AUGUST RUSH to Make World Premiere in Chicago; Creative Includes John Doyle, Glen Berger, Mark Mancina, and more
By: Julie Musbach Mar. 21, 2019
Chicago audiences will be the first to see August Rush: The Musical, a world premiere musical crafted by some of the top creative artists working in American theater today, based on the Oscar-nominated Warner Bros. film about a musically gifted orphan and the search for his birth parents.
John Doyle, the internationally acclaimed director who earned a Tony Award for Sweeney Todd and also staged the Broadway revival of The Color Purple starring Jennifer Hudson, helms August Rush - Paramount Theatre's first world premiere musical - April 24-June 2, 2019. Press opening is Friday, May 3 at 8 p.m.
Lead artists include Emmy Award-winning book writer and lyricist Glen Berger, who also co-wrote the book for Broadway's Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark.
Celebrated composer and lyricist Mark Mancina, who also composed the platinum selling soundtrack for the film August Rush, many songs for The Lion King and the score for Pixar's hit film Moana.
Orchestrations and arrangements are by Dave Metzger, who orchestrated the films August Rush, Training Day and Tarzan and received a Tony nomination for his work on Disney's The Lion King.
Today, Paramount Theatre announced the creatives for the August Rush: The Musical design and production team, including:
- Choreographer - JoAnn M. Hunter
- Music Director/Conductor - Greg Jarrett
- Scenic Designer - Scott Pask
- Costume Designer - Ann Hould-Ward
- Lighting Designer - Paul Toben
- Sound Designer - Dan Moses Schreier
- Projection Designer - Joe Burke
- Wig, Hair & Makeup Designer - Katie Cordts
- Properties Designer - Jesse Gaffney
- Casting - Trent Stork (Casting Director, Paramount Theatre) and Stewart/Whitley
In sum, Paramount's August Rush production team is John Doyle, director;Glen Berger, book and lyrics; Mark Mancina, music and lyrics; Dave Metzger, orchestrator and arranger; JoAnn M. Hunter, choreographer;Greg Jarrett, music director/conductor; Scott Pask, scenic designer; Ann Hould-Ward, costume designer; Paul Toben, lighting designer; Dan Moses Schreier, sound designer; Joe Burke, projection designer; Katie Cordts, wig, hair and makeup designer; Jesse Gaffney, properties designer; Trent Stork and Stewart Whitley, casting; Adam John Hunter, stage manager through May 12; Christine D'Amore, assistant stage manager, stage manager starting May 13; Matthew McMullen, assistant stage manager.
August Rush: The Musical is the story of Evan Taylor, an 11-year-old orphan who believes in music like some believe in fairytales. In a cruel twist of fate, Evan's mother, an accomplished classical cellist, and his father, the lead singer of a rock band, don't even know of his existence. From one foster home to the next, Evan refuses to give up hope in finding his parents. On this relentless search, he surrenders himself to the symphony of sounds in the city and follows the music, discovering his own genius along the way. In this inspiring love story, music is everywhere, but will it lead Evan home?
The major motion picture August Rush, a 2007 Warner Bros. release, featured Freddie Highmore as August Rush, with Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as Lewis,Keri Russell as Lyla and Robin Williams as Wizard. The story is by Paul Castro, and the screenplay is by Nick Castle and James V. Hart. The film earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.
"I'm excited about the development of this new and unique musical," said director John Doyle. "August Rush centers on the emotional and musical journey of a young boy - a lost boy. Through music he reunites with the parents he otherwise may never have found. The 'hope' that the story highlights is powerful. That, more than anything, is what attracted me to the material, and I'm honored to be a part of its journey."
"When our Broadway Series began in 2011, we had big dreams for what it could become. Over the years, those dreams have been brought to life again and again. And now, one of our biggest dreams is finally becoming a reality," said Jim Corti, Artistic Director, Paramount Theatre. "August Rush: The Musical, the first major project from our New Works Development Program guided by my colleague Amber Mak, represents the next step in Paramount's evolution into one of the nation's preeminent regional theaters. What does this mean to our more than 41,000 subscribers? It means they will be the first ever to see this production come to life."
Previews of August Rush: The Musical start April 24 at Paramount Theatre,
23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, Illinois. Press opening is Friday, May 3 at 8 p.m. Performances run through June 2: Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Thursday at 7 p.m.; Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Single tickets are $36 to $69. For tickets, visitParamountAurora.com, call (630) 896-6666, or stop by the Paramount box office Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. August Rush is suggested for ages 9 and older due to some adult themes and language.
Just like Paramount's recent smash hits Million Dollar Quartet and Once, the cast members of August Rush: The Musical are both the actors and the orchestra and play all instruments live on stage, creating the beautiful symphony of this story. Stay tuned for the cast announcement later this month.
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