Gertner, Klaus, Winther Set For BAND GEEKS! At Goodspeed Musicals, Opens 5/13

Goodspeed Musicals announces the cast of BAND GEEKS!, a new musical. The spring production will kick off a three show season at Goodspeed's Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn. The show will run from May 13 through June 6, 2010.

BAND GEEKS! is a tribute to high school marching bands and misfits everywhere. With just nine members and dwindling funds, the Cuyahoga High Marching Beavers are close to extinction. When a troubled athlete is relegated to their ranks, tuba-playing band captain Elliott and his best friend Laura must find a way to unite the band, embrace their inner geek and save the Marching Beavers. Band

Geeks! features Music by Mark Allen, Gaby Alter, and Tommy Newman with Lyrics by Gaby Alter and Tommy Newman, and Book by Tommy Newman and Gordon Greenberg. Concept by Tommy Newman. Elliott will be played by Jared Gertner who recently performed on Broadway in THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. Laura will be played by Katie Klaus whose Broadway credits include A CATERED AFFAIR, INHERIT THE WIND and THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN'. The role of Mr. Hornsby will be played by Michael Winther whose Broadway credits include MAMMA MIA! and the revivals of 1776 and DAMN YANKEES. F. Michael Haynie will play Spitz; Patti Murin who was last seen in XANADU will play Nicole. Ruthie Ann Miles will play Molly, Nkrumah Gatling will play Kyle, Michael Millan will play Alvin, Jacey Powers will play Natalia and Matt Braver will play Stewart. The role of Ms. Dixon will be played by Jill Abramovitz. Ms. Abramovitz's Broadway credits include 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL and Martin Short: FAME BECOMES ME. Tommar Wilson will play Jake. Mr. Wilson's Broadway credits include HAIR, LESTAT, NEVER GONNA DANCE, HAIRSPRAY, THE ADVENTURES OF Tom Sawyer and the 2000 revival of THE MUSIC MAN.

BAND GEEKS! will be directed by Gordon Greenberg. Denis Jones will choreograph the production. In addition to his numerous performance credits, Mr. Jones served as Associate Choreographer for Broadway's Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Legally Blonde. The sets will be designed by Tony nominated designer Anna Louizos whose Broadway credits include Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS, IN THE HEIGHTS, CURTAINS, HIGH FIDELITY and AVENUE Q.

Band Geeks! will run May 13 through June 6, 2010. Curtain times are Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 7:30 p.m.*, Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. (*Thurs. 8 pm only on May 13th) .

Tickets are available through the Box Office (860.873.8668), open seven days a week, or
on-line at www.goodspeed.org.