PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Behind the Scenes at Denver's World Premiere Sense & Sensibility Musical With Robert Petkoff | Playbill

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    News PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Behind the Scenes at Denver's World Premiere Sense & Sensibility Musical With Robert Petkoff Robert Petkoff, most recently seen on Broadway as Sir Evelyn Oakleigh in Anything Goes, is in Denver originating the role of Colonel Brandon in the world premiere of Sense & Sensibility The Musical. An avid photographer, Petkoff takes readers behind the scenes and shares some intimate backstage moments with the cast and crew.
    By Matthew Blank
    May 07, 2013

    Directed by Tony Award nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge, the production officially opened April 11, following previews that began April 5.

    PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Behind the Scenes at Denver's World Premiere Sense & Sensibility Musical With Robert Petkoff

    The matinee is exhausting and a fainting couch is the only solution for Stacie Bono, Liz Pearce, Trista Moldovan and Jessica Hershberg.

    PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Behind the Scenes at Denver's World Premiere Sense & Sensibility Musical With Robert Petkoff

    Robert Petkoff, most recently seen on Broadway as Sir Evelyn Oakleigh in Anything Goes, is in Denver originating the role of Colonel Brandon in the world premiere of Sense & Sensibility The Musical. An avid photographer, Petkoff takes readers behind the scenes and shares some intimate backstage moments with the cast and crew. Read the Playbill.com story.

