Asolo Repertory Theatre Announces Complete Casting
for THE MUSIC MAN; Runs November 13 – December 29;
Directed by Tony® Nominee Jeff Calhoun
Smooth-talking swindler Harold Hill brings trouble to idyllic River City, Iowa when he comes to town with the ultimate sham. But his plan to trick the townspeople into buying musical instruments for a band that doesn’t exist is unexpectedly stifled when he falls head over heels for Marian the librarian. The original Broadway production garnered six Tony Awards, including Best Musical — beating out West Side Story — and remains a beloved musical masterpiece. THE MUSIC MAN features Willson’s iconic snap-crackle-pop vocal arrangements, considered to be the Broadway precursors to rap, and the most celebrated songs in the musical theatre canon, including Ya Got Trouble, Seventy-Six Trombones, Goodnight My Someone and Till There Was You.
Director Jeff Calhoun received a Tony nomination for Best Director for Disney’s Newsies. He previously helmed Bonnie & Clyde and Noah Racey’s Pulse at Asolo Rep. His Broadway credits also include Bonnie & Clyde, Jekyll & Hyde, Grey Gardens, Deaf West’s Big River (Tony Award Nomination for Best Revival of a Musical), Brooklyn, Annie Get Your Gun, Grease (Tony Award Nomination for Best Choreography), Tommy Tune Tonite and The Will Rogers Follies. He will helm the upcoming Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5: The Musical on London’s West End.
“Since I began my career as a young tap dancer, I idolized the likes of Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Dick Van Dyke,” said Director Jeff Calhoun. “I couldn’t imagine doing this tap-inspired production without Noah, who is one of America’s greatest song and dance men.”
“Brimming with joy, wit and love, and featuring one of the best scores of all time, we are thrilled to kick off our 60th season with this fresh production of THE MUSIC MAN, a great American masterwork,” said Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards. “With the world-renowned Jeff Calhoun’s inspired and impassioned vision combined with the magnetic and dynamic Noah Racey at the helm of an all-star cast, this will be a production of THE MUSIC MAN unlike anyone’s ever seen.”
Noah Racey stars as Harold Hill. Racey’s Broadway credits include Curtains, Never Gonna Dance and the original Broadway cast of Thoroughly Modern Millie, where he was also the associate choreographer. He also choreographed Michael Moore’s The Terms of My Surrender on Broadway. Regionally he has appeared in the world premiere of Holmes & Watson (Arizona Theatre Company), Road Show (Signature Theatre), The Odd Couple (Geva Theatre). His latest work The Noah Racey Project premiered in New York at Symphony Space.
Danny Gardner (Marcellus Washburn) appeared in Asolo Rep’s production of Pulse and recently on Broadway as Lucky in Dames At Sea. The cast features Asolo Rep favorite Matthew McGee (Eulalie Shinn), and Lenny Wolpe (Mayor George Shinn), whose Broadway credits include Bullets Over Broadway, Wicked, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Sound of Music, Mayor, Into the Light, Copperfield, and Onward Victoria.
The cast also features John Wilson Bennett (Constable Locke), Lamar K. Cheston (Charlie Cowell), Marie DiNorcia (Zaneeta Shinn), Jack Doyle (Ewart Dunlop), Alison England (Mrs. Paroo), Lizzie Hagstedt (Ethel Toffelmeier), Lawrence James (Conductor), Mel Johnson Jr. (Oliver Hix), Jenny Kim-Godfrey (Mrs. Squires), Kailani Maeda (Gracie Shinn), Betsy Padamonsky (Alma Hix), Raynor Rubel (Tommy Djilas), Charlie Shoemaker (Winthrop Paroo), Milaan Smith (Amaryllis), Joseph Torello (Olin Britt), Jade Turner (Maud Dunlop), and Branch Woodman (Jacey Squires).
The ensemble includes Sophia Cavalluzzi, Ben Chavez, Blair Ely, Liam Johnson, Henry Mills, Tanner Pflueger, Hannah Simmons, Erin Weinberger and Asher Woomert.
The creative team includes Paul McGill (Choreographer), Tobin Ost (Scenic & Costume Designer), Michael Gilliam (Lighting Designer), Will Pickens (Sound Designer), Michelle Hart (Hair/Wig & Make-up Designer), and Tony nominee Steve Orich (Music Director).
