2016 Muny Creative Teams -FINAL · 2016. 1. 21. · World Wide Technology 2016 Season Presenting...

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World Wide Technology 2016 Season Presenting Sponsor FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 20, 2016 Contact: Kwofe Coleman Director of Marketing and Communications 314.595.5712 [email protected] THE MUNY ANNOUNCES 2016 CREATIVE TEAMS ST. LOUIS – The Muny announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for the Muny’s 2016 Season, which opens on June 13 with The Wizard of Oz. “Our 2016 season is ambitious, exciting and robust,” said Muny Artistic Director and Executive Producer Mike Isaacson. “Each of these remarkable creative teams is comprised of uniquely talented people, and they’ve already set out to create productions that will thrill our audiences. I’m honored to be working with them.” THE WIZARD OF OZ By L. Frank Baum Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg JOHN TARTAGLIA (Director) returns to The Muny after last being seen as The Cat in the Hat in Seussical (2014). He also starred as the Genie in The Muny’s Aladdin (2012). As a director, John directed The Muny's productions of Shrek (2013) and Tarzan (2014). Other directing credits: Claudio Quest (New York Musical Theatre Festival, winner- Outstanding Direction, Best of the NYMF), Lord Tom (York Theater), Jim Henson's Sid the Science Kid and Dinosaur Train Live! (Nat. Tour), Elmo the Musical, Live! (Sesame Place), Because of Winn Dixie (Arkansas Repertory Theater), Resident Director of Avenue Q, off Broadway 2012-2015. As an actor, John is sometimes known best to parents and kids as “Johnny” from Disney’s Johnny and the Sprites (nomination, Daytime Emmy award, Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series) on Disney Junior Worldwide. John made his Tony® award-nominated Broadway debut in Avenue Q, creating the roles of Princeton and Rod. Broadway credits include Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, and Pinocchio in Shrek the Musical, a role which he originated. At 16, John joined PBS’s Sesame Street as a puppeteer, where he performed for more than 12 seasons. John is the creative talent behind ImaginOcean, which has enjoyed an acclaimed run off-Broadway, on national and

Transcript of 2016 Muny Creative Teams -FINAL · 2016. 1. 21. · World Wide Technology 2016 Season Presenting...

Page 1: 2016 Muny Creative Teams -FINAL · 2016. 1. 21. · World Wide Technology 2016 Season Presenting Sponsor FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 20, 2016 Contact: Kwofe Coleman Director of

World Wide Technology

2016 Season Presenting Sponsor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 20, 2016

Contact: Kwofe Coleman Director of Marketing and Communications

314.595.5712 [email protected]

THE MUNY ANNOUNCES 2016 CREATIVE TEAMS

ST.LOUIS–TheMunyannouncedtodaythedirectors,choreographersandmusicdirectorsfortheMuny’s2016Season,whichopensonJune13withTheWizardofOz.

“Our2016seasonisambitious,excitingandrobust,”saidMunyArtisticDirectorandExecutiveProducerMikeIsaacson.“Eachoftheseremarkablecreativeteamsiscomprisedofuniquelytalentedpeople,andthey’vealreadysetouttocreateproductionsthatwillthrillouraudiences.I’mhonoredtobeworkingwiththem.”

