New Musical 'Caprice' Premieres at Winds Theatre Company

'Caprice,' a new musical with music and lyrics by Robert Lux and book by Robert Lux in association with Jim Keeler,  begins previews at Wings Theatre Company September 11th and opens September 17th. Fred C. L. Mann III directs and choreographs the production. David Hancock Turner is the musical director.

Taking place in San Francisco circa 1959, 'Caprice' centers around a theatre devoted to musicals where an egotistical artistic director is casting a new production with his intrepid associate. Just as they're about to cast an actress who's perfect for the lead, a manipulative diva walks in and seduces the director into giving her the starring role. A bright and breezy backstage musical with dueling divas, naïve ingénues and conniving board members, 'Caprice' is a show about dreamers and schemers who come to see themselves for who they really are.

'Caprice' previews at Wings Theatre Company (154 Christopher Street, basement of the Archive Building) from Thursday, September 11th to Monday, September 15th. Opening Night on Wednesday, September 17th at 8PM is a special press night with a "Meet the Cast" reception free to subscribers following the show. Regular performances including previews are Thursdays-Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 3:30PM and Mondays at 8PM through October 5th. Tickets are $20/ $16 for seniors and students. Opening Night admission is $30. The theatre is wheelchair accessible. For tickets and information go to Wingstheatre.com or call the Box Office at (212) 627-2961.

The cast of 'Caprice' includes Sue Berch, Cooper Cerulo, Anthony Fusco, Frank Galgano, Jimmy Glidden III, Jared Joplin, Joey Kovach, Mary Anne Prevost, LinDel Sandlin, Vanessa Wendt, and Melissa Zimmerman.  The staff for the show consists of director/choreographer Fred C.L. Mann III, music director David Hancock Turner, costume designer Kurt A. Smith, lighting designer Joyce Liao, set designer Justin R. Couchara, stage manager Chelsea Usherwood, author/composer Robert Lux, and book consultant Jim Keeler

BIOS

Fred C.L. Mann III (Director/Choreographer) has directed and choreographed for theatre, television, commercials, industrials, opera companies and concert dance both national and international. He just finished choreographing three dance pieces for Alvin Ailey American Dance (July), directing 'Subtley' at the Algonquin One Act Festival (July), and directed/choreographed, 'Dutch Courage' here at Wings in June. Also directed 'The Luckiest Girl in the World,' a new one act play, which received national honors for best new play. As Producing Director of Westside Repertory Theatre for three years. He also directed and produced Machiavelli's 'La Mandragola,' Moliere's 'Sganarelle and Beaumarchais,' 'The Marriage of Figaro,' which received the 1998 OOBR "Outstanding Production" Award at WRT. Mr. Mann directed/choreographed such musicals: 'Chicago,' 'Pippin,' 'Little Shop of Horrors,' 'A Glimpse of the Light' (new), 'Celebration,' 'Grease,' 'Fiddler On The Roof,' 'Portrait of a Hunchbach' (new), 'My Child' (new), 'The Happiness Man' (new), 'Dance Y2K' (new), 'Jazz Talks' (new) and 'The Boyfriend.' He also has choreographed and staged the musical numbers in 'Rabbi's Wife' (new), 'Carousel,' 'Gulliver's Travels' and Eartha Kitt's original world premiere of 'Cowboy and the Legend.' As a Broadway/film performer he had the great pleasure to perform in 'Chicago,' 'Dancin',' 'Sweet Charity' and 'All That Jazz' with the legendary Bob Fosse. Other film credits include Woody Allen's, 'Everyone Says I Love You,' Woody Allen's 'Mighty Aphrodite' and 'Tootsie.' Presently Mr. Mann is teaching at Alvin Ailey American Dance. 

David Hancock Turner (Music Director, Piano) David is a composer and music director and is excited to be taking part in his first show with Wings Theatre. Recent projects from this past summer include composing songs for Shakespeare's lyrics in 'Twelfth Night' (Summer Theatre of New Canaan) and performing in, music directing and teaching musicals in upstate New York at the Fort Salem Theater. He has written several musicals, including his original 'Central Park,' about the creation of Central Park in Manhattan in 1857, and Ghostwriter, co-created with playwright Christopher Shinn. Other collaborations include a movie-musical short directed by choreographer Susan Marshall, sound design with the Old Kent Road Theater (Ontological-Hysteric) and performing original songs as his alter-ego 'Johnny Hancock.'

Kurt A. Smith (Costume Designer) 'Caprice' is the debut Costume Design project for Menswear Designer, Kurt Smith. This production features original designs from Mr. Smith. He joins the production from his Menswear label, Oliver Hazard. Past stints include the couture house of Chado Ralph Rucci, Lafayette 148 and Ahché. Mr. Smith currently also menswear for Afraeli, a designer label that produces custom-made Men's outerwear.

Joyce Liao (Lighting Designer) Based in New York City, Joyce Liao has designed operas, musicals, dance and plays here in New York and across the country. Her lighting design Caucasian Chalk Circle has won the USITT Peggy Ezekiel Award for Outstanding Achievement Lighting Design and has been included in the World Stage Design 2005 Exhibit in Toronto. Joyce's recent projects include: The Stronger at ArcLight Theatre, directed by Stephen Wadsworth and Handball Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre, The Seven Little Foys at Michael Schimmel Center and The Alice Complex at Cherry Lane Theatre. Joyce holds an M.F.A. in Theatrical Lighting Design from Ohio University. 

Justin R. Couchara (Set Designer), from Worcester, PA, is a recent graduate from Penn State University with a BFA in scenic design. His Penn State credit include as scenic designer 'Push,' 'A Year with Frog and Toad,' scenic charge artist for 'Pentecost,' and assistant charge artist for 'Pararde.' He has also designed for University of Findlay's productions of 'Into the Woods' and 'Cheaper by the Dozen.' Other credits include scenic painter for 'Camelot,' 'Lend Me a Tenor,' 'Ordinary Days' at Pennsylvania Centre Stage. He served as assistant props master for the Discovery Channel's documentary series 'Crime Scene University' and projection media creator at Roundabout Underground's Black Box Theatre in Speech and Debate.

Chelsea Usherwood (Stage Manager) is a recent graduate from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor's in Design for Performance. She worked as the Lighting Designer on such plays as 'The Family Frost,' 'The Lonesome West,' 'And Baby Makes Seven,' as well as several others. She has Stage Managed and Assistant Stage Managed numerous shows such as 'Slavey,' 'Still Lives,' 'Ozma of Oz,' Disney's '101 Dalmatians,' and 'Black River Falling.'

Robert Lux (Author, Composer/Lyrics) a graduate of the University of Washington's School of Drama, spent many years in New York City playing at night spots, dance classes and parties. He first developed his writing skills during his years at the BMI composer workshop. He began writing shows after moving back to Washington. His musical 'Around The Block' was produced in Seattle and a children's show for which he wrote the score was staged while he was member of Playwrights In Progress. He has written over 200 songs and also a play, 'Tight Quarters.'

Jim Keeler (Book Consultant) former BMI Composer/Lyricist workshop member of Writers/Directors Unit of the Actors Studio for 10 years. Artistic director of Classical Theatre Ensemble. Free lance stage director in New York City, in regional theatres and internationally, including Edmonton Fringe Festival (Canada), Exterminating Angel (Madrid), etc.

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