CAST
(In Alphabetical Order)
*Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
† Dance Captain
SELECTED CREATIVE TEAM MEMBERS
Director……………………………………………………….JEFF CALHOUN
Choreographer…………………………………………………PAUL McGILL
Scenic & Costume Designer…………………………………TOBIN OST
Lighting Designer…………………………………….MICHAEL GILLIAM
Sound Designer……………………………………………WILL PICKENS
SELECTED ARTISTIC BIOS
JEFF CALHOUN (Director) Asolo Rep: Bonnie & Clyde and Noah Racey’s Pulse. Broadway: Disney’s Newsies (Tony Award Nomination for Best Director); Bonnie & Clyde; Jekyll & Hyde; Grey Gardens; Deaf West’s Big River (Tony Award Nomination for Best Revival of a Musical); Brooklyn; Annie Get Your Gun; Grease (Tony Award Nomination for Best Choreography); Tommy Tune Tonite; The Will Rogers Follies. On tour and internationally, Jeff directed Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5: The Musical and Disney’s High School Musical 1 & 2. Upcoming: Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5: The Musical on London’s West End. Jeff is an associate artist at The Ford’s Theater in Washington D.C. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Covenant House International, a non-for-profit helping homeless youth in 30 cities across six countries. @thejeffcalhoun
BRITNEY COLEMAN* (Marian Paroo) was last on stage in Sarasota with the first national tour of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Her Broadway credits include Heather/Betty u/s in the revival of Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close and the role of Lucille in Beautiful. Her favorite regional memories include Suzie in the recent Chicago tryout of Tootsie, Guenevere in Camelot (Westport/Two River), Cinderella in Into the Woods (TUTS), Grace Farrell in Annie (MUNY), and Silvia in The Two Gentlemen of Verona (The Old Globe). www.britneycoleman.com
DANNY GARDNER* (Marcellus Washburn) Last seen at Asolo Rep in Noah Racey’s Pulse. Broadway: Lucky in Dames at Sea. Radio City Music Hall: Dad/George M. Cohan in The New York Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes. City Center Encores!: Dick Trevor in Lady, Be Good! (subsequent album). National Tours: White Christmas, Here to Stay, 42nd Street. Regional Theatre: Bobby Child in Crazy For You (Helen Hayes Nomination – Signature Theatre); Don Lockwood in Singin’ in the Rain (Engeman Theater & Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre); Frump in the world premiere of Between the Lines (Kansas City Rep); Bert in Mary Poppins (Theatre Under The Stars). www.dannyjgardner.com
MATTHEW McGEE* (Eulalie Shinn) Asolo Rep: Rhinoceros (Café Owner); Shakespeare in Love (Wabash); Living on Love (Bruce); Josephine (JouJou). Awards include BroadwayWorld.com’s Favorite Leading Actor in a Musical for his performance as Mame Dennis in Mame. Theatre Tampa Bay Award winner for his portrayals of Frank ‘n’ Furter in The Rocky Horror Show; Katisha in The Mikado; and Edna Turnblad in Hairspray. Matthew has been named Tampa Bay’s Favorite Drag Performer in Creative Loafing’s Reader’s Poll. Recently, Matthew appeared in the independent films, Small Group and Waiting On Mary (now available on iTunes). Follow Matthew on IG: @thematthewmcgee www.thematthewmcgee.com
PAUL McGILL (Choreographer) Broadway/Tour: Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Off-Broadway: The Legend of Georgia McBride (Astaire Award, Lortel nomination); Steve (director Cynthia Nixon); School for Scandal. Select Regional: The Legend of Georgia McBride at Geffen Playhouse (LA Ovation Award); Robin Hood at Serenbe Playhouse. Circus: Filament with Shortround Productions, Grounded Aerial. Film/TV: Disney Channel ZOMBIES Halloween Cast Party, Broadway Masters, Diamond Soles, commercials for ALT Coffee and Bunny Shapiro. This production is dedicated to his wonderful parents who have supported him since his first musical as a 10 year old: THE MUSIC MAN. More at www.paulmcgill.org and on Instagram @Paul_McGill_
STEVE ORICH (Music Director, 2018-19 Ruby E. and Carole Crosby Family Foundation Guest Musical Artist) On Broadway, he received a Tony nomination for his orchestrations for Jersey Boys and recently wrote orchestrations for The Cher Show. Tours: Annie, Godspell, A Class Act. Regional Theatre: Asolo Rep (Ragtime, Beatsville, Josephine, Pulse); Paper Mill Playhouse (West Side Story, Can-Can); Hollywood Bowl (Bernstein’s Mass); Pasadena Playhouse (Do I Hear a Waltz?, 110 in the Shade); Geffen Playhouse (Paint Your Wagon); Mark Taper Forum (The Great American Songbook); Theatreworks (Snapshots, A Christmas Memory); Goodman Theatre (Turn of the Century); Goodspeed Opera House (You Never Know, Both Barrels). He has orchestrated and/or conducted dozens of albums including the Grammy®-winning cast album for Jersey Boys. His orchestrations have been performed by the National Symphony, the Boston Pops, the BBC Orchestra, at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the White House and around the world.
