WHAT'S NEW in Wayne’s World?
Notes from Wayne Bryan, producing artistic director
6/19/09
Wow! We had a great time with THE PRODUCERS! Audiences laughed from start to finish, and Bob Curtright's review for the Wichita Eagle was one of the best we've ever received:
"Broad, brash and arguably the funniest musical ever written for the Broadway stage, "The Producers" launched Music Theatre of Wichita's 38th season into rip-roaring, riotous comic overdrive Wendesday.
Mel Brooks' wacky 2001 masterpiece, which holds the all-time Broadway record with 12 Tony Awards, is a fabulously silly valentine to Broadway itself and a past era of vaudeville jokes, double takes, top bananas and beautiful showgirls in gorgeous -- if ridiculous -- costumes."
To read the full review, click here
To see photos, click here.
King Arthur's noble journey to inspire peace and justice among warring men grows more poignant with every passing year. This much loved show features a gorgeous score by Lerner and Loewe (“If Ever I Would Leave You,” “How to Handle a Woman,” “The Lusty Month of May”) embedded in a literate and elegant libretto.
Starring as Arthur is the wonderful Damon Kirsche (My Fair Lady, The Scarlet Pimpernel), playing opposite Laura Griffith (our beautiful Laurey in Oklahoma!) as Guenevere. Multitalented Ed Watts (Seven Brides..., Annie Get Your Gun, ...Forum) is a perfect Sir Lancelot, and Justin Robertson brings both pathos and humor as King Pellinore.
Damon Kirsche and Justin Robertson in My Fair Lady
Photos by Mark Maack, Squid Ink Creative
Villainy is provided by company member Paul Sabala (so terrific last year in All Shook Up) as the treacherous Mordred, and redemption comes in the form of young Tom of Warwick, played by Gavin Myers who was such a memorable Gavroche in last year’s Les Misérables.
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Laura Griffith | Edward Watts | Paul Sabala | Gavin Myers |
I'm looking forward to directing this beautiful show, and collaborating with choreographer and fight director Amy Baker. All-new sets have been designed by Bruce Brockman, who did such amazing work on Les Miserables, and beautiful costumes are being created by George Bacon (Seussical).
After the poignant drama of CAMELOT, it will be marvelous to laugh with Cole Porter's rapier wit in KISS ME, KATE, which reworks Shakespeare's “The Taming of the Shrew” as a two-tiered love story about combatively amorous actors.
Backstage and onstage during a 1948 out-of-town tryout for a new musical, Fred Graham (playing Petrucchio) tries to tame and woo his ex-wife Lilli Vanessi (cast opposite him as Kate). Reversals and surprises abound, set to such songs as "So in Love," "Wunderbar," "Too Darn Hot," and "Brush Up Your Shakespeare."
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Mike McGowan | Wes Hart |
Photos by Gerry Goodstein, courtesy of the Paper Mill Playhouse
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Three of our stars, Mike McGowan (Fred / Petruchio), Gordon Joseph Weiss (Gangster Number One), and former MTWichita company member Wes Hart (Bill / Lucentio) appeared in the recent, highly acclaimed production of KISS ME, KATE at the Paper Mill Playhouse.
Beautiful Jessica Wright, a former MTWichita company member whose Broadway credits now include LoveMusik, Company and Sweeney Todd, now joins them in the role of Lilli / Kate.
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Jessica Wright | Gordon Joseph Weiss | Kiss Me, Kate – Paper Mill Playhouse |
Photos by Gerry Goodstein |
From the Paper Mill production we also welcome director Jimmy Brennan (Pseudolus in last year's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum) and choreographer Patti Colombo (who staged Cathy Rigby’s Peter Pan on Broadway).
The abundant comedy, thrilling singing, and gorgeous Tony Award-winning costumes should certainly make this a romp to remember.
After KISS ME, KATE, we proudly present one of the most challenging shows we have ever tackled - the MTWichita premiere of MISS SAIGON. This unforgettable retelling of “Madame Butterfly,” set during the final days of the Vietnam War, was another triumphant success for the creators of Les Misérables.
Young soldier Chris, lonely and displaced as he serves his country in southeast Asia, falls in love with the innocent bar girl Kim. The strength of their love, however, is sorely tested when the fortunes of war pull them powerfully in opposite directions, and Kim must find unbelievable reserves of faith and strength. This show is sung throughout, in the style of Les Mis, and features a richly emotional musical score.
Kevin Gray as the Engineer in Miss Saigon
Photos by Curtis Brown, courtesy of North Carolina Theatre
Starring as the charismatic Engineer is Kevin Gray, who has played this role extensively on Broadway and on tour, and whose portrayal was captured for posterity in the 2-CD Complete Symphonic Cast Recording of the show. Kevin just reprised the role in North Carolina earlier this year, and critics once again pronounced him definitive in the role. We can’t wait to have him here.
