Julie Andrews to Direct THE GREAT AMERICAN MOUSICAL for Goodspeed Musicals

This afternoon at Goodspeed’s 7th Annual Festival of New Artists, the two-time Tony Award-winning theatre announced plans for the production of a new musical, The Great American Mousical, to be directed by Julie Andrews. The musical is based on the best-selling book authored by Ms. Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton, with illustrations by Tony Walton.

This developmental production will run November 8 - December 2, 2012 at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Connecticut. Season tickets will be available beginning January 16 through the Goodspeed Opera House Box Office. The Great American Mousical will be sponsored by Essex Meadows.

Below the bright lights of Broadway, in the depths of the historic Sovereign Theatre, a troupe of musical-making mice rehearse a new show. When the theatre is threatened by demolition and their diva Adelaide disappears, it will take all paws on deck to fulfill the time-honored tradition: the show must go on! Filled with singing, dancing, and show biz lore, The Great American Mousical is a tribute to life in the theatre and celebrates the two most glorious words in the English language: musical comedy!

Under the direction of theatre icon Julie Andrews, The Great American Mousical features an enchanting new score with Music by Zina Goldrich and Lyrics by Marcy Heisler, a book by Tony nominee Hunter Bell, choreography by Tony nominee Christopher Gattelli, and sets and costumes designed by Oscar, Emmy and Tony-Award winner Tony Walton. With boundless appeal, The Great American Mousical will entertain adults with its wit and musical theatre history while kids will fall in love with the wonderful characters that inhabit the Sovereign Theatre.

"Emma, Tony and I had so much fun working on this book and are now overjoyed that it will come alive on the stage," said Julie Andrews. "I’m so blessed to be working with this creative team in adapting our book for the theatre."

Michael Price, Executive Director of Goodspeed Musicals, adds “Julie Andrews and Tony Walton have been part of the Goodspeed family for several years and we are thrilled to have them back with us to work on this delightful musical. Adding Zina, Marcy and Hunter to the creative team makes the project even more exciting.”