Photo Flash: First Look at THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES at Maltz Jupiter Theatre
By: BWW News Desk Jan. 15, 2016
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! BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
Onstage now through January 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.
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.
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, Annieand 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.
Photo Credits: Jen Vasbinder and Alicia Donelan
Matt Loehr stars as beloved American entertainer Will Rogers.
Clem Rogers (portrayed by James Young, far right) celebrates the birth of a son as his six daughters look on.
The musical extravaganza THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES features a host of Ziegfeld Follies showgirls.
The cast of the musical extravaganza THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES
The cast of the musical extravaganza THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES
Matt Loehr (center) stars as beloved American entertainer Will Rogers with the cowboy quartet: Chris Kotera, Zach Williams, Graham Keen and Dennis O'Bannion.
Matt Loehr (right) stars as beloved American entertainer Will Roger with a host of Ziegfeld Follies showgirls.
Matt Loehr (right) stars as beloved American entertainer Will Rogers with the cowboy quartet: Dennis O'Bannion, Zach Williams, Graham Keen and Chris Kotera.
The musical extravaganza THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES features glittering showgirls and tapping cowboys, including Elise Kinnon, Dennis O'Bannion, Chris Kotera and Graham Keen.
Clem Rogers (portrayed by James Young, left) celebrates the birth of a son as two of his daughters look on.
The musical extravaganza THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES features a host of Ziegfeld Follies showgirls.
The musical extravaganza THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES features a host of tap dancing led by Elise Kinnon (front).
Will Rogers' six sisters perform a musical number.
Matt Loehr stars as beloved American entertainer Will Rogers.
Matt Loehr (center) stars as beloved American entertainer Will Rogers with Ziegfeld Follies showgirls on either side of him, dazzling throughout the show.
The musical extravaganza THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES features a host of tap dancing performers, including Brittany Rose Hammond, Dennis O'Bannion, Audra Bryant and Zach Williams.
The cast of the musical extravaganza THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES
Elise Kinnon tap dances.
Performing as Will Rogers' children are Maximo Vajna, Eliza Cave, Alexander Goodwin-Elam and James Bedel.
The musical extravaganza THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES features a host of tap dancing led by Elise Kinnon (front).
The musical extravaganza THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES features a host of Ziegfeld Follies showgirls.
Beloved entertainer Will Rogers (portrayed by Matt Loehr, left) looks up at aviator Wiley Post (James A. Skiba, right) as a host of Ziegfeld Follies showgirls look on.
Matt Loehr stars as beloved American entertainer Will Rogers.
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