Performances continue to June 25 in East Haddam, CT. Gabrielle Ruiz, who appeared in Broadway's In the Heights, plays Edythe Herbert, a bathing beauty, in the 1927-set musical comedy that borrows songs from the catalog of composer George Gershwin and lyricist Ira Gershwin. Timothy S. Mayer and Peter Stone cooked up the new libretto in this 1983 vehicle for Tommy Tune.
The Goodspeed revival is directed by Ray Roderick and choreographed by Kelli Barclay.
The score includes the Gershwin classics "'S Wonderful," "Funny Face," "Nice Work If You Can Get It," "How Long Has This Been Going On?" and more.
Yazbeck, who has danced his way through scores by Leonard Bernstein, Jule Styne and Irving Berlin in the past, is no stranger to the songs of the Gershwin brothers. "I did Crazy For You a couple years ago, as Bobby, at Maine State Music Theatre," he told Playbill.com. "I have a lot of Gershwin music in my repertoire — I love to tap to anything Gershwin. I am so lucky to perform these songs. The Gershwins truly knew how to make dance fly on the stage."
Prince Nicolai is played by Khris Lewin; Mickey is played by Kirsten Wyatt (Broadway's Elf); Reverend J.D. Montgomery is played by Trent Armand Kendall (the Broadway revival of Into the Woods); Mr. Magix is played by Alde Lewis, Jr. (Broadway's Big Deal and My One and Only); The New Rhythm Boys are Victor J. Wisehart (first national tour of South Pacific) and Richard Riaz Yoder (Broadway's Irving Berlin's White Christmas); the New Rhythm Girl is Vasthy E. Mompoint (Broadway's Mary Poppins, Hot Feet and Good Vibrations). The ensemble includes Nancy Renee Braun, Brian Davis, Deanna Glover, Joe Grandy, Matthew Kilgore, Drew King, Lea Kohl, Jarran Muse, Kristyn Pope, Allison Kaye Rihn and Kristen J. Smith. The swings are Dan Gleason and Laurie Veldheer.
The creative team also includes scenic designer James Youmans; costume designer Robin McGee; lighting designer Paul Miller; projection designer Michael Clark; sound designer Jay Hilton; music director Michael O'Flaherty; assistant music director William J. Thomas; and orchestrator Dan DeLange.
Tickets are available through the Box Office at (860) 873-8668 or online at www.goodspeed.org.
