Cast Announced For SOMETHING IN THE GAME: AN ALL-AMERICAN MUSICAL At Wirtz

American Music Theatre Project (AMTP) and the Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts at Northwestern University have announced the equity cast members at the helm of "Something in the Game: An All-American Musical."

Stef Tovar, Adrian Aguilar, Dara Cameron, Rashada Dawan, James Earl Jones II, James Rank and Brandon Springman will lead a cast of 24 professional and student performers in a newly updated version of the musical inspired by the life of legendary Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne.

Performances of "Something in the Game" are July 20 to Aug. 5 at the Josephine Louis Theater, 20 Arts Circle Drive, on the Evanston campus. Opening/Press Night is Saturday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m.

The production is presented by special arrangement with Coaches, LLC, John Girardi and Greg Schaffert.

Knute Rockne is regarded as one of the greatest football coaches of all time, with more than 100 victories and five undefeated seasons. But as he chased fame and glory for his Fighting Irish, he left his family waiting on the sidelines. The musical traces one man's journey to discover what is most important in the "game of life."

"Something in the Game" features a book by Buddy Farmer, music by Michael Mahler and lyrics by David H. Bell and Mahler. The production is directed and choreographed by Jeff Award-winning director David H. Bell, the Donald G. Robertson Director of Music Theater at Northwestern.

The project originated in 2008 with a Jeff-nominated production at Indiana's Theatre at the Center under the title "Knute Rockne All-American." Since then, Farmer, Bell and Mahler have developed the piece, adding new songs and reshaping the story.

"It is very much a re-written version of the show. In addition to new songs there is more urgency around the difficulties of managing a successful sports career and family," Bell said.

"While the show will appeal to football fans and theater patrons, almost everyone can relate to the struggle to find balance and the need to redefine 'winning' in life."

"Something in the Game: An All-American Musical" performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. will be presented July 28 and Aug. 4.

Preview tickets for the Friday, July 20, 7:30 performance are $20 for general public and $5 for students. Regular run tickets are $35 for the general public; $30 for seniors (62+) and area educators; $27 for Northwestern University faculty, staff and emeriti; and $10 for children and full-time students. Premium seats located in the fourth-row center section are available for $50.

Tickets for "Something in the Game" are available on the Wirtz Center website, by phone at 847-491-7282 or in person at the Wirtz Center box office located in the Barber Theater lobby, 30 Arts Circle Drive on the Evanston campus.

Box office hours are Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. The Box Office is closed Sundays and Mondays.

The Wirtz Center is a member of the Northwestern Arts Circle, which brings together film, humanities, literary arts, music, theater, dance and visual arts.

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