Goodspeed Announces Casting for Li'l Abner, Running April 21-July 2

Casting is now set for the upcoming Goodspeed Opera House production of Li'l Abner, with Glenn Lawrence, Christeena Riggs and others to portray the denizens of colorful Dogpatch, USA.

The theatre, which is located in East Haddam, CT, will present the musical from April 21st through July 2nd. Scott Schwartz (Bat Boy, tick, tick...BOOM!) will direct Li'l Abner, which will feature Lawrence, a recent graduate of the University of Hartford's Hartt School, in the title role and Riggs (Les Miserables, Jane Eyre) as the sexy Daisy Mae.

The cast will also include Curt Buckler as Earthquake McGoon, Trent Armand Kendall as Marryin' Sam, William McCauley as General Bullmoose, Andrea Wolff as Mammy Yokum, John Shuman as Pappy Yokum, Paul Aguirre as Romeo Scragg, Larry Daggett as Dr. Finsdale, Dick Decareau as Senator Phogbound, Jeff Hiller as Available Jones, Nick Locilento as Mayor Dawgmeat, as Sarrah Strimel as Stupifyin' Jones, as Christopher Windom as Evil Eye Fleagle. Jennifer Balagna, Adriene Couvillion, Ryan Donovan, Krista Kurtzberg, Kate Marilley, Eddie Rabon, Shane Rhoades, Mark Roland, Shorey Walker, Dante Russo, Ginger Child Smith and Marcellus Waller will also be featured in the show.

"From Johnny Mercer and Gene de Paul, Li'l Abner features a book by Norman Panama and Melvin Frank, based on the comic strip created by Al Capp. Trouble begins in the cornseed town of Dogpatch, USA when the government decides to wipe it off the map. Hilarious protests and a riotous Sadie Hawkins Day chase ensue," state Goodspeed notes. Li'l Abner, as directed and choreographed by Michael Kidd, was a Broadway hit in 1956. The musical's score includes "Jubilation T. Cornpone," "If I Had My Druthers," and "The Country's in the Very Best of Hands."

Li'l Abner will also boast choreography by Patti Colombo, musical direction by Michael O'Flaherty, William J. Thomas as assistant music director, orchestrations by Dan DeLange, sets by David Gallo, costumes by Michael Krass, and lighting by Kirk Bookman; Michael P. Price will serve as producer.

The Goodspeed Opera House will also present Pippin (July 14th through September 24th) and The Pirates of Penzance (October 6th through December 10th) this season.

Visit www.goodspeed.org for more information.