Photo Flash: First Look at DOGFIGHT at Beck Center for the Arts

Beck Center for the Arts is pleased to again partner with the Baldwin Wallace University Music Theatre program to present the heartbreaking and hauntingly beautiful Dogfight, February 6 through March 15, 2014 in the intimate Studio Theater. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Based on the Warner Bros. film and the screenplay by Bob Comfort, this soulful musical takes audiences back to November 21, 1963. On the night before they ship off to Vietnam, a group of marines set out for one final boys' night of debauchery and place a cruel bet they call a "dogfight". One of the marines, Eddie Birdlace, meets an idealistic waitress, Rose, and invites her to the party. When she rewrites the rules of the game, Corp. Birdlace learns the power of compassion.

Directed by Victoria Bussert, director of Music Theatre at Baldwin Wallace University, Dogfight features Colton Ryan as Eddie Birdlace andKeri René Fuller as Rose Fenny. They are joined by an ensemble of nine actors from BW's nationally recognized MT program. Dogfight also features professional actors Laura Perrotta and Jamie Keoth who appear courtesy of the Actors' Equity Association. With musical direction by David Pepin and choreography by Gregory Daniels, Dogfight features music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and book by Peter Duchan.

The cast features: Boland - Zach Adkins; Stevens - Gabriel Brown; Ruth Two Bears/Librarian/Hippie - Adrian Grace Bumpas; Rose Fenny - Keri René Fuller; Lounge Singer/Pete/Praying Drag Queen/Big Tony/Sergeant - Jamie Koeth*; Gibbs/Stevens' Party Date - Andrew Kotzen; Fector - Jon Loya; Mama/Fector's Party Date (Suzette)/Hippie - Laura Perrotta*; Marcy/Peggy/Hippie - Victoria Pippo; Eddie Birdlace - Colton Ryan ; Bernstein - Mickey Ryan ; and Swings - Jason Goldston, Emily Sofia Wronski. *Actor appears courtesy of the Actors' Equity Association (AEA), the union of actors and stage managers.

On the creative team are: Artistic Director - Scott Spence; Director - Victoria Bussert**; Musical Director - Dave Pepin; Choreographer - Gregory Daniels**; Stage Manager - Jamie R. Benetto; Assistant Stage Managers - Lucas Clark, Brendan O'Connell; Scenic Designer - Laura Carlson Tarantowski; Lighting Designer - Colleen Albrecht; Costume, Hair & Makeup Designer - Esther M. Haberlen; Sound Designer - Richard B. Ingraham; Technical Director - Joseph Carmola; and Technical Assistant - Dan Folino. **Member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers

Tickets are $29 for adults, $26 for seniors (65 and older), and $12 for students with a valid I.D. A $3 service fee per ticket will be applied at time of purchase. Preview Night on Thursday, February 5 is $10 with general admission seating. Group discounts are available for parties of four or more. Purchase tickets online at beckcenter.org or call Customer Service at 216.521.2540 x10. Beck Center for the Arts is located at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, just ten minutes west of downtown Cleveland. Free onsite parking is available.

Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni

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