Ryder Bach and Curt Hansen to Reprise Roles in GIRLFRIEND at the Douglas This Summer

Casting is set for "Girlfriend," which will begin previews at the Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre on July 12 with the opening slated for July 19. Featuring a book by Todd Almond and music and lyrics by Matthew Sweet, the rock musical about first love will continue through August 9.

Reprising their roles from the 2013 Actors Theatre of Louisville production of "Girlfriend" will be Ryder Bach (Randy Newman's "Harps and Angels" at the Mark Taper Forum) and Curt Hansen ("Next to Normal" at the Ahmanson). The director is Les Waters, who directed the Actors Theatre production, as well as the world premiere production at Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

Set in Nebraska in the 1990s, two teenage boys -- one a social outcast, the other the quintessential jock -- explore a relationship during a summer of self-discovery between high school graduation and the rest of their lives.

Set to irresistible songs from Matthew Sweet's landmark pop album of the same name, this rock musical gives voice to those who grew up in small towns, to those who didn't quite fit in and to everyone who remembers the terror and thrill of first love.

Todd Almond is a composer, lyricist and playwright. He wrote the music for Sarah Ruhl's "Stage Kiss" at Playwrights Horizons, and collaborated with director Lear deBessonet on an adaptation of "The Tempest" and "Winter's Tale" for the Public Theater's Public Works. His other work includes a musical version of Ruhl's "Melancholy Play," music and lyrics for "We Have Always Lived in The Castle," "On the Levee" and his own musical adaptation of "The Odyssey," among others. His albums include "Mexico City" and "Memorial Day."

Matthew Sweet's albums include "100% Fun" (1995), "Altered Beast" (1993), "Blue Sky on Mars" (1997), "Earth" (1989), "Girlfriend" (1991), "In Reverse" (1999), "Inside" (1986), "Kimi Ga Suki" (2004), "Living Things" (2004), "Son of Altered Beast" (1994) and "The Thorns" (2003). He has recorded two volumes of classic hit duets from the 60s and 70s, "Under the Covers 1 and 2," with Susannah Hoffs; his solo album, "Sunshine Lies," in 2008; and his most recent album, "Modern Art," in 2011.

Tickets for "Girlfriend" are available at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, the CTG box office located at the Ahmanson Theatre, at the Kirk Douglas Theatre box office starting two hours before curtain or by calling (213) 628-2772. The Kirk Douglas Theatre is located at 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City.

Pictured: Ryder Bach and Curt Hansen in the 2013 Actors Theatre of Louisville production of GIRLFRIEND. Photo by Alan Simons.

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