Cass Morgan to Bring 'The Road to Where' to Weston Playhouse, 8/13

The Weston Playhouse Theatre Company transforms its intimate OtherStages space into a warm and welcoming pub for the regional premiere of an engaging new play with music, The Road to Where, beginning August 13. Broadway's Cass Morgan wrote and stars in this true-life tale of a journey to rural Ireland that brought her a surprising new sense of "home." Fresh from its world premiere at the Geva Theatre in Rochester, New York, The Road to Where comes to Weston audiences with the hopes of productions in New York and around the country.

The work is a memory play of sorts, a story about what happened on one particular trip to County Clare. "It was a marvelous adventure to the home of my ancestors," says Morgan, "a trip that allowed me to let go of certain things from my past, with a view toward nourishing the future." The play is directed by Weston artistic director Steve Stettler who first previewed the script on a cold winter night, across the desk from Cass, in the Weston office. "She read and sang it to me, and it was enchanting. And I want to share that experience with our audience."

Morgan's career includes significant Broadway credits (Memphis, Mary Poppins, Bridges of Madison County, The Capeman, Hair) and a lengthy list of regional theatre performances. She is a Weston Company member (Saint Ex, Uncle Vanya) and co-creator of the irresistible, country-fried musical Pump Boys and Dinettes, which opened the Weston MainStage season in June.

With The Road to Where, Morgan reveals herself as a master theatrical storyteller. Supported by three musician/actors - Eli Zoller, Pearl Rhein, and Max Grossman - she plays a dozen memorable characters. Accompanying songs, penned by Morgan and a handful of others, include nostalgic folk-tinged tunes and buoyant, soulful performances.

Stettler's creative team includes scenic designer Kristen Robinson and lighting designer Cory Pattak who've recently earned accolades for Weston's production of The Other Place. They, along with music director Steven Alper, costume designer Barbara Bell, sound designer Ben Montmagny, and production stage manager Cressa Amundsen, create a special, intimate setting where Morgan's characters come to life across miles, and generations.

Sponsored in part by Manchester Designer Outlets, The Road to Where opens August 13 and runs through August 30 on Weston's OtherStages (982 Route 100S in Weston.) Curtain Times are Tuesday thru Saturday evenings at 7:30pm; Saturday matinee at 2pm; Sunday matinees at 3pm. Runs one hour and twenty minutes without intermission. Tickets begin at $32 and are available online at westonplayhouse.org or at the box office: (802) 824-5288.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos