Casting for the upcoming Huntington Theatre Company production of Marty, the Charles Strouse-Lee Adams-Rupert Holmes musical, is now complete. The stagework based on the 1955 Academy Award-winning film, starring John C. Reilly in the title role, is set to run at the Beantown venue Oct. 18-Nov. 24.
Reilly, a Tony Award nominee for his double duty in True West and star in the upcoming film version of "Chicago," heads a cast that includes Michael Allosso, Barbara Andres, Frank Aronson, Jim Augustine, Jim Bracchitta, Bethany J. Cassidy, Tim Douglas, Jennifer Frankel, Kent French, Alexander Gemignani, Shannon Hammons, Cheryl McMahon, Robert Montano, Evan Pappas, Marilyn Pasekoff, Matt Ramsey, Joey Sorge, Anne Torsiglieri and Mark Walker.
Mark Brokaw (Lobby Hero) directs the production with choreography by Tony Award winner Rob Ashford. The designers include Robert Jones (sets), Mark McCullough (lights), Jess Goldstein (costumes) and Kurt Fischer(sound).
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The show and the Paddy Chayefsky-penned film focus on a homely, unassuming Bronx butcher who wins a new lease on life through an unexpected romance. Rupert Holmes penned the libretto for the musical version. Considering the talent involved — Tony winner Holmes (Mystery of Edwin Drood ) as well as Strouse and Adams, the Tony Award winning songwriting team of Bye Bye Birdie and Applause, — the show is expected to have a commercial life after Boston if all the pieces fall together properly (which means if critics and audiences are encouraging).
Brokaw has directed previous readings of the production which has been in development for several years. Robert Longbottom was previously attached to the project as director. He is currently busy with the Broadway-bound revised revival of Flower Drum Song.
In 2000, bookwriter Holmes replaced Aaron Sorkin (A Few Good Men, television's "The West Wing" and "Sports Night"). Holmes told Playbill On-Line Feb. 1, 2002, that he did not adapt or rewrite Sorkin's script, but rather wrote a new libretto from scratch. Read more recent comments by Holmes in Playbill On-Line's Brief Encounter section.
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The Huntington Theatre Company upcoming 2002-03 season includes Brian Friel's adaptation of Ivan Turgenev's A Month in the Country (Sept. 6-Oct. 6), Marty, the Charles Strouse-Lee Adams-Rupert Holmes musical (Oct. 18-Nov. 24), a Broadway in Boston/Clear Channel Entertainment presentation of The Tale of the Allergist's Wife (Dec. 12-Jan. 12, 2003), The Blue Demon written and directed by Darko Tresnjak (Jan. 3-Feb. 2, 2003), Kia Corthron's Breath, Boom (March 7-April 6, 2003) and the Benn Levy comedy Springtime for Henry(May 16-June 15, 2003.)
For subscription information or more on the Huntington Theatre Company at 264 Huntington Avenue in Boston, MA, call the Box Office at (617) 266-0800. Also visit the website at www.huntingtontheater.org.
— by Ernio Hernandez
and Kenneth Jones
