PhotosPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Mamma, Mamma!" Behind the Scenes at Goodspeed's Most Happy Fella With Bill NolteBroadway regular Bill Nolte (The Producers, Amour) is currently in East Haddam, CT, starring as Tony in Goodspeed's new production of The Most Happy Fella. He shares some favorite snapshots spanning the rehearsal process and opening night.
By
Matthew Blank
October 24, 2013
Directed by Rob Ruggiero (Looped, High) and choreographed by Parker Esse (associate choreographer for Finian's Rainbow), performances continue through Dec. 1.
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Mamma, Mamma!" Behind the Scenes at Goodspeed's Most Happy Fella With Bill Nolte
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Mamma, Mamma!" Behind the Scenes at Goodspeed's Most Happy Fella With Bill Nolte
Broadway regular Bill Nolte (The Producers, Amour) is currently in East Haddam, CT, starring as Tony in Goodspeed's new production of The Most Happy Fella. He shares some favorite snapshots spanning the rehearsal process and opening night.
74 PHOTOS
Welcome to East Haddam, CT. Home of Goodspeed Musicals
Bill Nolte
Hello! Me in front of the Opera House.
Bill Nolte
Welcome Potluck Dinner on our first day, courtesy of the Goodspeed Guild.
Bill Nolte
The cast's first visit to the lobby and grand staircase
Bill Nolte
First read through of the script for the creatives.
Bill Nolte
Sitzprobe!
Bill Nolte
Tech rehearsals - setting the lights. (John Payonk and Noah Aberlin)
Bill Nolte
Seth Danner's new suit
Bill Nolte
Our chefs. Greg Roderick (Giuseppe), Martìn Sola (Pasquale) and Daniel Berryman (Ciccio)
Bill Nolte
Niagara grapes for snacking
Bill Nolte
Seriously, aren't there laws against cameras in here?
Bill Nolte
Jo Sullivan Loesser reminisces with the cast
Bill Nolte
Jo Sullivan Loesser signing autographs at rehearsal
Bill Nolte
Master Craftswoman creating my casts for act 2
Bill Nolte
Damn...that's a tiny stage
Bill Nolte
Tina McCartney (Asst. Costume Designer), me and Thomas Charles (Costume Designer) with the great pumpkin
Bill Nolte
Parker Esse works on "Sposalizio"
Bill Nolte
Practicing "Bambini"
Bill Nolte
Victoria Castle says, "All right. Move along boys."
Bill Nolte
Michael Schweikardt's Golden Gate Diner set
Bill Nolte
Elizabeth Ann Berg and Rachel Rhodes-Devey
Bill Nolte
Tony recovers in "Love and Kindness"
Bill Nolte
A redneck on the roof. Sounds crazy no?
Bill Nolte
Noah Aberlin, Danny Lindgren, Kevin Vortmann and Eric Ulloa are "standin' on the corner."
Bill Nolte
Cup o' Joe from Natalie Hill
Bill Nolte
Rachel Rhodes-Devey
Bill Nolte
"My agent gets HOW MUCH commission?!"- Mamie Parris
Bill Nolte
Plenty Bambini!
Bill Nolte
Me and Eric Ulloa
Bill Nolte
Rob Ruggiero (Director), Parker Esse (Choreographer) and Donna Lynn Cooper Hilton (Line Producer)
Bill Nolte
Tech Rehearsal. Top of the show!
Bill Nolte
Bill Nolte, Michael Price and Mamie Parris
Bill Nolte
Sensible footwear for the photo call
Bill Nolte
Photo call at the winery. Sarah Tranchina (Ensemble), Natalie Hill (Cleo), Eloise Kropp (Ensemble) and Mamie Parris (Rosabella)
Bill Nolte
10 minute break in the green room
Bill Nolte
The "Smoker's Lounge" outside the rehearsal space
Bill Nolte
Tech backstage. Seth Danner, Elizabeth Ann Berg and Rachel Rhodes-Devey
Bill Nolte
The Espositos: Bill Nolte (Tony) and Ann Arvia (Marie)
Bill Nolte
Paging Bill Nolte (Tony) and Noah Aberlin (Clem) to the stage please.
Bill Nolte
What every Italian chef will be wearing this spring on the runways.
Bill Nolte
Danny Lindgren (Jake) posing for... no one
Bill Nolte
It's showtime at the Goodspeed!
Bill Nolte
Bosom buddies Michael O'Flaherty (Musical Director) and Rob Ruggiero (Director)
Bill Nolte
Raising a pint on a Monday night off at the Griswold Inn Essex, CT
Bill Nolte
"It's a no make love. It's a just make laugh." Torn up picture of Tony.
