Producer Hugh Hysell to Join Cast of MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING & MY BIG GAY ITALIAN FUNERAL, Begin. 8/31

Tony Award winning Broadway Producer Hugh Hysell returns to his roots as an actor when he joins the cast, assuming the role of the wedding coordinator extraordinaire, "Maurizio Le Grande" on August 31st for twelve weeks in the Off Broadway Comedies,My Big Gay Italian Wedding, and its sequel, My Big Gay Italian Funeral, at the St Luke's Theatre (308 West 46th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). The role was originated by Brett Douglas who will be stepping out after his final performance on August 25th.

Hysell's Broadway producing projects include Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike(2013 Tony Award for Best Play), Peter and the Starcatcher (winner of five 2012 Tony Awards ), and Impressionism. Other New York producing credits include The All-Male Importance of Being Earnest (also conceived and directed), Y-2-Gay The Musical (also conceived and directed), and Seamen The Sailor Musical (also conceived and directed).

Hysell is excited to return to the Off-Broadway stage, and especially thrilled be working again as an Equity actor. He has acted professionally since the age of 16 and has performed in every state in the union including Alaska and Hawaii. Tour credits include: The Phantom of the Opera, Pippin, Pirates of Penzance, The Fantasticks and A Christmas Carol. New York credits include: The All-Male Importance of Being Earnest, Young Abe Lincoln,Babes in Toyland, and From Sea to Shining Sea. Regional roles include "T.R." in Tintypes(Seven Angels Theatre), "Thurston/Bertha" in Greater Tuna (Encore Stages), "Hi Pockets" in Buddy (Gateway Playhouse), and "Fezziwig" in A Christmas Carol (Hippodrome State Theatre). He is represented by Clear Talent Group.

While he is pleased to return to his roots as an actor, Hysell has several producing projects up his sleeve including upcoming Broadway and Off Broadway shows (both original and revivals) as well as a theatrical real estate project to be announced later this fall. He continues as President of HHC Marketing where he has served as marketing director of over 200 Broadway and Off Broadway shows and currently runsBroadwayInsider.com, Teams on Broadway and TheMenEvent.com. He also serves on the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Multicultural Diversity Action Committee and is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University.

Presented by Bianco Productions, both productions are directed by Emmy Award-winning director Sonia Blangiardo ("All My Children", "One Life To Live, "As the World Turns") and star its creator Anthony J. Wilkinson who originated the role of Anthony Pinnunziato back in November of 2003. Both shows are General Managed by 22Q Entertainment.

The cast of Wedding and Funeral also includes Anthony J. Wilkinson as Anthony, Donna Castellano as Angela, Marissa Perry as Maria, Debra Toscano as Toniann, Liz Gerecitano as Lucia, Meagan Robar as Connie, Erik Ransom as Rodney (Wedding) and Vidal (Funeral), Chad Kessler as Father Rosalia (Wedding) and Rabbi Horowitz (Funeral), Brandon Goins as Andrew (Wedding) and Ezio (Funeral), Joe Scanio as Joseph (Wedding), Drew Little as Mario (Wedding), Nick Varrichio as Frankie (Wedding), Paul Moon as Gregorio (Wedding), BrIan Patrick Murphy as Peter (Funeral), Mustafa Gatollari as Dominick (Funeral), Beth Dzuricky as Ondine (Funeral), with ensemble members Jody Lyn Flynn, Marie Fontaine and Jonathan Wiener.

My Big Gay Italian Wedding plays every Saturday at 8pm and My Big Gay Italian Funeralplays every Sunday at 7pm. St. Luke's Theatre is located at 308 West 46th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues). For tickets, call (212) 239-6200 or visit Telecharge.com.

Photo Credit: Rick Stockwell

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