Full Casting Announced for Music Circus Season - Lauren Zakrin in LEGALLLY BLONDE, Jacquelyn Piro Donovan in HELLO, DOLLY! and More!
By: Christina Mancuso Jun. 09, 2016
After auditioning performers in New York City, Los Angeles, and Sacramento, California Musical Theatre has confirmed casting for all six shows in the 66th Music Circus season. The stellar cast for the season is loaded with Broadway veterans--some of whom are making their Music Circus debuts--Tony nominees, and audience favorites from previous Music Circus productions.
The six-show season, which begins June 14 and takes place at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, includes four shows that have never been produced at Music Circus: the smash hit musical comedy Legally Blonde, based on the hilarious film starring Reese Witherspoon; the family favorite Seussical, a journey through the witty and whimsical world of Dr. Seuss; Nice Work If You Can Get It, the song-and-dance spectacular filled with the music of George and Ira Gershwin; and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a brand new musical exploring the dark themes of the epic novel while featuring the beautiful music of the animated Disney film. The season also features two shows that are all-time patron favorites, the irresistible musical theatre gem Hello, Dolly! and the Tony-winning Kander and Ebb classic Cabaret. Tickets are available by calling (916) 557-1999, at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office, 1419 H Street in Sacramento, or online at Tickets.com. Discounts are available for groups of 12 or more by calling (916) 557-1198. For more information: SacramentoMusicCircus.com.Director: Michael Heitzman
Choreographer: Mara Newbery Greer
Music Director: Darren R. Cohen In the smash hit musical comedy Legally Blonde, Lauren Zakrin, who made a rockin' Broadway debut as Sherrie in Rock of Ages, makes her Music Circus debut this summer as the energetic Sorority star Elle Woods; previously she understudied Natasha and Sonya in the Off-BroadwayNatasha, performed in Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, and was in the touring productions ofWicked, Grease, and Legally Blonde. James Michael Lambert, playing Emmett Forrest, was seen in last summer's Music Circus productions of Hair as Woof and Big River as Tom Sawyer, toured with Mamma Mia! and Happy Days, and has performed in regional theatre productions across the country. Paul Schoeffler, returning for his ninth summer at Music Circus as Professor Callahan, appeared last season as Capt. Hook in Peter Pan and Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, in addition to performing on Broadway in Rock of Ages, Sweet Charity, Peter Pan, and Beauty and the Beast, among others. Warner Huntington III will be played by Jordan Bondurant, who last appeared at Music Circus as Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof and recently spent time on Broadway in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. Ryah Nixon, whose past credits include the First National Tour of 9 to 5 the Musical, as well as regional productions including Beaches and Moonshine: That Hee Haw Musical, will be playing Paulette Bonafante. Grace Stockdale will appear as imprisoned workout mogul Brook Wyndham, having previously played Nicola in the First National Tour of Kinky Boots and appearing in a number of regional and Off-Broadway productions. Shannon O'Boyle, seen on Broadway in Once and recently in the Berkeley Repertory Theatre's production of Amélie, A New Musical, as well as numerous New York readings and regional theater productions, plays Vivienne Kensington. Elle's sorority sisters Margot, Pilar, and Serena will be played by Alexandra Fassler, seen in The Wizard of OzNational Tour and as a singer for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular; Brinie Wallace, who's performed with the the MUNY in recent productions of Hairspray and Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story; and Lauren Nicole Chapman, who appeared on Broadway and with the First National Tour of Kinky Boots. Ryann Redmond joins the cast as Enid, having previously performed inIf/Then on Broadway, as well as Bring It On the Musical, originating the role of Bridget on Broadway and on tour. Hello, Dolly!: June 28 - July 3
Director: Glenn Casale
Choreographer: Randy Slovacek
