Terrence Mann, Riley Costello Set for CRT's PETER PAN This Summer

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) has announced the complete cast for the musical Peter Pan, its second production of the 2015 Nutmeg Summer Series. Directed by Cassie Abate, Peter Pan will star Riley Costello in the title role. Costello was recently seen as Dunlap Dewberry in Because of Winn Dixie at Arkansas Repertory Theatre and as Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Costello's Broadway credits include Bye, Bye Birdie, 13: the musical, and Everyday Rapture. Performances of Peter Pan begin on June 18, 2015 and run through July 3, 2015 at Connecticut Repertory Theatre's Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. Tickets are on sale now at crt.uconn.edu or 860-486-2113.

Appearing opposite Costello will be three time Tony Award nominee Terrence Mann as Captain Hook and Mr. Darling. Mann made his Broadway debut in 1982 as Chester Lyman in Barnum, and soon after originated the role of Rum Tum Tugger in Cats. His portrayal of Inspector Javert in Les Miserables, a role which he will be reprising in the first show of CRT's summer season, earned him the first of his three Tony nominations. His second nomination came from his portrayal of the Beast in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. He was most recently seen as King Charles in the 2013 revival of Pippin, which earned him his third Tony nomination. Other stage credits include: The Scarlet Pimpernel (Chauvlin), Rags, Jerome Robbins' Broadway, Getting Away With Murder, Assassins, Lennon, The Lost Colony, and the 2000 Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show. Mr. Mann is the Distinguished Chair of Musical Theatre at Western Carolina University.

Peter Pan tells the lovable tale of a mischievous little boy who can fly and never wants to grow up. He is joined by the Darling children, Wendy, John and Michael, on the island of Neverland for a series of fantastical and heart-warming adventures with Tinker Bell, the Lost Boys, the Princess Tiger Lily, and a rambunctious band of pirates led by the ruthless Captain Hook.

Says director Cassie Abate: ""Peter Pan was the first show to make me fall in love with the magic of theatre. My approach with the cast and creative team is to explore what our version of Neverland looks like as well as the people and creatures indigenous to this particular island. I am excited for the energy a male actor will bring to the role of Peter, a part typically played by a woman. This is a show for the child inside all of us."

The role of Wendy will be played by Maggie Bera, a junior Musical Theatre major at Texas State University. She has appeared in Anything Goes, Rent, and Kiss Me, Kate. This past spring she was the assistant director to Kaitlin Hopkins and Tony Award winner Adam Cares on the workshop of Snoopy! The Musical. Television credits include The Big C with Laura Linney and a national Verizon Fios commercial.

The rest of the cast includes: Troyer Coultas (John), Atticus L. Burrello (Michael), Alessandro Andy Viviano (Crocodile/Pirate), Alex Zeto (Mrs. Darling), Chris Hendricks (Slightly), Sean Ormond (Tootles/Nana), Nate Whipple (Curly), Olivia Benson (Nibs), Jane Sydney Roberts (1st Twin), Raegan Roberts (2nd Twin), Shelby Mann (Lost Boy), Jonathan Cobrda (Smee), Annie Wallace (Tiger Lily/Liza), Paige Smith (Ostrich/Indian), Jose Luaces (Bird/Indian/Pirate), Danielle Behrens (Bird/Indian/Pirate), Gabriel Bernal (Mullins/Indian), Johnny Brantley III (Cecco/Indian), Joe Callahan (Starkey/Indian), Will Bryant (Noodler), and Chester Martin (Jukes).

The creative team includes: Cassie Abate (Director/Choreographer), Daniel Moctezuma (Music Director and Conductor), Michael Vincent Skinner (Sound Designer), Lisa Loen (Costume Designer), John W. Parmalee (Technical Director), Chuan-Chi Chan (Scenic and Projection Designer/Lighting Designer), Nicole Marconi (Production Stage Manager), and McCorkle Casting (New York Casting).

Evening performances start at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Matinee performances start at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Single ticket prices range from $10 to $55.

Children must be at least 4 years old to attend CRT productions. For additional ticket information or to charge tickets by phone, call 860-486-2113. All sales are final; no refunds. Play selections and performance dates are subject to change.

Please call 860-486-2113 for tickets and additional information. Please call the box office or visit www.crt.uconn.edu for specific show dates and times because performance schedules vary and are subject to change.

The Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre is located on the campus of the University of Connecticut in Storrs and offers air-conditioned comfort and convenient free parking.

CRT's Community Partners for the Nutmeg Summer Series include SI Financial Advisors, UTC Aerospace Systems, XL Color and the UConn Dairy Bar.

CRT is the professional producing artistic arm of the Department of Dramatic Arts at the University of Connecticut, Storrs. CRT productions ware directed, designed by, and cast with visiting professional artists, including Equity actors, faculty members, and advanced student artists. The synergy between professional and advanced student artists creates extraordinary theatre and a unique learning environment.

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