Kelly McCormick, Beth Malone, Jason Graae, Brent Barrett and More Set for Music Circus' 2014 Season; Casting Announced!

California Musical Theatre released casting for the remaining shows in the 64th Music Circus season, a roster of actors including Broadway veterans, Tony nominees and audience favorites from previous Music Circus seasons, as well as actors with Sacramento-area ties. The five-show season at the Wells Fargo Pavilion includes the Music Circus premiere of the beloved Disney classic Mary Poppins, which runs through July 13, as well as other Tony Award-winning shows including Rodgers and Hammerstein's lush South Pacific, Lerner and Loewe's mystical Brigadoon, Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein's hilarious La Cage aux Folles, and the singular sensation A Chorus Line, which ended its week-long run on June 29. Music Circus casting for the season is determined after auditions are held in New York City, Los Angeles and Sacramento.

Tickets for all 2014 Music Circus productions are on sale at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office, 1419 H Street, by phone at (916) 557-1999, or online at Tickets.com. Single-show tickets range from $35 - $80. Evening performances are Tuesday through Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances are Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Discounts are available for groups of 12 or more by calling (916) 557-1198. For more information visit SacramentoMusicCircus.com.

Music Circus is produced under the leadership of Artistic Director Glenn Casale and Executive Producer Scott Klier. California Musical Theatre President and CEO is Richard Lewis.

CAST / CREATIVE HIGHLIGHTS

Mary Poppins: July 8 - 13
Director: Glenn Casale
Choreographer: Dan Mojica
Music Director: Dennis Castellano
Production Stage Manager: Craig Horness
Assistant Stage Manager: Jill Gold

In the Music Circus premiere of this Disney classic, Mary Poppins will be played by Kelly McCormick, who has extensive regional theatre experience and appeared in the national touring productions of LES MISERABLES and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Playing Bert will be Broadway veteran Robert Creighton, who has appeared on Broadway in The Lion King, Chicago, The Little Mermaid, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Anything Goes and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Playing Miss Andrew/Queen Victoria/Miss Smythe will be Broadway veteran Ruth Gottschall, who has appeared on Broadway in Mary Poppins (in this role), The Music Man, Cabaret, The Goodbye Girl and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. George Banks will be played by David Engel, whose Broadway credits include Seussical, Putting It Together, and the original production of La Cage aux Folles. Winifred Banks will be played by Shannon Warne, an award-winning actor with extensive regional theatre experience, who appeared in a national tour of Camelot. The Banks children will be played by two Sacramento actors returning for the third Music Circus season: Noa Solorio, who has appeared in the Music Circus productions of Fiddler on the Roof, The Music Man, Show Boat and The Wizard of Oz, will play Jane; Ben Ainley-Zoll, who appeared in the Music Circus productions of The Wizard of Oz, Fiddler on the Roof and The Music Man, will play Michael.

Playing Mrs. Brill will be Mary Jo Mecca, who has performed in a number of regional theatre productions across the country, in addition to film and television roles. Robertson Ay will be played by Jordan Grubb, who performed in the national tour of Mary Poppins and has extensive regional theatre experience. Playing Bird Woman will be Music Circus veteran Helen Geller, who first performed at Music Circus in 1982, appearing in Meet Me in St. Louis, The Pajama Game and Guys and Dolls, and more recently in the 2012 production of Fiddler on the Roof. Ron Wisniski, who has appeared in a number of Music Circus productions, including LES MISERABLES, Annie Get Your Gun and Spamalot, as well as in dozens of touring Broadway, off-Broadway and regional theatre productions, will play Admiral Boom/Bank Chairman.