Music Director: Craig BarnaLynne Wintersteller, an original Broadway cast member of A Grand Night For Singing and currently starring as Mrs. Shubert in the Off-Broadway production of Shear Madness, will take on the indomitable matchmaker Dolly Levi In the irresistible classic Hello, Dolly! The object of her machinations, Horace Vandergelder, will be played by Stuart Marland, seen in last summer'sBye Bye Birdie as Mr. MacAfee as well as in Broadway productions of Newsies, Xanadu, Jekyll & Hyde, and Beauty and the Beast. Playing his shopkeeper, Cornelius Hackl, is John Scherer, who, in addition to having appeared on Broadway in Love Musik and originating the role of Bertie Wooster in By Jeeves, has frequently performed with Music Circus in productions including 1776,Hairspray, and Spamalot. Jordan Grubb, who is also no stranger to Music Circus, having performed in Mary Poppins, A Chorus Line, and 42nd Street, in addition to touring with Mary Poppins, will play Barnaby Tucker. Jacquelyn Piro Donovan, playing Irene Malloy, is the only actor in Broadway history to have portrayed both Cosette and Fantine in LES MISERABLES and has appeared in numerous roles with Music Circus including the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz, Nancy in Oliver!, and Grizabella in Cats. Sarah Marie Jenkins returns to Music Circus as Minnie Fay after appearing last summer in West Side Story, Peter Pan, and Bye Bye Birdie, as well as performing in the National Tours of Legally Blonde, Guys and Dolls, Swing!, and Honeymoon in Vegas at Papermill Playhouse. Ernestina Money will be played by Mary Jo Mecca, who has performed in numerous regional theatre productions across the country and appeared at Music Circus in Mary Poppins and last season's My Fair Lady and Big River. Sainty Nelson, last summer's Ursula Markle in Bye Bye Birdie, returns as Ermegarde; she can also be in seen in her recurring role on TV's "Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll" with Dennis Leary. Courting Ermegarde as Ambrose is Cory Lingner, who made his Broadway debut in On the Town and was seen most recently Off-Broadway inOnce Upon a Mattress and at Music Circus as Mark in A Chorus Line. John Williford, whose tour credits include Jesus Christ Superstar, Peter Pan, and Camelot, adds to his wide-ranging Music Circus résumé, joining the cast as Rudolph. Dave Pierini, a company member at Sacramento's B Street Theatre, returns this summer as the Judge, having appeared in last season's West Side Story as Officer Krupke. Seussical: July 12-17
Director: Glenn Casale
Choreographer: Bob Richard
Music Director: Dennis Castellano Ushering us into the world of Dr. Seuss as the Cat in the Hat in this summer's Seussical is Jason Graae, who has appeared in numerous Broadway shows including Falsettos, Snoopy!, and the original cast of A Grand Night for Singing, as well as the Music Circus productions of Brigadoon,Sugar, and The Music Man. Appearing in the role of Sour Kangaroo, which she originated in the Broadway production of Seussical, is Sharon Wilkins, whose other shows include The Life andAll Shook Up on Broadway, and over one hundred film, television, commercial, and voice over credits. Seen on Broadway in Nice Work If You Can Get It, Sister Act, Bye Bye Birdie, The Little Mermaid, and The Producers, John Treacy Egan takes on the lovable Horton the Elephant.Ginifer King, joining the cast as Mayzie LaBird, made her Broadway debut in Gypsy with Bernadette Peters and is well-known to Nickelodeon viewers as Michelle Hathaway on "Haunted Hathaways;" she has since performed on Broadway in Steel Magnolias and the revival of Cyrano de Bergerac. Bets Malone returns to Music Circus as Gertrude McFuzz, having previously performed in 1776 and The Marvelous Wondrettes; her numerous theatre credits include recent regional productions of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Big Fish. The Mayor of Whoville will be portrayed by Jamie Torcellini, who delighted audiences at Music Circus as the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz and whose Broadway credits include Cats, Me and My Girl, and the original company of Billy Elliot the Musical. Playing Mrs. Mayor is Eydie Alyson, who starred as Audrey in the original Off-Broadway and First National Tour of Little Shop of Horrors, and will be recognizable to Sacramento audiences for her roles in Suds and Bingo! at the Cosmopolitan Cabaret. Stuart Marland joins this cast as well in the role of Genghis Kahn Schmitz. Joshua Davis, a veteran at El Dorado Musical Theatre, who appeared last summer as Michael Darling in Peter Pan, returns to Music Circus as Jojo.Cabaret: July 26-31
Director: Glenn Casale
Choreographer: Bob Richard
