Finley, Hull, Rowat et al. Lead SAVED at Kansas City Rep, 9/10 - 10/3

Eric Rosen, artistic director of Kansas City Repertory Theatre, has announced that a new production of the musical Saved, directed by Gary Griffin (The Color Purple-Broadway and national tour, Pacific Overtures--London), will open the Rep's 2010-11 season.

Music and lyrics are by Michael Friedman (The Civilians, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson-opening on Broadway in September). John Dempsey (The Fix, The Witches of Eastwick) and Rinne Groff (Compulsion, Jimmy Carter was a Democrat-The Public Theatre) wrote the book and lyrics. The musical is adapted from the MGM film written by Brian Dannelly and Michael Urban.

Saved is a story about a group of Christian high school students seeking acceptance and inclusion as they search for meaning in their complicated lives.

The show's original creative team believed the show needed another opportunity to further its development. According to Griffin, "Saved is like many other successful musicals that do not reach their full potential in their first production. I believe we were only able to get a good first draft in New York, and it would be a shame to stop when we were just discovering the musical's strengths."

"I'm happy that Gary and the writing team want to continue development of Saved at Kansas City Rep," said Rosen. "It's a compelling and honest portrayal of the same issues many families in Kansas City struggle with daily and will resonate powerfully in our community." Griffin added, "We strongly believe that the Rep's audience will embrace the artistic aesthetic of Saved and tell us a great deal about how the show is landing. We are looking forward to learning from them."

The cast for Saved: as Roland, Patrick Andrews (world premiere, The Sparrow-Steppenwolf Theatre, The Actor-Goodman Theatre); as Tia, Izzie Baldwin (Lucky Duck, the Musical-the Coterie, The Light in the Piazza-Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre [MET], both in Kansas City); as Hilary Faye, Justis Bolding (Woman in White, No Boundaries, TV: "7th Heaven"); as Mitch and others, Doogin Brown (A Christmas Carol-KC Rep; A View from the Bridge-MET; as Lillian, Felicia Finley (The Wedding Singer, Aida, The Life, the Spike Lee films The 25th Hour, Summer of Sam, He Got Game); as Cassandra, Gillian Goldberg (Calvin Berger-Barrington Stage); as Mary, Laura Huizenga (Saved workshop, directed by Griffin); as Dean, David Hull (Wicked; national tours A Chorus Line, Wicked); as Lana, Emily Peterson (Liliom-KC Rep); as Pastor Mike, Graham Rowat (Guys and Dolls-2009 revival, LoveMusik, Dracula, Beauty and the Beast) ; and as Patrick, Nick Spangler (The Fantasticks; 24 Hour Plays directed by Kevin Spacey-Old Vic: New Voices).

The creative team includes orchestrations by Curtis Moore (Venice, Moisés Kaufman's Into the Woods-KC Rep, The Bridge Project); music director, conductor/pianist Jasper Grant (Altar Boyz, The Color Purple, Fame-national tours); scenic designer Walt Spangler (A Christmas Story, the Musical!, KC Rep; Desire Under the Elms, Broadway revival); costume designer Megan Turek (A Christmas Carol-KC Rep); lighting designer Jason Lyons (Clay, A Christmas Story, The Musical!-KC Rep, Lincoln Center; Gary Griffin's A Flea in Her Ear-KC Rep, Rock of Ages, The Threepenny Opera); sound designer Joshua Horvath (Clay-KC Rep, Lincoln Center; Venice-KC Rep, Center Theatre Group).

Saved runs September 10 - October 3, 2010 at Spencer Theatre, 4949 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Missouri. Tickets cost $20-$65 and youth tickets (18 years or younger) are $20. For information about performance times and ticket options, call the Rep Box Office at 816-235-2700 or visit www.KCRep.org.

Now in its 46th year, Kansas City Repertory Theatre is one of the nation's leading professional theatres and a member of the League of Resident Theatres. The Rep produces a full season of plays and events in two venues: Spencer Theatre on the UMKC campus, where the Rep is the professional theatre in residence, and downtown at Copaken Stage. Its diverse repertoire includes new works, musicals and classics of literature. The theatre serves approximately 100,000 patrons annually and employs more than 250 professional artists, technicians and administrators.