KC Rep Announces Cast of THE FANTASTICKS

Kansas City Repertory Theatre will continue its 2015-16 season with The Fantasticks, directed by Kansas City Repertory Theatre's Producing Director Jerry Genochio. Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones' legendary musical gives the appearance of a heartwarming tale about a boy and a girl, whose fathers lovingly hatch a plan to bring them together. But when they employ the sly El Gallo to assist them, nothing turns out as simply as they had hoped. The young lovers must experience the harsh and turbulent realities of life before they can truly appreciate each other's love, having grown wiser and more mature throughout their journey. The longest running musical in Off-Broadway history, this uniquely innovative and magical production from Jerry Genochio, acclaimed director of last season's An Iliad, is a production not to be missed. This production begins Friday, March 18 and runs through Sunday, April 10 at KC Rep's Spencer Theatre. KC Rep's production will also feature an innovative new seating configuration, including a newly designed on-stage seating section that will give an intimate look and feel to Spencer Theatre and bring audiences closer to the magic.

"This is at the heart, a very simple love story and I wanted this production to reflect that simplicity," stated Genochio. "I want KC Rep audiences to feel like they are a part of this story."

The ensemble cast, drawn from across the country, includes: Peggy Friesen as the Actor (Henry), Gary Neal Johnson as the Boy's Father (Hucklebee), Larry Marshall as the Girl's Father (Bellomy), Chip Miller as the Mute, Merle Moores as the Man Who Dies (Mortimer), Zane Phillips as the Boy (Matt), Emily Shackelford as the Girl (Luisa) and Andrew Varela as the Narrator (El Gallo).

Performances begin Friday, March 18 and run through Sunday, April 10 at Spencer Theatre. Press night is scheduled for Opening Night Friday, March 25.

Conversation Series

Patrons are invited and welcome to attend these FREE post-show forums to learn more from the artists and creative teams about the production.

Meet the Creative Team: March 23, following the 7 pm performance

Scholars' Forum: April 2, following the 2pm performance

Actor's Forum: April 3, following the 2pm performance and April 6, following the

7 pm performance

About the Artists

Jerry Genochio (Director) leads the production and artistic teams and is responsible for mounting all productions as well as season budgets, calendars and planning. Before joining the team at KC Rep, Genochio served as production manager for Alabama Shakespeare Festival, PlayMakers Repertory Company, Sacramento Theatre Company and Southwest Missouri State University. He also spent ten seasons as Scenery Director for the Utah Shakespearean Festival and served as Technical Director at Illinois State University, Lafayette College, and Illinois Shakespeare Festival, and toured nationally with Minneapolis' Children's Theatre Company. Genochio has an MFA in Technical Production from Florida State University and a BS from Northwest Missouri State University.

Peggy Friesen (THE ACTOR (Henry)) KC Rep: The Diary of Anne Frank, Angels in America, David Cromer's Our Town, A Christmas Carol, The Syringa Tree, Man and Superman, Indian Ink, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, WMKS, A Delicate Balance, If We Are Women, M. Butterfly, Our Town, The House of Blue Leaves. Local: Steel Magnolias (Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre); The Year of Magical Thinking (Spinning Tree Theatre and The Living Room); The Mousetrap, A Lesson from Aloes, The Cripple of Inishmaan (Kansas City Actors Theatre); 101 Dalmatians, Frindle (The Coterie); Stories My Grandmother Told Me, Little Foxes, The Dinner Party (American Heartland Theatre); Nickel and Dimed, Spinning into Butter, Frozen, Wit (Unicorn Theatre). Regional: The Exonerated (Contemporary American Theatre Company, Columbus, Ohio); Blithe Spirit, Hay Fever, and harpist in The Fantasticks (Okoboji Summer Theatre); The Tempest (as Prospero, Guest Artist at Stephens College). New York: Hanky Panky (Midtown International Theatre Festival). Ms. Friesen also performs as a professional harpist. TV & Film: Ang Lee's Ride with the Devil, Robert Altman's Kansas City, Stephen Soderbergh's King of the Hill, The Big Brass Ring with William Hurt, "Monday After the Miracle," "A Will of Their Own," "Truman," "My Antonia," "Sarah, Plain and Tall II." AEA Member

