Featuring direction by Glenn Casale and choreography by Dan Mojica, the Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart classic will play UCLA's Freud Playhouse Sept. 9-21 with an official opening set for Wednesday, Sept. 10. Gerald Sternbach is musical director for the production, which features such classic tunes as “Where or When,” “Babes in Arms,” “I Wish I Were in Love Again,” “My Funny Valentine,” “Johnny One Note” and “The Lady Is a Tramp.”
In a statement Reprise! Producing Director Marcia Seligson said, "Of course we are thrilled that Joey McIntyre and Jodi Benson are going to be starring in our season opener Babes in Arms. We look forward to working with Neil Patrick Harris and Rachel York in future Reprise! productions."
The Babes in Arms cast also features Ruta Lee, Tom Beyer, Richard Bulda, Beth Curry, Jenna Leigh Green, Seth Hampton, Biff Ingenthorn, Christa Jackson, Beth Malone, Bets Malone, Claci Miller, Vincent Ortega, Jeffrey Schecter, Steve Vinovich, Rick Wasserman and Anna White.
A Boston native, Joey McIntyre was part of the pop group New Kids on the Block. He portrayed Matt in the film version of The Fantasticks and also appeared Off-Broadway in Jonathan Larson's Tick, Tick...BOOM!. Last season he was a series regular on FOX-TV's "Boston Public," and he will star in the upcoming feature of the long running Off-Broadway hit Tony and Tina's Wedding.
A Tony Award nominee for her performance in Crazy for You, Jodi Benson also appeared on Broadway in Smile, Welcome to the Club and Marilyn: An American Fable. She created the voice of Ariel in Disney's animated feature "The Little Mermaid," and her voice has also been heard in "Toy Story II," "Flubber" and "Thumbelina." The UCLA Freud Playhouse is located within Macgowan Hall. Tickets, priced at $55 and $65, are available by calling the UCLA central ticket office at (310) 825-2101. Go to www.reprise.org for more information.
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Reprise! Broadway’s Best began with a concert version of Promises, Promises starring Jason Alexander, Alan Thicke and Jean Smart. Since that time 20 musicals have been presented; the remainder of the upcoming season will include Kismet (Jan. 20-Feb. 1, 2004) and Company (May 18-30, 2004).
