Pittsburgh CLO has revealed the creative teams that will bring its 2024 summer season to the stage. The Pennsylvania company will present productions of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, West Side Story, The Color Purple, The Music Man, Young Frankenstein, and Seussical.
Tony honoree and A Chorus Line original cast member Baayork Lee will direct and choreograph West Side Story, set to play the company's Benedum Center June 11-16. Joining Lee on the creative team will be associate director and choreographer Jacob Brent (Cats) and music director Anthony T. Edwards. Lee is best known for creating the role of four-foot-ten Connie in the original company of A Chorus Line, along with dancing on Broadway in Flower Drum Song; Promises, Promises; and Seesaw, among others. The project will see Lee returning to the realm of one of her earliest choreographers. Jerome Robbins, who co-conceived, directed, and choreographed the original production of West Side Story, choreographed a five-year-old Lee as Princess Ying Yaowalak in the original company of The King and I. Lee is set to direct and choreograph the Leonard Bernstein-Stephen Sondheim-Arthur Laurents musical again at Starlight in Kansas City, running August 20-25.
Also in the Benedum Center, West Side Story will be followed by The Color Purple, playing June 25-30 with Christopher D. Betts at the helm. Tislarm Bouie is choreographing, with music direction by Ilana Atkins. Next will be The Music Man, directed by Broadway alum Sara Edwards and choreographed by Mara Newberry Greer. Season co-music supervisor Robert Neumeyer will handle music direction, with performances running July 9-14.
In the company's Greer Cabaret Theatre, the summer season will open with Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill. Tome' Cousin will direct, with performances running May 17-June 30. Kenney Green-Tilford will music direct. Next in the space will be Young Frankenstein, with Joel Ferrell directing. Neumeyer will music direct, with performances running July 19-September 1.
The season will close with Seussical in the Byham Theatre, with Michael Heitzman directing and Robbie Roby choreographing. Season co-music supervisor Catie Brown will music direct. The production will perform July 30-August 4.
Casting for all productions is to be announced.
Tickets are available at PittsburghCLO.org.
