Photo Flash: Cumpsty And Colella Lead TAKE FLIGHT At The McCarter Theatre

The American premiere of Take Flight, a new musical by David Shire, Richard Maltby, Jr. and John Weidman, continues at McCarter Theatre in Princeton, NJ. Previews began April 30 and performances run through June 6. The production officially opened May 13.

The cast features Carey Brown, Jenn Colella, Michael Cumpsty, Bobby Daye, Claybourne Elder, Linda Gabler, Marya Grandy, Todd A. Horman, Stanton Nash, Benjamin Schrader, Price Waldman, and William Youmans.

Scenic and costume design is by David Farley, lighting design is by Ken Billington, sound design is by Ken Travis, with musical staging by Lisa Shriver and musical direction by Kevin Stites.

Take Flight melds fact and fiction to tell the interweaving stories of three pioneers of aeronautics: the Wright Brothers, Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart. As their dreams become reality, these aviators discover the real costs of their sky-high ambitions. With style and panache, this lush musical delves to the core of the American experience.

The celebrated team of David Shire and Richard Maltby, Jr., has created the musicals Closer Than Ever, Starting Here, Starting Now, Baby, and Big (with John Weidman). Librettist Weidman is also known for his work on Contact and his collaboration with Stephen Sondheim on Assassins and Pacific Overtures. Sam Buntrock's acclaimed revival of Sunday in the Park with George was the smash-hit of the 2008 Broadway season, earning Tony nominations for Best Musical Revival and Best Director.

Tickets can be reserved by phone (609) 258-2787; toll-free at (888) 278-7932; online at www.mccarter.org; or at the McCarter Theatre Ticket Office at 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ.

Take Flight will play the Berlind Theatre Of McCarter Theatre Center Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7:30pm; Friday and Saturday at 8:00pm; with Saturday matinee at 3pm and Sundays at 2pm. Additional performances will be held on Sunday, May 16 and Sunday, May 23 both at 7:30pm. Public Rush tickets are available for half price day of performance (subject to availability). Pay-What-You-Can performances: Tuesday, May 25 at 7:30pm and Tuesday, June 1 at 7:30pm.

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The website for the American premiere of Take Flight at McCarter Theatre in Princeton, NJ is now live at www.mccarter.org/takeflight. This site includes interviews with the creators and cast members, bios, historical material, rehearsal photos, rehearsal videos and more.