Theatre Aspen Announces Cast for 2010 Season, Begins July 1

Theatre Aspen, Aspen's only professional theatre and school, is pleased to announce that casting is complete for the 2010 summer season, reported Artistic Director Paige Price. Theatre Aspen enters its 27th season with an award-winning mix of music, comedy and family fare.

The season runs in repertory at the Alex Kaufman Theatre in Rio Grande Park, opening with the regional premiere of The Marvelous Wonderettes on July 1st, the musical The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! (July 8th) and the comedy Same Time, Next Year on (July 16th).

Theatre Aspen was awarded the "Outstanding Regional Theatre" Henry Award in Denver in 2009 and Alison Luff won a Best Supporting Actress Denver Post Ovation Award for her work as Olive in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

New this year, the summer opens with a special musical concert called defying gravity: Theatre Aspen Takes on Broadway's Biggest Hits featuring songs from megahits like Wicked, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and cherished musicals from the past like The King and I and GYPSY. The concert will feature local stars Nikki Boxer, Jon Boxer, Nina Gabianelli, Mike Monroney, Peggy Mundinger, Jeannie Walla and more. The show is directed by Artistic Director Price, with Bob Finnie handling musical direction, and runs through June 26th.

The Marvelous Wonderettes, conceived and written by Roger Bean, will star Colorado native and Broadway veteran Beth Malone, (Ring of Fire, Bingo, Marvelous Wonderettes) returning for her second season at Theatre Aspen. Filled with iconic 50s and 60s pop music, this charming, fast-paced musical will also star Tricia Tanguy, (The Marvelous Wonderettes, Joseph and The Amazing Dreamcoat, The Producers, CATS) Christy Faber (Les Miserables, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, The Marvelous Wonderettes) and Natalie Wachen (Dreamgirls, Baby, It's You!, TV's "90120"). Janet Miller will reprise her original choreography and director is Cate Caplin who has directed and choreographed over 100 productions in the U.S. and internationally. Aspen's Bob Finnie is musical director. The musical runs July 1 - August 21st.

Same Time, Next Year, a comedy by Bernard Slade, will be directed by Emmy Award-winning director Jay Sandrich (Mary Tyler Moore Show, Cosby, Soap). One of the most popular comedies ever, this Tony Award-winning show follows a love affair between two people who rendezvous once a year, on the anniversary of their first tryst. The show stars Broadway's James Ludwig (Spamalot, 101 Dalmations, TV's "Lipstick Jungle") and Joan Hess (Mamma Mia, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, TV's "Flight of the Conchords").

This season's family production is The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!, based on the popular children's book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith. The Big Bad Wolf has his day in court in this thrilling courtroom dram-edy with music; the audience decides if he's guilty or innocent. Featured songs include "Piggsylvanian National Anthem" and "Cheeseburgers Ain't Cute." Book and lyrics are by Robert Kauzlaric and the music is by Paul Gilvary and William Rush. The show stars Chris Carson, Flynn Holman, Luke Seamans, Kidd Duhe Solomon, Zoe Levine and Lindsay Nelson. Musical director is Paul Dankers.

The SUNDAY SERIES will continue with the return of What's Your Story? - The sequel, a "Moth"-inspired storytelling evening curated by Barry Smith. Also back by popular demand is Aspen's Got Young Talent, a youth cabaret, on August 1st, and a red carpet premiere of Theatre Aspen School's original film, created by participants in Movie Star Camp, on August 8th.
Tom Ward will design sets and Jeremy Pivnick will take on lighting design for The Marvelous Wonderettes and Same Time, Next Year, Reuben Lucas does sets and Kyle Gavell designs the lighting for The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!, and the season's sound design is by David Thomas. Costume designs are by Deborah Roberts (The Marvelous Wonderettes) and Marie Davis-Green (...3 Little Pigs!) and Production Stage Manager is Vernon Willet.
Tickets and discounted Local's and Season Passes are available from the Wheeler Box Office at 970-920-5770 or through aspenshowtix.com. For further information, visit www.theatreaspen.org or call the theatre at 970-925-9313.

Theatre Aspen's 2010 is generously supported by: American National Bank, Alex Kaufman, Hays Private Client, Three Forks Ranch and Resort, Jessica and John Fullerton, City of Aspen, Les Dames d'Aspen, Morris&Fyrwald/Sotheby's, The Thrift Shop, Brenda and Jim Grusecki, Maureen and Dan Holman, The Aspen Club and Spa, Soledad and Bob Hurst, Mandy Gray and Randy Work and Melinda Goldrich.

Media Sponsors are Aspen Sojourner, The Aspen Times, Aspen Daily News, Aspen Public Radio, KSPN/KNFO, KUUR/TV 19/KSNO and eMoo.com/Aspen Shines.

Theatre Aspen's mission is to entertain, enlighten, enrich, educate and challenge the residents and visitors of the Roaring Fork Valley through professional quality theatrical productions, new play development initiatives and a broad spectrum of education programs. Visit www.theatreaspen.org for more information.

Need more Denver Theatre News in your life? Sign up for all the news on the Winter season, discounts & more...