Lara Teeter Joins Houston Grand Opera's SHOW BOAT As Cap'n Andy, 1/18 - 2/9

With rehearsals underway this week, Houston Grand Opera welcomes Lara Teeter to the role of Cap'n Andy in the new production of SHOW BOAT opening January 18. Teeter takes on the role after Tommy Tune stepped down because he is on vocal rest. "We are thrilled to have Lara Teeter join the show on such short notice. He brings wonderful Broadway experience to this lively character," says Perryn Leech, managing director, Houston Grand Opera. "We wish Tommy Tune a speedy recovery."

A Broadway veteran, Teeter was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the 1982 revival of the Rodgers and Hart classic On Your Toes performing the role of Junior Dolan, originally portrayed by Ray Bolger in 1936. Other Broadway credits include The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, The Pirates of Penzance, Happy New Year, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. On the operatic stage, he has performed at Lincoln Center with the New York City Opera as Silas Slick in Victor Herbert's Naughty Marietta and as Herman in Frank Loesser's The Most Happy Fella. He made his Lyric Opera of Chicago debut performing the role of Steve Sankey in Kurt Weill's Street Scene starring Catherine Malfitano. Directing credits include My Fair Lady for Opera Pacific and The Pirates of Penzance for Michigan Opera Theatre in Detroit.

Francesca Zambello's acclaimed new production of the Kern and Hammerstein musical SHOW BOAT runs January 18 - February 9, 2013. This landmark work by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, is based on the book by American novelist Edna Ferber. The show gave American musical theater and opera a new expression-one with powerful subject matter, astonishing musical variety, and an unmistakably American voice. An epic that charts the lives of white theater folk and a Mississippi black community over three generations, it reveals the racial and social changes that were shaping the country. Zambello comments, "SHOW BOAT is about people who live in the theater world, and the river tells the story. It will give audiences an understanding of the world we come from-politically, socially, and economically, as well as a love for our own traditions of music-making." The cast includes Sasha Cooke as Magnolia Hawks, Joseph Kaiser as Gaylord Ravenal, Melody Moore as Julie LaVerne, and Morris Robinson, making his company debut in the role of Joe. The role of Queenie will be performed by HGO Studio alumna Marietta Simpson. International style icon and philanthropist Lynn Wyatt will appear in a cameo role, the Lady on the Levee. Patrick Summers conducts.

The full cast and crew for the SHOW BOAT (new production), running January 18 - February 9, 2013 features:

Magnolia Hawks: Sasha Cooke
Gaylord Ravenal: Joseph Kaiser
Cap'n Andy Hawks: Lara Teeter
Julie LaVerne: Melody Moore
Joe: Morris Robinson
Queenie: Marietta Simpson
Frank Schultz: Tye Blue
Ellie May Chipley: Lauren Snouffer
Parthy Ann Hawks: Cheryl Parrish
Conductor: Patrick Summers
Director: Francesca Zambello
Choreographer: Michele Lynch
Set Designer: Peter J. Davison
Costume Designer: Paul Tazewell
Lighting Designer: Mark McCullough
Sound Designer: Mark Grey
Chorus Master: Richard Bado

Supporters of HGO's SHOW BOAT include The Humphrey Foundation, Vinson & Elkins, Margaret Alkek Williams, Anadarka Petroleum Corporation, Halliburton, pwc, Boulware & Valoir, Bracewell & Giuliani, Mr. and Mrs. D. Bradley McWilliams, Westlake Chemical, The Methodist Center Hospital - Center For Performing Arts Medicines: The Official Health Care Provider For Houston Grand Opera, and United - The Official Airline of Houston Grand Opera.

Photo Credit: Robert Kusel/Lyric Opera of Chicago