Full Cast and Creative Announced for THE BEAST IN THE JUNGLE

Artistic Directors Douglas Aibel and Sarah Stern announce that Maira Barriga (Miami City Ballet's Corps De Ballet), Elizabeth Dugas (The Metropolitan Opera's THE MERRY WIDOW), Leah Hofmann (SOMETHING ROTTEN!), Naomi Kakuk (THE PRODUCERS), Brittany Marcin Maschmeyer (BULLETS OVER BROADWAY), and Erin Moore (SHUFFLE ALONG) will complete the cast of the world premiere of THE BEAST IN THE JUNGLE, an original work fusing dance, drama and music by legendary composer and four-time Tony Award winner John Kander (CABARET, CHICAGO), Tony-nominated playwright David Thompson (STEEL PIER; FLORA, THE RED MENACE), and five-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Susan Stroman (THE PRODUCERS, CONTACT).

They join the the previously announced Teagle F. Bougere (THE CRUCIBLE, A RAISIN IN THE SUN), Irina Dvorovenko ("The Americans"), a former American Ballet Theatre principal dancer, and Tony Award nominees Peter Friedman (RAGTIME, The Vineyard's THE SLUG BEARERS OF KAYROL ISLAND...) and Tony Yazbeck (ON THE TOWN, FINDING NEVERLAND).

The award-winning design team includes scenic and costume design by Michael Curry (FROZEN), lighting design by Ben Stanton (FUN HOME), sound design by Peter Hylenski (FROZEN), music supervision by David Loud (THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS). The production stage manager is Johnny Milani.

Performances will begin May 4, 2018 with opening night set for May 23. Kander, Thompson, and Stroman previously collaborated at The Vineyard on THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS. Tickets went on sale to the general public today at www.vineyardtheatre.org or by calling 212-353-0303.

Adapted from Henry James' classic 1903 novella, THE BEAST IN THE JUNGLE is the story of John Marcher, a man haunted by personal demons, whose great yet unfulfilled love affair with an unforgettable woman spans decades and continents. With a waltz-inspired instrumental score, and dazzling choreography that traverses the worlds of ballet and contemporary dance, this powerful and romantic tale of love and loss reunites the remarkable creative team behind The Vineyard's acclaimed THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS.

Vineyard Theatre is an Off-Broadway theatre company dedicated to developing and producing bold new plays and musicals by both emerging and established artists. The theater is committed to creating an artistic home for daring and diverse artists and to nurturing their unique voices. For over 35 years the company has sought to produce work that challenges all of us to see ourselves and our world in new ways, and that pushes the boundaries of what theatre can be and do.

The Vineyard has consistently premiered provocative, groundbreaking works; the first show of the company's 35th Anniversary Season, the world-premiere of David Cale's HARRY CLARKE, directed by Leigh Silverman and starring Billy Crudup, played a sold-out extended run, has been released as an audio play on Audible, and the media company is transferring the production to the Minetta Lane Theatre. The Vineyard has also premiered Paula Vogel and Rebecca Taichman's INDECENT, which transferred to Broadway last season, winning two Tony Awards; Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Pulitzer Prize finalist GLORIA; DOT by Colman Domingo; Nicky Silver's THE LYONS; Marx, Lopez and Whitty's Tony Award-winning musical AVENUE Q; Kander and Ebb's THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS; Bell and Bowen's [title of show]; Paula Vogel's HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE (Pulitzer Prize); Edward Albee's THREE TALL WOMEN (Pulitzer Prize); Lanie Robertson's LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL, Tarell Alvin McCraney's WIG OUT!; Becky Mode's FULLY COMMITTED; Jenny Schwartz' GOD'S EAR; Will Eno's MIDDLETOWN; Michael Mayer and Peter Lerman's BROOKLYNITE, and many more. The Vineyard's Paula Vogel Playwriting Award and Susan Stroman Directing Award recognize and support emerging artists with tailored residencies. In addition, the company's education programs serve hundreds of New York City public high school students annually, culminating in the Rebel Verses Youth Arts Festival in collaboration with Developing Artists. Vineyard Theatre has been honored with special Drama Desk, Obie, and Lucille Lortel Awards for its contribution to the theatre.

The Vineyard Theatre's leadership includes Artistic Directors Douglas Aibel and Sarah Stern and Managing Director Suzanne Appel.

The Vineyard currently has three New York Times Critics' Pick productions running in New York City: THE AMATEURS by Jordan Harrison; HARRY CLARKE by David Cale starring Billy Crudup (beginning March 7); and Bobby Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty's AVENUE Q. Simultaneously, the revival of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play THREE TALL WOMEN, which had its world premiere at The Vineyard in 1994, debuts on Broadway this month at the Golden Theatre.

THE AMATEURS is playing at Vineyard Theatre through March 29. Tickets can be purchased online at www.vineyardtheatre.org or by calling the box office at 212-353-0303.

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