South Pacific: July 22 - 27
Director: Glenn Casale
Choreographer: John MacInnis
Music Director: James May
Production Stage Manager: Craig Horness
Assistant Stage Manager: Katherine Cannon

In the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic South Pacific, the role of Nellie Forbush will be played by Music Circus veteran Beth Malone, who originated the role of June Carter Cash in the Broadway production of Ring of Fire and recently originated the role of Alison in the critically-acclaimed off-Broadway musical Fun Home, a finalist for the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Playing Emile de Becque is Broadway veteran John Cudia, who holds the honor of being the only actor to have performed as both the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera and Jean Valjean in LES MISERABLES on Broadway. Armelia McQueen, who returns to reprise the role of Bloody Mary at Music Circus, made her Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning show Ain't Misbehavin' and is now a veteran of the Broadway stage and Hollywood screen. Jeff Skowron, who created and starred in his show "Greg and Donny" on IFC and whose Broadway productions include How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Beauty and the Beast, Enron and High Society, will play Luther Billis. Stewpot will be played by Mark Bradley Miller, who has extensive international and national theatre experience in productions including South Pacific, Funny Girl, Closer Than Ever and Beauty and the Beast. Shannon Stoeke, who has performed in a number of regional and touring productions including Camelot, Hair, Assassins, The Glass Menagerie and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, will play Professor.

Reprising the role of Lt. Joseph Cable at Music Circus will be Eric Kunze, whose Broadway credits include LES MISERABLES, Miss Saigon and Damn Yankees and who has appeared in a number of Music Circus productions including Disney's The Little Mermaid, Evita, Whistle Down the Wind and Jesus Christ Superstar. Ron Wisniski, who has appeared in a number of Music Circus productions, including LES MISERABLES, Annie Get Your Gun and Spamalot, as well as in dozens of touring Broadway, off-Broadway and regional theatre productions, will play Capt. George Brackett. The role of Cmdr. William Harbison will be played by Michael Stevenson, who has extensive regional theatre experience and who is the co-director of the B Street Theatre Conservatory. Briahna Yee, who has performed in a number of productions across the Sacramento region, including The Crucible and Spring Awakening, will play Liat. The cast also includes two young actors from the Sacramento area: Ayanna Navarro returns to Music Circus to play Ngana, after her first musical theatre role in last season's The King and I; Matthew Feniger will make his Music Circus debut in the role of Jerome after performing in a number of Sacramento junior productions.

Brigadoon: August 5 - 10
Director: Glenn Casale
Choreographer: Bob Richard
Music Director: Jeff Rizzo
Production Stage Manager: Craig Horness
Assistant Stage Manager: Jill Gold

In the Lerner and Loewe classic Brigadoon, Tommy Albright will be played by Music Circus veteran Robert J. Townsend, whose national touring credits include Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia!, Camelot and Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Jason Graae, who will play Jeff Douglas, has appeared on stage and screen, including roles in a number of Broadway shows including Falsettos, Stardust and Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? The role of Harry Beaton will be played by Sacramento area native Luke Hawkins, who has appeared in shows on Broadway and on tour, and who has performed on the Music Circus stage in 15 shows including Miss Saigon, The Producers and The Sound of Music. Ron Wisniski, who has appeared in a number of Music Circus productions, including LES MISERABLES, Annie Get Your Gun and Spamalot, as well as in dozens of touring Broadway, off-Broadway and regional theatre productions, will play Archie Beaton. Amanda Peet, an acclaimed dancer for Sacramento Ballet, will play Maggie Anderson. The role of Andrew MacLaren will be played by Broadway veteran Rich Hebert, who recently performed in Sting's musical, The Last Ship, which is set to play next season on Broadway, and who was last seen in Sacramento in the national tour of Billy Elliot.

Sacramento area native Courtney Iventosch, who will play Jean MacLaren, has performed in regional productions around the country and appeared in the national tour of Wicked, including the 2012 run at Sacramento Community Center Theater. The role of Fiona MacLaren will be played by Jennifer Hope Wills, who performed on Broadway as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera for nearly four years, has been in theatre productions around the country, and returns to Music Circus after starring as Magnolia in last season's Show Boat. Tory Ross, who has performed in the Broadway productions of Kinky Boots, 9 to 5 and Cry-Baby as well as the national tours of Wicked, The Producers, and Irving Berlin's White Christmas, will play Meg Brockie. Brandon Springman, who has performed in a number of regional productions such as The Pirates of Penzance, Singin' in the Rain and The Sound of Music, will play Charlie Dalrymple. Playing Mr. Lundie is Gordon Goodman, an internationally-recognized singer/actor/author/composer who has performed as a soloist with groups like the London City Symphony and the Prague Symphony. Angus MacGuffie will be played by Mark Bradley Miller, who has extensive international and national theatre experience in productions including South Pacific, Funny Girl, Closer Than Ever and Beauty and the Beast.

