DANI GIRL Plans Dallas-Area Premiere

DANI GIRL, an original musical that stimulated audiences in its Waco production by Greyman Theatre Company, resurfaces in Addison as part of WaterTower Theatre's tenth-annual Out of the Loop Fringe Festival, which takes place Mar. 3-13.

A fundraising campaign to remount the production was announced Dec. 15, and has since generated $1,500 in donations. The campaign will be live through Jan. 14 at http://kck.st/hPoNBz.

All the principals seen in the Greyman version of the dark musical comedy that follows a young girl's battle with cancer have signed on for the Festival production. The show with music by Michael Kooman and book and lyrics by Christopher Dimond will star Rachel Brown (Baylor University's THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, GYPSY) as Dani, Joshua Gonzales (SummerStock Austin's SWEENEY TODD, Baylor's THE DROWSY CHAPERONE) as Marty, Matt Tolbert (WaterTower's THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE, Baylor's FUDDY MEERS) as Raph, and Sarah Winter (Baylor's THE DAZZLE, GYPSY) as Mother.

The Greyman production also features direction and scenic design by Kelsey Ervi, costume design by Toni Portacci (Baylor's THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH), lighting design by Clay Van Winkle, and sound design by Danielle Stack (Baylor's THE SEAGULL, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE), who is also production stage manager.

DANI GIRL was met with audience and critical acclaim in its summer Greyman production in Waco, Texas. Fans of the fresh DANI GIRL characterized it as a stunning musical that leaves audience members to come up with their own answers about faith, cancer, life, and death.

DANI GIRL is the story of Dani, a precocious nine-year-old, who finds herself face-to-face with a life-threatening disease. Together with her teddy bear, imaginary guardian angel, and socially awkward hospital roommate, she embarks on a magical quest to reclaim her health. As she traverses the realms of fantasy and reality, Dani discovers what it means to really live. The show, which is recommended for audiences 12 and older, was inspired by Dimond's cousin, Daniel Naccarelli, who battled cancer when he was young.

Greyman Theatre Company was created this year by Baylor students and functions under the leadership of executive producer Matt Tolbert, artistic director Andrew Saenz, and managing producer Joshua Gonzales. The mission of Greyman is to operate as a launching platform for theatrical artists, from writers to actors to directors to designers, to showcase their works. Contemporary works play a vital role in reflecting society's views and questions about the life of the time. Greyman serves to document and preserve that history. For more information on Greyman, please visit www.greymantheatreco.org.

DANI GIRL will be performed Mar. 6 at 5 p.m. and Mar. 10 at 7:30 p.m. on the Main Stage at the Addison Theatre Centre. Single tickets go on sale Feb. 15. For tickets and information, call (972) 450-6232 or visit www.watertowertheatre.org. The Addison Theatre Centre is located at 15650 Addison Road in Addison, Texas.

 

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