Esparza, Foster, Gasteyer, Glover, Jackson, Mazzie and Tveit Will Be Miscast at MCC

By Ernio Hernandez
20 Jan 2010

Host Mo Rocca
Host Mo Rocca
Photo by Aubrey Reuben

Raúl Esparza, Sutton Foster, Ana Gasteyer, Montego Glover, Cheyenne Jackson, Aaron Tveit and Marin Mazzie will sing, and Mo Rocca will host, MCC Theater's Miscast 2010 on March 1.

The annual gala of the not-for-profit Off-Broadway company will be held at The Hammerstein Ballroom, with proceeds going toward the MCC season, literary development and to support its Youth Company and in-school partnerships serving New York City public high school students.

Miscast 2010 is a musical presentation of Broadway stars singing songs from roles they would never actually play on stage (for example, last year Alice Ripley belted Sweeney Todd's "My Friend"). The traditionally star-studded event will also honor actor Julianna Margulies ("The Good Wife" and MCC's Intrigue with Faye) for "for her commitment to taking risks as an artist and for her long-standing support of MCC's mission."

The lineup of performers this year includes Esparza (Company), Foster (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Shrek the Musical), Gasteyer (Wicked), Glover (Memphis), Jackson (Finian's Rainbow), Tveit (Next to Normal) and Mazzie (Kiss Me, Kate). More stars will be announced. MCC will also welcome unannounced, surprise guests.

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Last year, Miscast 2009 offered up these song-singer mix-ups: Steven Pasquale on Annie's "Maybe," Norbert Leo Butz and Raul Esparza (as The Last Five Years' Jamie and Cathy) dueted "The Next Ten Minutes," Kelli O'Hara switched to South Pacific's Emile for "This Nearly Was Mine" and Daniel Breaker (Shrek, Passing Strange) as Legally Blonde's Elle Woods performing "So Much Better."

MCC will present the American premiere of Alexi Kaye Campbell's The Pride (Jan. 27-March 14). Joe Mantello (Take Me Out, Wicked) will direct the production featuring Hugh Dancy, Adam James, Andrea Riseborough and Ben Whishaw. The season continues with Beth Henley's Family Week (April 7-May 23). Jonathan Demme directs Kathleen Chalfant, Rosemarie DeWitt, Quincy Tyler Bernstine and Sami Gayle in the cast.

For information about purchasing tickets or tables to Miscast 2010 at The Hammerstein Ballroom (311 West 34th St. between Eighth and Ninth Avenue), contact Jennifer Udden at (212) 727-7722 ext. 23 or judden@mcctheater.org. Show-only tickets can be purchased online at mcctheater.org or by calling (212) 352-3101.