AN AMERICAN IN PARIS To Open At Ogunquit Playhouse

One of the most captivating musicals ever to be adapted for the stage, An American in Paris, makes its regional premiere at the Ogunquit Playhouse July 11 through August 4. This exquisite musical is inspired by the Academy Award-winning film that starred Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron and features music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin with book by Craig Lucas. The Ogunquit Playhouse is proud to be the first regional theatre in the U.S. to produce this new musical, which won four Tony Awards in 2015. The stunning combination of iconic music, timeless love story, breathtaking ballet, energetic tap dancing and an all-new design created exclusively for the Ogunquit Playhouse results in a spectacular musical that includes the Gershwin songs "I Got Rhythm," "Liza," "'S Wonderful," "But Not for Me," "Stairway to Paradise," and orchestral music including "Concerto in F," "2nd Prelude," "2nd Rhapsody," "The Cuban Overture," and "An American In Paris."

An American in Paris tells the romantic story of World War II veteran Jerry Mulligan (Clyde Alves) who, hoping to start a new life, chooses newly-liberated Paris to make a name for himself as a painter. His life becomes complicated when he falls for Lise (Julie Eicher), a young Parisian shop girl, only to learn he is not her only suitor. This lavish new musical is guaranteed to sweep you off your feet, and into the arms of a story you'll never forget.

Individual tickets are on sale now with prices starting at $52. Three-show packages are available for the current season. Gift certificates are also on sale. For tickets visit www.ogunquitplayhouse.org, the Box Offices located at 102 and 10 Main Street, Ogunquit or call 207-646-5511.

Starring as Jerry Mulligan is Broadway's Clyde Alves in his Ogunquit Playhouse debut. Mr. Alves' numerous Broadway credits include Bullets Over Broadway, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Anything Goes, Wicked, Hairspray, Oklahoma!, On The Town, for which he received an Astaire Award nomination, and The Music Man, for which he won an Astaire Award for his performance as Tommy.

Co-starring as Lise, the mysterious Parisian shop girl who catches Jerry's attention, is Julie Eicher who is also making her Ogunquit Playhouse debut. Ms. Eicher was in the National Tour of Phantom of the Opera, and has performed at Lyric Opera of Chicago in Carousel, and Theatre by the Sea in Young Frankenstein. She has also performed with the Nashville Ballet, Dayton Ballet, Ballet Neo, and Artisan Dance Company as well as on television's "So You Think You Can Dance." This fall she will be joining the National Tour of Miss Saigon.

Joanna Glushak joins the cast as Madame Baurel. Her Broadway credits include lead roles in War Paint, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Sunday in the Park with George, and Les Miserables, among others. She has a recurring role in the Amazon hit series "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," as well as on the TV-Land series "Younger." Playing Henri Baurel, son of wealthy French industrialists, is Stephen Brower. Mr. Brower was an original cast member of the First National Tour of An American in Paris. He performed in the Broadway production of Anastasia, and in the National Tour of Pippin. Jeremy Greenbaum is cast as veteran and pianist, Adam Hochberg. Mr. Greenbaum starred on Broadway as Davey in Newsies, as well as numerous Off-Broadway productions including: A Letter to Harvey Milk, The Fantasticks, and Tamar of the River. Laurie Wells joins the cast as the headstrong American philanthropist, Milo Davenport. Her many credits include Donna in the National Tour of Mamma Mia!, and Olga in the National Tour of An American in Paris. Ms. Wells last appeared at the Ogunquit Playhouse as Alice in 2014's The Addams Family. Her other regional credits include: The Full Monty, Women in Jeopardy, Ragtime, Dames at Sea, and City of Angels.

Portraying Madame Baurel's husband, Monsieur Baurel is Neal Mayer. On Broadway, he was in the cast of Les Miserables, and performed in the National Tours of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert and 101 Dalmations. Mr. Mayer is returning to the Ogunquit Playhouse after performing in 2016's The Hunchback of Notre Dame, in which he portrayed St. Aphrodisius. April Leonhard is making her Ogunquit Playhouse debut as Olga. Off-Broadway she starred as Madelaine True in The Wild Party and regionally has performed in Make Someone Happy: the Jule Styne Revue and Honk!.

The ensemble of An American in Paris includes Brittany Bigelow, Rob Brinkmann (also Mr. Z), Kyle Dupree, Drew Fountain, Kory Geller, Sally Glaze, Sarah Gold, Hannah Jennens, Kourtney Keitt, Akina Kitazawa, Joshua LaMar, Chelsea Langevin, SarahGrace Mariani, Ashley Marinelli (also Associate Choreographer), Connor McRory, Brayden Newby, and Spencer Ramirez.

