Susan Egan is unsinkable. That is, the former Beauty and the Beast singer-actress will star as Molly Brown in a production of The Unsinkable Molly Brown at the Sacramento Music Circus from July 22 to July 28.
Egan, who has previously starred in productions of The Sound of Music and South Pacific for the arena-style tent theatre, will be joined by Christopher Carl, who will play her husband, "Leadville" Johnny Brown. Others in this mounting of the Meredith Willson musical include Damon Kirsche as Prince DeLong with Elizabeth Ward, Cynthia Sophea and Rodger Hoopman. The creative team comprises Marcia Milgrom Dodge (director), Bob Richard (choreographer) and Valerie Gebert (musical director).
Egan received Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations for her work in Beauty and the Beast, and her other theatre credits include Cabaret, Triumph of Love, Putting It Together and Hello Again. It was also recently announced that the performer has been named Interim Artistic Director of California's Orange County High School of the Arts. Egan, who is an alumna of the 15-year-old school, will serve as the artistic director of the Music and Theatre, Film and Television and Production and Design departments. She will take over the position recently vacated by David Green while the school conducts a search for a permanent director. During her time at the school, Egan will be responsible for overseeing the expansion of the arts instructional program, assisting in bringing professional artists to teach and direct, and bringing in renowned artists for special appearances.
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The Unsinkable Molly Brown opened at Broadway's Winter Garden Theatre on Nov. 3, 1960, featuring a score by Meredith Willson and a book by Richard Morris. Tammy Grimes headed a cast that also featured Harve Presnell and Sterling Clark, and the musical — with the forceful song "I Ain't Down Yet — ran for 532 performances. Grimes won a 1961 Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. The Sacramento Music Circus is located at 1419 H Street in Sacramento, CA. Call (916) 557-1999 for tickets.
—By Andrew Gans
