Busy director Gabriel Barre (Goodspeed's King of Hearts, Summer of 42) directs the musical by librettist Mark St. Germain, which offers of a score of popular country hits made famous by the so-called First Lady of Country Music.
Here's how Goodspeed bills the show: "5 husbands. 50 hit songs. 20 million fans. 1 woman's life. Follow music legend Tammy Wynette's journey of triumph and heartbreak. Through her humor and award-winning songs you'll share the joy when she finds everlasting love."
St. Germain is known for his plays Camping With Henry and Tom, Out of Gas on Lover's Leap and Forgiving Typhoid Mary. With Randy Courts, he wrote the musical The Gifts of the Magi, presented for 10 years at New York's Lamb's Theatre.
Barre will also direct Goodspeed's Camille Claudel starring Linda Eder this summer at The Norma Terris Theatre.
Actress Nicolette Hart's credits include Off-Broadway's recent Heat Lightning, the national tour of The Civil War and the European tour of Grease. Joining Hart is Miles Aubrey as Euple Byrd. Most recently Aubrey has been seen at Tennessee Rep as the Prince in Cinderella and Hortensio in Taming of the Shrew.
The role of Burt Reynolds will be played Galen Butler, an associate conductor for Frank Wildhorn's The Civil War who has performed with artists such as Crystal Gayle, Dottie Rambo and Larry Gatlin.
Kevin Fox (of Broadway's Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story) will play Don Chapel.
Jim Heffernan will portray Michael Tomlin. He has toured with Nashville artists over the past 15 years, including Tammy Wynette herself.
The role of Young Tammy will be played by Jenny Littleton, featured in the motion pictures "Existo" and "Gas Station."
Susan Mansur (the original Doatsey Mae of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas) will play MeeMaw.
Jim Price will be George Richey. He made his Broadway debut in The Civil War. Billy Sherrill will be played by Louis Tucci, also seen on Broadway in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story.
The role of country singer George Jones will be played by Jim Wann, the principal author-composer of Pump Boys and Dinettes.
Musical direction and arrangements for Stand by Your Man are by Galen Butler. Designers are by Dennis C. Maulden (set), Bridget R. Bartlett (costume) and Todd O. Wren (lighting).
Stand by Your Man: The Tammy Wynette Story is produced for Goodspeed Musicals by Michael P. Price.
Tickets are $37. The Norma Terris, Goodspeed's developmental space for new works, is in Chester, CT. For information, call (860) 873-8668 or visit www.goodspeed.org.
