Powers Leads Cast of DANGEROUS BEAUTY at Pasadena Playhouse

Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced that full casting is complete for the new musical DANGEROUS BEAUTY by Jeannine Dominy (book), Amanda McBroom (lyrics) and Michele Brourman (music). Tony Award-nominee Sheryl Kaller directs a cast of twenty that is led by Jenny Powers (Broadway's Grease) as Veronica Franco. Rehearsals for the world premiere musical begins December 27, 2010. The five-week limited engagement begins performances on February 1 - March 6, 2011 with the official press opening on February 13, 2011 at Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue).

"This casting process has been one of the most joyous experiences of my professional career. The richness of musical theater talent in Los Angeles is stunning, and the local cast we have been able to assemble will beautifully enhance the New York veterans who are joining us. I can't wait to start rehearsals," said Dangerous Beauty director Sheryl Kaller.

The DANGEROUS BEAUTY cast includes:

Jenny Powers as Veronica Franco (Broadway's Grease and Little Women)

James Snyder as Marco (Drama League Award-nominee for Broadway's Crybaby)

Bryce Ryness as Maffio (Drama Desk Award-nominee for Broadway's Tony Award-winning revival of Hair)

Laila Robins as Paola (Broadway's Heartbreak House)

Michael Rupert as Domenico (Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Sweet Charity)

Megan McGinnis as Beatric (Ovation Award-nominee for the Rubicon Theatre's Daddy Long Legs)

John Antony as Pietro (Broadway's Passion)

Morgan Weed as Giulia (Second Stage Theatre's Next to Normal)

Michael Baker as Bishop Della Torre (York Theatre's Yank)

Joe Mandragona as Tintoretto (National Tour of All Shook Up)

Nigel Columbus as Ramberti (National Tour of Monty Python's Spamalot)

Marcus Choi as Tron (Broadway's Wicked)

Matthew Tyler as Grand Inquisitor (West End's The Phantom of the Opera)

Irasole Cardona as Courtesan/Wife (Broadway's The Lion King)

Melissa Harding as Courtesan/Wife (Covina Center for the Arts' Smokey Joe's Café)

Jessica Lee Keller as Courtesan/Wife/Dance Captain (ABC's Dancing with the Stars)

Katherine Malak as Courtesan/Wife (Off-Broadway's White Widow)

Angela Wildflower Polk as Courtesan/Wife (Kirk Douglas Theatre's Venice)

Angel Reda as Courtesan/Wife (Broadway's Chicago)

Jessica Vosk as Courtesan/Wife (West End's Kristina, A New Musical by ABBA)

DANGEROUS BEAUTY, based on a true story, tells the tumultuous tale of Veronica Franco, a celebrated courtesan/poet of 16th century Venice. Forced to become a courtesan when her family fortune is lost, preventing her from marrying the man she loves, Veronica ultimately embraces the courtesan life because it affords her extraordinary education and access. It is not long before she is the most influential woman in the cultural and political life of her beloved city. As Veronica's star rises, however, Venice is ravaged by war, plague, and the Inquisition. When Veronica finds herself on trial for witchcraft, she realizes that only her personal integrity can save her. DANGEROUS BEAUTY is adapted from the New Regency screenplay The Honest Courtesan written by Jeannine Dominy, released as the film Dangerous Beauty and inspired by the scholarly book The Honest Courtesan by USC Professor Margaret Rosenthal.

Joining the creative team with Kaller are Benoit-Swan Pouffer, choreography (Artistic Director of the Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre); Fred Lassen, music director (Broadway's South Pacific); Bruce Coughlin, orchestrations (Tony Award-winner The Light in the Piazza); AnnMarie Milazzo, vocal design (Broadway's Spring Awakening and Next to Normal); Ben Butler, additional orchestrations (Sony Classics' Heights); Tom Buderwitz, scenic design (Pasadena Playhouse's Mauritius); Soyon An, costume design (Two-time Emmy Award-winner for Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance"); Russell Champa, lighting design (Broadway's God Said, "Ha!"); Jon Weston, sound design (Broadway's The Color Purple); Brian Danner, fight director (Furious Theatre Company's Boom); Howie Cherpakov, casting (Broadway's Next Fall); Amy Lieberman, casting (Reprise's How to Succeed...); and Joe Witt, production stage management (The Pee-Wee Herman Show).

DANGEROUS BEAUTY was selected for the 2004 West Coast ASCAP Workshop. In 2005, it was read at the Rubicon Theatre and had a workshop production at Vassar College's New York Stage and Film Powerhouse Theatre Season. In 2006, the production was part of the National Alliance of Musical Theatre's Festival of New Musicals and in 2007 it was chosen to be part of Northwestern University's American Musical Theatre Project.

DANGEROUS BEAUTY will play at the Pasadena Playhouse from February 1 - March 6, 2011 with the official press opening on February 13, 2011. Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue in Pasadena. The performance schedule is Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The ticket price range is from $49.00 - $69.00. Rush tickets are available for $15.00 one hour prior to the performance time and are subject to availability. Rush tickets must be purchased at the Pasadena Playhouse Box Office. Tickets are available by calling the Pasadena Playhouse at 626-356-7529 or by visiting the Pasadena Playhouse Box Office, Monday from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday - Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. during non-performance dates and Tuesday- Sunday from 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on performance dates. The box office is closed on holidays. Tickets are available 24 hours online at www.Pasadenaplayhouse.org. Group Sales (15 or more) are available by calling 626-921-1159. For additional information visit www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos