After seven years of writing, re-writing, fine tuning, and revelatory readings, Alexander deJong's opulent Liberace musical, ALL THAT GLITTERS will be presented in its Pre-Broadway workshop from Tuesday, May 8 through Friday, May 11 at the Baryshnikov Arts Center (450 West 37 Street – between Ninth and Tenth Avenues). The musical is aiming for an April 2013 Broadway Opening.
Wladziu Valentino Liberace will be played by three men. Kevin Dolan will play the maestro as a child prodigy in Milwaukee. Zachary S. Berger will play him as the neutron explosion that was his ascension to stardom. Richard Kline will play him as the emotionally wrecked superstar who reinvented television, kidnapped Las Vegas and cleaned up financially in Europe.
"I'm having so much fun," said Ryan, "this is one of the best projects I've worked on my entire career. Not only did Alexander deJong write book, music and lyrics, his direction and choreography are already creating pure magic in the rehearsal hall. He is one of the most generous directors I have ever worked with. He is giving me creative license to help create the characters. He's extremely generous with the actor."
Directed and choreographed by Alexander deJong, "ALL THAT GLITTERS" has a book by Mr. DeJong and James A. Walsh, music and lyrics by Mr. DeJong and additional music by Tom Nelson. The Creative Team includes Bob Mackie (Costumes), John Arnone (Scenery) and Howell Binkley (Lighting). Jack Lee is the Musical Director.
Launching with the nearly mythical audition by a ten-year-old Liberace on the great stage of the Pabst Theatre in Milwaukee, "ALL THAT GLITTERS" rockets through a career that defied reason in its stratospheric trajectory.
The production also features Roz Ryan as Miss Bea Haven and as Lucille, Liberace's secretary and Nurse Lil'Lil.
Ms. Ryan's Broadway credits include, Dreamgirls, (the role of Effie White, Ain't Misbehavin, (the role of Nell Carter) Chicago the Musical, (the role of Matron Mama Morton) One Mo' Time, (The role of Bertha) and Madison Square Gardens A Christmas Carol, (the role of The Ghost Of Christmas Present) Ms Ryan is the only woman to perform that role. Additional theater credits include the Role of Bloody Mary in the musical South Pacific in Thailand, Australia and China. Blues in The Night, for which Ms. Ryan was awarded both the Carbonell and Zoni Award for Best Actress in a Musical. The Old Settler, Seven Guitars, and Cole Porter Request The Pleasure, receiving the Carbonell Award for Best Supporting Actress. In 2012 Ms. Ryan received the BROADWAY WORLD THEATRE AWARD for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical in Seattles 5th Ave production of "SAVING AIMEE." Ms. Ryan's television credits include, The NBC sitcom "Amen", as Amelia Heterbrink , Mrs. Dixon on "Good News". "Flo Anderson" on the hit WB Series "All About The Andersons" "JAG" "Half and Half"."Mae Palmer" on Showtime series "BARBERSHOP". The Hercules cartoon series on ABC , 2012 BET'S Series "Let's Stay Together," and The soon to be released Disney Pilot "Crash and Berstein. Film work includes Francis Ford Coppola's "The Cotton Club", Disney's Animated Feature "Hercules", (the voice of Thalia), and Mrs. William's in "Nikita Blues" (produced by Roz Ryan and Marc Cayce,) "The Invention Of Lying", "I Think I Love My Wife", "Whatever Lola Wants", and "Waiting For Forever" In theatres now. Voice over work includes Thalia in Disneys Hercules (TV series, Feature Film and Action Games) "BUBBIE the Blue Beluga Whale!" on "The Misadventures of FlapJack" on Cartoon Network. Ms. Fitzpatrick, on Kick Buttowski on DisneyXD, Cake The Cat on "Adventure Time," Gorgeous G on "Scooby Doo" and Witch Lezah on The WB's new Looney Tunes Show.
Alexander deJong recently directed the staged readings of ZARRA, Unmasked at Last, a new musical comedy in development, starring Chita Rivera and Mario Cantone, for which Mr. DeJong also wrote the book, music and lyrics. Alexander was an original cast member of the Tony Award-winning revival of 42nd Street on Broadway. Alexander also appeared on Broadway in My Fair Lady with Richard Chamberlain. It was during this show that Alexander forged long-term working relationships with both renowned choreographer Donald Saddler and musical director/conductor Jack Lee. Mr. Lee became the musical director for Steps in Time, a new musical co-authored and staged by Alexander at The Henry Miller Theatre in NYC, starring Milo O'Shea and Helen Gallagher. Steps in Time was a finalist for The Richard Rogers Award. Alexander assisted Tony Award-winning choreographer Donald Saddler on various projects, including the revival of No, No, Nanette at the Paper Mill Playhouse.
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