Seth Rettberg, Berklea Going & More Will Star in STAGES' 2014 Season Shows

STAGES St. Louis has announced casting for the 2014 "American Dream" season. The multifaceted lineup includes; They're Playing Our Song, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, and Fiddler On The Roof. This season's exceptional talent celebrates the realization of the American Dream as explored through unique challenges of seeking fame, amassing monetary success, and cherishing family traditions. STAGES also announces the cast for the Theatre for Young Audiences production of, the classic fairy tale, Disney's Sleeping Beauty. All season and single tickets are on sale now.

They're Playing Our Song (May 30 - June 29) stars Broadway Actor Seth Rettberg as Vernon Gersch and New York Actress Jennifer Blood as Sonia Walsk. Inspired by one of the most prolific American song writing teams of the 20th Century, Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager, this song-filled love story recounts the unlikely partnership of Vernon, a neurotic, witty composer and Sonia, a wacky, free-spirited lyricist to write the next great love song. A rocky and hilarious start leaves them struggling to find their creative harmony, but a series of unlikely events lead to a match made in heaven. Topping off the jazzy score is a laugh-a-minute book by America's leading funny man, Tony Award Winner Neil Simon. A sweet and sophisticated musical romp, They're Playing Our Song will have you singing along from curtain up to curtain down!

Making his STAGES debut, Rettberg has appeared on Broadway in Avenue Q as well as in regional productions of Fiddler on the Roof, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and Cabaret. TV credits include "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon." Making her STAGES debut, Blood's New York credits include Unlock'd, and The Flood. Other credits include The Light in the Piazza and The Sound of Music.

Rounding out the cast in alphabetical order are Stephen Barnowski (Ego), Craig Blake (Ego), Shanara Gabrielle (Standby for Sonia), Brittany Rose Hammond (Ego), Sarah Rolleston (Ego), Bronwyn Tarboton (Ego), Nic Thompson (Ego), and Aaron Umsted (Ego).

The creative team for the production includes: Steve Bourneuf (Direction and Choreography), Lisa Campbell Albert (Musical Direction), James Wolk (Scenic Design), Lou Bird (Costume Design), Matthew McCarthy (Lighting Design), Stuart M. Elmore (Orchestral Design).

STAGES Theatre for Young Audiences production, Disney's Sleeping Beauty (June 18 - June 29), performed at the Skip Viragh Center for the Arts at Chaminade College Preparatory School, stars St. Louis Actress Berklea Going as the beloved Princess Aurora, St. Louis Actor Charlie Ingram as Prince Phillip, and St. Louis Actress Morgan Amiel Faulkner as Maleficent in this classic fairy tale. Born into a wondrous world of beauty, song, and privilege, sweet Princess Aurora cannot escape the spell cast upon her by the evil sorceress Maleficent. By sunset on her sixteenth birthday, the young princess is fated to prick her finger on the cursed spindle and fall into a long deep slumber, only to be awakened by true love's kiss. With a little hocus-pocus from the enchanted wands of the adoring fairies Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather, the spellbound Prince Phillip rescues his love and all their dreams come true!

Berklea Going performed her first role at STAGES at the age of ten and has performed in numerous regional theatres throughout the country. Later this summer she can be seen in The Muny's production of Hello, Dolly! Charlie Ingram returns to STAGES as Prince Phillip. Ingram last appeared in STAGES 2012 production of Sound of Music. A recent graduate of The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University, he was most recently in their production of Into the Woods. Morgan Amiel Faulkner makes her STAGES debut as Maleficent. Recent credits include A Christmas Carol, Anything Goes, and the tour of The Man in Black Show, starring June Carter.

Rounding out the cast in alphabetical order are Stephen Barnowski (Court Gentleman), Brennan Caldwell (Snitch), Lois Enders (Court Lady), Laura Ernst (Flora), John Flack (King Stefan),Cole Hoefferle (Young Prince Phillip), Erik Keiser (Grub), Jonathan Kwock (Court Gentleman), Laurie McConnell (Fauna), Lauren Roesner (Queen Stefanie), Whit Reichert (King Hubert), April Strelinger (Merryweather), and Lara Turek (Court Lady/Bluebird).

The creative team for the production includes: Michael Hamilton (Direction), Steve Bourneuf (Choreography), Lisa Campbell Albert (Musical Direction), Jason Coale (Scenic Design), Jeff Shearer (Costume Design), Paul Centner Tilson (Lighting Design), Stuart M. Elmore (Orchestral Design).

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (July 18 - August 17) stars Ben Nordstrom as J. Pierrepont Finch and Betsy DiLellio as Rosemary Pilkington. With an exhilarating score by Frank Loesser, this tune-filled comic gem charts the spectacular rise (in record time!) of an ambitious young window washer to VP of Advertising! Jam-packed with sly, swift, and sharp jabs to the funny bone, How To Succeed.... is a sure fire mid-summer tonic for the musical theatre lover!

St. Louis Actor Ben Nordstrom returns to STAGES, where he was last seen in STAGES 2013 production of Legally Blonde, The Musical. Other credits include Title of Show, Next Fall, Big River, Footloose, and Amadeus. Making her STAGES debut, DiLellio has performed in the National Tours of The Light in the Piazza and Sound of Music. DiLellio also has sung at both Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall.

Also starring is St. Louis Actor Whit Reichert as J. B. Biggley, who has appeared in 13 seasons and 18 productions with STAGES, including this season's Disney's Sleeping Beauty. A familiar face with St. Louis audiences, Whit also has appeared at The Muny, the Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis, and in 26 productions at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Broadway Actress Heather Ayers makes her STAGES debut as Hedy La Rue. Ayers has appeared on Broadway in the original companies of Young Frankenstein, On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, and A Little Night Music. Off-Broadway credits include Sarah, Plain and Tall, Forbidden Broadway, and Five Course Love.

