William Parry Joins Goodspeed's The Will Rogers Follies
(photo provided by Goodspeed Musicals)
William Parry (Groundhog Day) is set to join the cast of Goodspeed Musicals's production of The Will Rogers Follies in the role of Clem Rogers. He will step in for David Garrison, who leaves the company to join rehearsals as Irving Berlin in Berkshire Theatre Group's upcoming production of Come Back Like a Song! His final performance in The Will Rogers Follies will be June 3.
The Will Rogers Follies runs through June 21. Don Stephenson directs, with choreography by Kelli Barclay.
The work features a book by Peter Stone, music composed and arranged by Cy Coleman, and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Inspired by the words of Will and Betty Rogers, the original New York production was directed and choreographed by Tommy Tune and earned the 1991 Tony Award for Best Musical.
The cast also includes David Lutken as Will Rogers, along with Catherine Walker (Betty Blake), Brooke Lacy (Ziegfeld's Favorite), Dewey Caddell (Wiley Post), Ben Stone-Zelman (Will Rogers Jr.), Riley Briggs (Mary Rogers), Brendan Reilly Harris (Jimmy Rogers), and Nathan Horne (Freddy Rogers). The ensemble includes Michael Biren, Aaron Burr, Sarah Fagan, Kaitlyn Frank, Brad Frenette, Emily Jeanne Phillips, Kelly Sheehan, Karilyn Ashley Surratt, Caitlin Wilayto, and Borris York, with Mallory Davis and Patrick Heffernan as swings, and Ella Briggs as understudy to the roles of Mary, Jimmy, and Freddy Rogers. The Voice of Ziegfeld will be performed by two-time Tony Award winner James Naughton.
The production features scenic design by Walt Spangler, costume design by Ilona Somogyi, lighting design by Rob Denton, projection design by Michael Clark, sound design by Jay Hilton, wig and hair design by Mark Adam Rampmeyer, and music direction by Michael O'Flaherty. William J. Thomas is the assistant music director, while Dan DeLange lends orchestrations.
