'S Wonderful: The New Gershwin Musical is described as "an all-singing, all-dancing celebration of the brilliant music and lyrics of brothers, George and Ira Gershwin. The melodies flow through five mini-musicals inspired by stories of young love. Audiences are transported to the different places, times and styles that made the Gershwin brothers the most successful songwriting team in musical history. First it’s New York City in 1916, moving to Paris in the 1930s,Hollywood in the ‘40s, New Orleans in the 1950s and ending in the present day. ’S Wonderful pays a nostalgic tribute to the incomparable songbook of George and Ira Gershwin, featuring over featuring over 42 songs, including “Someone to Watch Over Me," “I’ve Got Rhythm," “Embraceable You," “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off," “Love is Here to Stay” “Shall We Dance,” “Rhapsody in Blue.” and more."
The WBT production, stars Blakely Slaybough, Stacey Harris, Sean A. Watkins, Deidre Harren. The production is directed by Ray Roderick, choreographed by Vince Pesce, The musical director is Ken Lundie. Set design is bySteven Loftus, Costume design by Andrew Hemesath, Lighting design is by Andrew Gmoser, Sound design by Jonathan Hatton and Mark Zuckerman. Production Stage Manager is Victor Lukas and the Assistant Stage Manager is Ron Rogell. Properties by Grumpy’s Props.
Ray Roderick (Writer/Director) is thrilled to be bringing Gershwin to WBT, where he directed and choreographed BARNUM and ARE WE THREE YET? Credits: director/book adaptor CHITTY, CHITTY, BANG, BANG national tour (UK Tour and Licensed by MTI); associate director A CHRISTMAS CAROL Madison Square Garden and Broadway revival of THE MUSIC MAN and director of 3 year North American Tour; co-writer/director/choreographer Irving Berlin’s I LOVE A PIANO 3 year National Tour/Japan, writer/director ‘S WONDERFUL THE NEW GERSHWIN MUSICAL. Off-Broadway: director/co-writer THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER; director/choreographer THE ARK, LAMOUR THE MERRIER and THE STORY GOES ON. Regional: co-writer/director/choreographer A CHRISTMAS SURVIVAL GUIDE, I LOVE NEW YORK, RAT PACK LOUNGE!, director MY ONE AND ONLY, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN and 42nd STREET at Goodpseed Opera, director/choreographer THE LAST 5 YEARS, THE TAFFETAS, FIVE COURSE LOVE, and I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE! (Denver’s longest run); founding artistic director Tri-State Center for the Arts; co-owner of Miracle or 2 Productions (Miracleor2.com) creating/producing/licensing new musicals including ARE WE THERE YET?, COMING TO AMERICA and THE BIKINIS! (touring 2012/2013); Creative Director Tennis Association’s US Open and Director ARTHUR ASHE KIDS DAY for CBS; English writer/director CHUN YI, THE LEGEND OF KUNG FU Beijing, London’s West End, international tour; director BELIEVE, award winning SHAMU show SeaWorld, San Diego. Ray resides in New York, is married to Broadway actress Karyn Quackenbush and is the proud father of SUNY Purchase student and lighting design Jamie Roderick.
Vince Pesce: Choreography: Abraham Lincoln’s BGDP (Off Broadway), Dancing With Abandon (FringeNYC),Lucky Break (NY workshop/John Caird-Director); National/International Tours: ‘S Wonderful (World Premier),Joseph…Dreamcoat (Director/Choreographer), Cinderella starring Lea Salonga, Victor Victoria, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Oliver!. Television: Tracey Ullman: Live and Exposed starring Tracey Ullman (HBO), Clash of the Choirs starring Patti LaBelle (NBC), Grease: You’re The One That I Want (NBC); Regional: The Music Man(Riverside Theatre- Director/Choreographer), Mame (Goodspeed), Little Shop of Horrors and Funny Thing…Forum (Paper Mill Playhouse), White Christmas, Grease, Guys and Dolls, and West Side Story. Associate Choreographer to Kathleen Marshall on the Broadway productions of Anything Goes, The Pajama Game,Wonderful Town, and Little Shop of Horrors.
