Kathleen Marshall's THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN, Starring Beth Malone, Opens Tonight in Denver

The Denver Center Theatre Company presents the highly anticipated new adaptation of Meredith Willson's classic musical, THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN. Based on the book by Richard Morris, the revitalized production will feature a new book and additional lyrics by three-time Tony Award nominee Dick Scanlan (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and showcase never before heard songs from Willson's prolific body of work with musical adaptation by Michael Rafter (Violet). The production began previews on September 12 and opens tonight, September 19, in The Stage Theatre. It will be directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes).

Rooted in extensive research of the turbulent Gold Rush era, Colorado's most treasured rags-to-riches romance traces Molly's rise from a small-town tomboy to a member of Denver's high society. The core of this musical comedy is the tempestuous can't-live-with him/can't-live-without him love story that survives the Silver Boom, the Gold Rush, and the R.M.S. Titanic. First immortalized in the 1960 Broadway musical, Molly Brown was also at the heart of the very successful movie musical adaptation starring Debbie Reynolds and among the dramatic highlights of James Cameron's box office movie hit, Titanic. The production features the iconic songs, "I Ain't Down Yet," "Belly Up To The Bar Boys," and "Colorado, My Home," and "I'll Never Say No."

Colorado native Beth Malone stars as the feisty Molly Brown. She recently starred in the award winning Off Broadway production of Fun Home directed by Sam Gold and has appeared on Broadway in Ring of Fire. Malone made her Theatre Company debut in 1993 in the world premiere of Jeffrey Hatcher's Bon Voyage, a musical adaptation of Noel Coward's Sail Away directed by Bruce K. Sevy. She has performed on stages all over Colorado from the Crystal Palace to Theatre Aspen to the Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities, where she played the narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for five years running.

Burke Moses returns to Denver to play JJ Brown. His previous Theatre Company credits include Billy Bigelow in Carousel, and Brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. On Broadway, he debuted as Sky Masterson in the 1993 smash hit revival of Guys and Dolls, portrayed Fred Graham in the Tony Award-wining revival of Kiss Me, Kate, Heracles in The Frogs at Lincoln Center, and created the role of Gaston in the original New York, Los Angeles and London productions of Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

The cast of THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN also features David Abeles (Erich), Cameron Adams (Maureen), Whitney Bashor (Julia), Karl Josef Co (Kenneth B. Chapman), Jesmille Darbouze (Maude), Donna English (Baby Doe), Alex Finke (Kit), Jason Lee Garrett (Swing), Constantine Germanacos (Vincenzo), Patty Goble (Mrs. Sneed-Hill, Miss Lydia), Gregg Goodbrod (Hitchens), Michael Halling (Doc Morris, Fred), John Hickok (Tabor), Kristie Kerwin (Swing), Omar Lopez-Cepero (Larry), Stephanie Martigentti (Ensemble), Paolo Montalban (Arthur), Linda Mugleston (Mary Nevin), Keven Quillon (William), and John Scherer (Ensemble).

This production of THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN was first read at the 2009 Colorado New Play Summit where it was work-shopped under Kathleen Marshall's direction. The all-star creative team includes: Scenic Design by Derek McLane (Beautiful: The Carol King Musical, The Heiress), Costume Design by Paul Tazewell (A Streetcar Named Desire, Memphis), Lighting Design by Donald Holder (The Bridges of Madison County, Golden Boy), Sound Design by Craig Breitenbach (Just Like Us, Sense & Sensibility the Musical), Music Director and Vocal and Incidental Arrangements by Michael Rafter (Violet, Sweet Charity Broadway Revival), Casting by Jim Carnahan, CSA (Cabaret, Violet) and Stephen Kopel, CSA (Violet, Beautiful: The Carol King Musical) and Production Stage Manager Stephen R. Gruse (Bullets Over Broadway, Pippin).

THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN will open the 2014/15 DCTC season, running September 12 - October 26, 2014 (opening tonight, September 19) in the Stage Theatre.

THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN with lyrics and music by Meredith Willson. Additional lyrics and book by Dick Scanlan. Based on the original book by Richard Morris. Musical adaptation by Michael Rafter. Directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall.

Visit www.denvercenter.org for more information.