THEWIZARDOFOZByL.FrankBaum

MusicandLyricsbyHaroldArlenandE.Y.Harburg

JOHNTARTAGLIA(Director)returnstoTheMunyafterlastbeingseenasTheCatintheHatinSeussical(2014).HealsostarredastheGenieinTheMuny’sAladdin(2012).Asadirector,JohndirectedTheMuny'sproductionsofShrek(2013)andTarzan(2014).Otherdirectingcredits:ClaudioQuest(NewYorkMusicalTheatreFestival,winner-OutstandingDirection,BestoftheNYMF),LordTom(YorkTheater),JimHenson'sSidtheScienceKidandDinosaurTrainLive!(Nat.Tour),ElmotheMusical,Live!(SesamePlace),BecauseofWinnDixie(ArkansasRepertoryTheater),ResidentDirectorofAvenueQ,offBroadway2012-2015.Asanactor,Johnissometimesknownbesttoparentsandkidsas“Johnny”fromDisney’sJohnnyandtheSprites(nomination,DaytimeEmmyaward,OutstandingPerformerinaChildren’sSeries)onDisneyJuniorWorldwide.JohnmadehisTony®award-nominatedBroadwaydebutinAvenueQ,creatingtherolesofPrincetonandRod.BroadwaycreditsincludeLumiereinBeautyandtheBeast,andPinocchioinShrektheMusical,arolewhichheoriginated.At16,JohnjoinedPBS’sSesameStreetasapuppeteer,whereheperformedformorethan12seasons.JohnisthecreativetalentbehindImaginOcean,whichhasenjoyedanacclaimedrunoff-Broadway,onnationaland

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internationaltoursandwillsoonbeanewJimHensonCompanyseriesonPBSentitled"Splash!"withJohnservingasanexecutiveproducerandperformeroftheleadcharacter.JohnisalsothehostofSiriusXMOnBroadway'sacclaimedshow,SundayFunday.FindJohnTartagliaonlineonTwitterandInstagram@johnnytartags

VALERIEGEBERT(MusicDirector)returnstoTheMunyafterpreviousproductionsofSeussical(2014)andWestSideStory(1995).ShehastouredNorthAmericawithproductionsofWicked,JosephandtheAmazingTechnicolor®DreamcoatstarringDonnyOsmond,TheSoundofMusicwithMarieOsmond,theaward-winningrevivalofCabaret,Disney'sTheLionKing,TheAddamsFamilyandmostrecentlyR&H’sCinderella.Regionally,shehasperformedatSt.LouisRep,BerkeleyRepandCaliforniaMusicTheater.Currently,ValerieisworkingonTheSandman(ALittleNightmareMusical)writtenbyRichardOberackerandRobTaylor.ValerieisoriginallyfromFargo,NorthDakota.

RALPHPERKINS(Choreographer)returnstoTheMunyafterchoreographingHelloDolly!(2014St.LouisCriticsCirclenominee),SouthPacific(2013)andTheKingandI(2012).RalphjustrecentlychoreographedLaCageAuxFollesforGoodspeedMusicals.Othercredits:SouthPacific(PaperMillPlayhouseandTheAsoloRepertoryTheater),Camelotand1776(GoodspeedMusicals),SweetCharity(BarringtonStageCompany),SundayintheParkwithGeorge(TheRepertoryTheaterofSt.Louis),aswellasUrinetown,TheMusicalandKissMeKateinwhichhereceivedKevinKlineAwardnominationsforoutstandingchoreography.ResidinginLasVegasforseveralyears,Ralphchoreographedmanyshows,includingEFXattheMGMGrand,SiegfriedandRoyatTheMirage,LegendsinConcertandTournamentofKings.HewasartisticdirectorandcofounderofTheNewWorksProject,acontemporarydancecompanyinLasVegas.RalphhaschoreographednumerousmusicalsforTheMonomoyTheaterinChatham,Mass.andNewLondonBarnPlayhouseinNewHampshire.Heiscurrentlythedirectorofdanceforthetheaterdivision,aswellasamemberofthedancedivisionfacultyatTheHarttSchool,UniversityofHartfordinConnecticut.

42NDSTREETBookbyMichaelStewartandMarkBramble

LyricsbyAlDubinMusicbyHarryWarren

DENISJONES(Director/Choreographer)returnstoTheMunyhavingservedasdirector/choreographerforGrease(2014),Spamalot(2013)andChicago(2012),andasthechoreographerofIrvingBerlin’sHolidayInn(2015)andPirates!(2012).RecentchoreographycreditsincludeMoonshine:ThatHee-HawMusical(DallasTheaterCenter),AFunnyThing…(TwoRivers),TheTempest(ShakespeareinthePark),HoneymooninVegas(Broadway),PaintYourWagon(NYCityCenterEncores!),LuckBeaLady(AsoloRep),TheSoundofMusic(LyricOpera,Chicago),DamnYankees(PaperMillPlayhouse,5thAvenueTheatre),Elf(5thAvenueTheatre),AFunnyThing…,JohnnyBaseball,SheLovesMe(WilliamstownTheatreFestival),Disaster!(St.Luke’s)andnationaltoursofMyFairLady,ManofLaManchaandDamnYankees.Denisalsodirectedandchoreographedtheoff-BroadwayproductionofPieceofMyHeart.UpcomingprojectsincludeIrvingBerlin'sHolidayInn(Broadway).

