Cavenaugh & Cassidy Open 'SUPERMAN' at DTC Tonight, 6/18

Dallas Theater Center opens IT'S A BIRD...IT'S A PLANE...IT'S SUPERMAN, starring Matt Cavenaugh as Clark Kent/Superman and Patrick Cassidy as arch-villain Max Menken, tonight June 18. The production will run through July 25 at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theater at the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

With music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Lee Adams, and original book by David Newman and Robert Benton, the musical based upon the comic strip 'Superman' and originally directed by Harold Prince, DTC's production features a revised book by comic book writer and playwright Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. DTC Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty directs with choreography by DTC Associate Artist Joel Ferrell.

"IT'S A BIRD...IT'S A PLANE...IT'S SUPERMAN is a heart-felt story about America's greatest superhero," says Moriarty. "Featuring a stellar cast and fresh material from Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Superman is both an action-based superhero story and a classic romantic musical comedy for audiences of all ages. It's the once-in-a-lifetime, not-to-be-missed event of the summer," says Moriarty.

Aguirre-Sacasa's revised book sets the story in 1939, one year after Superman's arrival in Metropolis, and the evil mastermind Max Menken is determined to dethrone Superman as Metropolis' most beloved hero. Facing off against Menken's bevy of super villains, Superman must defend his fair city while trying to win the heart of Lois Lane as the everyday Clark Kent.

"DTC is committed to bringing nationally recognized writers to Dallas to develop and produce their work for our audiences," Moriarty says. "Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's fresh and surprising voice, his love for superheroes, and his experience writing comic books and plays, make him the perfect writer to bring new life to the classic score of IT'S A BIRD...IT'S A PLANE...IT'S SUPERMAN."

Zakiya Young (THE LITTLE MERMAID) plays intrepid reporter Lois Lane opposite Cavenaugh, with Jenny Powers (GREASE, LITTLE WOMEN) as Sydney Sharp, The Daily Planet's sassy gossip columnist and office minx.

Joining Cassidy, Cavenaugh, Powers and Young are: Andrew Keenan Bolger as Torchy; Bob Hess as the Court Jester; Julie Johnson as Scarlet Widow; Matthew Kilgore as Kazam; Chris Klink; Addi McDaniel; Cara Serber as Marilyn Nessbit; Paul Taylor as Jack-in-the-Box; McKenzie Warren; Steven Wenslawski; Kate Wetherhead (LEGALLY BLONDE, SPELLING BEE, DTC's SARAH PLAIN AND TALL) as Blackbird; Kent Zimmerman as Jupiter James; and Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company members Hassan El-Amin as Perry White; Sean Hennigan as Mayor Siegel; and Cedric Neal as Cadabra. Child actors Derek Barnes, Dawson Holder, Raleigh "Tre" Jones, Ashton Miramontes and Jacob Redmon round out the ensemble.

The acclaimed design team includes set design by Beowulf Boritt (SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM, SPELLING BEE, ROCK OF AGES, DTC's GIVE IT UP!, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM); costume design by Jennifer Caprio (SPELLING BEE, DTC's IN THE BEGINNING); sound design by Rob Kaplowitz (GOLDA'S BALCONY, FELA!); lighting design by Jeff Croiter (NEXT FALL); with musical direction by Kimberly Grigsby (GREASE, SPRING AWAKENING, CAROLINE OR CHANGE, THE FULL MONTY) and additional orchestrations and arrangements by Eugene Gwozdz.

Pay What You Can is the first performance, Friday, June 18, at 8 p.m. Patrons may purchase any seat for any price of their choosing. Pay What You Can tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. the day of the performance, and must be purchased in-person at the Wyly Theatre box office.

All performances of IT'S A BIRD...IT'S A PLANE...IT'S SUPERMAN will be held at the Wyly Theatre at the AT&T Performing Arts Center, located at 2400 Flora St., where it runs June 18 - July 25. Preview performances June 18-24. Opening night is Friday, June 25, at 8 p.m. Performance times are Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.; and select Sunday evening at 7 p.m. Single ticket prices are $15-$86 and are available by calling the box office at 214.880.0202 or by visiting www.dallastheatercenter.org.

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