Stephanie Rothenberg, Edward Watts Lead Guthrie Theatre's ROMAN HOLIDAY, Beg. Previews Tonight, 6/9

The Guthrie Theater previously announced complete casting for the sparkling new musical Roman Holiday. This song-filled delight-based on the iconic 1953 Paramount Pictures film starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck-includes timeless music and lyrics by Cole Porter and a book by Paul Blake. The production plays from tonght, June 9 – August 19 on the McGuire Proscenium Stage and features soul-stirring Porter standards like "Easy to Love," "Just One of Those Things" and "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye." Guthrie Associate Artistic Director John Miller-Stephany (1776, God of Carnage and A Streetcar Named Desire) directs.

Stephanie Rothenberg portrays Princess Anne-a radiant young woman on a widely publicized European tour in Rome who sneaks away from her royal duties to explore the city. Rothenberg recently made her Broadway debut in the Tony-nominated revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, stepping into the role of Rosemary. Edward Watts plays Joe Bradley-a handsome, crafty American newspaper reporter who charms the princess. Watts most recently appeared in the long-running production of The Fantasticks in New York City.

Taking on the role of the Countess, Princess Anne's watchful lady- in-waiting, is Michelle Barber. Barber has appeared in numerous productions in the Twin Cities including Caroline, or Change at the Guthrie. Jim Stanek is Bradley's sidekick and photographer friend Irving Radovich. Stanek has appeared in a myriad of Broadway productions including Lestat and Little Women. Christina Baldwin plays Francesca Scabulo, the sultry Italian singer who dates Radovich. Baldwin was most recently seen on the Guthrie's stage as Buttercup in last summer's blockbuster musical H.M.S. Pinafore.

Roman Holiday also includes a talented 21-member ensemble featuring David Anders, Matt Baker, Liam Benzvi (University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater BFA Actor Training Program-class of 2012), Joseph Bigelow (BFA Actor Training Program-class of 2013), David Anthony Brinkley (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), David Colacci, Drew Franklin, Gabriela Garcia, Michael Gruber, Mary Ann Lamb, Ann Michels (A Streetcar Named Desire), Jared Oxborough, Aaron Lloyd Pomeroy, Laura Rudolph, Lainie Sakakura, John Skelley (Hay Fever), Alan Sorenson, Peter Thomson (Charley's Aunt), Angela Timberman (The Birds), Tony Vierling (Little House on the Prairie) and Alexandra Zorn.

Rounding out the cast are Lee Mark Nelson (The Burial at Thebes) and Christian Demaris, Marc Oka, Carolyn Doherty and Janet Hayes Trow in their Guthrie debuts.

In this irresistibly sweet romance, a radiant young princess is on a widely publicized European tour. When the demands of her official duties and rigorous schedule become too much to bear, she sneaks away to explore the Eternal City on her own. Disguising herself as a commoner and employing a fictitious name, she meets an American newspaper reporter who feigns ignorance of her true identity to land an exclusive story. But his plan crumbles as the couple tour one of the world's most romantic cities and find themselves falling in love.

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