Tony Nominee Randy Skinner to Lead Gateway's 42ND STREET, 5/21-6/8

The Gateway will open their 65th season with "42nd Street" - led by three-­time Tony Award nominee Randy Skinner - May 21 to June 8 at Bellport's Gateway Playhouse.

Skinner was a company member on the original Broadway production, and was Tony Award winning choreographer Gower Champion's dance assistant for that landmark work.

The Gateway's production will feature Skinner's new choreography from the most recent Broadway revival. He received a Tony nomination for these additions to the show in 2001. Skinner's other nominations were received for "Irving Berlin's White Christmas" and "Ain't Broadway Grand."

According to Paul Allan, managing producer of The Gateway, "it's exciting to do '42nd Street' again because we are able to use this revival choreography, which is nearly never released to regional theatres. Randy wanted to do these new numbers, and I feel that they make the show so much better."

This new staging can be seen in dance numbers "Keep Young and Beautiful," "The Extended 42nd Street Ballet" and "The Encore."

Skinner is joined at The Gateway by choreographer Mary Giattino - herself a performer in "Irving Berlin's White Christmas." Giattino was Skinner's assistant on "Irving Berlin's White Christmas," and choreographed the original "Billy Elliot" national tour. She has performed or choreographed over 30 productions at The Gateway, and is the Artistic Director of the Stage Door School of Dance, located in nearby Patchogue, NY.

"42nd Street" is the story of a small town chorus girl who must save the biggest show that Broadway has ever seen. Set in the Great Depression, this jazzy musical comedy includes high­energy production numbers like "We're In the Money," "Lullaby of Broadway" and "Shuffle Off to Buffalo."

The stage musical­ with music by Harry Warren, lyrics by Al Dublin, and book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble ­ is based on the motion picture of the same name. The 1933 film received a Tony Award nomination and saved Warner Brothers studios from bankruptcy. It also marked the first hit for choreographer Bubsy Berkeley, who would become known for his extravagant musical numbers, high camera angles and kaleidoscope­like staging.

The Gateway's production stars Shannon O'Bryan as Peggy Sawyer, the fresh­faced chorus girl from Allentown, PA. O'Bryan reprises this role from the first National Tour of "42nd Street." Her previous work with Skinner includes the "42nd Street" revival, and the original Broadway production of "Irving Berlin's White Christmas."

James Lloyd Reynolds plays Julian Marsh, the greatest musical comedy director of the era. Recent shows include "On the Mountain" at Playwrights' Horizons and "These Paper Bullets" at Yale Repertory. TV credits: "The Good Wife," "Person of Interest" and "Rescue Me."

Kathryn Kendall and Steve Luker play Maggie Jones and Bert Barry, co­producers and writers of "Pretty Lady." Daniel Self plays choreographer Andy Lee.

Catherine LeFrere is leading lady Dorothy Brock. Seth Lerner is "angel" investor Abner Dillon. Andy Redeker plays former vaudeville performer Pat Denning. Amy Van Norstrand is chorus girl Ann "Anytime Annie" Reilly. Drew Humphrey plays leading man Billy Lawler, and serves as the dance captain.

Stephanie Brooks, Hayden Clifton, Elish Conlon, Tricia Desario, Robb Gibbs, Patrick Heffernan, Alicia Hemann, Megan Kelley, Matthew Kilgore, Ryan Patrick Lingle, Vanessa Mitchell, Sean Patrick Quinn, Kelly Skidmore and David Visini complete the cast.

Jonathan Parks is the music director. Marcia Madiera is the lighting designer, Don Hanna is the Sound Designer, and Trent Pcenicni is the wig and makeup designer. The stage manager is Nikki Lint.

The Gateway is a 501(c)(3) non­profit organization that seeks to provide theatre of the highest caliber to the Long Island region and beyond. It is the region's oldest professional theatre.

The Gateway's 2014 season is sponsored by AARP New York, Sunrise Toyota and The Manhattan Club. Funding provided, in part, by the County of Suffolk; and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

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

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