Music Director: Jeff Rizzo Twice nominated for Tony Awards for the roles of Jacob in the 2010 revival of La Cage aux Follesand Sonny in In the Heights, Robin de Jesus will portray the Emcee of the infamous Kit Kat Club in Cabaret. In additional to his work in films like "CAMP," De Jesus' Broadway credits includeRent and Wicked. Taking on the role of the enigmatic Sally Bowles is Kaleigh Cronin, whose previous work includes Cabaret on Broadway, the National Tour of Jersey Boys and the world premiere musical A Bronx Tale at Paper Mill Playhouse. Clifford Bradshaw will be played byHunter Ryan Herdlicka, who worked opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury in the Broadway revival of A Little Night Music in the role of Henrik, and recently appeared in the Off-Broadway production of Once Upon a Mattress. Broadway veteran and Tony-nominated Mary Gordon Murray, whose Broadway shows includeHands on a Hard Body, Footloose, Into the Woods, and Little Me, returns to Music Circus as Fraulein Schneider, after previously appearing at Music Circus in Sweeney Todd and Damn Yankees among others. Opposite her as Herr Schultz is another Music Circus favorite, Ron Wisniski, whose wide-ranging work with Music Circus includes The Little Mermaid, LES MISERABLES, Oliver!, and Spamalot; Wisniski also has extensive touring, Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional theatre productions to his name. In addition to performing on Broadway in Gypsywith Bernadette Peters and working on TV shows like "True Blood," Heather Lee, playing Fraulein Kost, is known to Music Circus audiences as Glinda in The Wizard of Oz and Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls. Shannon Stoeke will add the character of Ernst Ludwig to his extensive Music Circus credits, on top of his numerous regional and touring productions includingCamelot, Hair, Assassins, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Nice Work If You Can Get It: August 9-14
Director: Charles Repole
Choreographer: Michael Lichtefeld
Music Director: Craig Barna Filled to the brim with the songs of George and Ira Gershwin, Nice Work If You Can Get It, andMatt Loehr in the role of Jimmy Winter, take us back to the uproarious 1920s and Prohibition Era New York City. Loehr, recently on Broadway as Elder McKinley in The Book of Mormon, was an original Broadway cast member of The Producers, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Mary Poppins, and more. Joining the cast as Billie Bendix is Broadway's Dames at Sea original cast member Kristie Kerwin, who performed in the First National Tour of South Pacific and on Broadway in Monty Python's Spamalot. Holly Ann Butler, playing Jeanie Muldoon, recently finished performing on Broadway in On the Town before heading to Chicago to take part in the pre-Broadway production of Gotta Dance. In addition to his extensive film and television work, including a recurring role in Netflix's upcoming "Luke Cage" and five seasons with HBO's "The Wire," Michael Kostroff, portraying Cookie McGee, has toured as Max Bialystock in The Producers and as Thénardier inLES MISERABLES. Mark Bradley Miller, seen in Music Circus' production of Brigadoon, has toured nationally withSouth Pacific and throughout Europe with Beauty and the Beast; he returns this summer in the role of Duke Mahoney. Rich Hebert, returning to Music Circus as Chief Berry after appearing in last summer's West Side Story, also took part in Sting's musical The Last Ship in Chicago and New York and toured as Billy's dad in the national tour of Billy Elliot. Most recently seen on Broadway in Bullets Over Broadway, Paige Faure, who starred as Cinderella in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella both on Broadway and for the national tour, will play Eileen Evergreen.Madeleine Doherty, whose Broadway credits include the recent revival of Gigi, Sister Act, LES MISERABLES, and the original cast of The Producers, will appear as Duchess Estonia Dulworth.Jamie Jones, well-known to Sacramento theatre audiences as a member of the B Street Theatre Acting Company, currently appearing in Mud Blue Sky and set to star in the upcoming Capitol Stage production of The Totalitarians, will be playing Millicent Winter. In addition to Cabaret this summer, Ron Wisniski will also join this cast as Senator Max Evergreen. The Hunchback of Notre Dame: August 23-28
Director: Glenn Casale
Choreographer: Dana Solimando
Music Director: Dennis CastellanoJohn McGinty, making his Music Circus debut as Quasimodo in the musical, has recently acted in Nina Raine's Tribes with the Guthrie Theater, Everyman Theater and Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and also performed in Deaf West Theatre's production of Pippin. Olivier Award winner for her West End debut in Zorro the Musical, Leslie Margherita returns to Music Circus as the gypsy Esmeralda, after her most recent Broadway appearance in Dames at Sea. Playing Phoebus de Martin is Music Circus favorite Eric Kunze, who was last seen at Broadway Sacramento as The Little Mermaid's Prince Eric and recently took part in the New York Pops 33rd Birthday Gala at Carnegie Hall performing along with Patti LuPone, Norm Lewis, and Montego Glover. In his first appearance with Music Circus, Andrew Foote will appear as Clopin, having previously toured with Annie, Ragtime, and LES MISERABLES, in addition to performing in numerous regional productions.
