James Lloyd Reynolds and Jamison Stern to Lead Goodspeed's LA CAGE AUX FOLLES; Full Cast Announced!

Goodspeed has just announced the cast of its upcoming production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. Check out the full cast below! Get ready for "a little guts and a lot of glitter" as Goodspeed Musicals delivers a sassy, joyous production of La Cage aux Folles beginning June 26th at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. Beyond its popularity as a heartwarming and beloved musical, it is a record-setter. 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.

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 McCulloh who will play Madame Renaud. Her Broadway credits include Peter Pan and the 1996 revival of The King and I . Erin M. 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.

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. Expect "The Best of Times" from the Tony Award-winning composer of Hello, Dolly! and Mame.

Based on Jean Poiret's 1973 play of the same name, La Cage aux Folles remains as poignant as ever. The musical features a book by Harvey Fierstein with lyrics and music by Jerry Herman. La Cage aux Folles will be sponsored by Amica, the Lucille Lortel Foundation, and Sennheiser. M•A•C• Cosmetics is the official cosmetic partner of La Cage aux Folles at Goodspeed Musicals.

La Cage aux Folles will run June 26 through September 6, 2015 [Official Press Opening July 15, 2014]. Curtain times are Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 7:30 p.m. (with select performances at 2:00 p.m.), Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. (with select performances at 6:30 p.m.).

Tickets are available through the Box Office (860.873.8668), open seven days a week, or on-line at goodspeed.org. For show highlights, exclusive photos, special events and more visit us at goodspeed.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter @goodspeedmusicl and YouTube.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Michael Gennaro Goodspeed Musicals is dedicated to the preservation, development and advancement of musical theatre and is the first theatre in the nation to receive two Tony Awards (for outstanding achievement). Goodspeed produces three musicals each season at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn., and additional productions at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., which was opened in 1984 for the development of new musicals. Goodspeed also maintains The Scherer Library of Musical Theatre and The Max Showalter Center for Education in Musical Theatre. Goodspeed gratefully acknowledges the support of United Airlines, the official airline of Goodspeed Musicals, and official auto sponsor Hoffman Audi. Goodspeed is supported in part by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development with support from the Connecticut Office of the Arts.

GOODSPEED MUSICALS

La Cage aux Folles FACT SHEET

Production: La Cage aux Folles

Music and Lyrics by: Jerry Herman

Book by: Harvey Fierstein

Based on La Cage aux Folles by Jean Poiret

Theatre: Goodspeed Opera House

6 Main Street, East Haddam, Connecticut

Director: Rob Ruggiero

Choreographer: Ralph Perkins

Set Designer: Michael Schweikardt

Costume Designer: Michael McDonald

Lighting Designer: John Lasiter

Sound Designer: Jay Hilton

Music Director: Michael O'Flaherty

Principals: James Lloyd Reynolds (Georges)

Jamison Stern (Albin)

Conor Ryan (Jean Michel)

Kristen Martin (Anne)

Cedric Leiba Jr. (Jacob)

Stacey Scotte (Marie Dindon)

Mark Zimmerman (Edouard Dindon)

Sue Mathys (Jacqueline)

Chris Heitikko (Renaud)

Ensemble: Darius Barnes

Michael Bullard

Alexander Cruz

Wade Dooley (Francis)

Barbara McCulloh (Mme. Ranaud)

Erin M. Kernion (Dance Captain)

Alex Ringler

Nick Silverio

Nic Thompson

Swings: Brett-Marco Glauser

Emily Grace Tucker

Background: The original 1983 Broadway production received nine nominations for Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. The production ran for four years and 1,761 performances, closing on November 15, 1987. The success of the musical spawned a West End production and several international runs. The 2004 Broadway revival won the Tony Award for Best Revival, the 2008 London revival garnered the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival. The 2010 Broadway revival was nominated for eleven Tony Awards, winning the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. La Cage aux Folles is the only musical which has won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical twice and the only show that has won a Best Production Tony Award (Best Musical or Best Revival of a Musical) for each of its Broadway productions.

Synopsis: 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. Expect "The Best of Times" from the Tony Award-winning composer of Hello, Dolly! and Mame.

Dates: June 26 through September 6, 2015

Performances: Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 7:30 p.m., (with select performances at 2:00 p.m.), Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. (with select performances at 6:30 p.m.).

Tickets: Start at $27. All prices subject to change based on availability.

Goodspeed Box Office (860.873.8668) or online at goodspeed.org

SPECIAL EVENTS:

Opening Night Toast: Friday, June 26, 7:00 pm. Celebrate Opening Night in style with our Ticket 'n' 'Tini special. Package includes one ticket to the 8 pm performance and a specialty martini. A hot deal at $47 per person.

Saturday Wine Tasting: Saturday, June 27, 6:30 pm. Enjoy a sampling of fine wines, compliments of Shore Discount Liquors of Deep River, hors d'oeuvres provided by the Gelston House, and a pre-show chat with a member of the creative team. Only $12 with your ticket to the 8pm performance.

Teen Night: July 1 & 2, 7:30pm; July 3, 8pm. Each adult who buys a regular-priced ticket on the specified dates may purchase a $15 ticket for a teen aged 13 to 18. Meet the cast after the Friday, July 3 performance for autographs.

LGBT Night Out: Saturday, July 4, 8pm. Bring your friends and enjoy a specialty cocktail and ticket to the show for just $59 per person.

Student Rush: $15 tickets available for any evening performance, beginning at 10am on the day of the show. Must have a valid student ID.

Lady Katharine Lunch Cruise: Enjoy summer on the Connecticut River on Wednesday, July 29. Add a leisurely cruise and sumptuous buffet aboard the Lady Katharine to your theatre ticket. Choose 11:30am lunch cruise ($42) or a 5pm dinner cruise ($47) to pair with either the 2pm or 7:30pm performance.

Meet the Cast: Take part in a lively discussion with the cast after the Thursday evening performances on July 23, August 6 and 20. Meet the Cast events are free with a ticket to that evening's performance.

Friday Dinner Theatre Package: Includes dinner at the Gelston House (located next door to the Opera House) and a ticket to the 8:00 pm performance. Only $82!

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ALL OFFERS ARE FOR SELECT SEATS AND ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY

For more information, to schedule an interview, or to receive stock art, please contact
Elisa Hale (ext. 323) or Dan McMahon (ext. 324) at 860.873.8664, Elisa.Hale@goodspeed.org/Dan.McMahon@goodspeed.org

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Elisa Hale

Public Relations Manager

Goodspeed Musicals

6 Main Street

Box A

East Haddam, CT 06423

860-873-8664 ext. 323 l www.goodspeed.org

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