Gary Neal Johnson (THE BOY'S FATHER (Hucklebee)) KC Rep (Associate Artist): A Christmas Carol (Ebenezer Scrooge), Death of a Salesman (Willy Loman), Little Shop of Horrors (Mushnik), August: Osage County (Charlie), Cabaret (Herr Schultz), Bus Stop (Virgil Blessing), The Drawer Boy (Morgan), Oleanna (John), M. Butterfly (Gallimard), King Lear (Gloucester), Give 'Em Hell, Harry (Harry Truman), Royal Hunt of the Sun (Pizarro), Treasure Island (Long John Silver), A Delicate Balance (Harry), The Foreigner (Owen Musser), Guys and Dolls (Arvide), Saint Joan (Archbishop), Julius Caesar (Caesar), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Oberon), Nicholas Nickleby (Squeers), Of Mice and Men (George), among others. Local: A Number, The Mousetrap, The Real Inspector Hound, A Lesson from Aloes (Kansas City Actors Theatre); King Lear (Lear), Merchant of Venice (Shylock), Midsummer Night's Dream (Oberon) (Heart of America Shakespeare Festival); The Little Foxes, Driving Miss Daisy (American Heartland Theatre); Sound of Music, Harvey (New Theatre); Wizard of Oz, Annie (Starlight Theatre); Hello, Dolly (Musical Theatre Heritage), among others. Regional: The Goodman Theatre, (Chicago), American Conservatory Theatre (San Francisco), Shakespeare Theatre Company (Washington D.C.), Utah Shakespeare Festival (Cedar City, Utah) Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre (Arrow Rock, MO.) Awards: Dean Goodman Award for best supporting actor (San Francisco). AEA Member

Larry Marshall (THE GIRL'S FATHER (Bellomy)) KC Rep: Hair Retrospection. Broadway: Mother Courage and her Children with Meryl Streep (Delacorte Theater, Central Park); The Color Purple, Gower Champion's Rockabye Hamlet (Hamlet), Hair (Berger, Hud), The Full Monty (Horse), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Valentine), Bob Fosse's Big Deal (Slick), Comin' Uptown with Gregory Hines (Ghost of Christmas Past), Play On! (Sweets) The Threepenny Opera with Sting (Tiger Brown); Porgy and Bess (nominations for both the Tony and Drama Desk Award for his portrayal of Sportin' Life in the Houston Grand Opera's Grammy Award winning production of Porgy and Bess, Metropolitan Opera. Off-Broadway: Spell#7, Haggadah Cantata, Lullaby and Goodnight, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Puck, Lincoln Center). National Tour: Xanadu. Regional: Pullman Porter Blues (Monroe, Jeff Award nomination & Helen Hayes Award); Driving Miss Daisy (Capital Repertory Theatre); As You Like It with Gwyneth Paltrow (Adam, Williamstown Theatre); Leonard Bernstein's Mass (Preacher, at The Kennedy Center and the Metropolitan Opera House). Film: The Cotton Club (Cab Calloway), Jesus Christ Superstar (Simon Zealotes), Panic in Needle Park (Mickey), Keep the Faith (Adam Clayton Powell Sr.), Soul Food (Jeremiah Joseph), Strangers with Candy (Jazzy). AEA Member

Chip Miller (THE MUTE) KC Rep: Assistant Artistic Director. Directing: 4:48 Psychosis (The Buffalo Room); David George's Christmas Ain't A Drag (The Madrid). Assistant Directing: Roof of the World, Sunday in the Park with George, Stillwater, Hair, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Romeo & Juliet, The Tallest Tree in the Forest, American Buffalo, Waiting for You (on the Corner of 13th and Walnut), Death of a Salesman (KC Rep); Justice in the Embers (The Living Room); 600 Highwaymen's Empire City (University Settlement); Reporting Live (NYMF 2012); Venice (Public Theatre); Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Baltimore Centerstage). Education: BFA: New York University.

Merle Moores (THE MAN WHO DIES (Mortimer)) KC Rep: The Diary of Anne Frank, Death of a Salesman, Romeo and Juliet, August: Osage County, Machinal, A Christmas Carol, Man and Superman, Major Barbara, The Seagull, Later Life, Lilliom, The Philadelphia Story, Little Women, Oedipus the King, Shadow Box, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Hamlet, Light Up the Sky, Equus. Local: Faith Healer, Memory of Water, Retreat from Moscow, An American Daughter, Angels in America, Parts I and II, The Clean House, The Sisters Rosensweig, A Perfect Ganesh (Unicorn Theatre); A Long Day's Journey into Night, Absurd Person Singular (Kansas City Actors Theatre); Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Richard III (Heart of America Shakespeare Festival); Steel Magnolias, Father of the Bride, My Three Angels (New Theatre). Regional: Lend Me a Tenor, Witness for The Prosecution (Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre); Luv, Private Lives (Firehouse Dinner Theatre, Omaha); Playboy of the Western World (Omaha Repertory Theatre). TV & FILM: Ride with the Devil, I Love you to Death: The Laura Black Story. AEA Member

Zane Phillips (THE BOY (Matt)) KC Rep: debut. Regional: Gypsy, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Richard J. Hines, Director), My Fair Lady, Miss Saigon (Flat Rock Playhouse); The Sound of Music, Cinderella (Artpark). Educational: Next to Normal, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Titanic, 1776, Ragtime, Cloud Nine (Elon University); The Diary of Anne Frank, The Man of La Mancha, Seussical (Fredericksburg Theater). Education: BFA in Music Theater, Elon University. AEA Member.

