Clyde Alves, Anne Horak, and James Beaman Open Music Theatre Wichita 2016 Season in NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT

Music Theatre Wichita opens its 45th summer season June 15-19 with the first of its five large- scale productions, Nice Work If You Can Get It at Century II Concert Hall in downtown Wichita, KS. This marks the 29th season for producing artistic director Wayne Bryan.

The production stars Clyde Alves (On the Town, Bullets Over Broadway, Anything Goes) as Jimmy Winter, revisiting a show he first performed on Broadway in 2012. Anne Horak (Chicago, White Christmas) is leading lady Billie Bendix, the bootlegger who charms a playboy.

Billie's bootlegger crew is rounded out by James Beaman (Spamalot National Tour) as Cookie McGee and Timothy Hughes (Chaplin) as Duke Mahoney. Billie's competition for Jimmy's attention includes Cassie Austin as modern dancer Eileeen Evergreen and Jessie Peltier as showgirl Jeannie Muldoon. Prohibitionist Duchess Estonia Dulworth is portrayed by Karen L. Robu, Police Chief Berry by Kevin Nietzel, Senator Max Evergreen by Timothy W. Robu, and Millicent Winter by Mary Lou Phipps-Winfrey.

MTWichita's production is directed by Larry Raben (New York credits include acting in The Producers and Forever Plaid, and directing Joe DiPietro's Falling for Eve at the York Theatre) with brand new choreography by Peggy Hickey (A Gentlemen's Guide, Anastasia).

Other members of the current artistic team include musical director / conductor Thomas W. Douglas, costumer Dixon Reynolds, hair and makeup designer Taylor Malott, lighting designer David Neville, and sound designer David Muehl.

Music Theatre Wichita has earned a reputation as one of the foremost summer opportunities for young upcoming talents. This year's Tony Awards featured several former MTWichita alumni, including cast members of Hamilton, Waitress, The Color Purple, Spring Awakening, and many more. Founded in 1972, MTWichita has created the world premiere of the revised Good News!, the U.S. premiere of Betty Blue Eyes, and the regional premieres of such Disney titles as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and High School Musical. MTWichita has also created cast albums for Honk! and Good News!

Tickets are on sale now for all performances, either online at mtwichita.org, or by calling 316.265.3107. More information, including biographies, histories, and videos, can be found at www.MTWichita.org, and on social media sites Facebook (Music Theatre Wichita), Twitter (@MTWichita) and Instagram (MTWichita).

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