Cuccioli & Grant to Star in Boxing Musical CUTMAN at Goodspeed

Goodspeed Musicals, the first two-time Tony Award winning theatre in the country, is pumped to announce the cast of Cutman: a boxing musical. The brand new spring production will kick off a three show season at Goodspeed's Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn. This striking musical will run from May 12 through June 5, 2011. The cast will train with the pros at the legendary Lion's Den in Middletown, Conn. Boxing equipment is generously provided by Everlast. Cutman is sponsored by Essex Savings Bank.

Cutman is the dramatic story of a young Jewish boxer who dreams of being the Welter-Weight Champion of the World. Trained by his father in the basement of their synagogue, he turns pro and takes the boxing world by storm. But when his shot at the title fight is scheduled on the eve of Yom Kippur, he must choose between achieving his lifelong dream and defying his faith. From rock to pop to hip-hop to R&B, Cutman boasts a contemporary score that is sure to pack a knockout punch. Cutman features Music and Lyrics by Drew Brody, Book by Jared Michael Coseglia, with a Story by Jared Michael Coseglia and Cory Grant.

The winning cast is led by Cory Grant who will play Ari Hoffman. Mr. Grant recently starred as Frankie Valli in Broadway's Jersey Boys. Tony nominated actor Robert Cuccioli of Broadway's Jekyll & Hyde and Les Misérables will play Eli Hofman. Edi Hoffman will be played by Laura Dean who is returning to Goodspeed after playing an orphan in the 1976 premier of Annie. Ms. Dean's Broadway credits include The Who's Tommy and Doonesbury. The role of Olivia will be played by Ana Nogueira.

Rabbi Roseman will be played by Mitchell Greenberg of Goodspeed's You Never Know and Broadway's Ain't Broadway Grand, 3 Penny Opera, Into the Light, Marilyn, and Can-Can. The role of Moe Green will be played by Dennis Stowe whose Broadway credits include Shrek The Musical, The Apple Tree, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Wonderful Town, and Man of La Mancha. Garrett Long, who will play Cantor Aviva, and Jerold Solomon, who will play Lincoln, both appeared in Broadway's South Pacific.

The ensemble will include Joshua Boone, Jadi Collado, Ven Daniel (Broadway's Legally Blonde and Tarzan), Albert Guerzon (Broadway's Mamma Mia!), Haley Hannah, and Joshua Keith. Additional ensemble member to be announced.

Cutman will be directed by Jared Michael Coseglia, who also wrote the book. Mr. Coseglia was Assistant Director of Broadway's Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks. Lisa Stevens will be the show's choreographer. Ms. Stevens was Associate Choreographer for Broadway's Bombay Dreams and Choreographer for the National Tours of 9 to 5, The Musical; Bombay Dreams; and High School Musical.

The set will be designed by Adrian W. Jones who is returning to Goodspeed Musicals after designing the critically acclaimed set for last season's How to Succeed... at the Goodspeed Opera House. Mr. Jones was also the Scenic Designer for Broadway's Looped. Costumes will be designed by Wade Laboissonniere who was Costume Designer for Story of My Life at Goodspeed's Norma Terris Theatre and on Broadway. His other Broadway credits include Associate Costume Designer for The Championship Season, Collected Stories, Lennon, and the 1998 revival of The Sound of Music. Jason Lyons will be Lighting Designer. Mr. Lyons' numerous Broadway credits include Rock of Ages, The Threepenny Opera, Barefoot in the Park, and Good Vibrations. Sound design will be by Jay Hilton who is in his 26th season at Goodspeed. The Music Director for Cutman will be Andrew Sotomayor. Matt Hinkley will be providing orchestrations. Cutman will be produced for Goodspeed Musicals by Michael P. Price.

Cutman will run May 12 through June 5, 2011. Curtain times are Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 7:30 p.m.*, Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. (*Thurs. 8 pm only on May 13th).

Tickets are available through the Box Office (860.873.8668), open seven days a week, or on-line at www.goodspeed.org. For show highlights, exclusive photos, special events and more visit us at goodspeed.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

This production is made possible in part by our Marquee Sponsors Dr. Anne L. Rothstein and Ms. Jane Hellman.

Dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theatre, Goodspeed Musicals produces three musicals each season at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn., and additional productions at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., which was opened in 1984 for the development of new musicals. The first regional theatre to receive two Tony Awards (for outstanding achievement), Goodspeed also maintains the Scherer Library of Musical Theatre and The Max Showalter Center for Education in Musical Theatre. Goodspeed gratefully acknowledges the support of Essex Savings Bank, Everlast, The Lion's Den, and our official audio sponsor Sennheiser Electronic Corporation. Goodspeed Musicals is supported in part by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism, which also receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.