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BENWHITELEY(MusicDirector)Muny:TheAddamsFamily(2014),Spamalot(2013),Pirates!(2012),SoundofMusic(2005,2010),BeautyandtheBeast(2005,2010,2015),KissMe,Kate(2011),Oklahoma!(2007),MusicMan(2004),MeetMeinSt.Louis(2004),SouthPacific(2003).Broadway/NationalTours:AChristmasStory,AddamsFamily,Spamalot,TheFullMonty,CATS(conductedfinalBroadwayperformance),GrandHotel,Falsettos,Big.CarnegieHall:SailAway(withElaineStritch),CarnegieHallSalutesComdenandGreen.ChoralDirection:Carousel(NYPhilharmonic/PBS.)CityCenterEncores!:MusicDirectorforthisseason's1776,Assoc.MusicDirectorandchoralprep.for29productionsincludinglastseason'sPaintYourWagon.Other:PaperMillPlayhouse,5thAvenueTheater,UniversityofMichigan.Recordings:Allegro,BoardwalkEmpire(GrammyAward®),MerrilyWeRollAlong.

THEMUSICMANBook,Music,andLyricsbyMeredithWilson

ROBRUGGIERO(Director)returnstoTheMunyafterdirectingOklahoma!(2015);Hello,Dolly!(2014);SouthPacific(2013);TheKingandI(2012)andTheMusicMan(2004).St.LouisaudiencesalsoknowhisworkatTheRepertoryTheatreofSt.Louis,wherehemostrecentlydirectedTheOtherPlace,hisseventhshow.HealsodirectedTheRep’sacclaimedproductionsofSundayintheParkwithGeorge,Urinetown:TheMusicalandTakeMeOut.HisBroadwaycreditsincludeLooped(starringValerieHarperinaTony®-nominatedperformance)andHigh(starringKathleenTurner).OtherNewYorkcreditsincludeconceivinganddirectingtheoriginalmusicalrevueMakeMeaSong:TheMusicofWilliamFinn(DramaDeskAwardandOuterCriticsCircleAwardnominations).Regionally,Robhasearnednationalrecognitionforhisworkonbothplaysandmusicals,includingsixConnecticutCriticsCircleAwards,aJosephJeffersonAwardinChicago,andhasthedistinctionofbeingtheonlydirectortohavereceivedfourKevinKlineAwards.HeconceivedanddirectedtheworldpremieremusicalportraitofEllaFitzgeraldentitledElla.Herecentlydirecteda50thanniversaryrevivalofFiddlerontheRoofatGoodspeedMusicalsinConnecticut,wherehehasalsodirectedproductionsof1776,BigRiver,Camelot,AnnieGetYourGun,ShowBoat,Carousel,LaCageauxFollesandTheMostHappyFella.Lastyear,RobdirectedanotherproductionofFiddlerOnTheRoofinAthens,Greece.HeistheproducingartisticdirectorforTheaterWorksinHartford,Connecticut.CHRISBAILEY(Choreographer)returnstoTheMunyafterchoreographingIntotheWoods(2015),MyFairLady(2015),Tarzan(2014),WestSideStory(2013)andThoroughlyModernMillie(2012).Chrisalsochoreographedthehistoricopeningnumberofthe2013Tony®Awardsandservedasassistantchoreographerforthe2013and2014AcademyAwards®.ChriswastheassociatechoreographerfortheBroadwayrevivalofEvita;theBroadwayproductionsofHowtoSucceedinBusinessWithoutReallyTrying;Promises,PromisesandCry-Baby.InLondon’sWestEnd,ChrischoreographedAssassinsattheMenierChocolateFactory,wastheassociatechoreographerforGuysandDolls,Evita,OnceinaLifetimeandCandide.TourcreditsaschoreographerincludeEvita,TheWeddingSinger(US),GuysandDolls(UK,Australia)andThoroughlyModernMillie(UK).ChriswasalsothemovementdirectorfortheRoundaboutTheatreCompany’sproductionofCyranoDeBergeraconBroadway.JAMESMOORE(MusicDirector)JamesreturnstoTheMunywherehispreviousproductionsinclude:IrvingBerlin’sHolidayInn(2015),Hello,Dolly!(2014),WestSideStory(2013),TheProducers

