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Tony LePage, Nancy Opel, and More Complete Cast of TONYA & NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA at 54 Below

By: Feb. 05, 2018
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Tony LePage, Nancy Opel, and More Complete Cast of TONYA & NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA at 54 Below  Image

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, announces more exciting casting for its Olympic special concert of songs from Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera on Feb. 13, 2018 at 9:30 PM.

Joining Ashley Spencer as 'Tonya' and Lauren Worsham as 'Nancy,' the villainous knee-whack mastermind 'Gillooly' will be portrayed by star rocker from Broadway's Rock of Ages, Tony LePage. LePage will be reprising his critically acclaimed performance at the NYMF production of Tonya & Nancy. Additionally, Tony nominee Nancy Opel will portray both Nancy and Tonya's Mother. Opel is best known for her award-winning performance in Urinetown, and more recently in Memphis and Beautiful.

The chorus features Oksana-lookalike Heidi Friese (Matilda) reprising her acclaimed NYMF performance as 'Oksana Baiul,' the skater who nabbed the 1994 Gold from Tonya and Nancy. Two other alums of the sold-out 2015 NYMF production are featured at 54 Below: Tatiana Lofton(Broadway at Birdland Concert Series, 2017) and Ryan Mac (fresh from From Here to Eternity). Jason Pintar (The Happiest Millionaire; Joe's Pub; 2017) rounds out the chorus-- who variously play reporters, skaters, and knee-attackers.

Marking the 2018 Winter Olympics and the 24th anniversary of the Harding/Kerrigan scandal, Broadway stars Spencer and Worsham play the rival skaters in the show The New York Times dubbed "darkly comedic," and critics on both coasts have hailed as "brilliant." A clip from the award-winning Chicago production of Tonya & Nancy was featured on January 11 on ABC.

Before there was the new Tonya Harding bio-pic, there was this Rock Opera, which played Boston, LA, had its sold-out run at NYMF, and a recent acclaimed run in Chicago. Now, Tonya & Nancy returns to NYC in a concert produced by Paul Boghosian/ Harborside Films, with a forthcoming live CD by Broadway Records. Both the concert and album will be directed by the multi-talented Grammy and Emmy winner Michael J. Moritz Jr, a two-time Tony Award producing nominee as well as a star pianist, Music Director, arranger and performer.

Lauren Worsham, Drama Desk Award winner and Tony nominee for A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, will lend her soaring operatic voice to Nancy arias like 'Why Me'. Ashley Spencer, who starred on Broadway in Grease, Hairspray, and Priscilla Queen of Desert, brings comedic flair and vocal power to rocking 'Tonya' ballads like 'Watch Your Back.' Unlike the film I, Tonya, this show does not sideline 'Nancy.' A dark comedy done with heart, it tells the duel story of 'Two Girls Going for the Gold.'

Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera plays Feinstein's/54 Below (254 West 54th Street) on Feb. 13, 2018 at 9:30 PM. There is a $35 cover charge and a $25 food and beverage minimum. Tickets and information are available at www.54Below.com. Tickets on the day of performance after 4:00 are only available by calling (646) 476-3551.

MORE ABOUT THE ROCK OPERA

TONYA & NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA has drawn national media attention and has been featured on ABC (2018), in The New York Times (2017) as well as on People.com, CBS This Morning, Good Morning America, and more. It was named a 'Top 5' show of 2016 in Chicago. The book and lyrics by Elizabeth Searle and music by Michael Teoli were praised by BACKSTAGE for "a blend of dark comedy and surprising depth." Searle conceived of the show years before 'I, Tonya,' the Hollywood feature film. Harding herself enthusiastically attended the rock opera's premiere in Portland, OR, where Portland Mercury called the show 'brilliant and touching.' Regarding the NYMF production, Mediaite wrote: "This is beautiful and perfect and you're just upset you didn't think of it first." Searle and Teoli were, in fact, 'the first' to think of dramatizing the Harding/Kerrigan saga. In its review of the NYMF production, Theater Mania decreed: "This story was always meant to be a rock opera... Don't miss it." www.tonyaandnancytherockopera.com

MORE ABOUT FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW

Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, is a performance venue in the grand tradition of New York City nightlife, in the heart of the theater district. 54Below.com/Feinsteins

In their description of the venue, The New York Times writes, "Feinstein's/54 Below has the intimacy of a large living room with unimpeded views and impeccable sound; there is not a bad seat in the house. Its sultry after-hours ambience is enhanced by brocade-patterned wall panels planted with orange-shaded lanterns. And the atmosphere is warmer and sexier than in Manhattan's other major supper clubs."

Located at 254 West 54th Street, Feinstein's/54 Below features up to three shows nightly with cover charges ranging from $5-$105. 54Below.com/Feinsteins



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