FULL CAST/CREATIVE
Legally Blonde: June 14-19Director: Michael Heitzman
Choreographer: Mara Newbery Greer
Music Director: Darren R. Cohen
Costume Designer: Mark Koss
Scenic Designer: Stephen Gifford
Lighting Designer: Charlie Morrison
Wig and Hair Designer: Christine Conklin
Properties Designer: Laura Walters
Production Stage Manager: Craig A. Horness
Assistant Stage Manager: Katherine Cannon ROLE: ACTOR
Margot: Alexandra Fassler
Pilar: Brinie Wallace
Serena: Lauren Nicole Chapman
Elle Woods: Lauren Zakrin
Warner Huntington III: Jordan Bondurant
Emmett Forrest: James Michael Lambert
Vivienne Kensington: Shannon O'Boyle
Professor Callahan: Paul Schoeffler
Paulette Bonafante: Ryah Nixon
Brooke Wyndham: Grace Stockdale
Enid: Ryann Redmond
Female Ensemble: Lindsey Bracco
Female Ensemble: Lara Hayhurst
Female Ensemble: Grace Hardin
Female Ensemble: Shanon Mari Mills
Female Ensemble: Jessica Wockenfuss
Female Ensemble: Elyse Niederee
Female Ensemble: Michelle West
Male Ensemble: Connor Wince
Male Ensemble: Ward Billeisen
Male Ensemble: Seth Danner
Male Ensemble: Eric Anthony Johnson
Male Ensemble: Justin Schuman
Male Ensemble: Adam Lendermon
Male Ensemble: Matthew Kilgore
Male Ensemble: Ben ChavezHello, Dolly!: June 28 - July 3
Director: Glenn Casale
Choreographer: Randy Slovacek
Music Director: Craig Barna
Costume Designer: Marcy Froehlich
Scenic Designer: Stephen Gifford
Lighting Designer: Pamila Gray
Wig and Hair Designer: Christine Conklin
Properties Designer: Laura Walters
Production Stage Manager: Craig A. Horness
Assistant Stage Manager: Caitlin Sapunor-Davis ROLE: ACTOR
Dolly Levi Gallagher: Lynne Wintersteller
Ernestina Money: Mary Jo Mecca
Ambrose Kemper: Cory Lingner
Horace Vandergelder: Stuart Marland
Ermengarde: Sainty Nelsen
Cornelius Hackl: John Scherer
Baranaby Tucker: Jordan Grubb
Irene Molloy: Jacquelyn Piro Donovan
Minnie Fay: Sarah Marie Jenkins
Rudolph: John Williford
Judge: Dave Pierini
Female Ensemble: Lindsey Bracco
Female Ensemble: Karen Hyland
Female Ensemble: Danielle Hansen
Female Ensemble: Shanon Mari Mills
Female Ensemble: Jessica Wockenfuss
Female Ensemble: Elyse Niederee
Female Ensemble: Michelle West
Male Ensemble: Connor Wince
Male Ensemble: Ward Billeisen
Male Ensemble: Seth Danner
Male Ensemble: Eric Anthony Johnson
Male Ensemble: Zak Edwards
Male Ensemble: Adam Lendermon
Male Ensemble: Matthew KilgoreSeussical: July 12-17
Director: Glenn Casale
Choreographer: Bob Richard
Music Director: Dennis Castellano
Costume Designer: Kate Bergh
Scenic Designers: Richard Bay and Tim Dugan
Lighting Designer: David Neville
Wig and Hair Designer: Christine Conklin
Properties Designer: Laura Walters
Puppet Designers: Richard Bay and Kara Ow
Production Stage Manager: Craig A. Horness
Assistant Stage Manager: Katherine Cannon ROLE: ACTOR
The Cat in the Hat: Jason Graae
Horton the Elephant: John Treacy Egan
Gertrude McFuzz: Bets Malone
Mayzie LaBird: Ginifer King
JoJo: Joshua Davis
Sour Kangaroo: Sharon Wilkins
The Mayor of Whoville: Jamie Torcellini
Mrs. Mayor: Eydie Alyson
Genghis Kahn Schmitz: Stuart Marland
Female Ensemble: Lindsey Bracco
Female Ensemble: Karen Hyland
Female Ensemble: Sarah Marie Jenkins
Female Ensemble: Shanon Mari Mills
Female Ensemble: Jessica Wockenfuss
Female Ensemble: Kim Arnett
Female Ensemble: Brittany Rose Hammond
Male Ensemble: Jordan Grubb