    81 PHOTOS
    Liz Pearce heads to the airport early to pick up her husband before the matinee. We are always happy when our significant others come to visit.
    Liz Pearce heads to the airport early to pick up her husband before the matinee. We are always happy when our significant others come to visit.
    Robert Petkoff
    Mary Michael Patterson does some yoga to prepare for the two show day.
    Mary Michael Patterson does some yoga to prepare for the two show day.
    Robert Petkoff
    I shave, taking care not to remove the sideburns. Sometimes it feels like surgery.
    I shave, taking care not to remove the sideburns. Sometimes it feels like surgery.
    Robert Petkoff
    Jeremiah James tries to wake up with some coffee.
    Jeremiah James tries to wake up with some coffee.
    Robert Petkoff
    Andrew Kober feeds Murray before he feeds himself.
    Andrew Kober feeds Murray before he feeds himself.
    Robert Petkoff
    Murray fed, Andrew digs into a bagel and reads about his fellow cast members. “That’s who that guy is!”
    Murray fed, Andrew digs into a bagel and reads about his fellow cast members. “That’s who that guy is!”
    Robert Petkoff
    Joanna Glushak has to create a barrier to keep Lila from reaching the front door.
    Joanna Glushak has to create a barrier to keep Lila from reaching the front door.
    Robert Petkoff
    Lila wants what Joanna’s having.
    Lila wants what Joanna’s having.
    Robert Petkoff
    Now it’s play time!
    Now it’s play time!
    Robert Petkoff
    Ed Dixon gets his pre-show iced tea at the Backstage Café.
    Ed Dixon gets his pre-show iced tea at the Backstage Café.
    Robert Petkoff
    The theatre lobby for this afternoon’s performance.
    The theatre lobby for this afternoon’s performance.
    Robert Petkoff
    Ed Dixon entering the stage door.
    Ed Dixon entering the stage door.
    Robert Petkoff
    Jeremiah James arrives at the theatre.
    Jeremiah James arrives at the theatre.
    Robert Petkoff
    Josh Walden entering his dressing room.
    Josh Walden entering his dressing room.
    Robert Petkoff
    Stephanie Rothenberg prepares for the first of two shows.
    Stephanie Rothenberg prepares for the first of two shows.
    Robert Petkoff
    Mary Michael Patterson gets ready and shows her support for Michigan. “Go Blue!”
    Mary Michael Patterson gets ready and shows her support for Michigan. “Go Blue!”
    Robert Petkoff
    Stephanie Rothenberg thinking: “You can leave now Robert.”
    Stephanie Rothenberg thinking: “You can leave now Robert.”
    Robert Petkoff
    Mics
    Mics
    Robert Petkoff
    Brad Gardner, our pianist and Associate Conductor getting a nutritious start to the matinee.
    Brad Gardner, our pianist and Associate Conductor getting a nutritious start to the matinee.
    Robert Petkoff
    Chris Ewing, PSM, checking things out backstage.
    Chris Ewing, PSM, checking things out backstage.
    Robert Petkoff
    Brent “Weasel” Rolfson doing a little pre-show cleanup.
    Brent “Weasel” Rolfson doing a little pre-show cleanup.
    Robert Petkoff
    The Wig room…
    The Wig room…
    Robert Petkoff
    Must always remove wedding ring before show. Colonel Brandon is unmarried. A fact I have forgotten a few time in dress rehearsal.
    Must always remove wedding ring before show. Colonel Brandon is unmarried. A fact I have forgotten a few time in dress rehearsal.
    Robert Petkoff
    Joanna Glushak wigging out with Diana Ben-Kiki
    Joanna Glushak wigging out with Diana Ben-Kiki
    Robert Petkoff
    Jessica Hershberg is thrilled to be getting her picture taken during her wig time.
    Jessica Hershberg is thrilled to be getting her picture taken during her wig time.
    Robert Petkoff
    Our director, Marcia Milgrom Dodge, relaxing before the matinee. Then it’s time for note-taking.
    Our director, Marcia Milgrom Dodge, relaxing before the matinee. Then it’s time for note-taking.
    Robert Petkoff
    Andrew Kober getting fastened in by Tim Nelson.
    Andrew Kober getting fastened in by Tim Nelson.
    Robert Petkoff
    Joanna Glushak in her wig getting her hat pinned on.
    Joanna Glushak in her wig getting her hat pinned on.
    Robert Petkoff
    Andrew Kober getting be-wigged.
    Andrew Kober getting be-wigged.
    Robert Petkoff
    Trista Moldovan getting pinned by Maria Davis
    Trista Moldovan getting pinned by Maria Davis
    Robert Petkoff
    Preston Dyar reading Ed Dixon’s Autobiography. Oh the places you will go…
    Preston Dyar reading Ed Dixon’s Autobiography. Oh the places you will go…
    Robert Petkoff
    The two JWs: Jason Watson and Josh Walden.
    The two JWs: Jason Watson and Josh Walden.
    Robert Petkoff
    Lots of costumes to change into and out of for Jason and Josh.
    Lots of costumes to change into and out of for Jason and Josh.
    Robert Petkoff
    Music Director Paul Masse gets into his period conducting attire.
    Music Director Paul Masse gets into his period conducting attire.
    Robert Petkoff
    Liz Pearce pincurling.
    Liz Pearce pincurling.
    Robert Petkoff
    Preston Dyar getting revved up for the matinee with some coffee.
    Preston Dyar getting revved up for the matinee with some coffee.
    Robert Petkoff
    Steven Strafford keeps Stephanie and Mary Michael company as they get ready.
    Steven Strafford keeps Stephanie and Mary Michael company as they get ready.
    Robert Petkoff
    A good story in progress.
    A good story in progress.
    Robert Petkoff
    A little coffee break for Stephanie.
    A little coffee break for Stephanie.
    Robert Petkoff
    It’s iced coffee for Mary Michael.
    It’s iced coffee for Mary Michael.
    Robert Petkoff
    Andrew gets his coffee from Sam’s number 3, the terrific diner across from the Denver Center housing.
    Andrew gets his coffee from Sam’s number 3, the terrific diner across from the Denver Center housing.
    Robert Petkoff
    Paul comes in to give a quick music note.
    Paul comes in to give a quick music note.
    Robert Petkoff
    Jason Watson, before transforming into one of his characters: DIRK CLUMPER!
    Jason Watson, before transforming into one of his characters: DIRK CLUMPER!
    Robert Petkoff
    Dance Captain/Asst. Director Josh Walden prepping some notes for next week’s understudy rehearsal.
