Goodspeed Musicals Announces Cast For Li’l Abner
- To Be Directed By Scott Schwartz -
2006-03-15
East Haddam, Conn., March 15, 2006: Join Goodspeed Musicals for Li’l Abner, a fun-filled, foot-stompin’ extravaganza which opens the 2006 Goodspeed Opera House season. Li’l Abner, which will begin on April 21, is set to run through the spring and early summer, with a final performance scheduled for July 2 (official Press Opening: Wednesday, May 17, 2006).
From Johnny Mercer and Gene de Paul, (the composers of last season’s hit, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers), Li’l Abner features a book by Norman Panama and Melvin Frank, based on the comic strip created by Al Capp. Trouble begins in the cornseed town of Dogpatch, USA when the government decides to wipe it off the map. Hilarious protests and a riotous Sadie Hawkins Day chase ensue. Filled with gentle satire, rib-tickling humor, and a host of brash, catchy tunes including “If I Had My Druthers,” “Jubilation T. Cornpone,” “Love in a Home,” “Progress Is the Root of All Evil,” and “The Country's in the Very Best of Hands,” Li’l Abner is packed with one showstopping dance after another. It’s pure entertainment for the whole family!
Winner of two Tony Awards, Li’l Abner, directed and choreographed by Michael Kidd, opened November 15, 1956 at Broadway’s St. James Theatre and played for 693 performances. Goodspeed’s Li’l Abner will be directed by Scott Schwartz (Goodspeed’s Me and My Girl, Broadway’s Golda’s Balcony and Jane Eyre) and choreographed by Patti Colombo (Goodspeed’s Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, national tours of Seussical the Musicaland Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby).
“We are delighted to kick-off the 2006 season with such a fun musical, especially one that is perfect for the whole family,” noted Michael P. Price, Goodspeed Executive Director. “It’s a great way to start an exciting year for Goodspeed that will continue with productions of Pippin and The Pirates of Penzance, as well as our three productions at The Norma Terris Theatre.”
Li’l Abner will be portrayed by Glenn Lawrence. Lawrence is a fresh-face at Goodspeed Musicals making his professional debut in Li’l Abner, however, he is not new to Connecticut as he recently graduated from the University of Hartford’s Hartt School. Curt Buckler will play Earthquake McGoon (national tour of Guys and Dolls) and Trent Armand Kendall, who recently performed in Broadway’s Into the Woods, off-Broadway’s Bat Boy, The Musicaland the first national tour of Smokey Joe’s Café, will play the role of Marryin’ Sam. General Bullmoose will be played by William McCauley (Broadway’s Saturday Sunday Monday). The cast also features Christeena Riggs as Daisy Mae (Broadway’s Les Misérables and Jane Eyre). Mammy and Pappy Yokum will be performed by Andrea Wolff (Broadway’s Hello, Dolly!) and John Shuman (Broadway’s 13 Rue de L’Amour and La Cage aux Folles). Casting for the part of Appassionata Von Climax will be announced at a later date.
Paul Aguirre has been cast as Romeo Scragg; Aguirre has appeared in several national tours, including Seussical the Musical, The Who’s Tommy and My Fair Lady. Larry Daggett, who was seen on Broadway in Ragtime, as well as the national tour of Red, Hot, Cole, will fill the role of Dr. Finsdale. In the role of Senator Phogbound will be Dick Decareau, who was in Goodspeed Musicals’ 1994 production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, which went on to Broadway. Jeff Hiller will take on the role of Available Jones. Hiller was previously on the MTV series “Boiling Points.” Nick Locilento (national tour of Grand Hotel) is set to appear as Mayor Dawgmeat. Sarrah Strimel (national tour of The Producers) will appear as Stupifyin’ Jones, while Evil Eye Fleagle will be played by Christopher Windom (Broadway’s Fosse).
Additional ensemble for Li’l Abner includes Jennifer Balagna, Adriene Couvillion, Ryan Donovan, Krista Kurtzberg, Kate Marilley, Eddie Rabon, Shane Rhoades (who appeared in Goodspeed’s Seven Brides For Seven Brothers and Broadway’s The Boy From 0z), Mark Roland and Shorey Walker. Dante Russo, Ginger Child Smith, and Marcellus Waller are credited as swings for this production.
