So, I'll admit it... I have some insider knowledge on an upcoming production at the Cumberland County Playhouse. July 21st, is opening night for CCP's production of Chicago. And, man, am I excited about it! I've never seen this play, but the movie has been a favorite of mine for years. The movie had an amazing cast and I loved the story as well as the music. When I found out that the Playhouse was going to do Chicago this year I was ecstatic. I keep wanting to see Chicago on Broadway, but no one ever seems to want to go with me. Apparently everyone's already seen it but me. Go figure.
Velma and Roxie. Oh, our two leading ladies. I've been told that they will be played by Joann Coleman and Ali Gritz, respectively. When I saw them in Little Shop of Horrors, cast as part of the singing trio, I loved them. I have no doubt that they have been cast well for Chicago.
Amos Hart, Roxie's husband will be played by Daniel Black. Smooth talking attorney, Billy Flynn will be played by Britt Hancock. I've seen both of them in several productions at the playhouse. Also well cast. I actually had a discussion with a friend of mine several months ago that I thought Britt Hancock would play a fantastic Billy Flynn. Who called it?? I did! :)
Rounding out the main cast are Lauren Marshall Murphy as Mamma Morton and K'ieu Quillar as Mary Sunshine. I've seen Lauren in several Playhouse productions and always enjoy her performances. Quillar is new to me. I don't believe I've ever seen her in a show before.
The rest of the cast are as follows:
Sgt. Fogarty/Martin Harrison = Greg Pendzick
Kitty/M.C. = Regina Villaruz/Debra Graham
Fred Casely = Michael Ruff
Harry/Judge = Nathaniel Hackman
Aaron = Keith McCoy
Court Clerk = Chaz Sanders
Men's Ensemble
Nathaniel Hackman Keith McCoy
Greg Pendzick Austin Price
Michael Ruff Chaz Sanders
Derek Wagner
Women's Ensemble
Eleanor Aiken Nicole Begue-Hackman
Jensen Crain Erin Curry
Debra Graham Lindy Pendzick
Caitlin Schaub Regina Villaruz
Weslie Webster
I am betting on a top-notch production and I can't wait to see the final production. Stay tuned to this blog. I may have some other snippets of information from this production. Maybe even an interview. :)
I thought you were gonna say that you were in it. Do tell how the production goes. Hope you have someone to go with OR don't care about going alone.
ReplyDeleteI never mind going by myself...but I'm dragging as many people as possible to see this with me. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for posting this, Cara! You may rest assured that you've scooped ALL the media with the cast list. ;) I promise I'll respond to your most recent message in depth as soon as humanly possible, but in the meantime... rehearsals are going incredibly well. Today we staged "I Am My Own Best Friend" and "Cell Block Tango." It's such a joy to be part of a production that creates such energy and enthusiasm among everyone involved! Even the most jaded members of the staff are genuinely excited about this production. "Chicago" is huge in a way that I've never experienced... I've directed grand epics like "Kismet," "Camelot," "My Fair Lady," "Fiddler On The Roof"... but "Chicago" seems BIGGER, in some ways -- perhaps because it's so stylized, perhaps because all the production's discrete elements - set, lights, electrics, costumes, choreography, etc. - have to blend so seamlessly. In any event, everyone's having a grand time and I couldn't be happier. I look forward to discussing the production in more detail with with you... and of course, I look forward to your seeing the finished product!
ReplyDeleteOh, and that's Ali GRITZ playing Roxie. Her billing in the "Little Shop" program was a typo. :)
ReplyDeleteName type fixed. :) And for some reason, your comments keep getting spammed... I'm trying to figure out why. That's why I'm just now getting them published. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI know I'm a little behind the times now, but I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the show!! I'm not really a musical kinda guy too much, but my wife LOVES Chicago the movie. I figured I'd suck it up and take her there for a little date night. I have to admit though...I absolutely loved it!!! It was like watching a "big city" production in rural TN. I left a fan of the playhouse, and I'm going back to see the Best Christmas Pageant Ever this month, and The Sound of Music next year(my wife is really excited about that one too:)) It's great to have such an awesome option for people who don't feel like driving to Nashville, Chattanooga, or Knoxville, and who want something different than the new Twilight(which I also had to watch...not as good as Chicago though).
ReplyDeleteBrian