NewsPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Backstage at Sleeping Beauty Wakes With Aspen Vincent and Bryce RynessAspen 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.
By
Matthew Blank
May 24, 2011
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.
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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.
29 PHOTOS
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.
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
The butterfly hat Aspen wears in the first act. Designed by costume designer Miranda Hoffman.
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Australia's own Steve Judkins. Don't ask.
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
The many faces of Jimmy Ray Bennett.
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Places! In the elevator, heading up to the stage. From left: Steve Judkins, Jimmy Ray Bennett, Aspen Vincent, Kecia Lewis-Evans and wardrobe supervisor Lindsay Rae Barnes.
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Aspen leads us into the elaborate Act I dream sequence.
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Human shadow puppets as seen from the backside of the upstage projection screen. Lighting design by Christopher Akerlind. Projection design by Peter Nigrini.
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Making a mess! Jimmy Ray Bennett, Steve Judkins and Donna Vivino shower rose petals over a kneeling Bob Stillman. Aspen, on the far right, is not amused.
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Kecia Lewis-Evans, a la Edward Scissorhands. Weeerk!
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Bryce preps the vacuum to pick up the rose petals from the previous scene. Stage technician David Cain looks on, terrified. Never fear, Dave. I'm a professional.
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Caught! Aspen sneaks a drink (and a funny face) while action transpires downstage. Bob Stillman looks on.
From left: Aspen Vincent, Kecia Lewis-Evans, Jimmy Ray Bennett, Steve Judkins and Adinah Alexander.
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Will the real Bob Stillman please stand up? At the intermission break, Bob undergoes a transformation.
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Intermission. Meanwhile, down in the dressing room, Adinah Alexander practices "Bette Davis Eyes."
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Aspen and Bryce using the upstage crossover. Due to the rear projectors, the crawl space is only about five feet high. Effect on Aspen: 0. Effect on Bryce: High.
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Jimmy Ray Bennett "counting sheep" on the floor in his featured Act II solo, "Still Small Hours."
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Production Stage Manager Cheryl Mintz calling the show from her light booth lair.
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Our rockin' band. They're stuck playing in the laundry room (really). Clockwise from the left: Musical director James Sampliner, guitarist Chris Delis, Keyboard Mark Berman, bassist Steve Count and drummer Joe Nero.
Aspen Vincent and Bryce Ryness
Post-show talkback. The McCarter's a lovely home and doing amazing things in theatre and education. Come see our show, support McCarter and support Sleeping Beauty Wakes! Running through June 5th, then transferring to La Jolla Playhouse in July.
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.
