A commercial future is expected for the show, but nothing has been officially announced. Presented by Pasadena Playhouse, by special arrangement with Stewart F. Lane, Bonnie Comley and Armica Productions, the musical is conceived and written by Sharleen Cooper Cohen, with music by Cole Porter, Harold Arlen & Johnny Mercer, Rodgers & Hart, Billy Strayhorn, and more.
The title broke box office records at the Playhouse. By opening night on Jan. 30, ticket sales for the show had hit $330,000.
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Stormy Weather is suggested by the biography "Lena Horne, Entertainer" published by Chelsea House. Michael Bush directs a cast of 16.
In addition to Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah, Baby!), the cast includes Nikki Crawford as Young Lena; Tony Award nominee Dee Hoty as Kay Thompson; Phillip Attmore as Jivin' Jones/Louis Jones; Jordan Barbour as Teddy Jones; Yvette Cason as Edna Horne Rodriguez/Ruby/Church Lady; Dreamgirls Tony winner Cleavant Derricks as Teddy Jones, Sr.; Wilkie Ferguson as Aiken Bones/Medgar Evers/Avon Long/Building Super; Ashley Greene as Young Gail-Alternate; Bruce Katzman as L.B. Mayer/Perry Como/Barney Josephson/American; Man/Photographer/Production Assistant; Cheri McKenzie as Young Gail-Alternate; Kevyn Morrow as Billy Strayhorn; Michael Scott as Arthur Freed/Oweny Madden/Gary Cooper/Director/British Man/Drunk/Announcer Voice-Overs; Tony nominee Robert Torti as Lennie Hayton; Toni Trucks as Gail Jones Lumet/Amanda Gerrard/French Woman/Wardrobe Lady; Diane Vincent as Loreen Hall/Hostess/Wardrobe Lady/American Woman/Production Assistant/Waitress. According to Pasadena Playhouse notes, "With glamour, grace and an inner fire that blazed a trail for generations, the legendary Lena Horne has never failed to amaze. Taking both Hollywood and the music industry by storm, her voice has resonated throughout the decades, not only through her incredible vocal talent but also through her determination to fight for what she believed. This new musical extravaganza takes us on the sometimes stormy, always extraordinary journey of an American icon."
The creative team with Sharleen Cooper Cohen and Michael Bush are Randy Skinner (choreographer/dance arrangements), Linda Twine (music director/conductor), James Noone (scenic design), Martin Pakledinaz (costume design), Paul Gallo (lighting design), Lewis Mead (sound design), Paul Huntley (principal wig design), Carol F. Doran (wig and hair design), Gordon Goodwin (orchestrations), Michael Donovan and Liz Lewis (casting) Lisa Dozier (assistant director), Jeremy Benton (associate choreographer), Lurie Horns Pfeffer (production stage manager) and Lea Chazin (assistant stage manager).
Pasadena Playhouse is at 39 South El Molino Avenue in Pasadena, CA.
Visit www.Pasadenaplayhouse.org.
