Stoeke, Warne & Carpenter Set for Alan Jay Lerner-Helmed CAMELOT at Pasadena Playhouse; Full Casting Announced

Pasadena Playhouse announced casting today for their upcoming production of Lerner and Loewe's CAMELOT, featuring book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. Nine-time Emmy Award-winning director/writer/producer David Lee (co-creator of "Frasier" and director of the Ovation Award-winning production of Can-Can at Pasadena Playhouse) directs a cast of eight in this timeless tale of passion, desire and betrayal. Based on "The Once and Future King" by T.H. White, CAMELOT was originally directed and staged by Moss Hart on Broadway in 1960. The musical, which is the first production of The Playhouse's 2010 Season, will play January 8 - February 7, 2010 with the official press opening on Friday, January 15 at Pasadena Playhouse.

"David Lee has brought to The Playhouse so many exciting and hugely successful theatrical experiences over the past several years, and I know that this will be true with CAMELOT as well. He has a fresh and exciting take on the material that will give the show new vitality and a much stronger dramatic focus," said Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps. "I am very pleased that we will be collaborating on this timeless musical, which could not be more timely than at this very moment in our country's history."

"In the previous incarnations of CAMELOT there has always been an emphasis on pageantry, big sets, stunning costumes with lots of armor and ladies in pointy hats, a large chorus of singers and dancers, funny mythical characters and even a dog; much of this to stunning effect. But even though the story has large philosophical resonance, it really is a rather small tale about the relationship among three human beings - Arthur, Guenevere and Lancelot," said director David Lee. "A couple of years ago, just for fun, I went through the script and eliminated everything that did not contribute directly to telling their story. What I was left with was the same beautifully written tale, but one that now seemed more direct, clearer and more emotionally accessible. Plus it was shortened enough that I could afford to add back music that is often cut." Lee added, "The heirs to the Lerner and Loewe estates have been very gracious in allowing me to attempt this hybrid. Liza Lerner, Alan's daughter, has been of particular help to me."

David Lee directs a cast of eight featuring:

Will Bradley as Mordre / Squire Dap (Title role in Pippin at Stage Door Players)

Doug Carpenter as Lancelot (Originated the role of Skip in Life Could Be A Dream at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre)

Seth Daly as Tom (Rabbit Hole at Long Beach Playhouse)

Zachery Ford as Sir Lionel (Monty Python's Spamalot in Las Vegas and Little Women at the Lyric Theatre)

Richard R. Segall as Sir Dinadin (Originated the role of Richard Hughes in Divorce! The Musical at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre)

Shannon Stoeke as Arthur (European Tour of Hair and the National Tour of Camelot)

Shannon Warne as Guenevere (Two by Two at Reprise! and the National Tour of Camelot)

Andrew Ross Wynn as Sir Sagramore (Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at the Kennedy Center)

Joining the creative team with Lee are Mark Esposito (choreography), Tom Buderwitz (scenic design), Maggie Morgan (costume design), Michael Gilliam (lighting design), Vikram Kirby (sound design), Christy Crowl (musical director), Michael Donovan (casting), Jill Gold (production stage manager), and Lea Chazin (assistant stage manager). 

CAMELOT originally opened on Broadway in 1960 at the Majestic Theatre and starred Richard Burton as Arthur, Julie Andrews as Guenevere and Robert Goulet as Lancelot. A London production opened in 1964 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. In 1967, a film version was produced starring Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave. Lincoln Center produced a revival production in 1980 with Burton reprising his role of Arthur, Christine Ebersole as Guenevere and Richard Muenz as Lancelot. There were two other revivals of CAMELOT on Broadway - 1981 at the Winter Garden Theatre and 1993 at the Gershwin Theatre.

CAMELOT plays at Pasadena Playhouse, 39 South El Molino Avenue in Pasadena from January 8 - February 7, 2010 with the official press opening on Friday, January 15, 2010. Performance schedule is Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $48.00 - $95.00 and are available by calling the Pasadena Playhouse at 626-356-7529 or by visiting the Pasadena Playhouse Box Office, open from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. daily excluding holidays and online at www.Pasadenaplayhouse.org. Group Sales (15 or more) are available by calling 626-737-2851.

 

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