singing The National Anthem for the St. Louis Blues, St. Louis CITY SC, and other professional organizations.. London attributes her affinity for Cabaret to the outstanding training provided by Tim Schall and The Cabaret Project STL. London would like to thank her family, friends, and mentors for helping her reach for the stars. Special thanks to the late Gary Wayne Barker, her favorite newfound star, for whom she dedicates tonight’s performance. @londonkimble
Thomas Halbrook
Thomas Halbrook is currently in his final semester at Dobbins Conservatory, where he will graduate with his BA in Dance. Select Regional Credits include Waitress (St. Louis Muny) and Fiddler on the Roof (St. Louis MUNY), among others. Other select credits include Footloose (Ren McCormack; Choreographer), Legally Blonde (Swing, Dance Captain), Grease (Assistant Choreographer), Prokofiev’s Cinderella (Prince Charming), The Nutcracker (Cavalier; Arabian Prince), Swan Lake (Prince Siegfried), Meet Me in St. Louis (Warren Sheffield). Additionally, Thomas is a proud MUNY Kid and Teen alum, and he currently shares his passion and love for dance with his students at Encore Dance Academy in Cape Girardeau, MO.
Ascher Phillips
Ascher Phillips, 13, was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and attends North Kirkwood Middle School. He has performed in local theater for several years and has loved every opportunity to step on stage. Some of his favorite roles include The Man in the Yellow Suit (Tuck Everlasting), JoJo (Seussical), and Young Simba (The Lion King). Ascher is represented by Talent Plus Agency and has dedicated the past eight years to vocal training, continuing to grow as a performer with every role. His family is incredibly proud of all he has accomplished and can't wait to watch him shine on stage tonight!
Jon Garrett
Jon Garrett is a lyric tenor, collaborative pianist, choral director, composer, recording artist, conductor, and instructor of piano and voice. He has performed with many local theater and opera companies, and his compositions have been featured in performances by the Saint Louis Chamber Chorus, Missouri Ballet Theatre, and others. He holds a Masters of Music Performance degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville where his studies included collaborative piano, vocal performance, and vocal pedagogy with an emphasis on transgender voice. Jon is currently the Artistic Director of the Gateway Men’s Chorus, a St. Louis based LGBTQIA+ chorus entering its 40th season. He also serves as Adjunct Music Faculty at Saint Louis University and St. Charles Community College, and is the Minister of Music at Grace United Church of Christ in O’Fallon, Missouri.