RIALTO CHATTER: Turner to Bring HIGH to Bway in 2011?

Actor's Equity Association has just released a casting notice that suggests that the Kathleen Turner-led production of Matthew Lombardo's High, directed by Rob Ruggiero, that recently ended its premiere run at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) on November 7, is Broadway-bound in the Spring of 2011. 

According to the casting notice, rehearsals begin in February of 2011, with an opening anticipated in March. The following roles are open for casting:

Father Michael Delpapp:
AVAILABLE ROLE. Man, 40s. Catholic priest, and administrator of a Christian recovery center. Has a charming authority and a warm personality, but is rigid in his beliefs. Also somewhat mysterious - a man who is more a question than an answer. Possesses the characteristics of an enabler. Also seeking Father Michael Delpapp Understudy.

Sister Jamison Connolly Understudy:
AVAILABLE POSITION. (Onstage role is cast with Kathleen Turner; seeking Understudy only.)
Woman, mid 50s. Contemporary nun, and counselor at a Christian recovery center. Tough, profane and ruthlessly honest; a recovering alcoholic whose faith is tested in her efforts to help a teen drug addict and hustler. Her own life experience provides the strength and fortitude to meet the challenge she's taken on. Her acerbic wit veils a genuinely forgiving soul. Will stop at nothing to serve the truth.

Cody Randall Understudy:
AVAILABLE POSITION. (Onstage role is cast with Evan Jonigkeit; seeking Understudy only.) Male, 19. Homosexual. Crystal meth addict and hustler, accused of the rape and murder of a 14-year-old boy. Uneducated, street-smart and emotionally guarded. Both armored and vulnerable, giving him a peculiar innocence. His edgy sexuality is instantly palpable. Survivor who knows how to manipulate a situation, though more from necessity than choice. NOTE: Full nudity required for the production (no nudity at EPA).

In High, Turner plays Sister Jamison Connelly, a tough-talking and reformed-alcoholic nun. When she agrees to sponsor a 19 year-old drug user in an effort to help him combat his addiction, her own faith is ultimately tested. Struggling between the knowledge she possesses as a rehabilitation counselor and a woman of religious conviction, she begins to question the belief in miracles and whether people can find the courage to change.

Kathleen Turner has gained critical acclaim for her performances in various movies including Body Heat (Golden Globe nomination); Romancing the Stone and Prizzi's Honor, both of which earned her a Golden Globe Award; Peggy Sue Got Married, which brought Turner both an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe nomination; and War of the Roses, which earned her yet another Golden Globe nomination. Turner's extensive film credits also include The Man with Two Brains with Steve Martin, Jewel of the Nile with Michael Douglas, The Accidental Tourist; V.I. Warshawski, Serial Mom, Naked in New York, Moonlight and Valentino, The Real Blonde and The Virgin Suicides. She has starred on Broadway in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, for which she received a Tony nomination; and also Indiscretions, The Graduate and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, for which she received a second Tony nomination. Ms. Turner had a major recurring role last season playing the role of Sue Collini on Showtime's hit series, Californication. This spring, she starred as newspaper columnist Molly Ivins in the world premiere of Red Hot Patriot: The Kick Ass Wit of Molly Ivins at Philadelphia Theater Center, and immediately after starred in the independent film called The Perfect Family. In addition to her film and stage credits, her 2008 autobiography titled Send Yourself Roses: Thoughts on my Life, Love, and Leading Roles secured a position on the New York Times Best Seller List.

The creative staff for The Rep's production included David Gallo, set designer and winner of the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, American Theatre Wing, Lucille Lortel, LA Critics Circle and the Obie Awards; Tony Award winner Jess Goldstein, costume designer; John Lasiter (Kevin Kline Award for Outstanding Lighting Design, 2006 for Take Me Out), lighting designer; Vincent Olivieri, sound designer; and Champe Leary, stage manager.

 

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos