Stages St. Louis Sets Casts for 2015 Season

STAGES St. Louis has announced casting for its exhilarating 29th season: Smokey Joe's Café, Anything Goes, and The Full Monty. This season's exceptional talent voyages through songs and stories of diverse relationships, the bonds of friendship, and strength found in community. STAGES also announces the cast for its Theatre for Young Audiences production, the purrrrr-fect family classic, Disney's The Aristocats. All season and single tickets are on sale now.

Smokey Joe's Café (May 29 - June 28) stars Broadway Actress Emily Afton as Pattie, New York Actor Richard Crandle as Victor, New York Actor Josh A. Dawson as Ken, New York Actor Brent Michael Diroma as Michael, New York Actress Keisha Gilles as B.J., New York Actor Kent Overshown as Adrian, New York Actress J. Nycole Ralph as Brenda, New York Actor Jason Samuel as Fred, and New York Actress Bronwyn Tarboton as DeLee. Showcasing the rich song catalog of the prolific songwriting team, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, Smokey Joe's Café offers a nostalgic exploration of the lives, loves, and aspirations of a group of friends who know how to rock 60s style. Featuring nearly 40 chart-topping hits that span over three decades of popular American music, this thrilling Grammy award-winning song celebration will knock your socks off. Relive the glory days of rock and roll with such pop standards as "Stand By Me," "Jailhouse Rock," "I'm A Woman," "Hound Dog," and "On Broadway." Now, Baby, that's rock 'n' roll!

Emily Afton returns to St. Louis, where she appeared at the Fox Theatre in 2013 with the National Tour of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Other Broadway and National Tour credits include Hair and I Love A Piano. Richard Crandle has performed in the National Tour of Hairspray and more recently has been seen on NBC's "The Sing Off" as well as the 2013 feature film, Black Nativity starring Jennifer Hudson. Making his STAGES debut, Josh A. Dawson has appeared as Ken previously in a regional production of Smokey Joe's Café. Other regional credits include Hair, Oklahoma!, and Cats. Brent Michael Diroma has performed in the North American Tour of Avenue Q. Other credits include Memphis, Jersey Boys, and West Side Story. Keisha Gilles joins STAGES, previously appearing in the National Tour of Dreamgirls. Other regional credits include Sistas: The Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Chicago. Making his STAGES debut, Kent Overshown has performed in the National Tours of Memphis and The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess. Overshown also has appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra as well as in multiple productions at The Muny. Best known for her performance in the Broadway Tour of West Side Story, J. Nycole Ralph also has appeared in regional productions of Memphis and Hairspray. Other credits include the Chris Rock film, Top Five and the award-winning film, Homework. Making his

STAGES debut, Jason Samuel has appeared in the First National Tour of The Wedding Singer and in regional productions of Elf, The Full Monty, and Smokey Joe's Café. Bronwyn Tarboton returns to STAGES, previously appearing last season in STAGES' productions of They're Playing Our Song and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Other regional credits include Oliver!, A Chorus Line, and Kiss Me Kate.

Rounding out the cast are Christian Bufford (Swing) and Morgan Amiel Faulkner (Swing).

The creative team for the production includes: Stephen Bourneuf (Direction and Choreography), Peggy Taphorn (Co-Choreography), Lisa Campbell Albert (Musical Direction), James Wolk (Scenic Design), Brad Musgrove (Costume Design), Matthew F. McCarthy (Lighting Design), Stuart M. Elmore (Orchestral Design).

STAGES Theatre for Young Audiences production, Disney's The Aristocats (June 3 - 28), performed at the Playhouse at Westport Plaza, stars New York Actor David Schmittou as Thomas O'Malley and St. Louis Actress April Strelinger as Duchess. Get ready for a feline adventure as Thomas O'Malley and his rag-tag bunch of Alley Cats spring to the rescue of cat-napped Duchess and her Aristokittens. What happens next is anyone's guess! You'll be clapping your paws and wagging your tail to our hep, jazzy beat. With songs like "The Aristocats," "Scales and Arpeggios," and "Ev'rybody Wants to Be a Cat," this modern version of the familiar Disney classic is just purrrrrr-fect for the entire family.

David Schmittou returns to STAGES and to the role of Thomas O'Malley, which he previously played in STAGES' 2010 production of Disney's The Aristocats. Other STAGES credits include the 2012 production of The Sound of Music and the 2009 production of The Drowsy Chaperone. April Strelinger also returns to STAGES, where she was last seen as Merryweather in STAGES' 2014 production of Disney's Sleeping Beauty. A familiar face with St. Louis audiences, Strelinger also appeared at The Muny last summer in their productions of Seussical and Hello, Dolly!

