Goodspeed's LA CAGE AUX FOLLES Begins Tonight

Goodspeed Musicals has added six performances to its run of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, which begins tonight, June 26, 2015 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Connecticut.

Leading the cast will be the talented James Lloyd Reynolds as Georges and Jamison Stern as Albin. Reynolds is making a welcome return to Goodspeed after playing Beau in Mame and Julian Marsh in 42nd Street. Stern played Bingo Little in the Broadway production of By Jeeves and performed in the National Tours of Little Shop of Horrors and Beauty and the Beast.

Jean-Michel will be played by Conor Ryan who performed in Cinderella and played opposite Kate Baldwin in the recent revival of john & jen. The role of his fiancée, Anna, will be played by Kristen Martin whose credits include playing Peggy Sawyer in Goodspeed's 42nd Street and Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark on Broadway. Jacob will be played by Cedric Leiba Jr., who played Angel in the National Tour of Rent. Marie Dindon will be played by Stacey Scotte. The role of her ultraconservative husband, Edouard, will be played by Mark Zimmerman who performed in Goodspeed's Good News! and Paper Moon. Sue Mathys, who has played such iconic roles as Sally Bowles in Cabaret and Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd around the world, will be taking on the role of Jacqueline. Chris Hietikko will make his Goodspeed debut as Monsieur Renaud.

The show's ensemble includes Darius Barnes (Broadway's Cinderella, Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark), Michael Bullard (Goodspeed's Guys and Dolls), Alexander Cruz, and Wade Dooley as Francis. Joining them will be Barbara McCullohwho will play Madame Renaud. Her Broadway credits include Peter Pan and the 1996 revival of The King and I . ErinM. Kernion, Alex Ringler (Broadway's West Side Story), Nick Silverio, and Nic Thompson (Broadway's Mary Poppins) round out the ensemble. Brett-Marco Glauser and Emily Grace Tucker will be the swings for this production.

La Cage aux Folles will be directed by Rob Ruggiero, who is well-known to Goodspeed audiences for such hits as The Most Happy Fella, Carousel, Show Boat, Camelot, 1776 and last season's Fiddler on the Roof. Choreography will be by Ralph Perkins who has choreographed professionally at several regional theaters across the country, as well as for numerous Las Vegas venues. He previously collaborated with Rob Ruggiero on Goodpeed's Camelot and 1776. Mr. Perkins serves as director of dance for the theater division at The Hartt School at the University of Hartford.

Michael Schweikardt will serve as Scenic Designer. His designs for Goodspeed Musicals include Fiddler on the Roof, The Most Happy Fella, Carousel, Show Boat, Annie Get Your Gun, Camelot, Big River, and 1776. Mr. Schweikardt's New York credits include The Bloodsong of Love and Gates of Gold. He has also done extensive work with The New York University School of Music and designed the set for the world premiere of Duncan Sheik and Kyle Jarrow's musical Whisper House.

Costumes will be designed by Michael McDonald who was a Tony and Drama Desk Award nominee for his work on the 2009 Broadway Revival of Hair. His Off-Broadway credits include Tartuffe (Tribeca Playhouse), Amahl and the Night Visitors (Lincoln Center), and Measure for Measure (Expand Arts).

Lighting Design will be by John Lasiter who served as Lighting Designer for Goodspeed's Fiddler on the Roof, The Most Happy Fella, Carousel, Annie Get Your Gun, Camelot, Big River, and 1776, and Broadway's High. Sound Design will be by Jay Hilton who is in his 31st season as Goodspeed's Lighting and Sound Supervisor.

The Music Director for La Cage aux Folles will be Michael O'Flaherty, who is in his 24th season as Goodspeed's Resident Music Director.

From the writer of Hello, Dolly! and Mame, La Cage aux Folles is the only musical that has won the Tony Award for Best Production (Best Musical or Best Revival of a Musical) for each of its Broadway productions.

Get ready for "a little guts and a lot of glitter" as Goodspeed Musicals delivers a sassy, joyous production of La Cage aux Folles. Jerry Herman's glittering show tunes overflow in the outrageous tale of a family of cabaret performers led by partners Georges and Albin. When their son brings home his fiancée and the future in-laws, the limits of love, parenthood and mascara are put to the test. Tender romance and wild laughter are center stage as the Riviera's most delicious drag nightclub bursts to life in its Goodspeed debut.

The musical features a book by Harvey Fierstein (Newsies, Kinky Boots among others) and lyrics and music by Jerry Herman. Based on Jean Poiret's 1973 play of the same name, La Cage aux Folles inspired the hit film The Birdcage.

La Cage aux Folles will now run June 26 through September 10 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. Added performances will be at 2 pm and 7:30 pm on Tuesday, Sept. 8; Wednesday, Sept. 9; and Thursday Sept. 10. Please visit www.goodspeed.org for details and availability.

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