A trio of Broadway's biggest child stars have joined previously announced cast members Jenna Leigh Green ("Sabrina, the Teenage Witch) and Christine Dwyer (Wicked) for the final performance of Tim Realbuto's 'Wunderkind.'
Mavis Simpson-Ernst (Broadway's Evita), Chris Sumpter (Broadway's Matilda), and Ashton Woerz (Broadway's Pippin and Priscilla Queen of the Desert) will play three of the zany characters in Realbuto's autobiographical piece. Mr. Woerz will play Realbuto's younger self.
Ms. Ernst was a nominee for The National Youth Arts Award Outstanding Lead Actress. She has played The Child in the recent Broadway revival of 'Evita' and Young Cossette in the National Tour of 'Les Miserables.'
Mr. Sumpter is currently appearing on Broadway as Tommy in 'Matilda the musical.' He is also an alumnus of Tada Youth Theater where he's appeared in numerous shows.
Mr. Woerz has starred on Broadway as Theo in the recent Tony Award winning revival of 'Pippin.' He also originated the leading role of Benji in Broadway's 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert.' He was part of the Broadway workshop of the musical 'Big Fish' and has performed in the National Tour of 'The Radio City Christmas Spectacular.'
As previously announced, Tim Realbuto is ending his critically acclaimed not-so-solo solo show 'Tim Realbuto: Wunderkind' on Tuesday, September 1st at The Triad Theatre, 158 West 72nd Street in NYC. The performance will begin at 7:00 PM and proceeds from the event will help benefit BC/EFA and The Trevor Project.
Realbuto states: "I started my 'Wunderkind' tour at The Triad Theatre last September 1st, which happened to be my 30th birthday, so I wanted to celebrate 31 by coming full circle and ending the journey right where I started it."
Realbuto (HBO's "The Sopranos"; Mean the musical) has been touring the show for a year all throughout New York City and across the country, including sold out runs at 54 Below, Joe's Pub, and most recently, a special engagement as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival.
Production notes state: "See the show that The Huffington Post hails as 'genre busting!' Join Tim Realbuto on his 31st birthday as he returns to The Triad Theatre after starting his 'Wunderkind' tour there exactly one year ago. What has he learned in the past year? What hasn't changed? Come on down and see an evening full of well-known tunes, original songs, very special Broadway guest stars, but most importantly a show full of heart, triumph and poignancy. A growing up in showbiz tale like no other, former child 'semi-star' Tim Realbuto will take you on a journey like you haven't seen before."
Realbuto is known to feature many famous guest stars at his performances, and this time around is no exception. The many actors who will portray characters from Tim's life, as well as the voices in his head will be played by Broadway, Off-Broadway, and New York theatre veterans. Aside from the aforementioned Green, Dwyer, Simpson-Ernst, Sumpter, and Woerz, Realbuto's September 1st guest stars will also include previously announced "Top Five" star Laurissa Romain (South Pacific), Kimberly Faye Greenberg (Danny and Sylvia; Little Wars), Leigh Martha Klinger (Rebecca the musical; We Will Rock You), and Realbuto's 'Ghostlight' co-writer Matthew Martin.
At least two more major principal casting announcements will be made within the coming days.
The ensemble will feature Emily Esposito (A Christmas Story), Teresa Hui (Love Quirks), Thomas Ian Johnson (Bookseller in the Rain: The Music of Maury Yeston), Elliot Kleinburd (Live in Living Color: The Songs of Shaiman and Wittman), Katie Mack (Avarice), Jackie Reynolds (Rent), Kevin Riddagh (The Adonis), and Lauren Testerman (Next To Normal).
'Wunderkind', which was written and conceived by Realbuto, will feature musical direction by his long-time collaborator Julianne B. Merrill, with direction and musical staging being provided by Michael Kidney, who performed the same task during the show's sold-out NYMF run. Realbuto, who has donated proceeds from his entire tour to various charities, will be donating proceeds from his final show to Broadway Barks.
Also, wanting to keep the evening affordable for all audience members, he has priced his tickets at only $10. To purchase tickets for the September 1st final performance, please visit http://www.triadnyc.com/event/9b726bc9e1c538eb9f21b3ef8728873d
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