Read the Press Release
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
News Release Virginia Repertory Theatre For Immediate Release Date: October 15, 2012 Contact: Susan Davenport Director of Communications Virginia Repertory Theatre [email protected] 804-513-8211 Virginia Repertory Theatre Rolls out Broadway at the November with The Producers Featuring Jason Marks and Scott Wichmann Richmond, VA – Virginia Repertory Theatre announces the opening of The Producers directed and choreographed by Broadway veteran Patti D’Beck at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre on Friday, November 16 with Previews on November 14 and 15. The show runs through January 13, 2013. It is the first offering in this year's "Broadway at the November" series. Winner of a record breaking twelve Tony Awards, this Mel Brooks comedy tells the story of a washed up Broadway producer, Max Bialystock, and a neurotic accountant, Leo Bloom, and their scheme to make millions on a Broadway flop. Music and lyrics by Mel Brooks feature sixteen songs. With a colorful cast of 24, a live orchestra, extravagant set, and dazzling costumes, The Producers will be one of Virginia Rep’s largest productions this season. Director Patti D’Beck has 18 Broadway credits as Associate Choreographer, Dance Captain, and Actor, including the original productions of Applause with Lauren Bacall, A Chorus Line, Seesaw, Pippin with Ben Vereen, and Evita with Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin. She currently teaches movement and musical theater at Virginia Commonwealth University. Patti directed and choreographed Virginia Rep's previous productions of White Christmas, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Guys and Dolls. Virginia Rep is thrilled to welcome back from Afghanistan, Scott Wichmann as Leo Bloom. The Producers will be his first major role in a production since his return from active duty in the Navy Reserves. Scott is known for his comic energy and versatility. His Virginia Rep credits include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Guys and Dolls, Fully Committed, the one-man adaptation of It’s a Wonderful Life, and many others. Jason Marks will pair up with Scott as Max Bialystock. Jason is one of Richmond’s most beloved actors, recently seen in Virginia Rep’s Seussical, My Fair Lady, and Guys and Dolls. Rachel Abrams is also no stranger to the Virginia Rep stage with roles in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Guys and Dolls. Rachel also toured with the national production of Annie. Jody Ashworth was recently seen in Virginia Rep’s Sound of Music and Guys and Dolls. Other credits include the Los Angeles production of Beauty and the Beast and the Hollywood Bowl production of Guys and Dolls. Musical Supervisor, Doug Minerd has been writing and producing award-winning shows for over 30 years at some of America’s largest entertainment facilities including SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Williamsburg, where he served as Music Director and Producer from 1982 – 1999. Doug’s signature work is the musical Four Part Harmony, a riveting true story of American POW’s in Vietnam based on a Richmond family, which premiered at Virginia Rep in 1991. Set Designer, Brian Barker teaches at VCU and designs for the New York-based firm, Gibson Design Group. Set designs for Virginia Rep include for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (RTCC Award), Spring Awakening (RTCC nominated) and most recently Night Blooms. Lynn Hartman, light designer, is also known for her work at the November Theatre. Credits include The Sound of Music (RTCC Award) and Spring Awakening (RTCC nominated). Sue Griffin has headed up the costume shops at Virginia Rep and TheatreVirginia for 28 years. Along with her staff, Sue has designed and constructed costumes for over 300 mainstage and touring shows. Ticket Information Box Office 804-282-2620 www.va-rep.org Full Price Tickets: $48 Standard, $60 Premium Supersaver and Discount Performances $25-$54 Discounted Group Rates and Rush tickets available. U-Tix for college and high school students $15. Available by phone or in person. Student ID required. The Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre is equipped with a new state-of the-art induction loop hearing system that is compatible with all telecoil-equipped hearing aids and cochlear implants. A handheld receiver and headphone system is also available free of charge for anyone who is hearing impaired. Valet parking is available for $8 at all performances except some preview performances. Press Kits Available at http://va-rep.org/press.html Pass code accessible Hi Res photos available to media. username = press password = HiRes121 Evening performances at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday 7:00 p.m. pm on select Wednesdays Matinee performances at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday and select Wednesdays and Saturdays Direction & Design Director and Choreographer Patti D’Beck^ Assistant Choreographers Valerie Acetta, J. Clayton Winters, Marissa Guida Musical Supervisor Douglas Minerd Associate Musical Supervisor Ben Miller Scenic Designer Brian C. Barker Lighting Designer Lynne M. Hartman+ Costume Designer Sue Griffin Sound Designer Derek Dumais Stage Manager Wendy Vandergrift* Cast List (in order of appearance) The Usherettes Jacqueline Reynolds, Mary Anne Furey Max Bialystock Jason Marks* Leo Bloom Scott Wichmann* Hold-me Touch-me Carolyn Meade Mr. Marks Paul S. Major Franz Liebkind Jody Ashworth* Carmen Ghia J. Clayton Winters Roger De Bris Michael Hawke Bryan Drew Seigla Kevin Elliott Lau Scott James Schoppe Shirley Carolyn Meade Ulla Rachel Abrams* Lick-me Bite-me Martha Johnson Kiss-me Feel-me Laura Bland Jack Lepidus Christopher M. Stewart Donald Dinsmore Neil Rushnock Jason Green Garrett Henson Lead Tenor Drew Seigla Sergeant Drew Seigla O’Rourke Christopher M. Stewart O’Riley Paul S. Major O’Houlihan Josh Marin Bailiff Drew Seigla Judge Paul S. Major Foreman of Jury Christopher M. Stewart Trustee Elliott Lau The Ensemble Laura Bland, Mary Anne Furey, Lauren Marie Hafner, Garrett Henson, Martha Johnson, Elliot Lau, Paul S. Major, Josh Marin, Brittany Martin, Carolyn Meade, Jacqueline Reynolds, Neil Rushnock, James Schoppe, Drew Seigla, Christopher M. Stewart, Alanna S. Thomas. ^The Director-Choreographer is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union. +Member of USA United Scenic Artists: local 829 * Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the U.S.A. About Virginia Repertory Theatre Virginia Repertory Theatre, located in Richmond, VA, combines the talents and strengths of two nonprofit companies that shared facilities, resources, and management teams for over a decade. Now the heritages of Barksdale Theatre (founded in 1953) and Theatre IV (founded in 1975) live on in their new form, as Central Virginia’s leading professional theater company. Virginia Rep presents national caliber productions of the great dramas, comedies, and musicals as well as classics, contemporary works, and world premieres, always seeking to demonstrate the unique power of theater to engage, enthrall, educate, and inspire. Productions are staged at four distinct venues: the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre and Theatre Gym at the downtown Virginia Rep Center, Virginia Rep’s Children’s Theatre of Virginia located at Willow Lawn, and at Hanover Tavern, home to Virginia Rep’s Barksdale Season. .