The musical director for Li’l Abner is Michael O’Flaherty, in his 15th season as Goodspeed’s Resident Music Director. William J. Thomas (Goodspeed’s Abyssinia, Me and My Girl, and George M! ) is assistant music director, with orchestrations by Dan DeLange, who provided the orchestrations for Goodspeed Musicals’Sandy Wilson’s The Boy Friend,
Red Hot and Blue,Call Me Madam,and Babes in Arms. Sets are designed by David Gallo (Goodspeed Musicals’Kudzu),
with costumes designed by Michael Krass (Goodspeed Musicals’Kiss Me, Kate, Broadway’s You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown). Lighting is designed by Kirk Bookman (Goodspeed’s Abyssinia, Mack & Mabeland Broadway’s Band in Berlin, The Sunshine Boys and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes). Li’l Abner is produced for Goodspeed Musicals by Michael P. Price.
Dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theatre, Goodspeed Musicals produces three musicals each season at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn., and an additional three at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., which was opened in 1984 for the development of new musicals. The only regional theatre to receive two Tony Awards (for outstanding achievement), Goodspeed also maintains The Scherer Library of Musical Theatre and The Max Showalter Center for Education in the Musical Theater. Goodspeed gratefully acknowledges the support of Webster Bank, Goodspeed Opera House Season Sponsor, American Airlines, official airline of Goodspeed Musicals, Hoffman Auto Group, and media sponsor WFSB-TV Channel 3. Li’l Abner is sponsored by Mohegan Sun and Essex Meadows Lifecare Retirement Community.
For more information,to schedule an interview, or to receive stock art, pleasecontact
MelissaBennett (ext. 366) or Dan McMahon (ext.324) at 860.873.8664,Melissa.Bennett@goodspeed.org / Dan.McMahon@goodspeed.org.
GOODSPEED MUSICALS - LI’L ABNER FACT SHEET
Production:Li’l Abner
Music by: Gene de Paul
Lyrics by: Johnny Mercer
Book by: Norman Panama and Melvin Frank
Theatre: Goodspeed Opera House, Route 82, East Haddam, Connecticut
Director: Scott Schwartz
Choreographer: Patti Colombo
Set Designer: David Gallo
Costume Designer: Michael Krass
Lighting Designer: Kirk Bookman
Music Director: Michael O’Flaherty
Assistant Music Director: William J. Thomas
Musical Orchestrations: Dan DeLange
Principals: Curt Buckler (Earthquake McGoon)
Trent Armand Kendall (Marryin’ Sam)
Glenn Lawrence (Abner)
William McCauley (General Bullmoose)
Christeena Riggs (Daisy Mae)
John Shuman (Pappy Yokum)
Andrea Wolff (Mammy Yokum)
To Be Announced (Appassionata Von Climax)
Ensemble: Paul Aguirre, Jennifer Balagna, Adriene Couvillion, Larry Daggett, Dick Decareau, Ryan Donovan, Jeff Hiller, Krista Kurtzberg, Nick Locilento, Kate Marilley, Eddie Rabon, Shane Rhoades, Mark Roland, Sarrah Strimel, Shorey Walker, Christopher Windom
Swings: Ginger Child Smith (Swing), Dante Russo (Swing), Marcellus Waller (Swing)
Synopsis: Trouble begins in the cornseed town of Dogpatch, USA when the government decides to wipe it off the map. Hilarious protests and a riotous Sadie Hawkins Day chase ensue. Based on the classic comic strip, Li’lAbner is packed with one showstopping dance after another – pure entertainment for the whole family!
Dates: April 21– July 2, 2006
Performances: Wednesday at 2 & 7:30 pm, Thursday at 7:30 pm, Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 4 & 8:30 pm, Sunday at 2 & 6:30 pm. Additional matinees Thursdays May 25, June 8, June 22 and June 29 and Friday, June 30.
Tickets: $25 - $63, Goodspeed Box Office (860.873.8668) or on-line at www.goodspeed.org
Special Events: Wine Tasting (April 23)
Kids Night (April 23, April 26, April 27, April 28)
First Friday Happy Hour (April 28)
Backstage at Goodspeed (May 18, June 1, June 15)