Casting is complete for Prelude to a Kiss a musical—the musical version of Craig Lucas' 1990 Tony-nominated romantic comedy—which will play Milwaukee Repertory Theater this fall following the recent world premiere at South Coast Repertory.

Kenneth Ferrone (The Wanderer) will direct the production with directorial contributions from South Coast Rep Artistic Director David Ivers. Performances are scheduled for September 10–October 19 at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts.

The cast will be led by Andrew Montgomery Coleman as Taylor, Jonathan Gillard Daly as Julius, Julie Garnyé (Come from Away national tour) as Leah, Caitlin Houlahan (Girl From the North Country) as Rita, Chris McCarrell (Les Misérables) as Peter, James Moye (Million Dollar Quartet) as Rita’s Dad, and Tony winner Karen Ziemba (Contact) as Rita’s Mom with ensemble members Bella Hicks (Waitress), Robert Zelaya (Kinky Boots), and Caroline Pernick.

With lyrics by Sean Hartley and Daniel Messé, music by Messé, and a book by original playwright Lucas, the new musical concerns a mysterious guest, who requests a kiss at Peter and Rita’s wedding. The boundaries of true love are tested, taking the couple on a fantastic journey of self-discovery.

The upcoming production will also have musical direction by Wiley DeWeese, choreography by Julia Rhoads, set design by Scott Davis, costume design by Linda Cho and Herin Kaputkin, lighting design by Marcus Doshi, sound design by Andrea Allmond, projection design by Yee Eun Nam, orchestrations by Greg Pliska, vocal arrangements by Wiley DeWeese and Daniel Messé, dramaturgy by Andy Knight, and production stage management by Mark Johnson.

JZ Casting's Geoff Josselson and Katja Zarolinski handled casting with additional casting by Joanne DeNaut and Jonathan Hetler.

Prelude to a Kiss, the source material behind the upcoming musical, premiered at South Coast Rep in 1988.

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