Photo Flash: Opening Night of Paulus' BEST OF BOTH WORLDS at A.R.T.

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) opened BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, a new musical this week on Wednesday, December 2.  It is the last production of the Shakespeare Exploded! series to open. Featuring the sounds of R&B and gospel, Best of Both Worlds features book and lyrics by Randy Weiner, music by multiple Obie-winner Diedre Murray, and is directed by Tony nominated Diane Paulus (HAIR). Additional productions are part of the Shakespeare Exploded! series include The Donkey Show and Sleep No More, running now through early January. 

The cast of Best of Both Worlds stars Gregg Baker (Lawrence Olivier Award and Grammy nominee), Jeannette Bayardelle (NAACP Theater Award Winner, Best Lead Actress in a Musical for the Role of Celie in The Color Purple), Mary Bond Davis (original Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray on Broadway), Darius de Haas (Obie Winner, Running Man), Nikkieli DeMone (Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for his portrayals of Jake in Sideshow and John in Miss Saigon), Cleavant Derricks (Tony, Drama Desk and LA Drama Circle Award winner for Dreamgirls and Tony nominee for Brooklyn the Musical), Brianna Horne (Winner of CBS Early Show Contest "My Broadway Debut), Lawrence Stallings (Passing Strange On- and Off-Broadway), and the 8-year old Hingham native Sebastien Lucien as Mamillius.

In addition, Best of Both Worlds will feature a rotating roster of Greater Boston's most celebrated gospel choirs, including community, university, and church choirs.

The creative team also includes set designer and longtime A.R.T. collaborator Riccardo Hernandez, costume designer Emilio Sosa, lighting designer Aaron Black, and sound designer Brett Jarvis. Movement is by Tracy Jack, Music Director is Michael Mitchell, and the Associate Music Director and Choir Coordinator is David Freeman Coleman.

Best of Both Worlds began previews November 21st, with an official opening tonight, December 2nd. Performances will run though January 3, 2010 at the Loeb Drama Center in Cambridge. Tickets for Best of Both Worlds range in price from $25 - $75. Student rush tickets are $20 and seniors receive $10 off the ticket price. Group rates are available. Tickets may be purchased online at www.AmericanRepertoryTheater.org, by phone at 617-547-8300, or in person at the A.R.T. box office.  It is additionally running on a special schedule this weekend, December 4 - 6 for the New York Weekend, a festival of all Shakespeare Exploded! productions.  For more information on this weekend's festivals, visit www.AmericanRepertoryTheater.org.

Here, in her usual inclusive fashion, HAIR's Tony Award nomined director Diane Paulus poses with the opening night crowd of Best of Both Worlds.

Photo by Gretjen Helene

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