Bill Nolte
"Abbondanza" with head chef Martin Sola
Bill Nolte
Up on the roof with Seth Danner and Eloise Kropp
Bill Nolte
The Swing Bridge Swinging over the Connecticut River outside my dressing room window
Bill Nolte
Opening Night patch I had made for the cast and creatives. Made by Rebecca Brooks and I'm SEW in Stitches
Bill Nolte
Opening night toast!
Bill Nolte
Opening night Kiki at the Gelston House
Bill Nolte
The Chefs learning Italian Hand Gestures
Bill Nolte
Prop shop pixie
Bill Nolte
You put 11 men in one dressing room and this is what you get. Halloween fun from the boys dressing room
Bill Nolte
BOO! Halloween capers with Mamie Parris (Rosabella), Natalie Hill (Cleo) and Noah Aberlin (Clem)
Bill Nolte
Photo call snacks in the Greenroom
Bill Nolte
Photo call hair and makeup touch up with Gina Ferrucci
Bill Nolte
Put on your own damn casts! Wardrobe Master John Riccucci (aka Mr. Everything)
Bill Nolte
Rathbun library, where my art is on display for the month of October.
Bill Nolte
One of my watercolors in the library show
Bill Nolte
"Spring" and "Winter," 2 of my watercolors
Bill Nolte
Waiting for a cue Stage Right.
Bill Nolte
Dinner at the Gelston House with Rob Ruggiero's hometown busload of friends
Bill Nolte
"I Like Everybody" (Natalie Hill and Kevin Vortmann)
Bill Nolte
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8
Bill Nolte
Doug Carpenter prepares with a quick game of "Candy Crush"
Bill Nolte
First five-show weekend... ahh the glamorous life!
Bill Nolte
Guess what doesn't mix... a 6'3 man and a tiny Barbie Dream Staircase on stage right
Bill Nolte
Sitting upstage center waiting for the show to start... (sung to "Standing on the Corner")
Bill Nolte
Stage Managers at the Call Board
Bill Nolte
We've found who's been reading all the MAIL.
Bill Nolte
"Mamma, Mamma"
Bill Nolte
Its a great big Italian Sposalizio with Elizabeth Ann Berg, Christine Cornell and Eloise Kropp
The cast includes Bill Nolte (La Cage aux Folles, The Producers, Amour, Jane Eyre, 1776, Cats) as Tony, Mamie Parris (Ragtime, 110 in the Shade, The Drowsy Chaperone) as Rosabella, Ann Arvia (Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, Les Misérables) as Marie, Doug Carpenter as Joey, Natalie Hill (Wonderland, Bye Bye Birdie, Grease) as Cleo, Kevin Vortmann (A Little Night Music) as Herman, Daniel Berryman as Ciccio, Martín Solá (Coram Boy, La Bohème, The King and I) as Pasquale and Greg Roderick (South Pacific) as Guiseppe.
Rounding out the ensemble are Noah Aberlin (Goodspeed's Annie Get Your Gun), Elizabeth Ann Berg (Goodspeed's Show Boat), Victoria Castle, Christine Cornell, Seth Danner, Michael Deleget (Goodspeed's Camelot) as the Doctor, Eloise Kropp (Goodspeed's Carousel), Danny Lindgren, John Payonk, Rachel Rhodes-Devey, Sarah Tranchina, Eric Ulloa and James Zannelli. Matthew Amira and Sabrina Marlene are swings.
Here's how the musical, featuring a book, music and lyrics by Loesser (How to Succeed…, Guys and Dolls), is billed: "Abbondanza! From the composer of Guys and Dolls comes a vibrant musical that blossoms in the vineyards of Napa Valley. Your heart will be warmed by this May-December romance when a city bride is wooed by an aging Italian grape farmer who nearly botches everything until his true goodness shines through. With a gorgeous score and spirited dancing, it's a simple and touching love story that makes for an extraordinary night of theatre." Other members of the creative team include scenic designer Michael Schweikardt, costume designer Thomas Charles LeGalley, lighting designer John Lasiter, sound designer Jay Hilton, music director Michael O'Flaherty and assistant music director William J. Thomas. Orchestrations are provided by Dan DeLange.
The Most Happy Fella is produced for Goodspeed Musicals by Michael P. Price.
Goodspeed Opera House is located at 6 Main Street in East Haddam, CT. For more information and tickets, call (860) 873-8668 or visit Goodspeed.org.
The move comes after the resignation of the theatre's 2020 cohort, along with its artistic director and board chair, citing similar allegations about a lack of transparency and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
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