Benton, Edelen, McWilliams, Prieto and More Join Witches of Eastwick in VA June 5-July 15

By Kenneth Jones
May 21, 2007

The complete cast and creative team for the American debut of The Witches of Eastwick, the musical, has been announced by Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA.

In addition to the previously announced Jacquelyn Piro Donovan, Christiane Noll and Tony Award nominee Emily Skinner (in the title roles) and Tony nominee Marc Kudisch as the devilish man they conjure, the June 5-July 15 run will include Jeremy Benton, Brianne Cobuzzi, Matt Conner, David Covington, Erin Driscoll, Ilona Dulaski, Sherri L. Edelen, James Gardiner, Karlah Hamilton, Amy McWilliams, Brittany O'Grady, Diego Prieto, Tammy Roberts, Thomas Adrian Simpson, Scott J. Strasbaugh and Harry A. Winter.

Eric Schaffer, the Signature artistic director who staged the musical's London world premiere, again directs the show, based on the John Updike novel and 1987 film of the same name.

With book and lyrics by John Dempsey and music by Dana P. Rowe, The Witches of Eastwick was launched in London's West End in 2000. Cameron Mackintosh produced.

Schaeffer "gives this new production an edgier, sexier twist tailored for American audiences in the intimate playing space of Signature's MAX Theater," according to the D.C.-area Helen Hayes Award-winning Equity troupe.

"In the tiny New England town of Eastwick, three unhappy women innocently plot and conjure their ideal man," according to Signature. "When he appears in the form of a seductive newcomer all hell breaks loose, sexually and otherwise."

Kudisch is the devilish Darryl Van Horne (played by Jack Nicholson in the film), Skinner plays the would-be sculptress Alexandra, Christiane Noll is the uptight cellist Jane, and Jacquelyn Piro Donovan is the tongue-tied newspaper reporter Sukie.

The creative team includes music director Jon Kalbfleisch, choreographer Karma Camp, set designer Walt Spangler, costume designer Alejo Vietti, lighting designer Chris Lee, sound designer Matt Rowe, orchestrator Bruce Coughlin and production stage manager Kerry Epstein.

The production is by arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh Ltd.

Opening is June 11. For more information, visit www.signature-theatre.org.