Photo Flash: First Look at History Theatre's THIS SIDE OF PARADISE
By: BWW News Desk Apr. 21, 2013
History Theatre presents the regional premiere of a new musical about the lives and works of St. Paul's original "it" couple, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. As glittering emblems of the Jazz Age, their romance reflected the era during which they lived: highs and lows, boom and bust, a thrilling rise and a devastating crash. This Side of Paradise, which premiered off-Broadway in 2010, is seen from the point of view of Zelda at the age of 39, looking back on her life with Scott using music and dance to capture both the joy of their romance and their struggles for artistic identity and fame. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
This Side of Paradise originally premiered off-Broadway in 2010 with a production by the Culture Project. It grew out of an album written and performed by Nancy Harrow called "Winter Dreams," a song cycle inspired by the story of the Fitzgeralds, released on CD in 2003. Ms. Harrow then partnered with playwright/director Will Pomerantz to turn the concept album into a stage production.
This Side of Paradise will celebrate its regional premiere at History Theatre in F. Scott Fitzgerald's hometown of St. Paul. The production is directed by Ron Peluso, with music direction by Andrew Fleser, and choreography by Regina Peluso, and it features Norah Long as Zelda, Alan Sorenson as Dr. Cassell, Kendall Anne Thompson as young Zelda, and Bradley Beahen as F. Scott Fitzgerald. They are joined by Eric Knutson, Joel Liestman, Dora Dolphin, Emily Scinto, James Kennedy, Elyse Barnard, Shana Berg, and Brad Kallhoff,
This Side of Paradise opened last night, April 20, 2013 and runs through Sunday, May 19, 2013, playing Thursdays @ 10:00 a.m.; Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays @ 8:00 p.m.; and Sundays @ 2:00 p.m. *Additional performances on May 11 and May 18 at 2:00 p.m. Audio Described and ASL interpreted performance on 05/05/13 at 2:00 p.m. Performing at History Theatre, 30 East Tenth Street at St. Paul, MN.
Tickets: Tier 1 $40; Tier 2 $36; Tier 3 $32. Seniors (60+ years old) get $2 off regular ticket prices; Students (5 to 18 years old): $15 Discount rates are available for groups of 12 or more. History Theatre Box Office at 651.292.4323 or www.historytheatre.com/tickets/. More information about F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald is available in the Play Guide which can be downloaded HERE.
Photo Credit: Scott Pakudaitis
Zelda (Kendall Anne Thompson) catches the eye of Scott (Bradley Beahen) at a dance in Montgomery, Alabama.
Scott (Bradley Beahen) dances with Zelda (Kendall Anne Thompson) during their first meeting.
Zelda (Norah Long) reminisces about the night she (Kendall Anne Thompson, playing Young Zelda) became engaged to Scott (Bradley Beahen).
Zelda (Kendall Anne Thompson) and Scott (Bradley Beahen) celebrate F. Scott's publication with guests (from left to right: Joel Liestman, Shana Berg, Elyse Barnard, James Kennedy and Emily Scinto).
Zelda (Norah Long) speaks to Doctor Cassell (Alan Sorenson) about her life struggles.
Zelda (Norah Long) looks back on the nights when Scott Fitzgerald (center, Bradley Beahen) would spend time with Callahan (left, Joel Liestman) and Ernest Hemingway (right, Eric Knutson).
Doctor Cassell (Alan Sorenson) watches Zelda (front, Norah Long) as she reminisces about teaching her daughter Scottie (Dora Dolphin, back right) how to dance. Young Zelda (back left) is played by Kendall Anne Thompson.
Scott (Bradley Beahen) says goodbye to Zelda (Norah Long) at the sanatorium.
F. Scott Fitzgerald (Bradley Beahen) struggles with paying the bills demanded from the many collectors (left to right: Joel Liestman, James Kennedy, and Emily Scinto).
F. Scott Fitzgerald (Bradley Beahen) sits with his daughter Scottie (Dora Dolphin) as Zelda (Norah Long) observes from a distance.
Zelda (Kendall Anne Thompson) shows off her 1920's flapper outfit.
Zelda (right, Norah Long) looks back in time to when she was younger (Kendall Anne Thompson).
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