Ladies and gents!
Here’s the scoop on Paramount’s casting announcement for our Season Six opener, Mamma Mia!
Directing the Midwest regional premiere of ABBA’s international mega-hit musical, which wrapped up its 14-year run on Broadway last year, I am proud to present first and foremost the ladies of the Ensemble: Aubrey Adams, Heather J. Beck, Allyson Graves, Kayla Kennedy, Courtney Mack, Mallory Maedke, Haley Jane Schafer, and Danni Smith.
Their fellas are: Nick Cosgrove, Devin DeSantis, Adam Fane, Michael Ferraro, Christopher MacGregor, Jake Morrissy, Travis Porchia, and Robert Wilde as “Father Alexandrios.”
Adding to the shenanigans are “best men” Aaron Patrick Craven as “Pepper” and Ron King as “Eddie” with bridesmaids Sara Reinecke as “Ali,” Janelle Villas as “Lisa,” and Ryan McBride playing heartthrob fiancé “Sky.”
As for the handsome trio suspect of being Father of the Bride, Jeff Diebold is “Sam Carmichael,” Michael Gillis is “Harry Bright,” and Steve O’Connell is “Bill Austin.”
The Mother of the Bride’s sassy, sexy partners in crime are Sara Sevigny as “Rosie” and Jennifer Knox as “Tanya.”
To top off this all-star, frequently seen in Chicago cast of 28, eighteen of whom are making Paramount Theatre debuts, the mother/daughter team at the heart of our pop music fable set on a Greek isle are newcomers Kiersten Frumkin as the beautiful “Sophie” and Amy Montgomery as her stunning, indomitable mamma, “Donna.”
I’m so excited I could bust! Coincidentally, we’ve got a production team full of Jeff Award winners including Kevin Depinet on scenic design, Greg Hofmann on lighting design, Christopher Ash on projection design and Adam Rosenthal on sound design. Matt Guthier makes his Paramount debut on costume design, with Amanda Relaford marking her first time with us as well on properties design, while Katie Cordts returns on wig, hair and makeup design.
Yours truly is overjoyed as well for the return of William Carlos Angulo as choreographer and maestro Tom Vendafreddo conducting and music directing. My right hand man Trent Stork returns as Associate Director, and folks, just putting together everyone’s credits here for you, I hope it’s clear what a cause for celebration this whole affair truly is! Grateful for these many blessings and what perfect timing for us to be working on such a fantastic feel-good show for all to see!
See you in September!
Jim Corti
IN THE NEWS: Chicago Tribune Cast Announcement