Alright! Due to various and sundry logistics of the business, previous casting announcements for Paramount’s world premiere new work The Secret of My Success, were incomplete at press time last month. Just two days after Christmas, Company Manager Kaylee Billman-Galuhn gave us the sweetest present: a full cast!
Here’s the scoop!
Kickass Ensemble: Melody A. Betts, Dara Cameron, Brandon Dahlquist, Vasily Deris, Veronica Garza, Carisa Gonzales, Madison Kauffman, George Keating, Jake Morrissy, Camille Robinson, Alexis J. Roston, Haley Jane Schafer, Jonathan Schwart, Charles Emery Ward, and Travis Austin Wright.
Based on the 1987 Michael J. Fox movie of the same name, the story has been revised working closely with Universal Pictures. Director Gordon Greenberg (Broadway: Holiday Inn) and co-writer Steve Rosen (Off-Broadway: The Other Josh Cohen) have created new characters in the updated and elevated revised narrative including the 7-year-old Ernie Lockhart to be played by Kai Edgar and understudy Ezekiel Ruiz. Ernie’s mom is stunning Sydney Morton (Broadway: Motown, Evita, Memphis, and the Chicago company of Jersey Boys) in the leading role of Christi Lockhart. Rose Lockhart, Christi’s mom, is the fabulous Melody Betts (Broadway: Waitress, TV/Film: Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert, The Chicago Code, and Chicago PD).
Our leading man playing Brantley Foster is handsome Billy Harrigan Tighe (Broadway/West End: Pippin, The Book of Mormon, Nat’l Tours: Wicked, Finding Neverland) Also starring are Chicago favorites and Northwestern grads, Jeff Award and Sarah Siddons Award winner Heidi Kettenring (Broadway in Chicago: Nessa in Wicked) and Jeremy Peter Johnson (Off-Broadway: Kate Hamill’s Pride and Prejudice) as spouses Vera Prescott and Piers Johnson.
I love this show’s dynamite score by Chicago’s own Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler. It’s simply irresistible!
In featured roles are genius actors, Chicago diva and 7 time Jeff winner, Barbara Robertson playing Brantley’s mom, Joanne Foster, Sara Savigny (Rosie in Paramount’s Mamma Mia!) as Sylvia Popkin, and Gabe Ruiz (Teatro Vista Ensemble, Steppenwolf Theatre: The Motherf**ker with the Hat, TV/Film: BOSS (Starz) as Lester Man. The musical madness continues with Ian Michael Stuart (Broadway: Escape to Margaritaville, Nat’l Tours: Peter and the Starcatcher, Matilda) as Garth Portnoy.
Oh boy! What a line-up! And I love this show’s dynamite score by Chicago’s own Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler. It’s simply irresistible! Rehearsals begin Monday, with previews beginning Feb12, running through March 29. There’s still time to get on board as a 3 Show Subscriber with our not to be missed holiday blockbuster Beauty and the Beast running until January 19 and this spring’s Midwest premiere of Kinky Boots playing from April 29 – June 14.
Love & thanks,
Jim
