Theater News

Matt Doyle, Katie Rose Clarke Lead Huey Lewis Musical Heart of Rock and Roll

The musical will premiere at San Diego’s Old Globe.

Matt Doyle joins the cast of The Heart of Rock & Roll.
Matt Doyle joins the cast of The Heart of Rock & Roll.
(© Tricia Baron)

Casting has been announced for the Huey Lewis and the News musical The Heart of Rock & Roll. Featuring a book by Jonathan Abrams, a story by Abrams and Tyler Mitchell, the production will run September 6-October 21 under the direction of Gordon Greenberg at San Diego's Old Globe.

With chart-topping songs such as "Hip to Be Square," "Do You Believe in Love," "Workin' for a Livin'," and "The Power of Love," the musical follows a former rock singer who has traded in his guitar for a stable job in corporate America. He's on the verge of closing the ultimate business deal and winning the girl of his dreams (who's also the CEO's daughter) — that is, if he doesn't jeopardize everything by reuniting with his band for another shot at rock-and-roll glory.

The Broadway veterans in the cast include Matt Doyle as Bobby, Katie Rose Clarke as Cassandra, Lindsay Nicole Chambers as Nina, Patrice Covington as Roz, John Dossett as Stone, Paige Faure as Paige, F. Michael Haynie as Glenn, Orville Mendoza as Fjord, Lucas Papaelias as JJ, Zachary Noah Piser as Eli, Christopher Ramirez as Wyatt, and Billy Harrigan Tighe as Tucker.

The ensemble includes Nicolette Burton, Lindsay Nicole Chambers, James Royce Edwards, Oyoyo Joi, Robert Pendilla, Christopher Ramirez, MiMi Scardulla, Salisha Thomas, and Josh Tolle, as well as swings Bryan Banville and Katie Banville.

The creative team includes Lorin Latarro (choreography), Brian Usifer (musical supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations), Derek McLane (scenic design), Paloma Young (costume design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), and John Shivers and David Patridge (sound design).