Original Broadway Cast Member to Appear in College of New Rochelle's NINE

The College of New Rochelle's production of NINE including Louise Edeiken, an original Broadway cast member, will be performed November 7 to 16 at the College. Based on Federico Fellini's semi-autobiographical film 8½, the show examines the midlife crisis and creative block of film director Guido Contini, as told first-hand by the romantic partners who have influenced him and become entangled in his life.

Fellini's film, which inspired the show, was titled 8½, referring to the body of work the director created in his life. Composer/lyricist Maury Yeston named the show NINE, adding in an extra half for the music. After opening on Broadway in 1982, the original production starring Raul Julia ran for 729 performances and won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It was revived on Broadway in 2003 with Antonio Banderas as Guido and won the Tony Award for best revival of a musical.

Louise Edeiken, who played the role of Giulietta in the 1982 production, is cast in the role of Guido's mother in The College of New Rochelle production.

"This show is an incredible showcase for some fabulous female talent," says director Laurie Peterson Castaldo. "As a women's college, it's a great opportunity to offer women a chance to portray complex characters while showing the intricacies of one person navigating the interplay of forces between his private and public life."

The artistic team includes music director and conductor Kurt Kelley, choreographer Juan Borona, scenic designer Raffaele A. Castaldo, costume designer Ariel Pellman, and lighting designer G. Benjamin Swope. A cast of 24 drawn from New York City and environs as well as The College of New Rochelle community features Brian Dorsey as Guido, Cristina Marie as Luisa, Allegra Leland as Carla, and Tamra Paselk as Claudia. Little Guido will be played by 9 year old Jake Berman from Bronxville, NY.

Performances of NINE are November 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15 at 8 p.m., and November 8, 9, 15 and 16 at 2p.m. in Romita Auditorium in the Mooney Center, The College of New Rochelle, 29 Castle Place, New Rochelle, NY 10805. Tickets from $20-$25, are available through Smarttix.com. For more information, go to www.cnrdrama.org, or call (914) 654-5373.

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