The country tuner, co-written with book writers Anthony Dodge and Marcia Milgrom Dodge, is described as Kiss Me, Kate meets the Grand Ole Opry. Gatlin's hits, including "Houston," "Sure Feels Like Love" and "All the Gold in California," will be featured in the score, as well as new songs penned solely for the production. Gatlin, who starred on Broadway and in the national tour of The Will Rogers Follies, penned music and lyrics for the musical.
Look Homeward Honky Tonk Angel centers on "country music legend Jimmy John Angel's reunion concert with his ex-wife and even bigger star, Dixie Diamond," according to press notes. "Jimmy John's life of unscrupulous trickery - on stage and off –is exposed in this hysterical new musical."
The cast for the Dallas regional bow includes Jim Green as Jimmy John and Julie Johnson as Dixie Diamond. Also featured are Catherine Carpenter Cox, Joshua Doss, Shane Hurst, Jaclyn North, Jenay Puckett and George Riddle.
The production is directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge with music direction by Scott A. Eckert. Scenic design is by Wade Giampa with costumes by Drenda Lewis and lighting design by Susan A. White.
The Lyric Stage production of Look Homeward Honky Tonk Angel will run Oct. 5-20 at the Irving Arts Center's Dupree Theater. Tickets are available by calling (972) 252-2787 or by visiting www.lyricstage.org.
