Full Cast Set for A CHORUS LINE at Paper Mill Playhouse - Rak, Goldyn, Lanzarone & More Lead Cast!

Paper Mill Playhouse has just announced the cast for its season opener, A Chorus Line, the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical conceived, choreographed and directed by Michael Bennett, with book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, music by Marvin Hamlisch, and lyrics by Edward Kleban.

Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of A Chorus Line will be directed and choreographed by Mitzi Hamilton, one of the dancers in Bennett’s original taped workshop that inspired the 1975 Musical. John O’Neill will serve as Music Director/Conductor. A Chorus Line will begin performances on October 3.

The official press opening is Sunday, October 7, 2012, at 7:00pm. The official press opening will include a tribute to composer Marvin Hamlisch. (Further information to come regarding the Marvin Hamlisch tribute.)

A Chorus Line will be performed eight times a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Single tickets are on sale now and range from $26 to $96. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.papermill.org. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted. Groups of ten or more can receive up to a 40% discount on tickets and should call973.315.1680.

In true Chorus Line fashion, the cast will feature an ensemble of unique experience and talent, including Broadway and Paper Mill veterans: Ashley Arcement (Val), Kyle Brown (Greg), Mike Cannon (Al), Kevin Curtis (Richie), KC Fredericks (Mark), Julia Freyer (Judy), Jessica Lee Goldyn(Cassie), Martin Harvey (Zach), Nikka Graff Lanzarone (Bebe), Brian Letendre (Larry), Mark Myars (Mike), Jeffrey Pew (Don), Rachelle Rak(Sheila), Amanda Rose (Kristine), Gabrielle Ruiz (Diana), J. Manuel Santos (Paul), Alexzandra Sarmiento (Connie), Kyle Vaughn (Bobby), andKarley Willocks (Maggie). Rounding out the cast are: Carleigh Bettiol, (Lois), Kevin Boseman (Butch), Jennifer Cordiner (Vicki), Jordan Fife Hunt(Roy), Chris Klink (Frank), Grant Thomas (Tom) and Jessica Vaccaro (Tricia).

Joining Mitzi Hamilton and John O’Neill, the creative team will include scenic design by James Dardenne, costume coordination by Gail Baldoni, lighting design by Julie Duro, sound design by Randy Hansen and hair design by Mark Adam Rampmeyer. Joshua Halperin will serve as Production Stage Manager.

MEET THE LINE:

Ashley Arcement (Val) performed on Broadway in Grease and in national tours of Pippin and Thoroughly Modern Millie as well as Paper Mill Playhouse productions of Curtains and Meet Me in St. Louis.

Kyle Brown (Greg) played the role of Carlos in the Broadway and national touring productions of Legally Blonde and was featured in the Broadway production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Mike Cannon (Al) was last seen at Paper Mill Playhouse as Smokey in Damn Yankees. Broadway credits include: A Chorus Line (Al), West Side Story (Snowboy), Ghost, The Addams Family, All Shook Up.

Kevin Curtis (Richie) was featured in the national tour of A Chorus Line.

KC Fredericks (Mark). was featured in the national tours include Wicked (Chistery) and Cats.

Julia Freyer (Judy) was featured in the national tour of A Chorus Line (Judy).

Jessica Lee Goldyn (Cassie) was cast as Val in the 2006 Broadway revival of A Chorus Line for which the open-call auditions were captured on film in the 2008 documentary Every Little Step. She went on to play the role of Cassie on Broadway. Jessica is no stranger to Paper Mill, having appeared in Gypsy, Carousel and Peter Pan (Tiger Lily).

Martin Harvey (Zach) played Johnny Castle in the West End production of Dirty Dancing and won the UK Critics’ Circle Spotlight Award. He has appeared in principal roles opposite Sir Anthony Hopkins and Jean Simmons in Disney’s Great Expectations, and on the CW’s Gossip Girl.

