Hartford artistic director Michael Wilson stages the work slated to open at the Connecticut playhouse Oct. 21 for a run through Nov. 13.
Floyd and Clea Under the Western Sky — with music by David Cale and Jonathan Kreisberg and a book by Cale — centers on a washed-up singer-songwriter who is headed back home to Montana when he comes upon an aspiring country singer. The work previously played at Chicago's Goodman Theatre.
Good Vibrations' Glendening makes her Hartford Stage debut in the role of Clea, which previously was played by Faryl Millet. The actress — who served as understudy for the lead role of Caroline in Good Vibrations — has also appeared regionally in Meet Me in St. Louis, Pentecost, The Wild Party, Carousel, West Side Story, Into the Woods, Pirates of Penzance, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Phantom, Peer Gynt and The Music of Jacques Brel.
Creator-performer Cale reprises his role as Floyd for the Hartford Stage. The musicians featured in the production are Joe Fitzgerald, Jim Heffernan and Dylan Schiavone. Floyd and Clea was developed as part of Hartford Stage's 2004 Brand:NEW Festival of New Works.
The action in the new country-rock musical takes place in country bars, according to a release. Hartford Stage's theatre space will be transformed in the "OK Corral" by the installation of special floor seating to "capture the honky-tonk atmosphere of the production." Audiences may purchase tickets to sit in the "OK Corral" and be an onstage part of this unique theatrical experience. The design team for Floyd and Clea Under the Western Sky features Jeff Cowie (scenic), Rui Rita (lighting), David C. Woolard (costumes) and Michael C. Miceli (sound) — based on original sound design by Andrew Pluess and Ray Nardelli.
Hartford's 42nd anniversary mainstage season will continue with the Eugene O'Neill tale A Moon for the Misbegotten (Jan. 5 Feb. 5, 2006), Lorraine Hansberry's drama A Raisin in the Sun (Feb. 16-March 19, 2006), the ongoing Tennessee Williams tribute with A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur (Apr. 6-May 7, 2006) and Terrence McNally's gritty drama Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune (May 18-June 18, 2006).
Tickets to Floyd and Clea Under the Western Sky at Hartford Stage, 50 Church Street in downtown Hartford, CT are available by calling (860) 527-5151 . For more information, visit www.hartfordstage.org.
