Cleavant Derricks, Tamyra Gray et al. Set for Pasadena Playhouse’s Twist – An American Musical

Tony Award winner Cleavant Derricks will join the previously reported Tamyra Gray in Twist – An American Musical, to run June 14 – July 17 at the Pasadena Playhouse, with an opening on June 26. Debbie Allen will direct and choreograph the production.

Based on Charles Dickens’ classic Oliver Twist, this family musical features a book by William F. Brown and Tina Tippit, music and lyrics by Tena Clark, and music by Gary Prim. The musical previously played Atlanta’s Alliance Theater last year, under Allen’s direction.

This adaptation is set in New Orleans on the eve of the Great Depression. It tells the story of a young orphan boy born of a courageous white mother and an incredibly talented black father who navigates the colorful and sometimes rough waters of street life and racial indifference in his quest to find his family and to find love.

Alaman Diadhiou will star in the title role, with Coco Monroe playing Twist at select performances. The cast will also include Paul Aguirre, Cliff Bemis, Joshua Bolden, Diane Delano, Chad Doreck, Kyle Garvin, Ava Gaudet, Tamyra Gray, Jared Grimes, Chantel Heath, Holly Hyman, Matthew Johnson, Olivia-Diane Joseph, Chase Maxwell, Vivian Nixon, Carla Renata, Malaiyka Reid, Terrance Spencer, Dougie Styles, and Armando Yearwood. In addition, the Children’s Ensemble will feature Nickolas Eibler, John Fisher, Joshua Horton, Wayne Mackins, Micah Patterson, Julianna Rigoglioso, Issac Spector and Dempsey Tonks.

The production will feature scenic design by Todd Rosenthal, costume design by Emilio Sosa, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Peter Fitzgerald, orchestrations by Harold Wheeler, and musical direction and vocal arrangements by Jim Vukovich.

For more information and tickets, click here.