December 3, 2014
Asolo Repertory Theatre to Host
“Carefully Taught: Singing Social Change”
Starring South Pacific Cast Members
on Sunday, December 14 at 7pm
WHAT:
This informative evening of music and history explores how writers often reflect the social issues of their times in their work, as Oscar Hammerstein II did with songs such as “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” in South Pacific. A single-night, casual education event will sample songs from the last century of American musical theatre, both classic and contemporary, and invite the audience to listen for the sparks of change. This intimate evening features South Pacific Music Director William Waldrop and cast members Meggie Cansler (Ensign Dinah Murphy), Ben Davis (Emile De Becque) and Kelly Felthous (Ensign Nellie Forbush).
WHEN:
Sunday, December 14 at 7pm
WHERE:
Asolo Repertory Theatre
Mertz Theatre
5555 N. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34243
HOW:
Tickets are $15 and available at the box office, located in the lobby of the theatre, at www.asolorep.org and by phone at 941.351.8000 or 800.361.8388.
WHO:
MEGGIE CANSLER* (Ensign Dinah Murphy/Understudy Ensign Nellie Forbush) Broadway: The Apple Tree, Finian’s Rainbow, Wicked. Tours: Wicked (Glinda u/s), Miss Saigon (Ellen). Off B’way: Lucky Guy (Stand-by: Wanda/Chicky). Television: The Carrie Diaries. Regional: Paper Mill’s South Pacific (Nellie u/s); PCS’s world premiere of Somewhere in Time; The Muny’s Footloose (Ariel), Hairspray (Penny); St. Louis Rep’s Sunday… (Celeste/Elaine). BFA CCM.
BEN DAVIS* (Emile De Becque) starred in London this summer as Fred Graham in Kiss Me, Kate as part of the BBC Proms at Royal Albert Hall. Billy, Anna Nicole the Opera (BAM, Lincoln Center); Brom Broeck, Knickerbocker Holiday. Broadway: The Preacher, Violet; Mr. Lindquist, u/s Carl-Magnus, Fredrik, A Little Night Music; Javert & Enjolras, Les Miserables; Trevor Graydon, Thoroughly Modern Millie; Marcello, Baz Luhrmann’s La Boheme (2003 Tony Honor). Tour: Galahad, Spamalot. Regional: Emile de Becque, South Pacific (The MUNY); Capt. Von Trapp, The Sound of Music (Paper Mill Playhouse) and Ravenal, Show Boat (Goodspeed & Asolo Rep). Film/TV: Mozart’s The Magic Flute directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh, 30 Rock, and Numb3rs. Visit www.BenjaminJayDavis.com.
KELLY FELTHOUS* (Ensign Nellie Forbush) most recently performed both the roles of Glinda and Nessarose in the national tour of Wicked. Kelly also originated the role of Gloria in Flashdance and Eva in Bring it On. Other favorite credits include Grease (Marty), Seussical (Mayzie), Legally Blonde (Elle), A Chorus Line (Val), Boeing-Boeing (Gloria), Singin’ in the Rain (Kathy), Gypsy (June), Urinetown (Little Sally). Alumna of NYU/CAP21.
WILLIAM WALDROP (Music Director/Conductor) is a music director, conductor, composer and pianist. Broadway credits include Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella and the recent revival of Evita. He has been the music director/conductor for the national tours of Evita (Broadway Revival), The Phantom of The Opera (Music Box Company), and Cats. Off-Broadway credits include Donnybrook! and A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. In Las Vegas, credits include Phantom and Hedwig and The Angry Inch. William’s songs have been featured in cabarets and theatres across the country, including New York City’s Birdland, The Laurie Beechman Theatre, The Duplex, and New World Stages. William holds degrees from The Peabody Conservatory of Music (MM) and The University of Mississippi (BM).
* = Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. |
