Photo Flash: First Look at Utah Regional Premiere of THE LAST SHIP
By: Christina Mancuso Sep. 16, 2016
Pioneer Theatre Company presents the regional premiere of The Last Ship, the semi-autobiographical lyrical musical by the world-renowned musician Sting. Sting wrote the music and lyrics; the book was written by the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning writers John Logan and Brian Yorkey. The musical opens tonight, September 16, and runs through October 1, 2016. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
PTC's production will be the first since the show's Tony-nominated (Best Original Score) Broadway run in 2014-2015. PTC is the only theatre in the country given the honor of producing the musical.
The Last Ship is the story of Gideon Fletcher. Gideon is a young man who upon the death of his father returns to the small ship-building town he left years before. The musical tells of his efforts to come to terms with his past while grappling with the man he has become. Drawing on his own childhood memories, Sting has fashioned this moving musical about the town in northern England in which he grew up. Note: The production contains some strong language.
Bryant Martin and Ruthie Stephens make their debut as Gideon Fletcher and Meg Dawson. Martin's regional credits include Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Alabama Shakespeare Festivaland Lyric Stage of Irving. Stephens' recent credits include Hedwig and the Angry Inch, A Little Night Music and Les Misèrables.
Dan Sharkey and Anne Tolpegin debut at PTC as shipyard foreman Jackie White and his wife, Peggy. Sharkey appeared on Broadway in Amazing Grace, The Bridges of Madison County, SpiderMan-Turn Off the Dark and The Music Man. He also appeared as Herb Crocker on HBO's Boardwalk Empire. Tolepegin appeared on Broadway in Kinky Boots, Billy Elliot, A Tale of Two Cities, Ragtime, Mamma Mia! and Les Misèrables.
Broadway veteran John Jellison performs as Father O'Brien, the town's Parish priest. He has appeared on Broadway in Motown-The Musical, Memphis, All Shook Up, Phantom Of The Opera, Caroline Or Change, Oklahoma! Putting It Together, Anything Goes, On The Town, Paul Simon's The Capeman, Titanic, Crazy For You, Mastergate, Me And My Girl, Sunday In The Park With George, Nick And Nora, Wind In The Willows, Baby, Zalmen Or The Madness Of God and Sweet Bird Of Youth. This is his PTC debut.
Paul Castree returns to PTC, after appearing in 2013's Something's Afoot, as Arthur, the man who has loved Meg and helped raise her son while envisioning a new life for the shipyard. He was on Broadway in this year's Tony-nominated Disaster! as well as in 9 to 5, Young Frankenstein, High Fidelity, All Shook Up, Saturday Night Fever, Footloose, The Scarlet Pimpernel and Grease!.
The young characters are played by James Crichton (Tom, Meg's teenaged son), BAILee Johnson (Young Meg) and Seth Pike (Young Gideon). Crichton performed in the National Tour of Peter and the Starcatcher. Johnson returns to PTC after appearing in The Philadelphia Story and Annie. Pike is a senior at Skyline HS in Salt Lake City, and this is his PTC debut.
Equity actors Zachary Berger, Mary Fanning Driggs, Lenny Daniel, Jaymes Hodges PAUL-Jordan Jansen, William Mulligan and Kilty Reidy comprise the ensemble.
Local actors Bailey Cummings, Richie Call, Tamari Dunbar, Natalia Noble, Jamie Landrum, Arielle Schmidt and Cory Reed Stephens complete the cast.
PTC Artistic Director Karen Azenberg directs and choreographs this production in her fifth season. Helen Gregory returns as the show's musical director and conductor for her 8th production at PTC. Scenic design is by guest artist James Noone. Gregory Gale returns as Costumer Designer after last year's Cowgirls. Michael Gilliam, Lighting Designer, returns after designing last season's Two Dollar Bill. Sound design is by Resident Sound Designer Joshua C. Hight. Hair and makeup design is by PTC resident designer Amanda French. Alexandra Harbold is the Dramaturge for this production, and Sarah Shippobotham is the Dialect Coach.
Photo Credit: Brent Uberty
Bryant Martin and James Crichton
Bryant Martin, John Jellison, Dan Sharkey
The Cast
Ruthie Stephens and Paul Castree
The Cast
Natalia Noble, Ruthie Stephens, Tamari Dunbar, Arielle Schmidt, Mary Fanning Driggs
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