Appearing Oct. 14-Nov. 6, 2011, this funny, rowdy and sexy bluegrass fairy tale with book and lyrics by Alfred Uhry and music by Robert Waldman is performed at International City Theatre. Based on the 1942 Eudora Welty novella, The Robber Bridegroom is a comic, adult fairy tale that’s loaded with symbolism, innuendo and double entendre.
A charming gentleman bandit, the rich plantation owner’s daughter he loves, the wicked, sex-starved stepmother who wants her dead, and an evil thief who carries his brother’s head around in a trunk – all set to an infectious Broadway/bluegrass score, is described as Souther meets Appalachian.
The Robber Bridegroom originated at The Musical Theatre Lab in 1970, pioneering the workshop process during its developmental stages.That production established the career of playwright Alfred Uhry, who would later write the acclaimed Driving Miss Daisy and The Last Night of Ballyhoo, and catapulted the careers of its two stars, Kevin Kline and Patti LuPone, both recent graduates of Juilliard making their professional debuts. Following a successful national tour, a second Broadway run was mounted just one year later, earning Barry Bostwick the Tony Award for lead actor in a musical and another eight Drama Desk nominations.
Todd Nielsen directs the ICT production, and Gerald Sternbach is musical director. Chad Doreck of Off-Broadway’s Altar Boyz stars as Jaime Lockhart with Jamison Lingle as Rosamund. Also in the cast are six-time Helen Hayes Award nominee Michael Stone Forrest, Sue Goodman, Tyler Ledon, Tatiana Mac, Teya Patt, Michael Uribes, and Adam Wylie.
The Robber Bridegroom runs Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, October 14 through November 6. Tickets: $37 – $55. Preview performances take place on Tuesday, October 11; Wednesday, October 12; and Thursday, October 13 @ 8 pm. Preview tickets are $29. International City Theatre is the an award-winning Resident Professional Theater at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA. Box Office: (562) 436-4610. InternationalCityTheatre.org.
WHAT:
The Robber Bridegroom – A rare revival of the funny, rowdy, sexy Tony Award-nominated musical, a comic adult Southern fairy tale about a charming gentleman bandit, the rich plantation owner’s daughter he loves, the wicked, sex-starved stepmother who wants her dead, and an evil thief who carries his brother’s head around in a trunk – all set to an infectious Broadway/bluegrass score.
WHO:
Book and Lyrics by Alfred Uhry
Music by Robert Waldman
Based on the novella by Eudora Welty
Directed by Todd Nielsen
Musical Direction by Gerald Sternbach
Produced by caryn desai [sic] for International City Theatre
WHEN:
Previews: October 11, 12 & 13 at 8 pm
Performances: October 14 through November 6
Tuesday at 8pm: October 11 (preview)
Wednesday at 8pm: October 12 (preview)
Thursdays at 8 pm: October 13 (preview), 20, 27, November 3
Fridays at 8 pm: October 14 (Opening Night), 21, 28, November 4
Saturdays at 8 pm: October 15, 22, 29, November 5
Sundays at 2 pm: October 16, 23, 30, November 6
WHERE:
INTERNATIONAL CITY THEATRE
Long Beach Performing Arts Center
300 East Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach CA 90802
HOW:
(562) 436-4610 or www.ictlongbeach.org
TICKETS:
Opening Night: $55 (includes reception following the performance)
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: $44
Thursday: $37
Previews: $29