Another Broadway veteran starring in this show is Chris Peluso, well known to MTWichita audiences for leading performances in All Shook Up, Les Misérables, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Ragtime, and many more. Chris is taking a two-week vacation from his role as Sky in Broadway’s Mamma Mia! in order to play G.I. Chris for us.
Other distinguished artists making MTWichita debuts in MISS SAIGON include our leading lady, Shannon Tyo, who will portray the role of Kim. Shannon is based in New York, and recently made her debut in this role with the Pioneer Theatre in Utah. The role of Thuy will be portrayed by Doan Mackenzie, whose Broadway credits include You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and The King and I. Singing the powerful "Bui Doi" in the role of John will be Josh Tower, of Broadway's Lion King and Ragtime.
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Shannon Tyo | Chris Peluso | Doan Mackenzie | Josh Tower |
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| Director-Choreographer Darren Lee, and photos from his 2008 production at the St. Louis MUNY |
The show will be staged for us by Darren Lee, a member of the original Broadway cast, who has won critical accolades for his direction and choreography.
(Because of adult themes and the extremely dramatic nature of this show, we recommend this musical play for audiences 13 and older.
** See note later in this column, if you wish to exchange tickets.)
The official five-show season ends with another MTWichita premiere, the delightful bon-bon THE DROWSY CHAPERONE -- a perfect “dessert” for the varied menu of our season offerings.
I’ll bet many of you are going to say "THE DROWSY CHAPERONE! I’VE NEVER HEARD OF IT!" Well, here’s your chance to correct that situation, and have a sensational time doing it!
Wayne Bryan plays the musical theatre fan who brings his favorite show to life.
Photo by Mark Maack, Squid Ink Creative
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE is all about a trivia-obsessed bachelor who loves Broadway shows (can you picture me in this role?), who lives in his crumbling rent-controlled apartment and escapes the dreariness of his world by listening to cast albums - his favorite one being a frivolous (and mythical) song-and-dance trifle called "The Drowsy Chaperone."
As he puts the record on his turntable – remember records?! - the show comes to life in his apartment, with zany characters popping out of the refrigerator, entering on the fold-down bed, and bringing his drab surroundings to blazingly colorful life.
Our production will be a duplicate staging of the brilliant Broadway version, with Casey Nicholaw’s acclaimed direction and choreography lovingly re-created for us by his associate Casey Hushion.
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE – National Touring Company. Production photos, Joan Marcus.
Playing the title role of the “drowsy” (20s slang for “tipsy”) chaperone will be my two-time co-star Tracy Lore, memorable here as Betty Blake Rogers in The Will Rogers Follies and as flirtatious Lady Jacqueline in Me and My Girl. As glamorous aviatrix Trix we welcome back the delightful Betti O., who stopped the show last year in All Shook Up. Serving as droll butler Underling we again welcome Kilty Reidy, who was a member of the original Broadway cast of The Drowsy Chaperone.
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Tracy Lore | Betti O. | Kilty Reidy | Johnny Stellard | Emily Mechler |
Several resident company members will be showcased in leading roles, including Johnny Stellard as bridegroom Robert, Emily Mechler as dumb chorine Kitty, Tyler Foy as best friend George, and Aaron Umsted and Ryan Koss as the mysterious Pastry Chefs. Local favorite Timothy Robu plays harried producer Mr. Feldzeig.
Making hilarious MTWichita debuts will be guest stars Danny Bolero as comic Latin lothario Aldolpho, and Kathel Carlson as the absent-minded hostess Mrs. Tottendale.
Andrea Chamberlain as Janet Van De Graaf in the national tour.
Photo by Christina Izzo, courtesy San Francisco Chronicle
The surprise hit of the 2007 Broadway season, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE won five Tony Awards. In its own cheerful way, this hilarious show pays subtle and profound tribute to the way our lives can be enriched and transported by music and memories that make us happy.
And speaking of things that make us happy...
We are thrilled that the Disney Company has again chosen us to be one of the first in the country to be allowed to produce one of its newest titles. This time it’s HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2, the lively follow-up to the first installment (which set such records for us in 2007).
Once again, we have engaged the multi-talented Roger Castellano to direct and choreograph, with J Branson to design the sets, and versatile Jesse Warkentin as the musical director.
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Roger Castellano | J Branson | Jesse Warkentin |
We will feature dozens of talented young Midwesterners, bringing the hit TV movie to life as a living, breathing stage extravaganza.
This action-packed show is an added Special Event, and although it’s not part of the five-show season ticket, our season ticket holders will receive first choice when single tickets go on sale.
