Riverside Theatre's WHAT A GLORIOUS FEELING Opens 10/30

They're singin' in the rain at Bristol Riverside Theatre with the local premiere of the musical What A Glorious Feeling with a book by Jay Berkow, running October 30-November 18.  Directed by BRT Founding Director Susan D. Atkinson, the ensemble cast featuresSummer Broyhill, Vincent D'Elia, Zak Edward, Liz Filios, and Charles Osborne. What A Glorious Feeling captures the charming and poignant story behind the making of Singin' in the Rain, one of the best movie musicals of all time.  Bringing to life the tempestuous love triangle between Gene Kelly, Co-Director Stanley Donen and their dance captain, Jeanne Coyne, juxtaposed with the iconic dances, catchy phrases and toe tapping melodies of the American classic, this musical celebrates the genius of this highly charged collaboration while exploring the emotional complexity of their lives behind the camera.

Previews begin Tuesday, October 30 with opening night on Thursday, November 1.  Performances run Tuesday through Sunday until November 18.  Tickets start at $41, with discounts for students and groups.  Tickets are available by visiting brtstage.org or calling the BRT Box Office at 215-785-0100.  Bristol Riverside Theatre is located at 120 Radcliffe Street in Bristol, PA.

Author Jay Berkow once met Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly's first assistant on Singin' in the Rain, at a party in Manhattan and was intrigued by the choreographer's role in – and sudden disappearance from –Kelly's life.   When Berkow read in a biography that Kelly was married, divorced and then married again rather quickly, he thought there might be a story there.  "The complexity of what occurred behind the scenes during 'Singin' in the Rain' has been untold for so long," said Berkow about writing the book for the show.  "The opportunity to expose the emotions and the back story in an important moment in musical theater history certainly seemed interesting."

Susan D. Atkinson (Director) has a theatrical career spanning 40 years of directing, producing, and teaching on both the east and west coasts, having directed well over 150 plays and musicals in her career, including world and area premieres from such playwrights and composers as Doug Katsoras, Mark St. Germain, Dan Rustin, Michael Hickey and Larry Gatlin.  For BRT, Atkinson recently directed last season's world premiere of A Raw Space and Steel Magnolias as well as such shows as The Good Earth,Wintertime, Irma La Douce, Alive and Well, The Price, 110 in the Shade, A Sunbeam, Inspecting Carol, A Moon for the Misbegotten, Arsenic and Old Lace, A Little Night Music, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, Holiday, Talley's Folly and Proof.  In 1998, Ms. Atkinson directed Larry Gatlin's Texas Flyer both at BRT and at Theatre Under The Stars in Houston, Texas.

Stephen Casey (Choreographer) returns to BRT where he last choreographed Rent.  He was the Artistic Director at Bucks County Playhouse from 1996-2010 during which time, as resident director/choreographer he was oversaw 170 productions and directed and choreographed 67 musicals.  He has worked as a director or choreographer at Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, West Virginia Public Theatre, New Hope Arts Center, and DeSales University.

Summer Broyhill (Jeanne) appeared in the Broadway and national tour productions of Hairspray.  Regionally she has performed at Virginia Stage Company in The Last Five Years, Sacramento Music Circus in Into the Woods, and several productions at both Georgia Shakespeare and Tuacahn Amphitheatre.

Vincent D'Elia (Arthur) appeared in the Broadway productions of Kiss of the Spider Woman, Grease, and Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public, and in the national tours of Aida, The Who's Tommy, Evita, and Bye, Bye Birdie.  Regionally he has appeared at Paper Mill Playhouse, Arkansas Rep, York Theatre Company, Kansas City Starlight, and Tuacahn Performing Arts Center.  He can be heard in the original cast albums of Kiss of the Spider Woman, Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public, and Children of Eden.

Zak Edwards (Stanley) appeared in the national tour of Young Frankenstein and in the Encores! production of No, No Nanette.  He has been featured at Goodspeed Opera House in the world premiere of Hello! My Baby and in leading roles at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma City (Jesus Christ Superstar and Hello Dolly) and Merry-Go-Round Playhouse (42^nd Street).

Liz Filios (Debbie) makes her BRT debut, having appeared at Arden Theatre Company in Candide as Cunegonde, Sunday in the Park with George as Celeste #1, and The Threepenny Opera as Lucy Brown.  She has also appeared at the Walnut Street Theatre in Les Miserables and Aspects of Love as well as several productions at New Candlelight Theatre and International Opera Theater.

Charles Osborne (Gene Kelly) starred in the Hollywood Bowl production of The Producers and was featured in several productions at The MUNY including Footloose, Legally Blonde, The Little Mermaid, Cats, and Damn Yankees.  He was seen on PBS as Will Parker in Oklahoma and Friar Francis in Much Ado About Nothing.

What A Glorious Feeling brings together a creative team of set designer Robert F. Wolin, costume designer Linda Bee Stockton, lighting designer Kate Ashton, and music director Mark Hartman.

 

The BRT mainstage season continues with the murder mystery drama Deathtrap by Ira Levin (January 29-February 17); the ever-popular Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance (March 19-April 28), and the classical drama Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee (May 21-June 9).

Since 1986, BRT has brought consistently acclaimed professional theatre to Bucks County and maintained a long-term commitment to finding and developing new plays. The theatre is the recipient of over 66 Barrymore Award nominations for Excellence in Theatre, given annually by the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. In addition to its mainstage productions, the theatre serves as a cultural hub for the community, with such programs as children's theatre, community concerts and exhibitions of local visual arts. Currently under the direction of Artistic Director Keith Baker, Founding Director Susan D. Atkinson, and Managing Director, Amy Kaissar, BRT begins its 26th season.  For information, visit www.brtstage.org.

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