Maroulis, Davi, Jarvis to Star in Revised Broadway-Hopeful THE TOXIC AVENGER in Houston

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announced the cast and creative team for their production of The Toxic Avenger. In a new production, which features several new songs and revised book by the Tony Award-winning creative team of Memphis, Bon Jovi founding member and keyboardist David Bryan and Joe DiPietro, Tony-nominated Constantine Maroulis takes center stage as the righteous superhero in the title role. John Rando (Tony Winner for Urinetown) returns to the Alley to reinvent his hilarious 2009 Off-Broadway staging of The Toxic Avenger following his smashing Alley productions of The Man Who Came to Dinner, Mrs. Mannerly and Be My Baby.

The Toxic Avenger is a zany love story and laugh-out-loud musical that has it all – an unlikely hero, his beautiful girlfriend, a corrupt New Jersey mayor, an onstage band, and two guys who play ... well, everyone else ... bullies, mobsters, old ladies, and stiletto-wearing back-up singers. The Toxic Avenger runs January 13 – February 12, 2012, on the Hubbard Stage. Due to language, recommended for teens and adults.

Constantine Maroulis plays Melvin Ferd the Third who, after getting dumped in a barrel of toxic waste, becomes The Toxic Avenger. Constantine made his Broadway debut in 2006 in the Tony Nominated production of The Wedding Singer and recently performed in the acclaimed national tour of the Tony Award Nominated Best Musical, Rock of Ages. He originated the role of Drew on Broadway in April 2009 and received a Best Actor Tony nomination. He was a finalist on the fourth season of American Idol.

Nancy Opel reprises her off-Broadway role as the corrupt Mayor Babs Belgoody as well as Ma Ferd and Nun. Opel received Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics, and Lortel nominations for her performance in The Toxic Avenger. She was Tony-nominated for her role in Urinetown and is coming to the Alley direct from the Broadway production of Memphis.

The cast for The Toxic Avenger also features Mara Davi as Sarah, Toxie’s hot love interest, Mitchell Jarvis as White Dude and Antoine L. Smith as Black Dude.

The Toxic Avenger will feature Choreography by Kelly Devine, Music Direction by Doug Katsaros, Scenic Design by Beowulf Boritt, Costume Design by David C. Woolard, Lighting Design by Jason Lyons, Sound Design by Robert Kaplowitz, Mask Design & Prosthetics by Louis Zakarian, Fight Direction and Special Effectsby Waldo Warshaw/Fusion Special Effects and Hair and Makeup Design by Mark Adam Rampmeyer.

The Toxic Avenger, with books & lyrics by Joe DiPietro, music & lyrics by David Bryan, based on the film The Toxic Avenger by Lloyd Kaufman, and directed by John Rando, begins previews Friday, January 13, opens Friday, January 20 and runs through Sunday, February 12, 2012,on the Hubbard Stage.

ABOUT THE CAST

Constantine Maroulis (Melvin Ferd the Third/The Toxic Avenger)
Constantine Maroulis played the lead role in a three year run in Broadway's Rock of Ages and received a Best Actor Tony nomination and a Drama League nomination for his performance. Constantine made his Broadway debut in the Tony Nominated production of The Wedding Singer. Constantine was a finalist on the fourth season of American Idol. He played the role of Roger Davis in the national tour of RENT. Constantine co-starred in the critically acclaimed Off Broadway production of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. He was a series regular on the CBS daytime drama The Bold and The Beautiful, which featured original songs from his debut album "Constantine," released on his own label "Sixth Place Records" via SONY/Red. Other television credits include Law & Order, The Tonight Show, America's Got Talent, Dancing With The Stars, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Conan, Ellen, Regis & Kelly, MTV and many more. In 2011, he was presented with presented with both The Gabby Award and The Elios Award, which recognizes the excellence Greek Americans have achieved in various fields. Constantine will appear in the Warner Brothers feature film, Rock of Ages starring Tom Cruise this spring. Constantine graduated from the Boston Conservatory and apprenticed at The Williamstown Theatre Festival in 2002.

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