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(2008),MeetMeinSt.Louis(2009)andTheMusicMan(2009).ForhisworkonHello,Dolly!andWestSideStory,hereceivednominationsforoutstandingmusicaldirectorfromtheSt.LouisTheaterCircle.HerecentlyservedasmusicdirectorandconductorfortheacclaimedBroadwayrevivalofLeonardBernstein’sOntheTown.OtherBroadwaycreditsincludeFolliesstarringBernadettePeters,SouthPacificatLincolnCenterTheater,Ragtime(originalandrevivalproductions),SteelPier,andtheRoundaboutTheatre'sCompany.HewasalsorepresentedonBroadwaylastseasonasthemusicsupervisorfortherevivalofLernerandLoewe’sGigi.Off-Broadway,hehelmedthePublicTheatre’sShakespeareintheParkgalaperformanceofThePiratesofPenzancestarringKevinKline,GlennCloseandMartinShort.HisnationaltouringcreditsincludeTheProducers,KissMe,Kate,CrazyforYou,andTheWorldGoes‘Round-TheSongsofKanderandEbb.ForTheKennedyCenter,hehasconductedCamelotstarringBrianStokesMitchell,MyFairLadystarringJonathanPryce,andMamestarringChristineBaranski.HehasappearedwiththeNationalSymphonyOrchestra,OrchestraofSt.Luke’s,TheSantaBarbaraSymphony,TheKennedyCenterOperaHouseOrchestra,andatnumerousregionaltheatersincludingFord’sTheatreandSignatureTheatre.Recordings:OntheTownandFollies(Grammy®nominee),bothonthePSClassicslabel.Mr.MooreholdsMasterandBachelordegreesfromtheIndianaUniversityJacobsSchoolofMusic.

YOUNGFRANKENSTEINMusicandLyricsbyMelBrooks

BookbyMelBrooksandThomasMeehan

MARCIAMILGROMDODGE(Director)Thisaward-winningdirector&choreographerreturnstoTheMunyafterdirectingBuddy:TheBuddyHollyStory(2015)andTheAddamsFamily(2014).HerworkhasbeenseenthroughouttheUnitedStates,Canada,England,Denmark,AsiaandtheMiddleEast.Dodge’scelebratedKennedyCenterrevivalofRagtimemovedtoBroadwayfollowingasold-outruninWashington,D.C.(TonyAward®nomination.)HernewproductionofRagtimeistouringtheUnitedStatesforPhoenixEntertainment.DodgehasworkedinsuchacclaimedtheatresastheNewYorkCityOpera,ThePublic,CenterStage,ArenaStage,GoodmanTheatre,DenverCenterTheatreCompany,GlimmerglassFestival,LaJollaPlayhouse,PittsburghPublic,St.LouisRep,CincinnatiPlayhouseinthePark,HuntingtonTheatre,BayStreet,MaltzJupiter,Goodspeed,Reprise,MusicCircus,TheAlley,FlatRockPlayhouseandabroadattheNantaTheatre(Seoul,S.Korea);FredericiaTeater(Denmark);RoyalOperaHouse(Muskat,Oman)andtheWintergardensTheatre(Blackpool,England).Dodgeisawife,amother,ateacher,apublishedandproducedplaywrightandaproudexecutiveboardmemberoftheStageDirectors&ChoreographersSociety.JOSHRHODES(Choreographer)OnBroadwayJoshchoreographedRodgers&Hammerstein'sCinderella(OuterCriticsCircle,AstaireAward,andDramaDesknominations),ItShouldaBeenYou,FirstDate,andtheupcomingBrightStarwrittenbySteveMartinandEdieBrickell.OtherstagecreditsincludeCompanystarringNeilPatrickHarris(Screenvision/PBS),theEmmywinningproductionsofSweeneyToddstarringEmmaThompsonandSondheim’s80thBirthdayConcert(PBS),Zorba(Encores),TheLanding(VinyardTheater)Broadway:ThreeGenerations(KennedyCenter),AFunnyThingHappenedontheWaytotheForum(ShakespeareTheaterCompany/HelenHayesNomination)andtheDramaDeskAwardwinningproductionofWorking(ProspectTheater)JoshdirectedKenLudwig'sBaskerville(Old

