Directed by Eric Schaeffer, the Andrew Gerle-Eddie Sugarman musical will begin previews at the D.C. theatre March 16 and will play a limited engagement through April 29. The cast will feature Heidi Blickenstaff (Ann Mitchell), James Moye (John Willoughby) and Joel Blum (Colonel) as well as Guy Paul, Patrick Ryan Sullivan and Stephen Gregory Smith.
The ensemble comprises Christopher Bloch, Suzanne Briar, Michael Bunce, Evan Casey, Daniel Cohen, Danielle Eden, Eleasha Gamble, Channez McQuay, Amy McWilliams, Tracy Lynn Olivera and Thomas Adrian Simpson.
The creative team also includes Karma Camp (musical staging), Jamie Schmidt (music director), Derek McLane (set designer), Rui Rita (lighting designer), Alejo Vietti (costume designer), David Budries (sound designer), Cookie Jordan (wig and hair designer) and David Leong (fight director).
Meet John Doe features music by Andrew Gerle, lyrics by Eddie Sugarman, a book by Gerle and Sugarman and additional story by Matt August. The new musical, according to press notes, "is set during the Great Depression [and] has as its hero a fictitious character, John Doe. Created out of one reporter's struggle to save her job, the 'made up' John Doe's opinions and editorials resonate powerfully across the country leading his creator to hire a real man to literally embody the idea of this growing icon. As powerful forces attempt to use Doe for their own political gain, our hero finds his voice by appealing to the best in human nature."
In a statement Ford's Theatre producing director Paul Tetreault said, "Ford's is thrilled to produce this piece for Washington audiences. Although it takes place in another era, people will be moved by the musical's contemporary themes and its insight into our desire to find that authentic voice in the community, as America did in 1860 when it first elected Abraham Lincoln president. The message of one person's ability to make an impact on their community is just as powerful today as it was in the 1930's." Ford's Theatre is located at 511 Tenth Street, N.W., in Washington, D.C. For more information call (202) 347-4833 or visit www.fordstheatre.org.
