Theatre Aspen Announces Season Casting For 35th Anniversary Season

Theatre Aspen announced casting for the organization's 35th Anniversary Season, which includes Ragtime, Godspell, and Our Town today. This season's productions promise to bring world class theatre dramatically closer by presenting talent from Broadway, national tours, and training programs from across the country.

27 performers make up the 2018 summer company-the largest in the organization's history. This diverse group was chosen from over 500 auditionees and represents 5 states and 7 colleges. The 2018 summer company includes Shaunice Alexander, Michael Andreaus, Jim Ballard, Bill Bateman, Iris Beaumier, Markcus Blair, Blake Bojewski, Samantha Bruce, Kimberly Doreen Burns, Ryan Farnsworth, Savannah Marie Fisher, Steven Hauck, William Harris, Marcus Jordan, Elise Kinnon, Danny Kornfeld, Danny Rothman, Eric Schell, Anne Tolpegin, and Ali Whitwell. the company portrays multiple roles in various Theatre Aspen productions this summer. Local students Keller Goldstein, Garrett Green, Jared Hurst, Cole Kokish, Sarah Kokish, Haver Muss-Nichols, and Ronan Wood join the company portraying children in Ragtime and Our Town.

Season Passes enable audiences to see this outstanding group of performers and enjoy all the productions this summer. Theatre Aspen is partnering with Clark's Market to host a Season Pass presale event on Friday, April 13th. Passes can be purchased in person between 10 am and 6 pm at Clark's Market on Puppy Smith Road. Passes will be available by phone or online Monday, April 16th, and supplies are limited.

Previews begin on June 23rd, and the season officially opens June 26th with the four-time Tony Award-winning musical Ragtime. Mark Martino returns for his tenth season to direct and choreograph this epic musical set in 1900s New York where the promise of a brighter tomorrow unites an upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant, and a Harlem musician. Based on the novel of the same name by E.L. Doctorow, with a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Ragtime features a sweeping score and reminds us that each voice is vital in defining our American experience. Ragtime is recommended for audiences aged 10 and up and opens June 26th.

Sara Brians joins Theatre Aspen for her first season to direct Godspell--the musical that celebrates peace, love and happiness. A motley crew teaches and practices lessons from iconic parables through vaudeville mixed with pop, folk, and gospel music. Conceived and originally directed by John-Michael Tebelak with music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and an original production on the New York Stage by Edgar Lansbury, Stuart Duncan, and Joseph Beruh, Godspell provides a modern take on classic stories that will have audiences of all ages singing along. Recommended for ages 8 and up, Godspell opens on July 14th.

Broadway writer/director/actor Hunter Foster joins Theatre Aspen for his first summer to direct the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Our Town. The Stage Manager-part tour guide, part omniscient orchestrator-ushers us through the past, present, and future of life in Grover's Corners, New Hampshire while illuminating life's precious details. Children grow, couples marry, and loved ones pass. This play reminds us to cherish each moment in life, no matter how small. Our Town is recommended for ages 10 and up and will be featured in a limited engagement July 18th through August 4th.

The 2018 Summer Season runs June 23rd through August 18th. For the past 34 years, Theatre Aspen has been rekindling a sense of discovery in audiences who live in and visit the Roaring Fork Valley by producing big theatre in a small space with intimate storytelling. The 35th anniversary season promises to bring world class theatre dramatically closer. To learn more about Theatre Aspen or purchase season passes, visit www.TheatreAspen.org or call 970-300-4474.

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