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Globe),andSpamalot(5thAvenue/GregoryAwardnomination).CHARLIEALTERMAN(MusicDirector)returnstoTheMunywhereheservedasmusicdirectorfortheproductionsofHairspray(2015),Chicago(2012)andLegallyBlonde(2011).BroadwaymusicdirectorcreditsincludePippin,Godspell,NexttoNormal,MartinShort:FameBecomesMe(musicdirector/actor),andLegallyBlonde(AssociateConductor).Tours:NexttoNormal(MusicSupervisor)andGrease(US/Asia).Off-Broadwayfavorites:AlmostHeaven:SongsofJohnDenverandSilence!:TheMusical.Regionalincludes:LaJollaPlayhouse,ArenaStage,TrinityRep,HuntingtonTheatre,andnineseasonswiththeWilliamstownTheatreFestival.ConcertappearancesincludeshowswithBrookeShields,FrankieAvalon,EmilySkinner,DanaReeve,BillyPorter,CarolWoodsandKenPage.Upcoming:GottaDance,comingtoBroadwaythisfall.

MAMMA,MIA!MusicandLyricsbyBjörnUlvaeusandBennyAnderson,withStigAnderson

BookbyCatherineJohnson

DANKNECHTGES(Director)returnstoTheMunyafterdirectingproductionsofHairspray(2015)andSeussical(2014).Dan’sBroadwaycreditsincludeLysistrataJones(DirectionandChoreography),Xanadu(directedbyChrisAshley,Tony®nomination,DramaDesknomination),SondheimonSondheim,110inTheShade(starringAudraMcDonald),andThe25thAnnualPutnamCountySpellingBee(directedbyJamesLapine).Hisoff-BroadwaycreditsalsoincludeTail!Spin!(starringRachelDratch),MyFavoriteYearattheYorkTheatre,LysistrataJonesfortheTransportGroup,MerrilyWeRollAlongforEncores!,VanitiesandThe25thAnnualPutnamCountySpellingBeeatSecondStage,whichearnedhimaLucilleLortelAwardnomination.OthercreditsincludeGiveItUp!(DallasTheatreCenter),Vanities(TheatreworksPaloAlto),GirlInTheFrame(Goodspeed),GuysandDolls(PlayhouseSquareCenter),Elf(PioneerTheatre),BoysFromSyracuse(CenterstageBaltimore),Godspell(PaperMillPlayhouse),Oklahoma!,TheWiz,CATS,MyFairLady,ChalkCircle,SoundofMusic,Joseph…(HangarTheatre),Mame,AngelStreet,AFunnyThingHappenedontheWaytotheForum(SurflightTheatre),DonGiovanni(IndianapolisOpera),Carousel,TheMerryWidowandWestSideStory(OperaIllinois).HealsohashadthepleasureofworkingonalmosteveryGilbert&SullivanoperettaincludingTheGrandDuke,Iolanthe,Ruddigore,TheMikado,Patience,TheGondoliers,H.M.S.PinaforeandTheSorcerer,allwiththeBlueHillTroupeinNYC.Dan’sfilmandTVchoreographycanbeseenintheToddSolondz’smoviesDarkHorseandPalindromes,FatboySlim’smusicvideoIt’saWonderfulNight,whichreachedNo.1intheU.K.,WhiteCollar,andthe2011TVLandAwardsstarringLizaMinnelli.DanholdsaBFAinmusicaltheatrefromOtterbeinCollegeinWesterville,OH,andhailsfromCleveland.HealsoservesontheBoardofSDC.JESSICAHARTMAN(Choreographer)isabsolutelythrilledtoreturntoTheMunyafterworkingonHairspray(2015)andSeussical(2014).OnBroadway,sheservedastheAssociateChoreographerforLysistrataJonesandwastheAssistantChoreographer,DanceCaptainandswingforTheBoyFromOz,starringHughJackman.Off-Broadway/NYcreditsincludeMaltbyandShire’sWaterfall(AssociateChoreographer),SomewhereinTime(AssociateChoreographer),GiveItUp!(AssociateChoreographer),Showtune(AssistantDirector/Choreographer),CitizenRuth(AssociateChoreographer),BreakOutinSong(Director/Choreographer).Otherchoreographycredits

