WHAT'S NEW in Wayne’s World?
Notes from Wayne Bryan, producing director

6/24/08

Singing Our Way Through the Summer

So far this season, we’re having an absolutely wonderful time, working with a great team of performers, musicians, designers and technicians, creating productions of which we’re terribly proud.
And audiences and critics seem to agree, thank goodness!

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - June 4 – 8 was a lark from start to finish, and audiences laughed heartily. Jimmy Brennan as Pseudolus led an inspired group of comedians, including Kilty Reidy as Hysterium, Justin Robertson as Marcus Lycus, Edward Watts as Miles Gloriosus, Myrna Paris as Domina, Charles Parker as Senex, and Bucky Walters as Erronius. The young lovers, played by Skyler Adams and Lindsey Bliven, were pretty darn funny, too, as were the three tireless proteans, Ryan Koss, Aaron Umsted, and Todd Walker.

In addition to his duties as actor, Justin Robertson created one of his unique visual impressions of the entire cast. If you’d like to see this inspired set of caricatures, click here. (For more of his work, visit www.squigsink.com )

For some hilarious photos, visit our Gallery.

To read the Wichita Eagle review by Bob Curtright, click here.

James Brennan	Kilty Reidy	Myrna Paris

My Fair Lady - June 18 - 22 was another complete joy. Our leads Kim Huber and Damon Kirsche were both just stunning in their roles (it was first time either of them had played these parts), and Justin Robertson, Kathleen Huber, Charles Parker, Johnny Stellard, and Stephanie Rascoe-Myers lent stellar support.

And Justin Robertson created yet another masterwork. If you’d like to see his unique take on this show, click here. (For more of his work, visit www.squigsink.com )

To revisit the elegance and fun of our My Fair Lady production, visit our Gallery.

To read the Wichita Eagle review by Bob Curtright, click here.

Kim Huber	Damon Kirsche	Kathleen Huber

But now, we’re in the land of Mark Twain, and having a fabulous time.

Big River - July 2 - 6
is Roger Miller’s toe-tapping adaptation of Mark Twain's masterpiece, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. It will be directed by Mark Madama, who just staged a wonderful version of this show at the University of Michigan. The evocative new sets have been designed for us by a new MTWichita face, Arthur Ridley, who designed the Michigan production. Broadway artist Nikkieli DeMone (Miss Saigon, Ragtime) makes his Wichita debut as Jim, and Andy Mientus is reprising his U of M performance as Huck. (The Monday after we close, Andy starts rehearsals for the national tour of Spring Awakening!) Co-starring as the conniving Duke and King are Gordon Goodman (Jud in Oklahoma!, Edward in On a Clear Day...) and Danny Stiles (weight-challenged Dave in The Full Monty). The role of Pap Finn is once again being filled by Kevin Reese, who played the role in our 1991 production, and winsome Kimberly Fauré plays Mary Jane Wilkes. The talents of Karen L. Robu and Jessica Chesbro are put to use as the Widow Douglas and Miss Watson, and other incredible singing voices include Betti O. (Ain’t Misbehavin’, Seussical), Erin Clemons, and Sheila J. Kinnard (Once on this Island, Sound of Music).

Andy Nientus in the University of Michigan production of Big River Nikkieli DeMone

   *** (On Friday, 4th of July, our Big River performance will be at 7 p.m., and the city of Wichita will reserve 1000 parking spaces for our crew and patrons; The show will finish around 9:35, so patrons may leave before the 10:15 fireworks, or stay and enjoy them.)

All Shook Up - July 16 - 20
takes Shakespeare's romantic comedies and puts them in a blender with the Elvis Presley songbook. Talented director-choreographer Roger Castellano and I are going to collaborate on staging this brand new Broadway show, and we’ll be joined by musical director Michael Borth. Our amazing cast will include Broadway’s Chris Peluso (seen here as Joe Hardy in Damn Yankees, Tom in Good News!, Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie) in the role of Chad, the mysterious young Elvis-like roustabout. Opposite him are the beautiful and talented Anne Horak as Natalie (and her alter-ego Ed!) and Brynn O’Malley. Adding to the fun will be the return of David Ruprecht, well-known game show host who has delighted our audiences in HONK! and The Music Man. You won’t want to miss this one!

Chris Peluso	Anne Horak	Brynn O'Malley	David Ruprecht

All Shook Up at Musical Theatre West, Long Beach, CA, 2008

Les Miserables - August 1 – 10
is the international sensation, based on Victor Hugo’s epic novel. Starring as Jean Valjean will be Nicholas Saverine, who is no stranger to the role, having played it in Europe and across the U.S. (but never yet in Wichita!).  Joining Nick will be Chris Peluso as Marius, Jessica Chesbro as Fantine, Desi Oakley as Eponine, Karen and Tim Robu as the Thenardiers and Shaun-Michael Morse as Enjolras, all under the direction of Joe Locarro (who appeared in the show on Broadway, and who guided our award-winning production of
Ragtime).

By the way, we added four extra performances of Les Mis – August 1, 2, and 3. There are GREAT seats available for these performances (8 pm Friday, 2 pm and 8 pm Saturday, and 2 pm Sunday).

Nicholas Saverine	Jessica Chesbro	Desi Oakley

And an update – Annie Funke, our wonderful Tracy in HAIRSPRAY, has now played the role several times as understudy in the current Broadway cast. You can’t stop the beat, and you can’t stop our Annie!

(To re-visit highlights of last summer, go to Archives and click on 2007 Season.)