Photo Flash: First Look at Tony Sheldon, Caesar Samayoa, Michelle Aravena and More in Goodspeed's THE ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT - THE SMELL OF THE CROWD

Goodspeed Musicals continues its commitment to innovative, thought-provoking works with a bold reimagining of the witty and ridiculous The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd. The tremendously talented cast of four will be Tony Sheldon playing the role of Sir,Caesar Samayoa appearing as Cocky, Michelle Aravena as The Kid, and Gregory Treco as The Stranger. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look below!

Filled with familiar melodies including songs made famous by the likes of Nina Simone; Sammy Davis, Jr.; Shirley Bassey; Johnny Mathis; The Temptations; Michael Bublé; Muse; Lena Horne;Tony Bennett and Queen Latifah, The Roar of the Greasepaint... promises to be a timely story of redemption, celebrating the oddity of human nature and ultimately, hope for all.

In a world turned upside down, a rag-tag group relies on humor, song and dance to try to build a new life. But can show tunes and music hall merriment revive the human spirit? On the highway of life, hope is just around the bend in this arresting reinvention of the vivacious Broadway hit. Their world may have ended, but songs like "Who Can I Turn To?," "The Joker," "Feeling Good" and "A Wonderful Day Like Today" echo on, welcoming new love and another dawn. The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd features book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusseand Anthony Newley.

This unconventional musical which examines the world of the haves and have-nots will be directed by Don Stephenson who helmed last season's hit production of Guys and Dolls at The Goodspeed. Mr. Stephenson has directed numerous productions regionally including Lend Me a Tenor and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at Paper Mill Playhouse, and productions of Titanic at Lincoln Center Avery Fisher Hall, MUNY Opera, Hangar Theatre and Westchester Broadway Theatre. As a performer he played Peter McCourt in Goodspeed's Silver Dollar and appeared on Broadway in Titanic, Parade, The Producers, By Jeeves, Rock of Ages and A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder.

Choreography will be by Liza Gennaro who returns to The Goodspeed where she previously choreographed The Most Happy Fella (1991) and Kiss Me Kate. Ms. Gennaro's Broadway credits include Once Upon a Mattress and The Most Happy Fella, as well as Smile for which she served as Assistant Choreographer.

The Roar of the Greasepaint... Set Design will be by Walt Spangler whose designs for Goodspeed Musicals include The Terris Theatre productions of Camille Claudel, The Flight of the Lawnchair Man, Happy Days, Lucky Guy, and The Unauthorized Autobiography of Samantha Brown. In addition to nearly 30 Off-Broadway productions, Mr. Spangler has designed the Broadway productions of Tuck Everlasting, Scandalous, A Christmas Story the musical, and Desire Under the Elms. Costume Design will be by Tony Award-winning designer Jess Goldstein. His designs for Goodspeed include Butterfly at The Terris Theatre, and The Goodspeed productions of The Most Happy Fella (1991) and They All Laughed. Goldstein made his professional New York debut designing costumes for Sam Shepard's landmark Off-Broadway production of Buried Child in 1978. Other major credits include Jersey Boys (Broadway, West End, and all touring and international companies), the critically-acclaimed revival of On The Town, Disney's Newsies, The Merchant Of Venice with Al Pacino, Lincoln Center's Henry IV with Kevin Klineand The Most Happy Fella, as well as The Roundabout's The Apple Tree with Kristin Chenoweth, The Homecoming with Ian McShane, Tintypes, Enchanted April and Daniel Sullivan's Broadway revival of Julius Caesar starring Denzel Washington. In 2005 he won the Tony for his designs for The Rivals.

Lighting Design will be by Stephen Terry who created the lighting for last season's production of Guys and Dolls at The Goodspeed. Mr. Terry served as Associate Designer for the Broadway productions of Sixteen Wounded, The People in the Picture and Glengarry Glen Ross. Sound Design will be by Goodspeed's Jay Hilton, who is in his 31st season at Goodspeed.

Michael O'Flaherty, who is in his 25th season with Goodspeed Musicals, will serve as Music Supervisor. Adam Souza who returns to The Terris Theater where he last music directedStephen Schwartz's Snapshots, will serve as Music Director. Casting for The Roar of the Greasepaint... was done by Paul Hardt of SH Entertainment.

The Roar of the Greasepaint... will run May 20 - June 26, 2016. Curtain times are Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 pm, Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 pm and 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are available through the Goodspeed Box Office (860.873.8668), open seven days a week, or on-line at www.goodspeed.org. For show highlights, exclusive photos, special events and more, visit us at goodspeed.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Photo Credit: Diane Sobolewski

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