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includeElephantandPiggie:WeAreInAPlay(Choreographer/KennedyCenter),WestSideStory(AssociateChoreographer/SignatureTheatre),Beaches(AssociateChoreographer/SignatureTheatre),NexttoNormal(AssociateChoreographer/Centerstage),SmokeyJoe’sCafe(AssistantChoreographer/ArenaStage),Carousel(AssistantChoreographer/GoodspeedMusicals)andchoreographyforOceaniaCruisesandCarnivalCruiseLines.JessicaistheArtisticDirectorofBroadwayTheatreConnection,bringingunparalleledmusicaltheatretrainingtocitiesaroundtheUS,includingSt.Louis!ShehasaBFAfromFloridaStateUniversity.MICHAELHORSLEY(MusicDirector)isthemusicsupervisorforTheMuny.Inhis22yearswithTheMuny,someoftheshowshehasconductedincludeBuddy:TheBuddyHollyStory(2015),Grease(2014),MaryPoppins(2013),JosephandtheAmazingTechnicolor®DreamcoatandThoroughlyModernMillie(2012),42ndStreet(1996,2009),Godspell,IrvingBerlin’sWhiteChristmas(2000,2006),DamnYankees(1998,2010),SleepingBeauty,Singin’intheRainandmanymore.NationaltoursincludeThoroughlyModernMillie,Chicago,Cinderella,IrvingBerlin’sWhiteChristmasandSevenBridesforSevenBrothers.AmonghisotherregionaltheatrecreditsareRomanHolidayattheGuthrieTheater;OnAClearDayYouCanSeeForeveratMusicTheatreWichita;FiddlerontheRoofatAMTSanJose;AChorusLineatthePioneerTheatre;andTheFullMontyatNorthCarolinaTheatreinRaleigh.HealsovocaldirectedtheChristmasConcertSeriesfortheDetroitSymphony,NationalSymphonyandBirminghamSymphonyOrchestras.HeisonstaffasmusicdirectorfortheSanFranciscoConservatoryofMusic.