La Cage Aux Folles: August 19 - 24
Director: Tony Spinosa
Choreographer: Dana Solimando
Music Director: Dennis Castellano
Production Stage Manager: Craig Horness
Assistant Stage Manager: Katherine Cannon

In Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Goodman's hilarious La Cage aux Folles, the role of Georges will be played by Broadway veteran Brent Barrett, who has played multiple roles on stage and screen, including the film "The Producers," and the Broadway productions of West Side Story, Dance a Little Closer, Chicago and Annie Get Your Gun. Alan Mingo Jr., who has extensive Broadway, touring and regional experience in shows including The Little Mermaid, Once on This Island, Shrek the Musical and Rent, will play Albin. Playing Jacob is Reggie De Leon, who has extensive experience in TV and film, and has appeard in numerous regional theatre productions including Thoroughly Modern Millie, Seussical, Man of La Mancha and Sweeny Todd. Michael Dotson, who has appeared in more than 35 Music Circus shows as well as a number of regional productions including 42nd Street, The Pajama Game and The Andrews Brothers, will play Francis.

Playing Jean-Michel is Michael Lowney, who made his Broadway debut in the 2010 Tony Award-winning revival of La Cage aux Folles. The role of Anne Dindon will be played by Julie Kavanagh, who has performed in a number of regional productions including The Little Mermaid, Annie and Chicago, as well as a national tour of La Cage aux Folles. Kevin Cooney, who has appeared in TV and films such as "Charlie Wilson's War," "Legally Blonde," "Austin Powers," and "Independence Day," and who has appeared on Broadway, in national tours, and in regional theatre productions around the country, will play Monsieur Dindon/Monsieur Renaud. Mademoiselle Dindon/Mademoiselle Renaud will be played by Heather Lee, who has appeared in more than 17 Music Circus productions, as well as in Broadway and national touring productions including Gypsy, Guys and Dolls and Beauty and the Beast. Jacqueline will be played by Barbara McCulloh, whose Broadway and national touring credits include The King and I, South Pacific and Peter Pan, and who also has extensive experience in television, regional theatre and off-Broadway.

FULL CAST FOR 2014 MUSIC CIRCUS SEASON:

A Chorus Line
ROLE: ACTOR
Zach: Eric Sciotto
Larry: Kathryn Mowat Murphy
Don: Drew Humphrey
Maggie: Chelsea Morgan Stock
Mike: Nick Varricchio
Connie: Katie Boren
Greg: Leigh Wakeford
Cassie: Kate Levering
Sheila: Jenifer Foote
Bobby: Stephen Carrasco
Bebe: Juliane Godfrey
Judy: Julia Freyer
Richie: Roger Ellis
Al: Adam Fleming
Kristine: Katie Huff
Val: Allison Blair McDowell
Mark: Cory Lingner
Paul: Xavier Cano
Diana: Selina Michelle Verastigui
Female Ensemble: Kim Arnett
Female Ensemble: Courtney Iventosch
Female Ensemble: Lisa Rohinsky
Male Ensemble: Jake DuPree
Male Ensemble: Jordan Grubb
Male Ensemble: Matthew J. Kilgore
Male Ensemble: John B. Williford

