Harriet Harris, Ed Dixon, Erin Mackey, and More Set for New Musical The Rivals
(© David Gordon)
Bristol Riverside Theatre has announced casting for the world premiere of the new musical comedy The Rivals, running October 30-November 18. With book and lyrics by two-time Tony nominee Peter Kellogg, and music by two-time Richard Rodgers Award winner Stephen Weiner, the production is directed by Eric Tucker and choreographed by Jason A. Sparks. Previews begin October 30, with opening night set for November 1.
The cast will feature Tony Award winner Harriet Harris (Thoroughly Modern Millie) as Mrs. Malaprop, Drama Desk Award winner Ed Dixon (Anything Goes) as Sir Anthony Absolute, Erin Mackey (Wicked) as Lydia Languish, Kevin Massey (A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder) as Captain Jack Absolute, Charlotte Maltby (The Sound of Music 2017 National Tour) as Julia Melville, Chris Dwan (Finding Neverland) as Squire Bob Acres, John Treacy Egan (My Fair Lady) as Sir Lucius McTrigger, Emma Stratton (Prince of Broadway) as Lucy, Joe Veale as Thomas, and Jim Weitzer (Phantom of the Opera) as Faulkland.
Based on Richard Brinsley Sheridan's farce of the same name, The Rivals follows the travails of Lydia Languish, a young lady in possession of a large fortune, who will lose two-thirds of that fortune if she marries without the consent of her guardian, Mrs. Malaprop.
The Rivals features musical direction by Steve Marzullo, orchestration by Bruce Coughlin, scenic design by Jason Simms, costume design by Lisa Zinni, lighting design Joe Doran, and sound design Bradlee Ward. The orchestra will feature Philadelphia's Elegance String Quartet.
The production at Bristol Riverside Theatre is being produced in association with Joe Davis and Amy E. Gewirtz, who are developing the show with hopes for a future Broadway run.