FIDDLERONTHEROOFBookbyJosephStein

LyricsbySheldonHarnickMusicbyJerryBock

GARYGRIFFIN(Director)haspreviouslydirectedtheMunyproductionsofIntotheWoods(2015),MaryPoppins(2013)andAladdin(2012).OnBroadway,hedirectedHoneymooninVegas,TheAppleTreeandTheColorPurple.GaryisAssociateArtisticDirectorofChicagoShakespeareTheaterwherehehasdirectedGypsy,RoadShow,SundayintheParkwithGeorge,Follies,Amadeus,PassionandPacificOvertures.GaryhasdirectedWestSideStory,Evita,AnthonyandCleopatra,andthisseasonALittleNightMusicfortheStratfordFestivalofCanada.RecentcreditsincludeMoonshineatDallasTheaterCenter,RoadShowatSignatureTheatreinArlington,VA,andParadeatAveryFisherHall.Hehasreceived10JosephJeffersonAwardsforDirectionandtheArtisticExcellenceAwardfromtheLeagueofChicagoTheaters.ALEXSANCHEZ(Choreographer)haspreviouslychoreographedMunyproductionsincludingMaryPoppins(2013),Aladdin(2012),TheLittleMermaid(2011).Heispleasedtoserveinhissixthseasonasdirector/choreographerofInTheMood.NewYorkcredits:RedEyeofLove,AmasMusicalTheater/DicapoTheater(JosephCallawayAwardWinnerBestChoreography);FarfromHeaven,PlaywrightsHorizon;Fiorello,NewYorkCityCenterEncores!;Where’sCharley?,NewYorkCityCenterEncores;Giant,ThePublicTheater(LucilleLortelAwardNomination).Regionalcredits:GuysandDolls,GoodspeedOperaHouse(ConnecticutCriticCircleAwardNomination);FarfromHeaven,WilliamstownTheaterFestival;RomanHoliday,GuthrieTheater;42ndStreet,StratfordShakespeareFestival,(BroadwayWorldToronto2012AwardWinner);Giant,DallasTheaterCenter;Follies,Chicago

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ShakespeareTheater,(BroadwayWorldChicago2011AwardWinner&JosephJeffersonAwardNomination);OntheTown,MarriottTheater(JosephJeffersonAwardNomination);ALittleNightMusic,BerkshireTheaterGroup;Camelot,GlimmerglassOpera;Aladdin,TheMuny;TheLittleMermaid,TheMuny&AlabamaShakespeareFestival;MaryPoppins,TheMuny,KansasCityStarlight&MarriottTheater.SDCDancebreak2010Alumni.Alexperformedin10BroadwayshowsandwasasoloistballetdancerwithBalletChicago.BRADHAAK(MusicDirector)mostrecentlywasthemusicdirectorforAnAmericanInParisinParisandonBroadway.PreviouslyatTheMuny:IntotheWoods(2015),SouthPacific(2013),TheKingandI(2012)andGypsy(2006).OtherBroadwaycredits:MusicdirectorforDisney’sMaryPoppins,EltonJohn’sLestat,andIlDivo’sAMusicalAffair.Concerthighlights:musicdirectionforChanceandChemistry-100YearsofFrankLoesser(featuringSirPaulMcCartney);orchestrationsfortheNewYorkPopsatCarnegieHall,BostonPops,LAPhilharmonic,NationalSymphony.Assistantconductorfor1stnationaltourofDisney’sTheLionKing.AsmusicsupervisorandorchestratorforcomposerPaulGordon:DaddyLongLegs(mostrecentlyOff-Broadway,aswellas13U.S.and4internationalproductions)JaneEyreinTokyo,Japan;JaneAusten’sEmma,andSenseandSensibility(upcomingattheOldGlobeinSanDiego.)OtherregionalhighlightsincludeFollies(JeffAwardformusicdirection)andSundayintheParkWithGeorge,bothatChicagoShakespeareTheaterwithdirectorGaryGriffin.GraduateofNorthwesternUniversity.