Mary Poppins
ROLE: ACTOR
Mary Poppins: Kelly McCormick
Bert: Robert Creighton
Miss Andrew / Queen Victoria / Miss Smythe: Ruth Gottschall
George Banks: David Engel
Winifred Banks: Shannon Warne
Jane Banks: Noa Solorio
Michael Banks: Ben Ainley-Zoll
Mrs. Brill: Mary Jo Mecca
Robertson Ay: Jordan Grubb
Bird Woman: Helen Geller
Admiral Boom / Bank Chairman: Ron Wisniski
Female Ensemble: Kim Arnett
Female Ensemble: Danielle Hansen
Female Ensemble: Karen Hyland
Female Ensemble: Courtney Iventosch
Female Ensemble: Pilar Millhollen
Female Ensemble: Joël René
Female Ensemble: Lisa Rohinsky
Male Ensemble: Michael Dotson
Male Ensemble: Jake DuPree
Male Ensemble: Roger Ellis
Male Ensemble: Matthew J. Kilgore
Male Ensemble: Steve Schepis
Male Ensemble: Brian Steven Shaw
Male Ensemble: John B. Williford

South Pacific
ROLE: ACTOR
Nellie Forbush: Beth Malone
Emile de Becque: John Cudia
Bloody Mary: Armelia McQueen
Luther Billis: Jeff Skowron
Stewpot: Mark Bradley Miller
Professor: Shannon Stoeke
Lt. Joseph Cable: Eric Kunze
Capt. George Brackett: Ron Wisniski
Cmdr. William Harbison: Michael Stevenson
Liat: Briahna Yee
Ngana: Ayanna Navarro
Jerome: Matthew Feniger
Female Ensemble: Kim Arnett
Female Ensemble: Danielle Hansen
Female Ensemble: Karen Hyland
Female Ensemble: Courtney Iventosch
Female Ensemble: Pilar Millhollen
Female Ensemble: Lisa Rohinsky
Male Ensemble: Luke Hawkins
Male Ensemble: Eric Anthony Johnson
Male Ensemble: Ray A. Rochelle
Male Ensemble: Steve Schepis
Male Ensemble: Brian Steven Shaw
Male Ensemble: John B. Williford

Brigadoon
ROLE: ACTOR
Tommy Albright: Robert J. Townsend
Jeff Douglas: Jason Graae
Harry Beaton: Luke Hawkins
Archie Beaton: Ron Wisniski
Maggie Anderson: Amanda Peet
Andrew MacLaren: Rich Hebert
Jean MacLaren: Courtney Iventosch
Fiona MacLaren: Jennifer Hope Wills
Meg Brockie: Tory Ross
Charlie Dalrymple: Brandon Springman
Mr. Lundie: Gordon Goodman
Angus MacGuffie: Mark Bradley Miller
Female Ensemble: Kim Arnett
Female Ensemble: Kristen Smith Davis
Female Ensemble: Danielle Hansen
Female Ensemble: Karen Hyland
Female Ensemble: Julie Kavanagh
Female Ensemble: Pilar Millhollen
Female Ensemble: Lisa Rohinsky
Male Ensemble: Michael Dotson
Male Ensemble: Eric Anthony Johnson
Male Ensemble: Adam Lendermon
Male Ensemble: Steve Schepis
Male Ensemble: Brian Steven Shaw
Male Ensemble: Shannon Stoeke
Male Ensemble: John B. Williford

La Cage Aux Folles
ROLE: ACTOR
Georges: Brent Barrett
Albin: Alan Mingo, Jr.
Jacob: Reggie De Leon
Francis: Michael Dotson
Jean-Michel: Michael Lowney
Anne Dindon: Julie Kavanagh
M. Dindon / M. Renaud: Kevin Cooney
Mme. Dindon / Mme. Renaud: Heather Lee
Jacqueline: Barbara McCulloh
Female Ensemble: Karen Hyland
Male Ensemble /Mercedes: Thay Floyd
Male Ensemble/Chantal: Adam Lendermon
Male Ensemble/Hanna: Steve Schepis
Male Ensemble/Angelique: Brian Steven Shaw
Male Ensemble/Phaedra: Christopher Shin
Male Ensemble/Etienne: Shannon Stoeke
Male Ensemble/Bitelle: Steven Wenslawski
Male Ensemble/Tabarro: John B. Williford

For more information visit SacramentoMusicCircus.com.

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