NOAH RACEY* (Harold Hill) is delighted to return to Asolo Rep! Last seen in the world premiere of Noah Racey’s Pulse, directed by Jeff Calhoun, and Asolo Rep’s critically acclaimed production of Show Boat (Choreographer). Broadway: Michael Moore’s The Terms of My Surrender (Choreographer); Curtains; Never Gonna Dance; Thoroughly Modern Millie (original cast, associate choreographer); Follies. Regional credits include: Arizona Theatre Company (world premiere Holmes & Watson); Signature Theatre (Road Show); Geva Theatre (The Odd Couple). Noah’s latest work The Noah Racey Project, premiered in NY at Symphony Space — written and performed by Noah, directed by Dick Scanlan. Noah is an assistant professor at Colorado State University, heading its brand new Musical Theatre program.
PUBLIC PROGRAMMING
The Scoop
One hour prior to every performance of THE MUSIC MAN
Arrive one hour before curtain to hear the ideas and inspirations that contributed to the making of THE MUSIC MAN (Opening Night, November 17, is excluded.)
Inside Asolo Rep: THE MUSIC MAN
Inside Asolo Rep is sponsored by The Muse, Designing Women Boutique and The Observer
Tuesday Talkbacks
Join us for an intimate post-show discussion with featured actors following every Tuesday performance of THE MUSIC MAN.
OUT@AsoloRep: THE MUSIC MAN [Sold Out]
OUT@AsoloRep is sponsored by Morton’s Gourmet Market & Catering, CAN Community Health and Sabal Palm Bank.
Family Day at THE MUSIC MAN
Saturday, December 1 at 2pm; pre-show activities at 1pm
Asolo Repertory Theatre
Enter the Promo Code MMFAMILY to unlock Family Day pricing and seats!
A special matinee performance offers theatre-loving families an affordable way to see this iconic musical, and welcomes you to learn more about how the magic is made at Asolo Rep. With four tickets for the price of one, bring the whole family!
THE MUSIC MAN Family Day is made possible, in part, with lead support from Community Foundation of Sarasota County and additional support from the Koski Family Foundation and Publix Super Markets Charities.
Sunday Salon
Reflect on your experience through a lively and informative post-show discussion following select Sunday matinees in the Mertz and Cook Theatres. Featuring members of Asolo Rep’s Artistic Department and special guests.
TICKETS
Tickets for THE MUSIC MAN and the entire 2018-19 Asolo Repertory Theatre season are on sale now. Tickets for THE MUSIC MAN start at $33.
Subscriptions for the season are also on sale.
To purchase tickets, call 941.351.8000 or 800.361.8388, visit www.asolorep.org, or visit the Asolo Repertory Theatre Box Office, located in the lobby of the theatre. Asolo Repertory Theatre is located at 5555 North Tamiami Trail in the Florida State University Center for the Performing Arts.
The Box Office is open Monday 10am – 5pm, Tuesday – Thursday 10am – 7:30pm, Friday – Saturday 10am – 8pm, and Sunday 10am – 2pm. The box office closes at 5pm when there are no evening performances and phone lines close one hour prior to the start of any performance. Season subscription packages are also available online and by visiting or calling the box office.
SPONSORS
Asolo Rep is able to present THE MUSIC MAN because of the generosity of its sponsors. The corporate sponsors for THE MUSIC MAN are Plumbing Today, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Sarasota Magazine, ABC 7, and Innovative Dining, with additional support from the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
Asolo Rep 2018-19 Major Season Sponsors are Florida State University, the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, The Shubert Foundation, Designing Women Boutique, The Exchange, the Huisking Foundation, and Sunset Cadillac of Bradenton. Asolo Rep’s artistic programs are paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues.
ABOUT ASOLO REP
Now in its 60th season, Asolo Repertory Theatre is recognized as one of the premier professional theatres in America and one of the largest in the Southeastern United States. One of the few select theatres in the nation that performs in true rotating repertory, Asolo Rep’s highly skilled acting company and extensive craftsmanship bring to life this unique performance method that gives audiences the opportunity to see multiple productions in the span of a few days. Asolo Rep presents up to 10 productions each season including contemporary and classic works and provocative musical theatre experiences. A theatre district in and of itself, Asolo Rep is committed to expanding its reach into the community, furthering its collaboration with the best theatre artists working in the industry today and cultivating new artists through its affiliation with the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards and Managing Director Linda DiGabriele, Asolo Rep’s ambitious theatrical offerings and ground-breaking education and community programming engage audiences and ensure its lasting legacy for future generations.
