Company Announced for New Gershwin Musical at The Gateway

Over 40 Gershwin songs from the Great American Songbook, including "The Man I Love," "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off," "Love is Here to Stay," "Someone to Watch Over Me" and "Rhapsody in Blue," can be heard in "'S Wonderful: The New Gershwin Musical," from June 1-18 at the Gateway Playhouse in Bellport.

"'S Wonderful" is comprised of five mini-musicals which follow young lovers through 1920s New York, 1930s Paris, 1940s Hollywood, 1950s New Orleans and into the present day. These stories are inspired by true events and feature characters based on performers Leslie Caron, Gene Kelly, Harold Lloyd, Nina Mae McKinney and Jane Powell.

The show was conceived in 2010 by Ray Roderick, with the help of the Gershwin estate. It was originally staged by Roderick at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera's Cabaret and has since toured throughout the United States and Canada, selling out many venues.

Roderick will also direct the Bellport production. He was the associate director for the 2000 Broadway revival of "The Music Man" and has directed at regional theatres including Bay Street Theatre, Goodspeed Opera House and Westchester Broadway Theatre. He has performed on Broadway many times including the original Broadway production of "Cats," and is also the creator of "I Love a Piano," a revue of Irving Berlin's music which was a part of The Gateway's 2010 season and has toured internationally.

Choreographer Vincent Pesce reunites with Roderick at The Gateway. Pesce choreographed the national tour of "'S Wonderful" and was also the associate choreographer for the Broadway productions of "The Pajama Game" and "Wonderful Town," both Tony Award-winners for Best Choreography. His work has been seen on HBO and on the NBC series "Clash of the Choirs" and "Grease: You're the One That I Want." He has performed in several original Broadway productions including "Beauty and the Beast," "Victor, Victoria" and "Kiss Me, Kate," serving as dance captain in the latter.

Music director Nathan W. Perry completes the artistic team. Perry was the music director for The Gateway's "Show Boat" and "A Christmas Carol," and has worked at many other regional theatres including West Virginia Public Theatre and Allenberry Playhouse. He was conductor for the national tours of "The Pajama Game" and "Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash," and the 25th anniversary tour of "Ain't Misbehavin'."

The cast includes Gateway veterans Ashley Betton as Nina and Matthew Crowle as Harold. Betton has performed in The Gateway's "Dreamgirls" and "Holiday Spectacular 2008: A Century of Christmas." Crowle played the part of Patsy in the Broadway production of "Monty Python's Spamalot" and played leading roles in Gateway's own "The Drowsy Chaperone" and "Hello Dolly!" Rounding out the cast are Deidre Haren, Stephanie Koenig and Sean A. Watkins.

The Gateway's 62nd season continues with "Legally Blonde: The Musical," July 22-July 9 in Bellport; "Monty Python's Spamalot," July 13-30 at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, Patchogue N.Y.; "Sunset Boulevard," Aug. 3-20 in Bellport; and "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," Aug. 24-Sept.11 in Bellport.

Individual tickets are $51-$57, with four-show subscriptions available for $150. Student, group and multiple show discounts are also available.

We are proud to announce the formation of the non-profit Performing Arts Center of Suffolk Count, inc. which seeks to provide theatre of the highest caliber to audiences within the Long Island region and beyond. It continues the tradition established by the Gateway Playhouse over its past 62 years of service and remains Long Island's longest running professional theatre.

For tickets, performance times, and other inquiries call (631) 286-1133 or 1-888-4TIXNOW, or visit www.gatewayplayhouse.org.

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