Orlando Shakespeare Theater Unveils the Faces of its 26th Season

ORLANDO, Fla. - Aug. 15, 2014 - PRLog -- Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF announces partial casting for the seven productions in its 2014-2015 Signature Series. Following an extensive nationwide search, Artistic Director Jim Helsinger has handpicked a talented group of Broadway veterans and local favorites to bring the Theater’s 26th Season to life.

Les Misérables
(September 10 - October 12, 2014)
Directed by DJ Salisbury
Musical Direction by Ken Clifton

As previously revealed, Les Misérables will feature Davis Gaines (Broadway’s The Phantom of the Opera and Sweeney Todd International Tour) as Javert and Michael Hunsaker (Ragtime and Chess National Tours) as Jean Valjean. Additional lead performers include James Beaman (Thénardier), Matt McMahan (Enjolras), Tim Quartier (Marius), Caitlyn Caughell (Eponine), Lianne Marie Dobbs (Fantine), Heather Botts (Cosette), and Anne Hering (Madame Thénardier).

The Ensemble includes Ana Bateman, Sarah Caroline Billings, David Bracamonte, Anna Carol, John DeLisa, Gavin Esham, Amanda Frennier, Rashad Guy, Liz Mignacca, Erik Nelson, Christopher Joel Onken, Danielle Reneé, Michael Sheehy, Ryan M. Skiles, and Seth Wallen.

The Children’s Cast includes Julia Jordan and Eleanor “Ellie” McPherson as Little Cosette, Maddie Belanoff and Macy Peele as Young Eponine, and Jackson Alexander Chase and Luke Timmel as Gavroche.

The Best of Enemies (October 15 – November 16, 2014)
Directed by Mark Routhier

Avis-Marie Barnes (Orlando Repertory Theatre’s The Giver and Mad Cow Theatre’s Sonnets of an Old Century) and Richard B. Watson (Irish Rep’s Devils Disciple and Orlando Shakes’ Race) will take on the roles of Ann Atwater and C.P. Ellis in Mark St. Germain’s powerful new play. Corey Allen, whose New York credits include Kid Don’t Cry and Created Equal, joins the cast as Bill Riddick.

A Christmas Carol (December 3 - December 28, 2014)
Directed by Michael Carleton

Charles Dickens’ classic holiday story comes to life in a new adaptation by Jim Helsinger, featuring Steven Patterson as the cantankerous Mr. Scrooge. Patterson revises the role after his 2013 appearance at freeFall Theatre Company. Additional players include Chris Crawford (American Stage’s The Foreigner) as Fred/Christmas Past and Steven Lane(Orlando Shakes’ The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts I & II and Into the Woods) as Marley/Cratchitt.

To Kill a Mockingbird (January 21 - March 8, 2015)
Directed by Thomas Ouellette

Warren Kelley (Off-Broadway’s A Christmas Carol and Orlando Shakes’ A Little Night Music) plays the moral small-town lawyer Atticus Finch in Christopher Sergel’s adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Harper Lee. Jamil A.C. Mangan (My Soul Is A Witness National Tour) appears as field hand Tom Robinson who is falsely accused of rape by the family of Bob Ewell, played by Eric D. Hoffmann (50th Anniversary World Tour of West Side Story).

The Merry Wives of Windsor (February 4 - March 7, 2015)
Directed by Brian Vaughn

John Ahlin (Broadway’s Waiting for Godot and The Lieutenant of Inishmore) leads the cast in a 1950s sitcom-inspired production as the old bachelor Falstaff. In a scheme to obtain financial advantage, Falstaff attempts to woo two of the town’s wealthiest wives, Mistresses Page and Ford, played by Chantal Jean-Pierre (Orlando Shakes’ Shotgun) and Jean Tafler (Off-Broadway’s The Winter’s Tale and Orlando Shakes’ Titus Andronicus).

Henry V (February 18 - March 22, 2015)
Directed by Jim Helsinger

Actor John P. Keller (The Violet Hour 2012 Off-Broadway Revival) appears in the title role of Shakespeare’s history play, after starring in last season’s Nicholas Nickleby andDracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker. Additional casting includes Kate Ingram (Orlando Shakes’ A Little Night Music) as Quickly/King of France; Geoffrey Kent and Brad DePlanche (Orlando Shakes’ The Taming of the Shrew and The 39 Steps) as Exter/Nym and Ely/Bardolph; and Stephen Paul Johnson (Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’sKing Lear) as Canterberry/Pistol.

Bad Dog (April 8 - May 3, 2015)
Directed by Mark Routhier

Jennifer Hoppe-House’s World Premiere production features William Metzo (Broadway’s Arsenic and Old Lace and Cyrano) as Walter and Rebecca Lowman (Eve of Understanding- Best Actress at the 2006 Boston Film Festival) as Molly. Elizabeth Murff (Thoroughly Modern Millie National Tour) reprises the role of Lois after appearing in the Theater’s PlayFest reading last spring. Suzanne O’Donnell (Orlando Shakes’ Pluto and The Cortez Method) and Anne Hering (Orlando Shakes’ Julius Caesar and Nicholas Nickleby) also reprise their roles, as sisters Becky and Linda.

Single tickets to all productions in Orlando Shakespeare Theater’s 2014-2015 Signature Series are available now by calling (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, online at www.orlandoshakes.org, or in person at 812 East Rollins Street. Season ticket packages are also available for purchase via phone only.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater is supported by United Arts of Central Florida, host of power2give.org/centralflorida, and the collaborative Campaign for the Arts. Orlando Shakespeare Theater is also sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.