Male Ensemble: Ward Billeisen
Male Ensemble: Seth Danner
Male Ensemble: Eric Anthony Johnson
Male Ensemble: Zak Edwards
Male Ensemble: Omari Tau
Male Ensemble: Matthew KilgoreCabaret: July 26-31
Director: Glenn Casale
Choreographer: Bob Richard
Music Director: Jeff Rizzo
Costume Designer: Mark Koss
Scenic Designers: Scott Klier and Christian Johnson
Lighting Designer: Jared A. Sayeg
Wig and Hair Designer: Christine Conklin
Properties Designer: Laura Walters
Production Stage Manager: Craig A. Horness
Assistant Stage Manager: Caitlin Sapunor-Davis ROLE: ACTOR
Emcee: Robin de Jesus
Clifford Bradshaw: Hunter Ryan Herdlicka
Ernst Ludwig: Shannon Stoeke
Fraulein Schneider: Mary Gordon Murray
Fraulein Kost: Heather Lee
Herr Schultz: Ron Wisniski
Sally Bowles: Kaleigh Cronin
Female Ensemble: Lindsey Bracco
Female Ensemble: Karen Hyland
Female Ensemble: Sarah Marie Jenkins
Female Ensemble: Alexa De Barr
Female Ensemble: Jessica Wockenfuss
Female Ensemble: Kim Arnett
Female Ensemble: Brittany Rose Hammond
Male Ensemble: Jordan Grubb
Male Ensemble: Ward Billeisen
Male Ensemble: Seth Danner
Male Ensemble: Eric Anthony Johnson
Male Ensemble: Zak Edwards
Male Ensemble: Zach Williams
Male Ensemble: Matthew KilgoreNice Work if You Can Get It: August 9-14
Director: Charles Repole
Choreographer: Michael Lichtefeld
Music Director: Craig Barna
Costume Designer: Heather Lockard
Scenic Designer: Stephen Gifford
Lighting Designer: Marty Vreeland
Wig and Hair Designer: Christine Conklin
Properties Designer: Laura Walters
Production Stage Manager: Craig A. Horness
Assistant Stage Manager: Katherine Cannon ROLE: ACTOR
Jeannie Muldoon: Holly Ann Butler
Jimmy Winter: Matt Loehr
Billie Bendix: Kristie Kerwin
Duke Mahoney: Mark Bradley Miller
Cookie McGee: Michael Kostroff
Chief Berry: Rich Hebert
Senator Max Evergreen: Ron Wisniski
Duchess Estonia Dulworth: Madeleine Doherty
Eileen Evergreen: Paige Faure
Millicent Winter: Jamie Jones
Female Ensemble: Lindsey Bracco
Female Ensemble: Karen Hyland
Female Ensemble: Bonnie Kelly
Female Ensemble: Alexa De Barr
Female Ensemble: Jessica Wockenfuss
Female Ensemble: Brittany Rose Hammond
Male Ensemble: Brian Steven Shaw
Male Ensemble: Ward Billeisen
Male Ensemble: Rashaan James II
Male Ensemble: Eric Anthony Johnson
Male Ensemble: Zach Williams
Male Ensemble: Matthew KilgoreThe Hunchback of Notre Dame: August 23-28
Director: Glenn Casale
Choreographer: Dana Solimando
Music Director: Dennis Castellano
Costume Designer: Marcy Froehlich
Scenic Designer: Stephen Gifford
Lighting Designer: Jared A. Sayeg
Wig and Hair Designer: Christine Conklin
Properties Designer: Laura Walters
Production Stage Manager: Craig A. Horness
Assistant Stage Manager: Caitlin Sapunor-Davis ROLE: ACTOR
Quasimodo: John McGinty
Dom Claude Frollo: TBD
Esmerelda: Lesli Margherita
Phoebus de Martin: Eric Kunze
Clopin: Andrew Foote
Female Ensemble: Devon Hadsell
Female Ensemble: Rachel Farr
Female Ensemble: Danielle Hansen
Female Ensemble: Shanon Mari Mills
Female Ensemble: Amanda Minano
Female Ensemble: Emily Dauwalder
Male Ensemble: Dino Nicandros
Male Ensemble: William Martinez
Male Ensemble: Keith A. Bearden
Male Ensemble: Michael Dotson
Male Ensemble: Luke Monday
Male Ensemble: Kevin McMahon
Male Ensemble: Doug Carfrae
Male Ensemble: Shannon Stoeke
Male Ensemble: Jim Hogan
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