"American Idol"'s Justin Guarini Leaves Cast of Good Vibrations

By Robert Simonson
10 Nov 2004

Justin Guarini, the "American Idol" finalist, has left the company of Broadway's Good Vibrations. The Beach Boys musical is still scheduled to begin previews at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on Dec. 20 and open on Jan. 27, 2005.

Guarini was not one of the leads of the new musical, but was arguably its best-known cast member, owing to his success on television's "American Idol" and his subsequent recording career. No specific reason was given for his departure.

Heading the ensemble will be Tituss Burgess as Eddie, David Larsen as Bobby, Kate Reinders as Caroline, Brandon Wardell as Dave and Jessica-Snow Wilson as Marcella.

Rounding out the cast are Tracee Beazer, Heath Calvert, Janet Dacal, Tom Deckman, Sarah Glendening, Milena Govich, Chad Kimball, Amanda Kloots, John Jeffrey Martin, Jesse Nager, David Reiser, Jackie Seiden, Allison Spratt, Carlos L. Encinias, Vasthy Mompoint, Steve Morgan and Krysta Rodriguez.

John Carrafa — of Urinetown fame — will direct and choreograph Good Vibrations. Good Vibrations has an original book by Richard Dresser (Rounding Third, Below the Belt) and uses more than 30 songs written by Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys. The plot, however, is not a biographical tale of the blond-mopped California band that celebrated cars, girls and surfing in the 1960s.

Producers for the Broadway production include NCJ Productions (Nina Keneally, Cathleen Murphy, Jamie Lightstone) with Michael Watt and Dodger Stage Holding.