A spokesperson for the new musical confirmed that Hopkins will replace Skinner as Diane, the celebrated recording star, in the musical that features songs from both classic Disney films and Disney's Broadway outings. Hopkins' official opening will be Jan. 5, 2005, at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, PA.
The national tour of On the Record — also starring Brian Sutherland — began performances Nov. 9 in Cleveland. Now playing the Palace Theatre in Louisville, KY, the musical will open at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Minnesota Dec. 21.
The company also includes Ashley Brown as Kristen, the fresh-faced newcomer, and Andrew Samonsky as Nick, another up-and-coming performer. Tony Award winner Richard Easton voices the Sound Engineer. The cast also features Meredith Inglesby, Andy Karl, Tyler Maynard, Keewa Nurullah, Josh Franklin, Leigh Ann Larkin, Koh Mochizuki and Lyn Philistine.
On the Record, according to production notes, "is the story of a recording session that changed the lives of a young unknown who is about to get her big break, a pop diva who is about to meet her match, and a matinee idol who is about to meet the 'new kid' who could take his place."
Directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom, the musical's creative team comprises Natasha Katz (lighting), Robert Brill (scenery), Gregg Barnes (costumes), David Chase (musical supervision and arrangements), Chad Beguelin (scenarist) and Acme Sound Partners (sound design). Kaitlin Hopkins was recently seen Off-Broadway in Bare: A Pop Opera. Her other theatre credits include the Broadway revival of Noises Off as well as productions of I Was Looking at the Ceiling, The Philanderer, Present Laughter and Blithe Spirit. Hopkins' screen credits include "How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog," "Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles," "The Practice," "Providence," "Spin City," "JAG," "The Division," "Star Trek Voyager" and "Diagnosis Murder."
The On the Record itinerary follows:
Dec. 14-19 at the Palace Theatre in Louisville, KY
Dec. 21-Jan. 2, 2005 at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in MN
Jan. 5-16, 2005 at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, PA
Feb. 1-6 at the Landmark Theater in Richmond, VA
Feb. 8-27 at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit, MI
March 1-6 at the Wharton Center East Lansing, MI
March 22-27 at the Clowes Memorial Hall in Indianapolis, IN
April 19-May 1 at the Broward Center in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
May 3-8 at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center in Tampa, FL
May 10-15 at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Ft. Myers, FL
May 24-May 29 at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, TX
May 31-June 12 at the Hobby Center in Houston, TX
Aug. 30-Sept. 4 at the Civic Theatre in San Diego, CA
