Maltz Jupiter Theatre to Present THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES

Get ready to celebrate the life of beloved American entertainer Will Rogers at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre with The Will Rogers Follies: A Life in Revue!

Onstage January 12 through 31, this dynamic musical extravaganza follows the life of the charismatic superstar who famously "never met a man he didn't like." At the beginning of the 20th century, Rogers was at the zenith of his popularity, mastering every medium of the time - stage, screen, radio, newspapers and Hollywood. This Broadway spectacle features glittering showgirls, tapping cowboys and show-stopping dance numbers. Winner of six Tony Awards, this dazzling production is a feel-good hit!

The musical will mark the return of a powerhouse trio of Carbonell Award winners who previously worked together on the Theatre's dazzling Carbonell Award-winning productions of Crazy for You and The Music Man: director Mark Martino, choreographer Shea Sullivan and Broadway performer Matt Loehr, who will portray Will Rogers.

"I cannot think of three artists that I'm more excited to have collaborate for the Maltz Jupiter Theatre's production of The Will Rogers Follies: A Life in Revue than Mark Martino, Shea Sullivan and Matt Loehr," said Andrew Kato, the Theatre's producing artistic director and chief executive. "They are all incredibly talented artists individually, and are absolutely unstoppable when they join forces. Our audiences are in for an extraordinary treat!"

Martino, a director and choreographer who works at some of the nation's best regional theaters, is well known locally for his work on the Theatre's past productions, including the recent LES MISERABLES, Annie, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and others. Sullivan - a world-renowned choreographer who spent two decades as the protégé of Tony Award-winning choreographer and "Master of Tap" Henry LeTang - will be creating all-new choreography for the show's 22 musical numbers, featuring several roping numbers, a Wild West dance, a classic Ziegfeld Follies number and a vibrant tap extravaganza that opens the show. And Loehr, an audience favorite who most recently played the role of Elder McKinley in The Book of Mormon on Broadway, has received a Carbonell Award for each of his prior appearances at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre.

Born in 1897 on a cattle ranch in Oologah, Oklahoma, Will Rogers started his career in show business as "The Cherokee Kid" in Texas Jack's American Circus and Wild West show. Before his untimely death in 1935, that career had exploded to include Broadway, movies (silent and talkies), radio broadcasting, a syndicated newspaper columnist and star of the celebrated Ziegfeld Follies.

With a book by Peter Stone, lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and music by Cy Coleman, the show's original 1991 Broadway production earned the Tony Award for Best Musical, in addition to five other Tonys and two Drama Desk Awards.

"By setting Rogers' biography on stage, we'll be capturing the essence of this endearing entertainer while presenting his life in the most entertaining and theatrical way possible: a bevy of gorgeous showgirls, a quartet of singing cowboys, a wife who sings torch songs, a dad straight from vaudeville and a Will Rogers who can tap dance," Martino said. "Audiences can expect a spectacular theatrical revue like they've never seen before."

Featuring a cast of 23, a nine-piece orchestra and magnificent costumes, the musical will showcase the scenic design of Carbonell nominee Paul Tate dePoo III (known for his work at the Theatre for LES MISERABLES, The Wiz and others), lighting design by Carbonell nominee Paul Black (LES MISERABLES, The Wiz, Doubt: A Parable, A Chorus Line and others), costume design by Carbonell nominee Gail Baldoni (known for her work across the country and for the Theatre's productions that include Fiddler on the Roof, LES MISERABLES and Annie), music direction by Carbonell winner Helen Gregory (known for her work at the Theatre with shows such as Fiddler on the Roof, The King and I, Annie and more) and sound design by multiple Carbonell nominee Marty Metz.

The Will Rogers Follies: A Life in Revue is sponsored by Joe and Kathy Savarese, Homecare America and Braman Motorcars Jupiter; tickets start at $55. For tickets, call (561) 575-2223 or visit www.jupitertheatre.org. For more information on bringing your group to the Theatre, contact group concierge Shannon Murphy at (561) 972-6117.

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