Because of Winn Dixie Musical Announces Casting

Goodspeed Musicals has announced casting for its summer production of the new musical Because of Winn Dixie, set to run from June 28-September 1 with an official press opening on July 17.

Based on the novel by Kate DiCamillo, Because of Winn Dixie features music by Tony winner Duncan Sheik and a book and lyrics by Nell Benjamin. The story is described as follows: "In a Southern town filled with lost souls, a new leash on life is just around the corner when a preacher and his daughter take in a mutt named Winn Dixie."

Directed by John Rando, the cast will feature Josie Todd (Opal), J. Robert Spencer (Preacher), Sophia Massa (Sweetie Pie Thomas), Crystal Kellogg (Callie Thomas), Brian Michael Hoffman (Jiggs Thomas), Jay Hendrix (Stevie Dewberry), Jamie Mann (Dunlap Dewberry), Kacie Sheik (Jeanne Dewberry), Chloë Cheers (Amanda Wilkinson), Nicole Powell (Millie Wilkinson), John Edwards (Carl Wilkinson), David Poe (Otis), Isabel Keating (Franny Block), Roz Ryan (Gloria Dump), Ryan Halsaver (Townsperson), and Mackenzie Warren (Townsperson). Winn Dixie will be played by Bowdie.

Understudies include Ava Loughlin (Opal), Ben Stone-Zelman (Stevie/Dunlap), Tess Santarsiero (Sweetie Pie), Veronica James (Amanda), and Bailey (Winn Dixie).

The creative team includes choreography by Chris Bailey, animal direction by William Berloni, scenic design by Donyale Werle, costume design by Emily Rebholz, lighting design by Jeff Croiter, projection design by Olivia Sebesky, sound design by Jay Hilton, wig and hair design by Mark Adam Rampmeyer, music supervision/orchestrations by Jason Hart, and music direction by Adam Souza.