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De Shields Is Satch at the Cape Playhouse, June 20-July 2

By: Jun. 22, 2005
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The Cape Playhouse launces into its summer season with Satch: The Life and Music of Louis Armstrong. Having opened on June 20th, the musical will run through July 2nd with Andre De Shields in the title role of the jazz titan.

Directed by Lawrence Maslon (creator of the PBS series Broadway: The American Musical) and choreographed by Mercedes Ellington, the show "tells Armstrong's story from backwater Jazz clubs to Hollywood soundstages. His singular gravely voice and legendary trumpet artistry helped send songs like 'Mack the Knife,' 'What a Wonderful World,' 'Baby Its Cold Outside,' and 'Hello Dolly' to the top of the charts," according to a release. The show is written by De Shields and James Mirrione.

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De Shields received a Tony nomination for his performance as Noah "Horse" T. Simmons, the "Big Black Man" of The Full Monty. He also garnered a nod for 1997's Play On!, and his other Broadway credits include The Wiz (in which he originated the title role), Ain't Misbehavin', Stardust and Prymate. He  conceived, wrote, directed, composed, choreographed and performed the revue Andre De Shields' Haarlem Nocturne in 1984, and has also choreographed shows for Bette Midler.

As for the rest of the Cape Playhouse's summer season, Harriet Harris will join Broadway veterans Brian Murray and MAD TV's Stephnie Wier and Michael McDonal in the Cape Playhouse's upcoming production of A.R. Gurney's comedyThe Dining Room, which will run from July 4th-16th. An Afternoon with Jerry Stiller is scheduled for Sunday, July 10th at 4PM. "A supreme comedian and actor, Mr. Stiller will Raise the Roof with laughter and fun."

The season will continue with No, No Nanette from July 18th-30th with a cast that features Rebecca Luker, Jessica Grove and George Dvorsky. Directed by Mark Martino with musical direction by Phil Reno and choreographed by Eileen Grace, the frothy twenties musical "will take audiences from high atop Manhattan penthouses to the Boardwalk in Atlantic City."

The Tony Award-winning musical Ain't Misbehavin "pays joyous tribute to the talents of the legendary Fats Waller." It runs from August 1st-13th, and will be directed by Greg Ganakis. Mark Brown's musical adaptation of Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days will be directed by Russ Treyz, and will play the Cape Playhouse from August 15th-27th. The season will concludes with Don't Dress for Dinner, which will run from August 29th to September 10th. "A raucous comedy by Marc Camoletti which guarantees to be a delicious blend of gourmet cooking and a little 'affair' on the side," the show is directed by Brennan and will star Dee Hoty, Michael Rupert and Days of Our Lives' Kevin Spirtas.

For over seventy-eight years, the Cape Playhouse has been bringing Broadway actors to Cape Cod. Often referred to as the "Birthplace of the Stars", the Cape Playhouse has attracted a long litany of famous actors since its inception in 1927 (including such legends as Uta Hagen, Bette Davis, Tallulah Bankhead, Helen Hayes and Shirley Booth). Over the years, the Cape Playhouse has gained a reputation for producing quality, professional entertainment and is known as "America's Oldest Professional Summer Theatre."

The Cape Playhouse is located at 820 Main Street, Route 6A, Dennis, Massachusetts.

For more information on Satch and other shows, call toll free—877 385-3911; locally 508-385-3911 or visit the theatre's website at www.capeplayhouse.com.



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