Judy Kuhn, Mary Testa, and Leslie Margherita to Star in Steel Magnolias at Cape Playhouse
(© David Gordon)
Michael Rader, artistic director of the Cape Playhouse, has announced casting for the theater's 92nd season. The six-play schedule, running June 12-September 1, features three plays and three musicals, including the premiere and pre-national tour engagement of Clue: On Stage, adapted from the classic film.
Kicking off the 2018 season will be Robert Harling's Steel Magnolias (June 12-23), directed by Pamela Hunt. The cast will feature four-time Tony Award nominee Judy Kuhn (Fun Home) as M'Lynn, two-time Tony nominee Mary Testa (Wicked) as Ouiser, and Olivier Award winner Leslie Margherita (Matilda) as Truvy. Rounding out the cast are Jillian Louis as Annelle, Joy Franz is Clairee, and Laurie Veldheer as Shelby.
Next will be Sylvia (June 26-July 7), the acclaimed comedy written by two-time Pulitzer Prize nominee A.R. Gurney. Directed by Matt Lenz, the cast will star Jennifer Cody (Shrek the Musical) as Sylvia, Tony Award winner Michele Pawk (Hollywood Arms) as Kate, Tony nominee John Dossett (Gypsy) as Greg, and Stephen Derosa (Into the Woods) as Tony, Phyllis, and Leslie.
Million Dollar Quartet (July 10-21) will then feature Sean McGibbon as Jerry Lee Lewis, Sky Seals as Johnny Cash, James Barry as Carl Perkins, and Ari Wilford as Elvis Presley. Directed by Hunter Foster, the musical includes over 20 hit songs including "Real Wild Child," "Memories Are Made of This," "Fever," "Hound Dog," "Walk the Line," "Matchbox," "Blue Suede Shoes," and many more.
The fourth show of the season, Altar Boyz (July 24-August 4), will feature Coby Getzug as Abraham, Austin Colby as Matthew, David Barnes as Mark, Anthony Fortino as Luke, and Ben Chavez as Juan. The show will be directed and choreographed by Jason Sparks with music direction by Jordan Jones-Reese.
The final musical of the Cape Playhouse season will be South Pacific (August 7-18), directed by Cape Playhouse artistic director Michael Rader, choreographed by Joyce Chitick, and music directed by Garrett Taylor. The cast will feature Mike McGowan as Emile, Becky Gulsvig as Nellie, Tim Rogan as Lt. Cable, Shae Renne as Liat, Michael Thomas Holmes as Luther Billis, and Yvonne Strumecki as Bloody Mary.
Closing out the season will be the New England premiere of Clue: On Stage (August 21-September 1), an adaptation of Jonathan Lynn's screenplay with additional material by Hunter Foster, Sandy Rustic, and Eric Price. The cast will feature Tony nominee Nancy Opel (Honeymoon in Vegas) as Mrs. Peacock, Tony nominee Jennifer Simard (Hello, Dolly!) as Mrs. White, Tony winner Michael McGrath (Nice Work if You Can Get It) as Mustard, Lorenzo Pisoni (Equus) as Wadsworth, Duane Bouttém (Carousel) as Professor Plum, and David Beach (Something Rotten!). Directed by Hunter Foster with choreography by Jen Cody, Clue: On Stage will launch its national tour this fall.
