Mara Davi And Danny Gurwin To Star In THE MUSIC MAN At The LEXington Theatre Company

The LEXington Theatre Company announces the full cast and creative team for their upcoming production of The Music Man (July 12-15), kicking off their fourth season of combining "Today's Broadway Stars and Tomorrow's Broadway Hopefuls" in Lexington, Kentucky.

Meredith Willson's 1957 classic will be led by Danny Gurwin (The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Full Monty, Urinetown, Little Women) as Professor Harold Hill, and Mara Davi (Dames at Sea, Irving Berlin's White Christmas, The Drowsy Chaperone, A Chorus Line) as Marian Paroo. Hill's nemesis, Charlie Cowell, will be played by Aaron Gaines (Irish Repertory Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre D.C. and Utah Shakespeare Festival.) And the fun-loving Marcellus Washburn will be played by Justin Robertson, an accomplished actor who is also known as theatrical illustrator "Squigs," for his accomplished work as a Broadway caricaturist (www.squigsonline.com).

Some of Lexington's favorite local actors also join the cast including Paul Thomas (Mayor Shinn), Karyn Czar (Eulalie Shinn), Melissa Rae Wilkeson (Mrs. Paroo), Gabrielle Barker, Andy Clifton, Katie Feola, Jessica Pearl French, Gregory Hancock, Katie Owen, Darian Sanders and Joseph Wrightson. Central Kentucky natives, now based in NYC, Nathan Fister and Elizabeth McGuire, will return home for the production. Youth Apprentices Owen Scott and Taylor Riordan will play Winthrop Paroo and Amaryllis.

Representing The LEX's mission of serving as a training ground for college students and recent grads are cast members Laura Guley (Penn State) who will play Zaneeta Shinn, Trevor McChristian (Elon) who will play Tommy Djilas, Audrey Belle Adams (Univ. of Kentucky), Jessica Bayne (Univ. of Kentucky), Elle Brooks (Texas State), Brian Corkum (Texas State), Bailee Endebrock (CCM), Gabriella Enriquez (Oklahoma City Univ.), Peter Garza (Ithaca), Sam Keith (CCM), Jacob Major (Elon), Ashley Martin (Northern Kentucky University), Matthew Marvin (Marymount Manhattan), Resa Mishina (Rider), Aaron Robinson (Univ. of Michigan), and Daxx Jayroe Weiser (Oklahoma City Univ).

The Music Man will be directed by Mark Madama (University of Michigan; Music Theatre Wichita). Mara Newbery Greer, (Paper Mill Playhouse, Pittsburgh CLO, Music Theatre Wichita) will create new choreography for the production. The LEX Resident Music Director, Brock Terry, will music direct and lead the 27-piece orchestra.

Rounding out the design and creative team are Tanya Harper (Univ. of Kentucky) - Lighting Designer, Joseph D. Sibley, (SUMMER, Bandstand, On Your Feet) - Wardrobe and Hair Coordinator. Kevin Nedberg (MTWichita) - Production Coordinator, Marcus Ross (Blue Man Group) - Sound Designer and Lisa Hardin - Props Coordinator. The Stage Management Team includes Emily F. McMullen (The Huntington Theatre), Brandon T. Holmes (Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati) and Kate Pozner (CCM). Kathrin Thawley will be Assistant Music Director and Michael Rintamaa will serve as Rehearsal Accompanist.

Over 40 Central Kentucky students will take part in the Youth and High School Apprentice Program - both onstage and behind the scenes. Participants in the College Technical/Administrative Internship Program include students from the University of Kentucky, University of Chicago and Belmont University.

The Music Man will play the Lexington Opera House, July 12-15 and A Chorus Line will follow, August 2-5. Both productions are presented by Variety Live at the Opera House, with Co-Producing Sponsor, KentuckyOne Health; Media Sponsor WKYT-Channel 27; and Sponsors Central Bank and Willis Music. Additional grant/subsidy support is from the Opera House Fund, The Lexington Rotary Club, and LexArts.

Season Subscriptions and Single Tickets are currently available at the Lexington Center Box Office, or by phone at (859) 233-3535. Single Tickets also available on Ticketmaster. For more information or to make a donation, please visit the organization's website, www.lexingtontheatrecompany.org