REGIONAL NEWS Crystal Joy Brown, Matt Doyle, Telly Leung and others star in world premiere of musical 'My Best Friend's Wedding'
Kathleen Marshall will direct the musical version of the 1997 romantic comedy, which will be performed at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine.
Crystal Joy Brown, Matt Doyle, Telly Leung
The cast has been announced for the Ogunquit Playhouse world premiere of My Best Friend's Wedding, a new musical based on the hit film of the same name. Directed by Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall, the show will run from September 26 to October 27 at the Maine venue.
The cast stars Crystal Joy Brown (Merrily We Roll Along) as Julian, Tony Award winner Matt Doyle (Company) as Michael, Liana Staana (Miss Saigon) as Kimmy, Morgan Bryant (Mean Girls national tour) as Samantha, Zoe Jensen (Six) as Amanda, Terry Leung (Aladdin) as George, Mark Lotito (Some Like It Hot) as Walter, Austin Phillips (Parade) as Scotty and Soara Joy Ross (Hadestown) as Isabel.
The ensemble includes Kayleigh Boyle, Danielle Brackett, Runako Campbell, Deanna Cadojo, Aaron Graham, Harris Mathews, Jessica Sheridan, Mikayla Thrasher and Craig Waleczko, with Katie Backert and Raffy Gilliam in swing roles.
An adaptation of the 1997 film written by Ron Bass, this musical tells the story of food critic Julian Potter trying to rekindle a relationship with an old flame at his wedding. The film version, starring Julia Roberts, featured a group rendition of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's “I Say a Little Prayer” (led by Rupert Everett). This stage version includes the duo's “I'll Never Fall in Love Again” (originally written for the Broadway production of “Promises, Promises”), “I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself,” “Walk On By,” “What's New Pussycat?” and additional songs from Bacharach and David's song catalog. The musical's book was co-written by Bass and Jonathan Harvey.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Crossroads Live to bring you the world premiere of My Best Friend's Wedding and to welcome three-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall back to our stage,” Ogunquit Theatre Executive Artistic Director Bradford Kenney said in a statement. “Together with Kathleen and this incredible cast and creative team, we will continue the tradition of shaping the future of American theater.”
The new musical has musical direction by Andrew Sotomayor, set and costume design by Colin Richmond, lighting design by Richard Latta, sound design by Kevin Hurd and wig, hair and makeup design by Roxanne De Luna. Nikki Lint serves as stage manager and the cast is led by ARC's Mark Brandon and Jarrett Reich.
The musical was originally scheduled to premiere in 2020 with a tour of Ireland and the UK, but was initially postponed and then cancelled due to the pandemic.
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