Rounding out the cast in alphabetical order are Stephen Barnowski (Hep Cat/Vichy), Craig Blake (Scat Cat/Lafayette), Michele Burdette Elmore (Madame/Amelia), John Flack (Edgar), Erik Keiser (Wacky Cat/Napoleon), Maria Knasel (Marie), Laurie McConnell (Roquefort/Abigail), Alex Meuret (Berlioz), and Ronan Ryan (Toulouse).

The creative team for the production includes: Michael Hamilton (Direction), Ellen Isom (Choreography), Justin Smolik (Musical Direction), James Wolk (Scenic Design), Garth Dunbar (Costume Design), Matthew F. McCarthy (Lighting Design), Stuart M. Elmore (Orchestral Design).

Anything Goes (July 17 - August 16) stars Los Angeles Actress Julie Cardia as Reno Sweeney, Broadway Actor Jeffrey Alan Pew as Billy, and Broadway and St. Louis Actor Bob Amaral as Moonface Martin. Set sail on the S. S. American with a zany group of travelers, bound from New York to merry old England, where gangsters, socialites, and arrow-collar lads collide in a true tap-sensation from a by-gone era when travel was still fun and as unpredictable as the weather. This classic musical comedy from Broadway's golden age features such meltingly romantic Cole Porter melodies as "I Get A Kick Out Of You," "It's De-Lovely," "Easy To Love," "You're The Top," and "Anything Goes."

Julie Cardia returns to STAGES, previously appearing in STAGES' 2011 production of The Secret Garden and the 2009 production of Guys and Dolls. Other credits include the National Tours of Annie, The Wizard of Oz, and The Music Man: In Concert led by Shirley Jones. Also returning to STAGES is Jeffrey Alan Pew, who was last seen in STAGES' 2011 production of A Chorus Line. Broadway and National Tour credits include Cinderella, First Wives Club, Billy Elliot, and The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Making his STAGES debut, Bob Amaral has performed on Broadway in Guys and Dolls, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, and The Lion King. Television guest appearances include "N.Y.P.D. Blue," "Son of the Beach," and "Any Day Now."

Also starring is Broadway Actress Heidi Giberson as Hope Harcourt. Giberson has performed on Broadway in Cinderella and Les Miserables as well as in the Off-Broadway production of The Fantasticks. Giberson also recently has been seen as Liesl in STAGES' 2012 production of The Sound of Music. New York Actor Dan Fenaughty makes his STAGES debut as Sir Evelyn Oakleigh. Regional credits include Murder Among Friends, Camelot, The 39 Steps, and A Murder Is Announced. Fenaughty also has voiced characters in short films and audio books.

Rounding out the cast in alphabetical order are Craig Blake (Photographer/Sailor Quartet), Brennan Caldwell (Purser), Jon Cooper (Fred/Sailor), Kari Ely (Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt), Lois Enders (Chastity), Morgan Amiel Faulkner (Passenger), John Flack (Captain), Gaby Gamache (Charity), Patrick Graver (FBI Agent/Sailor), TBA (Purity), Austin Hohnke (Henry T. Dobson/Sailor/Passenger), Drew Humphrey (Reporter/Sailor Quartet), Ellen Isom (Old Lady in a Wheelchair/Passenger), Erik Keiser (Luke/Sailor Quartet), Chris Kotera (FBI Agent/Sailor Quartet/Passenger), Jonathan Kwock (John/Sailor), Whit Reichert (Elisha Whitney), Bronwyn Tarboton (Virtue), and Laura E. Taylor (Erma).

The creative team for the production includes: Michael Hamilton (Direction), Stephen Bourneuf (Choreography), Lisa Campbell Albert (Musical Direction), James Wolk (Scenic Design), Brad Musgrove (Costume Design), Sean Savoie (Lighting Design), Stuart M. Elmore (Orchestral Design).