Rounding out the cast in alphabetical order are Johmaalya Adelekan (Miss Jones), Stephen Barnowski (Tackaberry), Bill Bateman (Twimble/Womper), Brennan Caldwell (Office Boy), Christopher DeAngelis (Gatch/Toynbee), Lois Enders (Secretary/Wickette), John Flack (Jenkins), Juliane Godfrey (Miss Krumholtz/Wickette), Brittany Rose Hammond (Secretary/2nd Scrubwoman/Wickette), Erica Hebron (Secretary/Wickette), Charlie Ingram (Davis/Henchman), Steve Isom (Bert Bratt), Jonathan Kwock (Johnson/Wicket), Joseph Medeiros (Bud Frump), Claire Neumann (Smitty), Sean Quinn (Ovington/Henchman/TV Announcer/Andrews), Lauren Roesner (Secretary/1st Scrubwoman), Paul Sabala (Matthews/Security Guard), George Spelvin (Voice of Narrator), Bronwyn Tarboton (Secretary/Wickette), and Aaron Umsted (Peterson/Wicket).

The creative team for the production includes: Michael Hamilton (Direction), Steve Bourneuf (Choreography), Lisa Campbell Albert (Musical Direction), James Wolk (Scenic Design), Jeff Shearer (Costume Design), Matthew McCarthy (Lighting Design), Stuart M. Elmore (Orchestral Design).

Fiddler On The Roof (September 5 - October 5) stars Broadway Actor Bruce Sabbath as Tevye. One of the most touching creations in the history of Broadway, Fiddler On The Roof exudes a warmth and humor unlike any other American Musical. Set in politically tumultuous 1905 Russia, Tevye the milkman must adjust to the changing world around him, as each of his five daughters move further away from spiritual tradition. An inspiring and universal tale of heritage, love, and acceptance, Fiddler On The Roof features such heartfelt and beloved songs as "Sunrise, Sunset," "If I Were A Rich Man," and "Matchmaker, Matchmaker."

Making his STAGES debut, Sabath played Larry in The Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Company. Other New York credits include Hello Again, Platinum, and The Countess of Storyville. TV credits include "Boardwalk Empire," "Onion Sports Dome," and "I Love a Beekeeper."

Also starring is St. Louis Actress Kari Ely (Golde), who returns to STAGES, previously appearing in numerous STAGES productions including the 2013 production of My Fair Lady and The Secret Garden, State Fair, and Promises, Promises. Other credits include Henry IV and Henry V at Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis and Sunday in the Park at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Making her STAGES debut, Broadway Actress Rachel Coloff (Yente) has appeared as Yente previously in the Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof. Other credits include the Broadway production of Urinetown as well as Off-Broadway productions of My Fair Lady, Das Barbecu, and Tip Toes at Carnegie Hall. St. Louis Actor Christopher Limber (Lazar Wolf) returns to STAGES, previously appearing in Camelot. In St. Louis, Limber has appeared in 15 shows at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.

Rounding out the cast in alphabetical order are Stephen Barnowski (Nachum), Peggy Billo (Shaindel), Grace Clark (Shprintze), Jason Michael Evans (Perchik), Ryan Fitzgerald (Yankel/Vladimir), Katie Hamilton-Meier (Anya), Julie Hanson (Hodel), Steve Isom (Mordcha), Hannah Kiem (Rivka/Grandmother Tzeitel), Erik Keiser (Schmuel/Sasha), Maria Knasel (Bielke), Jonathan Kwock (Chaim/Pyotr), Stephanie Lynne Mason (Tzeitel), Carissa Massaro (Chava), Morgan McDonald (Surcha), Alex Meuret (Jakov), Nick Orfanella (Motel), Rich Pisarkiewicz (Avram), Alex Puette (Priesst/Yussel/Misha), Whit Reichert (The Constable), Bruce Reybold (Rabbi), Lauren Roesner (Mirala/Fruma-Sarah), Ronan Ryan (Duvidel), Paul Sabala (The Fiddler), Aaron Umsted (Mendel) and Eric Van Tielen (Fyedka).

The creative team for the production includes: Michael Hamilton (Direction), Gary John Larosa (Choreography), Lisa Campbell Albert (Musical Direction), James Wolk (Scenic Design), Jeff Shearer (Costume Design), Matthew McCarthy (Lighting Design), and Stuart M. Elmore (Orchestral Design).

STAGES St. Louis is the region's foremost not-for-profit company committed to preserving and advancing the art form of Musical Theatre through excellence in performance and education. In 2014, STAGES celebrates its 28th year of producing Broadway-quality theatre, presenting 180 performances from April through October to nearly 65,000 patrons.

STAGES opened in 1987 with a budget of $50,000 and a part-time seasonal staff of eight. Today, the company employs a full-time staff of more than 30 overseeing a budget of over $4 million. During the performance season, an additional 150 actors and crew members bring the productions to life. To date, STAGES professionals have produced 94 musicals, with over 2,900 performances, playing to over 900,000 patrons.

Subscriptions to the 2014 Season begin at just $99. Single tickets are on sale now and prices range from $20 - $57. STAGES performs in the intimate, 377-seat Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Civic Center, 111 South Geyer Road in St. Louis, MO. For more information or to purchase tickets call 314-821-2407 or visit www.StagesStLouis.org.

Each mainstage production will run for a total of five weeks with matinee and evening performances Tuesdays through Sundays. The Theatre for Young Audiences production performs Tuesday through Sunday for two weeks.

STAGES St. Louis is grateful for the support of the Regional Arts Commission, and has been funded in part by the Arts & Education Council. In addition, financial assistance has been provided by the Missouri Arts Council.

Photo by Jordan Matter

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