Jennifer Ellis Joins the Cast of SpeakEasy's FAR FROM HEAVEN, Running 9/12-10/11

SpeakEasy Stage Company Producing Artistic Director Paul Daigneault announced today that Boston actress Jennifer Ellis will assume the role of Cathy Whitaker in the company's upcoming New England Premiere production of FAR FROM HEAVEN, running September 12 to October 11 at the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts.

She replaces Erica Spyres, who is departing the production prior to the start of rehearsal to pursue another professional opportunity.

Ms. Ellis previously appeared as Claudia in SpeakEasy's 2011 production of the Tony Award-winning musical Nine. Other local credits include Jacques Brel... at Gloucester Stage, The Secret Garden at Stoneham Theatre, and The Comedy of Errors for Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. She also won an Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) Award for her portrayal of Rosabella in the Gloucester Stage production of The Most Happy Fella. Boston audiences might also know Jennifer for her many performances as Barbara DeMarco in the long-running hit comedy Shear Madness.

Featuring a book by Tony Award-winner Richard Greenburg, and music and lyrics by Scott Frankel and Michael Korie, the creators of Grey Gardens, FAR FROM HEAVEN is a lush musical adaptation of Todd Haynes' acclaimed romantic melodrama of private longings and social taboos. The story centers on Cathy Whitaker, a 1950s Connecticut housewife whose perfect life is shattered when she discovers her husband's shocking secret, and then seeks comfort in a forbidden relationship that dramatically alters her view of herself and the world.

Norton Award-Winner Scott Edmiston will direct this New England Premiere production, which will feature music direction by Steven Bergman and choreography by David Connolly.

Also featured in the Boston cast are Aimee Doherty, Kerry A. Dowling, Will McGarrahan, Maurice Emmanuel Parent, Carolyn Saxon and Jared Troilo.

Other members of the company include Darren Bunch, Audree Hedequist, Tyler Lenhart, Michael Levesque, Sophia Mack, Carla Martinez, Jennifer Mischley, Terrence O' Malley, Ellen Peterson, Josh Sussman, and Rachel Gianna Tassio.

The design team includes Eric Levenson (scenic); Charles Schoonmaker (costumes), and Karen Perlow (lighting). Dawn Schall Saglio is the Production Stage Manager.

FAR FROM HEAVEN will run for five weeks, from September 12 through October 11 in the Roberts Studio Theatre in the Stanford Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont Street in Boston's South End. The press performance is Sunday, Sept. 14 at 3PM. Tickets start at $25. For tickets or more information, the public is invited to call 617.933.8600 or visit www.SpeakEasyStage.com.

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