The Full Monty (September 4 - October 4) stars New York Actor Will Ray as Jerry Lukowski, Broadway Actor Todd A. Horman as Dave Bukatinsky, Broadway Actor James Ludwig as Harold Nichols, Broadway Actor Milton Craig Nealy as Noah "Horse" Simmons, New York Actor Chuck Ragsdale as Malcolm MacGregor, and New York Actor Adam Shonkwiler as Ethan Girard. A ten-time Tony Award-nominee, The Full Monty recounts a moving story of six unemployed steelworkers who come up with a bold and unconventional way to make some much-needed cash, after witnessing their wives go wild for a group of male strippers. In the process, they discover renewed self-esteem and the importance of family, friendship, and the very human desire to live life to the fullest. With razor-sharp humor and toe-tapping pizzazz, The Full Monty is musical theatre at its most heart-warming.

Will Ray makes his STAGES debut as Jerry Lukowski. New York credits include Meet Me in St. Louis and Balls...The Musical. Ray also has appeared in the First National Tour of Little House on the Prairie: The Musical and as a featured soloist with orchestras around the world including the Cincinnati Pops, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. Returning to STAGES, Todd A. Horman most recently was seen in the Broadway production of Sting's The Last Ship and the First National Tour of Sister Act. Horman also has appeared on Broadway in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Urinetown. Other regional credits include The Full Monty, 1776, and Guys and Dolls. Making his STAGES debut, James Ludwig has appeared on Broadway in the original cast of Spamalot and the First National Tour of 101 Dalmatians. Other credits include the Off-Broadway productions of Two Point Oh, Blue Man Group, and John & Jen as well as a regional production of The Full Monty. Making his STAGES debut, Milton Craig Nealy has appeared on Broadway in Motown: The Musical, Caroline, or Change, Miss Saigon, and Five Guys Named Moe. Nealy also has performed at The Muny in Jesus Christ Superstar and recently returned in 2012 for Dreamgirls. Chuck Ragsdale makes his STAGES debut, returning to the role of Malcolm, which he recently played at Maine State Music Theatre and The Fulton Theatre in Lancaster, PA. Ragsdale also appeared in the original company for the National Tour of The 101 Dalmatians. Off-Broadway credits include Silence!, How to Save the World..., and The Ark. Adam Shonkwiler returns to STAGES, where he was last seen as Huck in STAGES' 2010 production of Big River. Shonkwiler has appeared in the National Tour of Whistle Down the Wind and in regional productions of Red, Camelot, and Next Fall.

Also starring is St. Louis Actress Zoe Vonder Haar as Jeanette Burmeister. A familiar face with St. Louis audiences, Vonder Haar has performed in over sixty productions at STAGES including Hello, Dolly!, Gypsy, Mame, and most recently starred as Louise in Always... Patsy Cline. Other credits include the First International Touring Company of A Chorus Line and numerous productions at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and The Muny.

Rounding out the cast in alphabetical order are Leah Berry (Pam Lukowsi), Shawn Bowers (Jackson/Police Sergeant/Repo Man), Julie Cardia (Vicki Nichols), Kari Ely (Marge/Molly MacGregor), Laura Ernst (Delores/Power Jogger), Morgan Amiel Faulkner (Estelle Genovese/Dance Instructor), John Flack (Gary Bonasorte/Tony Giordano), Cody Heuer (Marty/Repo Man), Cole Hoefferle (Nathan Lukowski), Steve Isom (Reg Willoughby), Ian Paget (Buddy "Keno" Walsh), Whit Reichert (Power Jogger/Minister), David Sajewich (2nd Stripper/Teddy Slaughter), Angela Sapolis (Susan Hershey), April Strelinger (Joanie Lish), and Lindsie VanWinkle (Georgie Bukatinsky).

The creative team for the production includes: Michael Hamilton (Direction), Stephen Bourneuf (Choreography), Lisa Campbell Albert (Musical Direction), James Wolk (Scenic Design), Garth Dunbar (Costume Design), Matthew F. McCarthy (Lighting Design), 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 2015, STAGES celebrates its 29th year of producing Broadway-quality theatre, presenting 144 performances from May through October to nearly 50,000 patrons, during its mainstage season.

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 25 overseeing a budget of nearly $4.7 million. During the performance season, an additional 150 actors and crew members bring the productions to life. STAGES professionals have produced 99 musicals, with over 3,250 performances, and during the 2014 season reached the milestone of over 1 million patrons. Annually, STAGES also produces its award-winning Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) production to encourage multiple generations to attend professional, live musical theatre together on family-friendly schedules.

Subscriptions to the 2015 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 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 performs Wednesday through Sunday for four weeks.

New York Casting is done by Scott Wojcik and Gayle Seay of Wojcik/Seay Casting.

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