Mark Evans Leads THE FIX, Beginning Tonight at Signature Theatre

Signature Theatre presents The Fix, directed by Signature Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Gigi, Follies, Million Dollar Quartet). Featuring a book by John Dempsey and music by Dana P. Rowe (the creators of Brother Russia and The Witches of Eastwick), the show quickly became a favorite among Signature's artistic team during its U.S. premiere at the Theatre in 1998, cementing a longstanding relationship with Dempsey and Rowe. Running in the MAX Theatre tonight, August 11, through September 20, the inside-politics musical satire is the first production of Signature Theatre's 2015/2016 season.

"The Fix paints a picture of American politics that's part fun-house, part haunted house," said Schaeffer. "It's twisted, and it pushes boundaries. It instantly became one of Signature's favorite projects. And on top of that, it's one of the shows most requested by our audiences. It's only fitting that we follow the year-long celebration of Signature's first 25 years with this all-new production of a great work from our past."

The production will star Mark Evans (The Book of Mormon, First National Tour) as Cal Chandler, Lawrence Redmond (Signature's Elmer Gantry) as Grahame Chandler, Christine Sherrill (Mamma Mia! Las Vegas) as Violet Chandler, and Bobby Smith (Signature's Cabaret) as Senator Reed Chandler.

Boyd, Redmond, Sherrill and Smith are joined in the cast by Jessica Lauren Ball (Deborah Pullman; Signature's Elmer Gantry), Matt Conner (Anthony Gliardi; Signature's Elmer Gantry), Mark Chandler (Richard; Signature's Cabaret), Jordan DeBona (Leroy; Signature's Cabaret), Jamie Eacker (Donna/Mistress; Signature's Cabaret), Maria Egler (Maria; Signature's Diner), Will Gartshore (Bobby Cracker; Signature's Show Boat), Nick Lehan (Carol Moreland; Signature's Elmer Gantry), Dan Manning (Frankie Diamonte; Signature's Sunday in the Park with George), Christopher Mueller (Cardinal O'Hare; Signature's Miss Saigon), Tracy Lynn Olivera (Leslie Pynchon; Signature's Company), Stephen Gregory Smith (Peter; Signature's Elmer Gantry), Nickolas Vaughan (Sergeant; Signature's Dreamgirls), Caroline Wolfson (Danielle; Keegan Theatre's Hair), and Rachel Zampelli (Tina McCoy; Signature's Brother Russia).

The creative team includes Choreography by Matthew Gardiner (Signature's Cabaret, Simply Sondheim); Musical Direction by Jon Kalbfleisch (Signature's Cabaret, Simply Sondheim); Scenic Design by Misha Kachman (Signature's Cabaret, The Threepenny Opera); Costume Design by Hunter Kaczorowski (Berkshire Theater Festival's Frankie and Johnny...); Lighting Design by Ryan O'Gara (New Victory Theatre's The Mysterious Hat); Sound Design by Lane Elms (Signature's Cabaret, Simply Sondheim); Wig Design by Dori Beau Seigneur; Video Design by Hannah Marsh; Production Stage Manager Kerry Epstein (Signature's Cabaret); and Assistant Stage Manager Karen Currie (Signature's Cabaret).

With a rock-laced, eclectic score and scandalous lyrics, The Fix skewers the American bureaucratic machine. Reminiscent of Sondheim, with tinges of Kander and Ebb and a voice uniquely its own, it is a darkly brilliant, over-the-top, audaciously fun ride through the shenanigans of political elections.

When a popular presidential candidate dies in his mistress's bed, his ambitious wife Violet thrusts their lackluster son Cal into the spotlight. With the help of her strategic brother-in-law, Violet transforms Cal into the perfect citizen. Together they create one of the most dysfunctional - and brutally entertaining - almost-first families ever.

Photo Credit: Christopher Mueller

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