(RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater has announced the cast and creative team for its production of Songbird, a musical written by Michael Kimmel, with music and lyrics by Lauren Pritchard, directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch. The choreography is by Marc Kimelman. Music direction and additional arrangements and orchestrations are by Kris Kukul. The production will run June 9 – July 1, 2018. Songbird is presented by special arrangement with Allison Bressi and Diana Buckhantz.
With a rousing score that blends folk, bluegrass, and pop-country, Songbird drops Chekhov’s The Seagull into a bar in Nashville, where some country music dreams are realized, while others languish on the shelf right next to the whiskey.
Songbird will feature six performers from Songbird’s premiere production Off-Broadway at 59E59 in 2015, including Ephie Aardema (The Bridges of Madison County) as Mia, Drew McVety (The Sting, The Front Page) as Doc, Eric William Morris (Be More Chill, The Ballad of Little Jo) as Beck, Kacie Sheik (Hair, February House) as Missy, Bob Stillman (Act One, Grey Gardens) as Soren, and Andy Taylor (Sunset Boulevard, Once) as Samuel.
Joining the company for Two River’s production are Felicia Finley (The Wedding Singer, Mamma Mia!) as Tammy, Deon’te Goodman (Freedom Riders: The Civil Rights Musical) as Rip, Kelly Karbacz (Orange Is the New Black) as Pauline, and Marrick Smith (Fun Home) as Dean.
The creative team for Songbird includes music coordinator Kristin Stowell, assistant music director Ada Westfall, scenic designer Jason Sherwood, costume designer Sarah Holden, and lighting designer Aaron Porter. The sound design is by Broken Chord and the dialect coach is Shane Ann Younts. The casting is by Calleri Casting. The production stage manager is Amanda Michaels and the assistant stage manager is Hannah Woodward.
Two River Theater is located at 21 Bridge Avenue in Red Bank, New Jersey.