Theater News

Roz Ryan, Edward Watts Join Broadway’s Scandalous

Edward Watts
Edward Watts

Roz Ryan and Edward Watts will join the previously reported stars George Hearn and Carolee Carmello in the Broadway premiere of the new musical Scandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson, to begin previews at the Neil Simon Theatre on October 13, with an opening on November 15. David Armstrong will direct.

Featuring book and lyrics by Kathie Lee Gifford and music by David Pomeranz and David Friedman, the show is set in 1920’s Los Angeles and is based on the life of the world’s first media superstar evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson (Carmello), a woman whose passion for saving souls equaled her passion for making sensational headlines.

Ryan will portray Emma Jo Schaeffer, a tough talking, no nonsense madame of a brothel who befriends Aimee early in her ministry. Watts will play the dual roles of Robert Semple and David Hutton, Aimee’s first and third husband, respectively. Both actors are reprising their respective roles from the musical’s pre-Broadway production at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre last fall.

Scandalous will feature choreography by Lorin Latarro, musical direction and vocal arrangements by Joel Fram, scenic design by Walt Spangler, costume design by Gregory A. Poplyk, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Ken Travis and orchestrations by Tony Award winner Bruce Coughlin.

Additional casting will be announced soon.

Click here for more information and Scandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson tickets.

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