Cassidy to Replace Stokes Mitchell in Ravinia's ANNIE GET YOUR GUN this Summer

Broadway and film star Patrick Cassidy will play the male lead, Frank Butler, in the Ravinia Festival production of Irving Berlin's hit-filled musical Annie Get Your Gun on August 13, 14 and 15. A scheduling conflict will prevent Brian Stokes Mitchell from appearing in the role as originally announced.

Patti LuPone stars as Annie Oakley in this production that opens on the 150th anniversary of the sharp-shooter's birth. George Hearn stars as Buffalo Bill, who runs the Wild West show where Annie and Frank meet. Paul Gemignani will conduct the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Lonny Price directs. This is the third Ethel Merman role for LuPone, including Mama Rose in Ravinia's production of Gypsy. LuPone went on to win a Tony for that role on Broadway.

Cassidy starred as Frank Butler in the 1999-2001 Broadway production of Annie Get Your Gun. Most recently, he starred in It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman, recreating the role his father, Tony Award-winner Jack Cassidy, played in 1966. He also starred in the ABC Family series Ruby and the Rockits, a musical sitcom in which he played a 1970s rocker turned used-car salesman. In addition to Broadway, the West End of London and regional theater, Cassidy starred in Las Vegas in two award winning shows: MGM Grand's EFX and the Rio's At the Copa. With 42nd Street, Cassidy and Shirley Jones became the first mother/son team to star together in a Broadway musical. He appeared on Broadway and in touring productions of many shows including Lady in the Dark and Elton John's Aida. His films include Longtime Companion and I'll Do Anything. He's also created a one-man show about his experiences growing up in an acting dynasty.

Tickets are on sale now at the Ravinia Festival Box Office at 847-266-5100 or at www.ravinia.org.

Photo Credit: Linda Lenzi