Frankie J. Grande is joining the cast of Off-Broadway's Cruel Intentions: The Musical in the role of Blaine Tuttle beginning March 18. Grande, who will replace departing cast member Alex Boniello, will play the part through the rest of the show's engagement at (le) Poisson Rouge.
Read: CRUEL INTENTIONS EXTENDS FOR THIRD AND FINAL TIME AND WELCOMES NEW CAST MEMBERS
The immersive rock concert adaptation, which began as a ten-week run starting November 17, 2017, recently extended for the third and final time through April 8. At the time of closing, it will have played 21 weeks and 112 performances.
Plans for a national tour are now in the works, with an expected launch date in the fall.
Cruel Intentions: The Musical currently stars Lauren Zakrin (The Great Comet of 1812, Rock of Ages) as Kathryn, Constantine Rousouli (Wicked) as Sebastian, Carrie St. Louis (Rock of Ages, Wicked) as Annette, Jessie Shelton (Hadestown; 36 Questions) as Cecile, Alex Boniello (Spring Awakening) as Blaine, Brian Muller (The Good Wife) as Greg, Matthew Griffin (The New Yorkers at Encores!) as Ronald, and Jenn Harris (Silence! The Musical) as Mrs. Bunny Caldwell. Emma Hunton (Next to Normal, Spring Awakening) will take over the role of Cecile beginning March 10. Patricia Richardson, who was previously in the role of Mrs. Caldwell, departed in February.
Cruel Intentions: The Musical is adapted from Roger Kumble’s cult ‘90s film and features many of the songs that made the movie so iconic, including The Verve’s “Bitter Sweet Symphony,” Christina Aguilera’s “Genie in a Bottle,” and Placebo's “Every You Every Me.”
The musical adaptation is created by Jordan Ross, Lindsey Rosin, and Kumble and features immersive stage direction by Rosin, choreography by Jennifer Weber, and music direction and arrangements by Zach Spound.
Grande made his Broadway debut in Mamma Mia!, and was last seen on the Broadway stage as Franz in Rock of Ages. Onscreen, he hosted Style Code Live, has appeared on Good Morning America and starred on Celebrity Big Brother. Last year, the singer released his first official solo single, “Queen.”
