Photo Flash: First Look at New England Premiere of END OF THE RAINBOW at MTC MainStage

Music Theatre of Connecticut MainStage, Fairfield County's professional award-winning theatre company, closes its 30th Anniversary Season with the New England premiere of Peter Quilter's musical End of the Rainbow. The production runs April 7-23. Staged in a state-of-the-art 110-seat theatre, MTC's production of End of the Rainbow presents Broadway talent in Connecticut's most intimate theatregoing experience.

It's December 1968 and Judy Garland is about to make her comeback...again. In a London hotel room, with both her new young fiancé, Mickey Deans, and her adoring accompanist, Anthony, Garland struggles to get "beyond the rainbow" with her signature cocktail of talent, tenacity and razor-sharp wit. Featuring some of Garland's most memorable songs, including the classic "Over the Rainbow," this savagely funny musical pays homage to one of America's most beloved and talented figures.

Leading the End of the Rainbow cast is Coleen Sexton as Judy Garland. Sexton appeared on Broadway in the original company of Jekyll and Hyde. Her national touring credits include playing Elphaba in Wicked, and Brooke in Legally Blonde. Sexton's regional credits include Donna in Mamma Mia, Lady of the Lake in Spamalot, and Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar. Sexton has also appeared on television shows Law and Order and As the World Turns. Luke Darnell portrays fiance Mickey Deans. Darnell most recently played Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash in the Las Vegas production of Million Dollar Quartet. His Off-Broadway credits include Christian in Cyrano de Bergerac. Darnell's regional credits include Sam Phillips in MDQ, Sykes in Oliver!, Jake in The Understudy, and Roderigo in Othello. Film and TV credits include Gotham, Ghost Whisperer, General Hospital, Alien Agent, and Momsters.

Rounding out the cast are Thomas Conroy as Anthony and Matt Densky as BBC Interviewer and others. Conroy also serves as musical director, with previous MTC MainStage credits including the critically-acclaimed Gypsy earlier this season. Densky's credits include the MTC MainStage production of David Sedaris' The Santaland Diaries.

Kevin Connors, MTC's co-founder and Executive Artistic Director, directs End of the Rainbow. The creative team includes set design by Jordan Janota, lighting by Michael Blagys and costumes by Diane Vanderkroef. Jim Schilling stage manages the production. Thomas Conroy is the musical director.

The MTC MainStage 30th Anniversary Season is generously sponsored in part by The State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and The Hour/Hearst Connecticut Media Group. End of the Rainbow is generously sponsored in part by Shoff Darby Insurance Agency

"END OF THE RAINBOW" TICKET/PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Ticket prices range from $30-$55, and are available now online at www.musictheatreofct.com or by phone at (203) 454-3883.

Performances are April 7 - 23, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 4pm and 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. (Note: No performance on Sunday, April 16.)

MTC MainStage is located at 509 Westport Avenue (behind the Nine West Outlet) in Norwalk, CT.

This production includes adult language and is not appropriate for younger audiences.

Photos courtesy of Joe Landry

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