The Prince and the Pauper, a world premiere musical by Marc Elliot and Judd Woldin, ends its run at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre Dec. 15, but that's not the end for the new tuner. Dec. 19-Jan. 1, 2002, The Prince and the Pauper moves to St. Paul in a co-production with the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. Marc Kudisch (Bells Are Ringing,Thoroughly Modern Millie), stars as Miles Hendon.
The Prince and the Pauper is based on the Mark Twain novel of the same name, in which the princely son of Henry VIII trades clothes and lives with a look-alike poor boy from London's streets. Kudisch is a kind hearted nobleman who helps the boys out of the scrapes their subterfuge leaves them in. The Prince and the Pauper was performed in a workshop form at the Kansas City Starlight.
Tony Award winner Woldin (Raisin) also wrote the music and lyrics to King of Schnorrers, Little Ham and Jonah, a Biblical jazzical. Elliott has co-composed on other musicals including Gotta Get Away (with "South Park"'s Mark Shaiman), One Man Band (with Larry Hochman) and Looking Glass (with David Spangler). Ivan Menchell (The Cemetery Club) wrote the book.
Playing the prince and the pauper are Asher Monroe Book and Cameron Bowen (Seussical, Les Miserables). Also in the cast are Perry L. Brown (King Henry), Alan Coates (Hertford), Peter Lohnes (Mr. Canty), Stacia Fernandez (Mrs. Canty), Kaitlyn M. Davidson (Lady Jane) and Caroline Innerbichler (Anne Canty).
Russell Kaplan, who directed the workshop, returns with the world premiere, which began previews Nov. 23 and ends its run Dec. 15. Other credits include Moon Over Buffalo, The Sound of Music, The Secret Garden and his own chamber musical adaptation of "The Bridges of Madison County." Casey Nicholaw is the choreographer. Designing The Prince and the Pauper are G.W. Mercier (sets), David Neville (lighting) and Lew Mead (sound).
For reservations in Seattle, call (206) 292-ARTS. The Fifth Avenue Theatre is located at 13 08 5th Avenue in downtown Seattle. For tickets in St. Paul, call (651) 224-4222. The Ordway Center of the Performing Arts is on the web at http://www.ordway.org.
— By Christine Ehren
