O'Dwyer Joins Arena Stage Fantasticks

By Kenneth Jones
17 Nov 2009

Baltimore CenterStage affiliated artist Laurence O'Dwyer will assume the role of Henry in Arena's Stage's new in-rehearsal production of The Fantasticks.



Due to a family emergency, actor Terrence Currier, the announced "Henry," has withdrawn. The casting change does not impact the schedule for The Fantasticks, and preview performances will still begin Nov. 20.

Rising American director Amanda Dehnert re-imagines the classic musical The Fantasticks, placing it in the setting of an abandoned amusement park. Broadway's Sebastian LaCause will play El Gallo.

Performances of the Tom Jones-Harvey Schmidt fable will play to Jan. 10, 2010, at Arena Stage at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, DC.

Musical direction is by George Fulginti-Shakar. Set design is by Eugene Lee.

Opening night is Nov. 27.

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LaCause appeared in Broadway's The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Chicago, Once Upon a Mattress, Minnelli on Minnelli and Kiss of the Spider Woman.

The cast also includes Addi McDaniel (Luisa), Timothy Ware (Matt), Michael Stone Forrest (Hucklebee), Jerome Lucas Harmann (Bellomy), Nate Dendy (The Mute) and Jesse Terrill (Mortimer/The Handyman).

The creative team includes illusion designer Jim Steinmeyer, choreographer Sharon Jenkins, costume designer Jessica Ford, lighting designer Nancy Schertler, sound designer Timothy Thompson and stage manager Martha Knight.

Lincoln Theatre (a borrowed space while Arena refurbishes its main home) is at 1215 U Street, NW Washington, DC.

Visit arenastage.org.