Chase, Cordero, Green, Saldivar Join Cast Of TOXIC AVENGER

Jean Cheever and Tom Polum, producers of The Toxic Avenger, announced today that casting is complete for the upcoming new musical about New Jersey's first superhero. Joining the previously announced Nancy Opel are Sara Chase, Nick Cordero, Demond Green and Matt Saldivar. Ms. Opel, Mr. Cordero and Mr. Green all starred in the George Street Playhouse production of the show, while Ms. Chase appeared in the initial workshop production. Tony Award-winner John Rando directs.

Featuring book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change) and music by David Bryan (Bon Jovi), The Toxic Avenger will begin performances on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street). Opening Night is set for Monday, April 6th.

Based on the classic 1985 cult film by Lloyd Kaufman, The Toxic Avenger premiered this past fall at The George Street Playhouse, where the show became the biggest grossing musical in the theatre's 34 year history. Wrote Peter Filichia, critic for the New Jersey Star-Ledger, "Considering the response that The Toxic Avenger received on Friday night, the building must now have many cracked walls from all the explosive applause and laughter."

The performance schedule for The Toxic Avenger is: Monday, Wednesday - Friday at 8PM, Saturday at 2 & 8PM and Sunday at 3 & 7PM. Tickets are $51.50 & $71.50 and may be purchased through TeleCharge at (212) 239-6200/www.telecharge.com. For further information and fun online content, please visit the show's official web site (www.TheToxicAvengerMusical.com).

The Toxic Avenger is set in the mythical town of Tromaville, Exit 13B, off the New Jersey Turnpike. An aspiring earth scientist, Melvin Ferd the Third, is determined to clean up the town's burgeoning toxic waste, until he is tossed into a vat of radioactive goo and emerges as a seven-foot mutant freak and New Jersey's first superhero. Armed with superhuman strength and a heart as big as Newark, he's out to save New Jersey, end global warming and woo Sarah, the prettiest, blindest librarian in town.

The team of David Bryan (keyboardist and co-founder of the legendary band Bon Jovi) and Joe DiPietro (creator of the mega-long-running international hit I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change) have also written Memphis, which premiered to critical raves at La Jolla Playhouse and was recently named "Best Musical" by The San Diego Theatre Critics Circle. A second production is currently playing at Seattle's Fifth Avenue Theatre. The Toxic Avenger marks Bryan and DiPietro's second collaboration.

The Design team and other Toxic Avenger news will be announced shortly.

For more information - and to hear songs from the production - visit www.TheToxicAvengerMusical.com.

Sara Chase returns to the company of The Toxic Avenger after doing the reading last year. She most recently starred in and produced the hit sketch comedy Jen and Angie at the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theatre in NY and LA. Off-Broadway/Regional: Slut, Godspell (Paper Mill Playhouse). Readings/Workshops: Prairie (Laura Ingalls), First Wives Club, Tales of The City, Death Takes a Holiday, Kristina (B. Andersson/B.Ulvaues), Legally Blonde, Ever After. Film: The Winning Season, Uncertainty, Little Black Book. Television: Law & Order, As the World Turns, Guiding Light. Upcoming: First Wives Club, The Musical. BFA Boston University. For comedy videos and more visit: www.SaraChase.com.

Nick Cordero is making his New York stage debut in the role he created in The George Street Playhouse production of The Toxic Avenger. In his native Canada, Nick has been seen as Che in Evita, Jamie in The Last Five Years and Tony in Tony and Tina's Wedding. Other selected credits include: Equus, Blood Brothers, City Of Angels & Closer Than Ever. This is Nick's NYC debut.

Demond Green most recently appeared in The George Street Playhouse production of The Toxic Avenger. Other regional credits include: A Midsummer Night's Dream (McCarter Theatre/ Paper Mill Playhouse), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Baltimore CenterStage), The Wiz (La Jolla Playhouse), and The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee (Barrington Stage/ North Shore). European Tour: Hair. TV/Film: "Jimmy Kimmel Live," The Peep Show. Mr. Green holds a B.F.A in Drama and Classical performance from Texas State University and has also studied with both the Royal Shakespeare Company and The Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England. myspace.com/demondsmusic.

Nancy Opel most recently created her newest role in the World Premiere of The Toxic Avenger at The George Street Playhouse and will recreate it when the show opens Off-Broadway in March. Previous work includes: the title role of The Drowsy Chaperone on the First National tour. Mazeppa and Miss Crachitt in the Patti LuPone/City Center production of Gypsy, My Deah (OBIE award), Urinetown (Tony nomination), and Polish Joke (Drama Desk nomination). Other Broadway credits include: Fiddler on the Roof revival (Molina/Fierstein), Triumph of Love, Anything Goes, Sunday in the Park with George, Evita, among others. Off-Broadway she has appeared in many plays and musicals, most notably David Ives' All in the Timing and Mere Mortals.

Matthew Saldivar is a graduate of Middlebury College and the NYU Graduate Acting Program. Broadway: recreated Kenickie in the recent revival of Grease, originated the role of Sammy in The Wedding Singer. Other credits include: LAByrinth Theatre Company, Classic Stage Company, NY Theater Workshop, Theater for a New Audience, The Guthrie Theater, Long Wharf Theater, Public Theater, NY Shakespeare Festival, New York Stage and Film, The Drama Department, The 52nd Street Project. Film: "Tony and Tina's Wedding," "Year of the Fish," and "Boiler Room." He is a member of the band, The Petersons.

www.TheToxicAvengerMusical.com

 

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