Rehearsal shot from High School Musical, part 1, 2007
Photo by Jerry Fritchman
** TICKET EXCHANGES FOR SEASON TICKET HOLDERS
** If any season ticket holders choose not to see our more mature shows, THE PRODUCERS or MISS SAIGON, their tickets (for those shows only) may be exchanged - no later than June 5 – for tickets to HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2.
We hope you are as excited as we are for the summer to begin! If you wish to learn more about season tickets or any other aspect of our upcoming season, please call our office at 316 265-3107 and our staff will be happy to help!
Finally, thanks for all the calls, notes, and emails about the shows last season. We were extremely proud of each one, and we don’t mind looking back one more time:
THE 2008 SEASON
“LES MISERABLES – MTWichita’s best show ever!”
That’s what we kept hearing from friends and fans who saw our season finale.
“You don’t just see this show. You experience it!” raved Bob Curtright in the Wichita Eagle.
We were thrilled by the response to this amazing show. We are so proud of the work our crew did, creating the sets, props and costumes. The orchestra led by Thomas Wesley Douglas sounded simply amazing, and the cast – as directed by Joe Locarro – brought the epic story to amazingly potent life. The pathos, the drama, the excitement – all were simply palpable in the work of Nick Saverine, Matthew Shepard, and the rest of our amazing company.
It was an amazing summer, overall, and we’ve felt very blessed with fine artists, terrific reviews, and excellent attendance.
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.
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| James Brennan |
Kilty Reidy |
Myrna Paris |
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.
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| Kim Huber |
Damon Kirsche |
Kathleen Huber |
also seemed to capture the audience’s imagination, with thunderous ovations greeting each performance. Roger Miller’s music seemed to perfectly complement a story both hilarious and gripping, especially as directed by Mark Madama. Arthur Ridley’s beautiful sets were really evocative, David Neville’s lighting was breathtaking, and our stars really brought the characters to life. Nikkieli DeMone (Miss Saigon, Ragtime) was a truly dynamic Jim, both with his acting and his marvelous singing, and Andy Mientus made an incredibly charming Huck. (Tyler Jones, who filled in for Andy on Sunday night, was also quite terrific. Andy, of course, flew to New York Sunday night, to begin rehearsals Monday morning for the national tour of Spring Awakening!) Gordon Goodman and Danny Stiles were funny and scary as the two conmen, and Kevin Reese similarly brought a very complex character to life as Huck’s abusive dad. Kimberly Fauré won praise for her charming acting and singing as Mary Jane Wilkes, and other incredibly talented women brought the story and music to life, including Karen L. Robu, Jessica Chesbro, Betti O., Erin Clemons, and Sheila J. Kinnard.
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| Andy Mientus |
Nikkieli DeMone |
Tyler Jones |
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To see some beautiful photos (and please notice David Neville’s incredible lighting) click on Gallery.
To read Bob Curtright’s review in the Wichita Eagle, click here.
took Shakespeare’s romantic comedies and cleverly put them into a blender with the Elvis Presley songbook, and the results were a whole lot of laughter, enhanced with two dozen wonderful songs. Talented director-choreographer Roger Castellano staged this brand new Broadway show, joined by musical director Michael Borth. Broadway’s Chris Peluso effectively evoked the Elvis mystique, but with a whole lot of humor to go with the dynamic dancing and singing. Beautiful Anne Horak was a hoot as girl mechanic Natalie (and her alter-ego Ed!) and Brynn O’Malley brought her best Ann-Margret heat to the role of Miss Sandra. David Ruprecht, well-known game show host, was totally charming as Natalie’s dad, and his romance with the spectacular Betti O. was a true highlight of the show. Other leads were beautifully handled by local favorite Karen L. Robu and company members Paul Sabala, Paige A. Williams, Ian Gibb, and Topher Nuccio. This was a real joy from start to finish, and I think it surprised a whole lot of people.
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| Chris Peluso |
Anne Horak |
Brynn O'Malley |
David Ruprecht |
To see more photos click HERE
To read Bob Curtright’s review in the Wichita Eagle, click here.
was MTWichita's first chance to stage the international sensation, based on Victor Hugo's epic novel. Starring as Jean Valjean was the phenomenal Nicholas Saverine, who proved to be simply riveting in this role. Sharing the stage with Nick was a hugely talented company, including Matthew Shepard as Javert, 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 meticulous and insightful direction of Joe Locarro (who appeared in the show on Broadway, and who guided our award-winning production of Ragtime). Audiences cheered this show at every performance, pronouncing it to be dramatically compelling, musically outstanding, and deeply spiritual, as well.
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| Nicholas Saverine |
Jessica Chesbro |
Desi Oakley |
To see more photos click HERE
To read Bob Curtright’s review in the Wichita Eagle, click here.
(To re-visit highlights of other previous shows, go to Archives and click on whichever season you wish to explore.)