Nikka Graff Lanzarone (Bebe) was seen on Broadway in Chicago (Velma Kelly) and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Marisa, Lincoln Center Theater).

Brian Letendre (Larry) was featured on Broadway in Mary Poppins, Movin’ Out and Urban Cowboy. Letendre was last seen at Paper Mill Playhouse in My Fair Lady.

Mark Myars (Mike) was the Carnival Boy in Paper Mill Playhouse’s 2001 production of Carousel. He is currently the dance supervisor of Wicked’s Japan, Australia, and three North American companies. Broadway: West Side Story, Come Fly Away, 9 to 5, Wicked, Footloose, Silence! TV/Film: “Smash,” Rock of Ages, Across the Universe, The Producers, Center Stage.

JEFFREY PEW (Don) appeared in the national tour of Billy Elliot (ensemble, u/s Tony) and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular (singer).

Rachelle Rak (Sheila) appeared on Broadway in Catch Me If You Can, Fosse, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Look of Love, Oklahoma!, Thou Shalt Not, and Cats. Rak was featured in the film Every Little Step.

Amanda Rose (Kristine) recently played Niki Harris in Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of Curtains! Rose was featured on Broadway and/or national tours of Wicked (Nessarose), Dr. Dolittle starring Tommy Tune, Oklahoma! (Laurey).

Gabrielle Ruiz (Diana) appeared on Broadway in In the Heights (Carla/ensemble). Off Broadway: Skippyjon Jones (Rosalita). First national: A Chorus Line (Diana). NY/LA: The Broadway Dolls, Make Mine Manhattan, Ghost, RUNaways. TV: “One Life to Live,” “Sesame Street.” Film: BQE(Maria).

J. Manuel Santos (Paul) Santos appeared in the Broadway revival of West Side Story (Chino) and the television show “Smash.”

Alexzandra Sarmiento (Connie) recently finished her first year at the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance. Sarmiento was the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts 2011 Young Arts winner in Dance—Modern. She appeared at Pittsburgh CLO and in Japan in A Chorus Line.

Kyle Vaughn (Bobby) A Chorus Line will be Vaughn’s sixth show at Paper Mill. Recently played William Clinton in the premiere of The Nutty Professor in Nashville. TV: “30 Rock,” “Parks and Recreation,” Coke Zero. All Shook Up, Fame.

Karley Willocks (Maggie) was featured as Maggie in the national tour of A Chorus Line. Other credits include: 42nd Street (Peggy Sawyer),Footloose (Urleen), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Rounding out the cast are: Carleigh Bettiol, (Lois), Kevin Boseman (Butch), Jennifer Cordiner (Vicki), Jordan Fife Hunt (Roy), Chris Klink (Frank), Grant Thomas (Tom) and Jessica Vaccaro (Tricia).

ADDITIONAL BIOS

Mitzi Hamilton (Director-Choreographer) is best known for her association with Michael Bennett’s legendary A Chorus Line. She provided the inspiration for the character of Val and performed the role in the original London company and then on Broadway. Subsequently, she went on to direct and choreograph over 35 productions of A Chorus Line, along with many other musicals. She won Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Choreography for Sweet Charity at the Drury Lane Theatre in 2008. Ms. Hamilton’s performance career includes eight classic Broadway shows, working with Bob Fosse, Hal Prince, Ron Field, and Michael Bennett.

JOHN O’NEILL (Music Director) is returning to Paper Mill Playhouse, where he previously served as music director for Romance, Romance. Most recently, John was music director of the national tours of West Side Story and A Chorus Line.

A Chorus Line is "One Singular Sensation" that garnered virtually every award imaginable, including the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize. This groundbreaking musical, set during an audition for an upcoming Broadway show, shines a light on the hopes, fears and dreams of performers vying for a chance to do what they all know they were born to do. A Chorus Line is an enthralling and emotional metaphor for what drives each of us to achieve our dreams.