Damon Kirsche, Tracy Lore and More Set for Musical Theatre West's 42ND STREET; Full Cast Announced

Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer, has announced the cast of the ultimate Broadway musical, featuring the largest MTW cast in years. 42nd STREET, previewing October 26th, opening on October 27th and running for twelve performances through November 11, 2012. As with all Musical Theatre West productions, each show is created from the ground up at its rehearsal studios in Long Beach using a blend of both professional actors from Broadway, Hollywood and national tours, as well as the best in local talent.

Principal cast includes Damon Kirsche (MTW: ON A CLEAR DAY…, MAN OF LA MANCHA, ANNIE, 1776; Regional: A PASSING WIND, OKLAHOMA!, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC) as Julian Marsh; Tracy Lore (MTW: HAIRSPRAY (Ovation Nom.), THE PRODUCERS, ALL SHOOK UP (Ovation Nom.), THE FULL MONTY, ME & MY GIRL, THE Will Rogers FOLLIES, N.Y. and Nat’l Tour: PETER PAN; Regional: THE DROWSY CHAPERONE) as Dorothy Brock; and introducing TESSA GRADY (Regional: DAMES AT SEA, Happy Days, LITTLE WOMEN) as Peggy Sawyer.

Rounding out the cast of 42ND STREET are: ZACH HESS (Nat’l Tour: CATS, Regional: TARZAN, CATS, SPELLING BEE); CAITLYN CALFAS (Regional: ANYTHING GOES); Jamie Torcellini (MTW: MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT, HOT MIKADO; Broadway: Billy Elliot, MAN OF LA MANCHA, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, CATS); BARBARA HEART (Regional: DAMES AT SEA, COMPANY, 42ND STREET, ANNIE); Paul Ainsley (Broadway: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Nat’l Tour: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, LES MISÉRABLES , 42ND STREET, Television: “The Young and the Restless,” “The Bold and the Beautiful”); Evie Hutton (Nat’l Tour: HAIRSPRAY, Regional: HELLO MY BABY, GUYS AND DOLLS); Lindsay Anderson (Regional: A CHORUS LINE, PHANTOM, LES MISÉRABLES ); and Christopher Guilmet (Regional: THE MALCONTENT, MAN OF LA MANCHA, CAROUSEL). The ensemble includes NICK ADORNO, LAUREN CLARK, Quintan Craig, EMILY DAUWALDER, JAZZ ELISE, Deborah Fauerbach, BRAD FITZGERALD, HECTOR GUERRO, CAMDEN GONZALES, NATASHA HARRIS, April Henry, BLAIR HOLLINGSWORTH, CHLOE KIANA, Nancy Lam, KRISTEN LAMOUREUX, CLAUDIA NEWLAND, KATHERYNE PENNY, STEVEN RADA, THOMAS ROY, AVERY ROYAL, JENNIFER SIMPSON, Daniel Smith, Clay Stefanki, KATY TABB, MATTHEW THURMOND, CHRISTOPHER VALENTINE, EMILY VERLA and Karl Warden.

Based on the 1933 Busby Berkeley movie musical, 42nd STREET tells the story of a starry-eyed young actress named Peggy Sawyer who comes to audition for the new Julian Marsh-directed musical about to open on Broadway. While she can’t seem to stay in the good graces of the show’s aging leading lady Dorothy Brock, Peggy soon catches the eye of Marsh. On opening night, Dorothy Brock breaks her ankle and panic spreads through the company as the show is doomed for closure – until it is suggested that Peggy take the role. In only 36 hours, Peggy becomes a star! With a book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, music by Harry Warren and lyrics by Al Dubin, the memorable score includes We're in the Money, You're Getting to be a Habit With Me, Lullaby of Broadway, and of course, 42ndStreet.

42ND STREET will be directed and choreographed by Jon Engstrom (Broadway: 42nd STREET (Original Broadway Cast), with musical direction under the hand of Michael Borth (Off Broadway: THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES) and will run October 26 through November 11, 2012 at the beautiful Carpenter Performing Arts Center.

The performance schedule for 42ND STREET is Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. (no 2 p.m. show on October 22), Sundays at 2 p.m., with a 7 p.m. performance added on November 4th. There is one Thursday performance on November 8th at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $20. There is a $3 service charge per ticket. Prices are subject to change without notice. Group rates are available for 12 or more. Musical Theatre West performs at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center located at 6200 E. Atherton Street, Long Beach, Calif.

Tickets for 42ND STREET are on sale now and may be purchased online at www.musical.org or by phone at 562-856-1999 x4. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Musical Theatre West Box Office located at 4350 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90804 from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday (from October 6 to November 11).

Entering into its 60th season, Musical Theatre West is Southern California’s premier musical theatre company. Under the leadership of Executive Director/Producer Paul Garman, the company has garnered numerous awards and accolades for its work presenting the entire spectrum of musical theatre (including 82 LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award nominations over the past eleven seasons and the LADCC Margaret Harford Award for Sustained Excellence in the Theatre).

Musical Theatre West performances are at the beautiful 1,070-seat Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center on the campus of California State University, Long Beach. Tickets are available and can be purchased through the MTW Box Office at (562) 856-1999 x4 or online at www.musical.org.

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