Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness take Playbill.com on an exclusive backstage tour of the new musical Sleeping Beauty Wakes, currently playing New Jersey's McCarter Theatre prior to a summer La Jolla Playhouse run.
Vincent (American Idiot) and Ryness (Hair), who star as a mysterious dozing beauty and a hospital orderly, respectively, introduce the actors, musicians and theatre staff behind the electrifying, quirky modern fairytale that transplants the Sleeping Beauty of lore to a present day sleep clinic.
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Backstage at Sleeping Beauty Wakes With Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Backstage at Sleeping Beauty Wakes With Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness take Playbill.com on an exclusive backstage tour of the new musical Sleeping Beauty Wakes, currently playing New Jersey's McCarter Theatre prior to a summer La Jolla Playhouse run. The electric, quirky modern fairytale features a score by GrooveLily's Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda. Read the Playbill.com story.
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Hi. It's Bryce Ryness and Aspen Vincent. Come along with us as we take you backstage at McCarter Theatre's Sleeping Beauty Wakes.
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Before Bryce goes to work, he bathes his daughter, Mercy Jane. Since last slide show (see Dangerous Beauty), she's learned how to stick her tongue out and is checking her reflection in the faucet. Cue: "Sunrise, Sunset..."
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Here's what Aspen does before the show. Bathing her cat, Miss Kate.
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Signing in... Jimmy Ray Bennett is a goodie-goodie. Always on time.
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Just in case we get lost on our way to the stage.
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
The good thing about having PJs as your costume: you can eat whatever you want for dinner and never have to suck it in.
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Donna Vivino applying her pre-show "beat." Stunning!
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Assistant Sound Engineer Chris Woolley lovingly hands Aspen her microphone. Service with a smile, that's the McCarter Way.
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Aspen Vincent puts the finishing touches on her wig prep as Hair & Make-Up Runner MK Steeves looks on.
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Prep'ing one of the more magical moments of the show: Kecia Lewis-Evans has a spool of yarn attached to her head. Curious? Come see the show and all will be revealed.
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
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Featuring a book by Rachel Sheinkin (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and a score by composer Brendan Milburn and lyricist Valerie Vigoda, both of the acclaimed trio GrooveLily, the production will continue through June 5 before heading to the La Jolla Playhouse, July 19-Aug. 21.
Directed by Rebecca Taichman, the cast includes Kecia Lewis-Evans (Chicago, The Drowsy Chaperone, Once on This Island, Ain't Misbehavin', The Gospel at Colonus, Big River, Dreamgirls); Bryce Ryness (Woof in the recent hit revival of Hair, Drama Desk nomination); Bob Stillman (Grey Gardens, Dirty Blonde, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Grand Hotel); and Aspen Vincent (American Idiot).
Rounding out the ensemble are Adinah Alexander, Jimmy Ray Bennett, Steve Judkins and Donna Vivino.
In Sleeping Beauty Wakes, press notes state, a "young beauty is brought to a sleep disorder clinic, and soon all the patients find themselves sharing a familiar dream."
The world-premiere recording of Sleeping Beauty Wakes was released in 2009 on the PS Classics label.
For tickets, call (609) 258-2787; toll-free at (888) 278-7932; visit online www.mccarter.org; or in person at the McCarter Theatre Ticket Office at 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ.