9 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick has been rockin' every night since September 24 with music and laughter and we've got a first look at photos. George Street Playhouse and Artistic Director David Saint have announced casting for the opening production for the venerable theatre's fortieth season. Gettin' The Band Back Together (formerly titled Garage Band) is a rockin' valentine to the Garden State, and will be directed by Tony Award-winner John Rando - who also helmed The Toxic Avenger in New Brunswick (and New York) a few seasons back.
The cast is comprised of Broadway veterans, many of whom will be making their
George Street Playhouse debut: Heather Brave (Circle of Friends),
Evan Daves (The Coast of Utopia),
Michelle Duffy (Leap of Faith),
Ryan Duncan (Soul Doctor), two-time Tony Award-nominee
Alison Fraser (GSP's Lend Me a Tenor, Gypsy on Broadway),
Deidre Goodwin (A Chorus Line),
Christopher Gurr (Memphis national tour),
Mitchell Jarvis (Rock of Ages),
Jay Klaitz (High Fidelity),
Garth Kravits (The Drowsy Chaperone),
Adam Monley (Mamma Mia!),
Emily McNamara (Around the World in 80 Days),
Manu Narayan (Bombay Dreams),
Tad Wilson (Wonderland), and
BranDon Williams (TV's Entourage, Stay at Home Dad).
Gettin' The Band Back Together boasts a book by
Ken Davenport and The Grundelshotz, music and lyrics by
Mark Allen with additional material by
Sarah Saltzberg. Orchestrations are by
Doug Katsaros,
Fred Lassen serves as musical director,
Kelly Devine is choreographer and Tony Award-winner
John Rando is director. Creating the world of the play are scenic designer
Derek McLane, lighting designer
Ken Billington, costume designer
Gregory Gale and sound designer
Peter Fitzgerald.
The Grundleshotz is a group of performers and writers comprised of
Sebastian Arcelus,
Fred Berman, Michael Hirstreet,
Jenna Coker Jones, Craig Jorczack, Nathan Kaufman,
Jay Klaitz,
Emily McNamara,
Jennifer Miller,
Bhavesh Patel,
Sarah Saltzberg and
Fletcher Young, who helped develop Gettin' The Band Back Together through a series of improvisational rehearsals.
Fast paced and hilarious, Gettin' The Band Back Together is the tale of Mitch - recently forty and cut loose from his job on Wall Street. Forced by finances to move back to his childhood home in Sayreville, NJ, Mitch - a fine musician thought to be the next Bon Jovi - reunites with his high school band mates in a high-stakes battle of the bands. Best buddies, old girlfriends, high school bullies who never grew up and one hot New Jersey momma make for fast times and the ultimate "do-over" for this Jersey Boy.
Photos by T. Charles Erickson
