Photo Flash: First Look at I HATE MUSICALS at Ivoryton Playhouse

Previews began yesterday for the world premiere of I HATE MUSICALS: THE MUSICAL and audiences loved it! Simpsons' television writer and producer Mike Reiss has created a modern day Scrooge story of a cranky comedy writer trapped in the rubble of an LA earthquake. His life plays out before his eyes in the form of a musical -- and he hates musicals! With numbers sung by everyone from Sigmund Freud and Satan, will he learn to be less cranky? The play opens on September 29th and runs through October 15th. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Stephen Wallem*, a SAG Award-nominated actor best known as Thor Lundgren for seven seasons on the Emmy-winning Showtime series "Nurse Jackie", leads the cast as Alvin, the comedy writer. Stephen worked as a stage actor and After Dark Award-winning cabaret singer in Chicago before moving to New York to make his television debut on "Nurse Jackie." Other television appearances include Randall on Louis CK's surprise limited series "Horace and Pete" and Chad on "Difficult People."

I HATE MUSICALS: THE MUSICAL features new music composed by Walter Murphy, composer of the 70's classic A Fifth of Beethoven (which was included in the soundtrack of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!)The play is one man's zany ride through relationships with mothers and fathers, analysts and wives and with a host of surprising characters making unexpected appearances. Ultimately, the story is a traditional one about life, love, show business, and the importance of being kind.

Reiss, who is writer and producer for the long running TV show, The Simpsons, also created the animated series The Critic; the webtoon Queer Duckand worked on the screenplays for Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs; Horton Hears a Who!; The Simpsons: The Movies; and, My Life In Ruins. Ivoryton audiences turned out in droves in the June 2013 for his hilarious play, I'M CONNECTICUT, which was a huge popular and critical success and COMEDY IS HARD in September of 2014 with Micky Dolenz and Joyce Dewitt.

I HATE MUSICALS: THE MUSICAL opens at the Ivoryton Playhouse on September 27 and runs through October 15, 2017. Directed by James Valletti, the cast includes Playhouse favorite R. Bruce Connelly*, and Will Clark, Sam Given*, Amanda Huxtable*, Ryan Knowles*. Music direction and vocal arrangements by Michael Morris. Choreography by Schuyler Beeman. The set design is by Dan Nischan, lighting by Marcus Abbott and costumes by Elizabeth Cipollina.

For tickets and more information, call the Playhouse box office at 860-767-7318 or visit www.ivorytonplayhouse.org. The Playhouse is located at 103 Main Street in Ivoryton.

*denotes member of Actors Equity

Photo Credit: Anne Hudson

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