Helming the Ogunquit Playhouse production as Director and Choreographer is Jeffry Denman who is returning to Ogunquit for his sixth production. He last appeared in the 2015 Ogunquit Playhouse production of White Christmas as Phil Davis, and was Choreographer for the Moss Hart Award-winning productions of The Music Man (2011) and West Side Story (2013), Director and Choreographer for 2012's Damn Yankees, and portrayed Bobby Child in 2007's Crazy for You, and Sir Robin in 2010's Spamalot. As an actor he has been in five Broadway shows, is a two-time Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Helen Hayes Award Nominee, and has won IRNE, Bistro and Artie Awards. He is the Founding Artistic Director of Denman Theatre & Dance Company.

Joining the creative team as Music Director is David Lamoureux. Mr. Lamoureux has served as Music Director for many regional theatres across the country for such shows as Parade, The Producers, Avenue Q, Spamalot, Million Dollar Quartet, Young Frankenstein, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Into the Woods among many others. On television he has worked on "Saturday Night Live," "Good Morning America," and talk shows hosted by David Letterman, Jay Leno, Craig Ferguson, Ellen, and Jimmy Kimmel.

All new scenic design, created exclusively for the Ogunquit production of An American in Paris is by David L. Arsenault who most recently worked on the Off-Broadway productions of A Letter to Harvey Milk at Acorn Theatre, Education at 59e59, Peer Gynt at Classic Stage Company, and A Better Place at The Duke. On Broadway, Mr. Arsenault has been Associate Scenic Designer for Les Liaisons Dangereuses, King Charles III, Constellations, Disaster!, as well as for the London and National Tours of The Color Purple. He has also created scenic designs for the English Theatre Berlin in Germany and for many regional theatres throughout the U.S. including The Kennedy Center, Bay Street Theatre, Merry Go Round Playhouse, Gulfshore Playhouse, and others.

Also joining the Ogunquit Playhouse creative team is the award-winning projection designer, Elaine J. McCarthy, who will create an original design for the Ogunquit production. She has a background in photography, film and architecture which has led to a 24-year, world-wide career as a projection designer for live performance, including theatre, dance, concerts and opera. Her Broadway highlights include Wicked, Spamalot, Impressionism, The People in the Picture, Assassins, Man of La Mancha, Into the Woods, Thurgood, and Judgment at Nuremberg.

Creating all new costume designs for the Ogunquit production of An American in Paris is Costume Designer Theresa Ham. She has designed for Ride the Cyclone at MCC Theatre Off-Broadway, and in Chicago for Paramount Theatre's Disney's The Little Mermaid, October Sky at the Marriott Theatre, and The Glorious Ones at Bohemian Theatre Ensemble. She has also worked with Lyric Opera, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, and Northlight Theatre, among others. Wig/Hair and Makeup design is by Kurt Alger. He recently redesigned the 20th Anniversary of the World Tour of Tap Dogs, worked on the World Tour of SHREK, the National Tour of Rent and for ten years, the Broadway production of Rent, as well as the Hairspray National Tour and the Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Tour. His many design credits include Miss Saigon, Hello Dolly, Beauty and the Beast, The Drowsy Chaperone, Chicago, A Chorus Line, Mary Poppins, Gypsy, Dreamgirls, and Les Miserables for regional theatres including North Shore Music Theatre, Riverside Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse, Pennsylvania Shakespeare, Orlando Shakespeare, Beef and Boards, Surflight, Theatre By The Sea, and Drury Lane. His additional New York City credits include Caligula, Such Good Friends, Things As They Are, and Les Enfants de Paris, and the Off-Broadway smash hit Shockheaded Peter!

Sound designer for An American in Paris is Kevin Heard, returning for his fifth season at the Ogunquit Playhouse, after designing for this season's Oklahoma!, as well as Mamma Mia! and Ragtime in 2017. Mr. Heard recently received an IRNE (Independent Reviewers of New England) Award for his Sound Design on Ragtime. Mr. Heard has been Associate Sound Designer for All the Way, The Cherry Orchard, The Country House, and Sylvia, on Broadway, as well as for Fun Home, Kinky Boots, and Matilda, internationally. Lighting design for An American in Paris is by Ogunquit Playhouse Resident Lighting Designer, Richard Latta. Mr. Latta has created the lighting design for dozens of Ogunquit productions, including most recently, Oklahoma!, Mamma Mia!, Bullets Over Broadway, Ragtime, Heartbreak Hotel, From Here to Eternity, Anything Goes, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame for which he received an IRNE Award nomination for Best Lighting Design.

The Ogunquit Playhouse season has two additional musicals slated for its stage in 2018: the U.S. premiere of the hilarious new musical Grumpy Old Men the Musical on stage August 8 to September 1 just in time to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the classic 1993 Warner Brothers film starring Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau and Ann-Margret; and closing out the season is the regional premiere of the multi-Tony Award-winning, international sensation Jersey Boys on stage September 5 to October 28. Elf the Musical will be produced for The Music Hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire just in time for the holidays November 28 to December 16. Tickets for Elf the Musical are available through The Music Hall at www.themusichall.org. For a complete list of show times, pricing and more information about the season visit www.ogunquitplayhouse.org.

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