Emily Shackelford (THE GIRL (Luisa))/ Dance Captain KC Rep: Stillwater, Hair Retrospection, The Foreigner, Cabaret. Regional: Nunsense II, Quality Street, Secret Garden (Okoboji Summer Theatre). Local: By The Way Meet Vera Stark (Unicorn Theatre); A Year with Frog and Toad, Afflicted: Daughters of Salem, School House Rock Live, Seussical, Spring Awakening, The Wiz, Lucky Duck (including the New York production at New Victory Theatre), Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (The Coterie); Kiss Me Kate ,1776 (Musical Theater Heritage); Eating Raoul (EGADS! Theatre Company); Aladdin (Starlight at the Kauffman Center); Bingo! The Winning Musical (American Heartland Theatre); Pride and Prejudice (Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre); Death of Cupid (Written and Directed by Kyle Hatley, The Living Room Theatre) Education: BFA in Theatre Arts, Stephens College. Ms. Shackelford is a cast member of the Chicago sketch comedy group "Bevvy". On instagram: @emilyareti. AEA Member

Andrew Varela (THE NARRATOR (El Gallo)) KC Rep: debut. Broadway/New York: LES MISERABLES (Jean Valjean); Roundabout's Sunday in the Park with George (Jules); Little Women the Musical (Professor Bhaer); Carnegie Hall's South Pacific; Brooklyn Academy of Music's Frida; King David (World Premiere). National Tours: LES MISERABLES (Javert, 25th Anniversary Tour), Phantom of the Opera (Phantom), Little Women the Musical (Professor Bhaer), Cats (Gus), Evita. Regional: Romeo and Bernadette, Pirates!, Oklahoma, Happy Days the Musical (Paper Mill Playhouse); LES MISERABLES, Wizard of Oz (Skylight Music Theatre); Student Prince, Christmas Carol (North Shore Music Theatre); Goodspeed Opera House, Michigan Opera Theatre, Houston Grand Opera, American Repertory Theatre, The New Theatre (Overland Park, KS), Wichita Music Theatre, First Stage Children's Theatre, North Shore Music Theatre, Penn State Centre Stage. Upcoming: Pirates of Penzance (Spring 2016, Skylight Music Theatre). AEA Member

Anthony Edwards (Music Director/Conductor/Keyboards) KC Rep: Sunday in the Park with George (Music Director, Conductor/Keyboards), Hair: Retrospection (Music Director, Conductor/Keyboards), A Little More Alive (Keyboard/Orchestra Contractor), A Christmas Carol (Music Director/Keyboards), The Tallest Tree in the Forest (Orchestra Contractor), Little Shop of Horrors (Music Director, Conductor/Keyboards), Cabaret (Music Director, Conductor/Pianist, Orchestra Contractor), Into the Woods (Assistant Music Director/Conductor, Orchestra Contractor). Local: Resident Musical Director for Starlight Theatre, Coterie Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, EPIC Events. Additional Local: New Theatre, Quality Hill Playhouse, Theatre in the Park, Late Night Theatre, Musical Theatre Heritage. Regional: Red Barn Theatre, Waterfront Playhouse (Key West). New York: New Victory Theatre.

Martin Andrew (Scenic Design) KC Rep: An Iliad. Broadway: August: Osage County (Associate Designer). Regional: Timon of Athens (Associate Designer, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); The Art of Falling (The Second City and Hubbard Street Dance Company); Port Authority (Writer's Theatre); Proof (Court Theatre); Gypsy (Drury Lane Theatre); Detroit and The Norman Conquests (Southern Rep); The Glass Menagerie (Steppenwolf Theatre Company); Sweet Storm (Public Theatre/LAByrinth Theatre Company); The Wedding and Uncle Vanya (TUTA Theatre Chicago). Television: CBS at Super Bowl XLVII, News & Weather Studio for KTMD Houston, and Silent Library for MTV Networks. Associate Designer: ESPN Studio (Mexico City), NFL Network Studio (LA), Coke Live at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, the Mythbusters Exhibit at MSI, ESPN Monday Night Football Studio and ABC/NASCAR Broadcast Studio.

The musicians include Tod A. Barnard (percussion), Jeff Harshbarger (bass), and Brian Noel (Harp).

The design and production team includes Martin Andrew (Set Design), Eric Southern (Lighting Design), Melissa Torchia (Costume Design), Zach Williamson (Sound Design) and Mary Honour (Production Stage Manager).

Tickets to The Fantasticks range from $25 to $59 - limited On-Stage seating now available! For season subscription and ticket information for the remainder of the 2015-16 season or the upcoming 2016-17 season, please contact the Box Office at 816.235.2700 or visit www.KCRep.org.

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