EltonJohnandTimRice’sAIDABookbyLindaWoolverton,RobertFalls,andDavidHenryHwang

LyricsbyTimRiceMusicbyEltonJohn

MATTLENZ(Director)returnstoTheMunywherehehasdirectedproductionsofDisney'sBeautyandtheBeast(2005,2010&2015),Grease(2007),Nunsense:MunyStyle!(2013),andEltonJohnandTimRice'sAida(2006).Mattrecentlydirectedtheoff-BroadwayrevivalofPageant:TheMusicalandthenationaltourofAChristmasStory:TheMusical.Otherdirectingcreditsincludetheoff-BroadwayhitcomedyTheIrishCurse,thenationaltourofCatchMeifYouCan,BillyElliot:TheMusicalandTheForeigneratMaltzJupiterTheatre,[titleofshow]attheGeorgeStreetPlayhouse,Victor/VictoriaatOgunquitPlayhouse,LesMisérablesandGodofCarnageatZachTheatreinAustin,andIdaho!fortheNewYorkMusicalTheatreFestival(BestDirectorandBestofFestawards).HewastheAssociateDirectorfortheoriginalproductionofHairsprayonBroadway,nationaltours,LasVegas,TorontoandinCologne,Germany.HedirectedHairsprayproductionsintheUnitedKingdomandatthePaperMillPlayhouseinMilburn,NJ,aswellastheNETworksnationaltourandtheground-breakingproductioninJohannesburg,SouthAfrica.HewasalsotheAssociateDirectorforCatchMeIfYouCanandTheVelocityofAutumnonBroadwayandResidentDirectorforDisney'sBeautyandtheBeastonBroadwayandforthenationaltours.Mattreceivedthe2010KevinKlineAwardforBestDirectorofaMusicalforHairsprayatTheMuny.HeisateachingartistforTheBroadwayDreamsFoundationandamemberofSDC.

JONRUA(Choreographer)JonRua’stalentshavecrossedallmediumsfromBroadway&TV/FilmtoConcertWork&MusicVideos.CreditsincludeBroadway:Hamilton(Ensemble/CharlesLee,u/sHamilton),HandsonaHardbody(JesusPena),InTheHeights(Sonny&GrafittiPete)Off-Broadway:

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Hamilton(Ensemble,CharlesLee)KungFu(Matthew,FungFung,Barry),ElaborateEntranceofChadDeity(Macestandby),DamnYankees(Encores!).Regional:OldGlobe’sSomewhere(Alejandro-CraigNoelLeadingActorNomination),BringItOn:TheMusical(Twig-WorldPremier),LaJolla’sHandsonaHardbody(Jesus),Muny’sWestSideStory(Chino).Film:FalltoRise(Magic)TV:Law&Order.JonhasdancedforPhish,MariahCarey,DonOmar,SouljaBoy,andmoreaswellascommercialventuresforTarget,BillBoard,Puma,Reebok,IBM,Panasonic.Asachoreographer,hiscreditsincludePhish,ABC’sCelebrityWifeSwap,NickBlaemire&TheHustle,Brooklynettes,BroadwayBares,Emmy®Award-WinningWebisode‘ChaosTheory’,CapezioA.C.E.Awards,TheAdversary,MTV,andOff-OffBroadwayinUnionSquare.HehasassistedTony®Award-WinnerAndyBlankenbuehler,Tony®AwardNomineeSergioTrujillo,Insanity’sShaunT.,LorinLotarroandmore.HeisaGuestChoreographeronsuchprojects:Hamilton,OnYourFeet,Flashdance,BringItOn:TheMusical,HandsonaHardbody,InTheHeights,Insanity,NYCC’sTheWiz.Withyearsofexperiencesharinginternationally,JonteachesatBroadwayDanceCenter,spreadinghismovementTHEGrit.www.JonRua.comhttp://www.instagram.com/jonrua_choreoANDREWGRAHAM(MusicalDirector).NewYork:AvenueQ,Wicked.LasVegas:Spamalot,AvenueQ.NationalTours:Wicked,AvenueQ,Pippin,ThoroughlyModernMillie,Seussical,TheMusicMan,FootlooseandEuropeantoursofHairandGrease.Regional:Aida,Annie,Footloose(Muny),Aida,Fame(NSMT)BeautyandtheBeast,WorldPremierofDisney’sWhenYouWish(Tuacahn).DegreesfrombothCapitalUniversityinColumbus,OhioandTrinityCollegeofMusicinLondon. SeasonticketsgoonsaleMarch5,2016.SingleticketsgoonsaleMay28,2016.

WorldWideTechnology(WWT)andTheStewardFamilyFoundationhaveonceagainmadealeadershipgifttocontinueastheMuny’s2016SeasonPresentingSponsor.Theybecamethefirstoverallseasonsponsorinthe97-yearhistoryofTheMunyin2014andwillcontinueinthatrolethrough2016.

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TheMuny’smissionistoenrichlivesbyproducingexceptionalmusicaltheatre,accessibletoall,continuingitsremarkabletraditioninForestPark.