    Dance Captain/Asst. Director Josh Walden prepping some notes for next week’s understudy rehearsal.
    Robert Petkoff
    Stacie Bono doing some curls…
    Stacie Bono doing some curls…
    Robert Petkoff
    The ladies dressing room table.
    The ladies dressing room table.
    Robert Petkoff
    Now Stacie colors those lips.
    Now Stacie colors those lips.
    Robert Petkoff
    Liz Pearce does her eyes. One at a time, of course.
    Liz Pearce does her eyes. One at a time, of course.
    Robert Petkoff
    Sometimes the competition for Marianne gets fierce.
    Sometimes the competition for Marianne gets fierce.
    Robert Petkoff
    Col. Brandon makes an appearance in the opening number in the guise of Archibald Pherson MacPherson.
    Col. Brandon makes an appearance in the opening number in the guise of Archibald Pherson MacPherson.
    Robert Petkoff
    Liz Pearce heading to places as Fanny Dashwood.
    Liz Pearce heading to places as Fanny Dashwood.
    Robert Petkoff
    Elinor Dashwood (aka Stephanie Rothenberg) heads to places for the top of Act 1.
    Elinor Dashwood (aka Stephanie Rothenberg) heads to places for the top of Act 1.
    Robert Petkoff
    Steven Strafford swings into action!
    Steven Strafford swings into action!
    Robert Petkoff
    Before the show begins, Nick Verina (Edward Ferrars) and Stephanie Rothenberg (Elinor Dashwood) do some very serious concentration exercises. Method actors…
    Before the show begins, Nick Verina (Edward Ferrars) and Stephanie Rothenberg (Elinor Dashwood) do some very serious concentration exercises. Method actors…
    Robert Petkoff
    Act 1 is over and Trista Moldovan returns to her dressing room for intermission.
    Act 1 is over and Trista Moldovan returns to her dressing room for intermission.
    Robert Petkoff
    Intermission for Josh Walden.
    Intermission for Josh Walden.
    Robert Petkoff
    Someone has brought brownies and Andrew Kober is testing them for the rest of the cast.
    Someone has brought brownies and Andrew Kober is testing them for the rest of the cast.
    Robert Petkoff
    Stacie Bono heads into her dressing room.
    Stacie Bono heads into her dressing room.
    Robert Petkoff
    Jessica Hershberg and Steven Strafford have also discovered the Brownies.
    Jessica Hershberg and Steven Strafford have also discovered the Brownies.
    Robert Petkoff
    Stephanie Rothenberg is feeling fierce about her brownie.
    Stephanie Rothenberg is feeling fierce about her brownie.
    Robert Petkoff
    Paul Masse gets himself a frosty beverage for intermission.
    Paul Masse gets himself a frosty beverage for intermission.
    Robert Petkoff
    Ruth Gottschall seems to enjoy the brownies as well.
    Ruth Gottschall seems to enjoy the brownies as well.
    Robert Petkoff
    Pianist/Associate Conductor Brad Gardner taking a break and being stalked by the photographer.
    Pianist/Associate Conductor Brad Gardner taking a break and being stalked by the photographer.
    Robert Petkoff
    The matinee is exhausting and a fainting couch is the only solution for Stacie Bono, Liz Pearce, Trista Moldovan and Jessica Hershberg.
    The matinee is exhausting and a fainting couch is the only solution for Stacie Bono, Liz Pearce, Trista Moldovan and Jessica Hershberg.
    Robert Petkoff
    In between shows, Ruth Gottschall returns to her apartment to find a friend or two waiting for her. Here is Martini!
    In between shows, Ruth Gottschall returns to her apartment to find a friend or two waiting for her. Here is Martini!
    Robert Petkoff
    And Gretchen!
    And Gretchen!
    Robert Petkoff
    I have a little crush on Gretchen and run through the hallways with her. Or rather, chase her through the hallways.
    I have a little crush on Gretchen and run through the hallways with her. Or rather, chase her through the hallways.
    Robert Petkoff
    In between shows Liz Pearce has a spot of tea.
    In between shows Liz Pearce has a spot of tea.
    Robert Petkoff
    How civilized!
    How civilized!
    Robert Petkoff
    Jeremiah James gets a work out between shows.
    Jeremiah James gets a work out between shows.
    Robert Petkoff
    And while Jeremiah works out, I have a steak. Life is so much easier this way.
    And while Jeremiah works out, I have a steak. Life is so much easier this way.
    Robert Petkoff
    Back to the theater for show number 2. Stephanie signs in.
    Back to the theater for show number 2. Stephanie signs in.
    Robert Petkoff
    The ladies of dressing room B get ready for the Saturday evening show.
    The ladies of dressing room B get ready for the Saturday evening show.
    Robert Petkoff
    Trista Moldovan prepping for show number 2.
    Trista Moldovan prepping for show number 2.
    Robert Petkoff
    Jason Watson and Paul Masse pay a visit to dressing room B. With Trista Moldovan, Jessica Hershberg, Stacie Bono.
    Jason Watson and Paul Masse pay a visit to dressing room B. With Trista Moldovan, Jessica Hershberg, Stacie Bono.
    Robert Petkoff
    Liz Pearce.
    Liz Pearce.
    Robert Petkoff
    Jeremiah James offstage.
    Jeremiah James offstage.
    Robert Petkoff
    After the evening performance, Jason Watson, Preston Dyar and Jessica Hershberg say Farewell to our director Marcia Milgrom Dodge. She will return to New York the next day.
    After the evening performance, Jason Watson, Preston Dyar and Jessica Hershberg say Farewell to our director Marcia Milgrom Dodge. She will return to New York the next day.
    Robert Petkoff
    “How many more pictures Robert? How many more?”
    “How many more pictures Robert? How many more?”
    Robert Petkoff
    After two shows, some of the cast hits Tom’s Urban Kitchen for some light refreshments. With Stacie Bono, Farra and Andrew Kober, Jason Watson, Liz Pearce and Jessica Hershberg.
    After two shows, some of the cast hits Tom’s Urban Kitchen for some light refreshments. With Stacie Bono, Farra and Andrew Kober, Jason Watson, Liz Pearce and Jessica Hershberg.
    Robert Petkoff
    And goodnight!
    And goodnight!
    Robert Petkoff
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    The Tony Award-honored Denver Center Theatre Company presents the work through May 26 at The Stage Theatre in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

    Inspired by the Jane Austen novel, the musical has book and lyrics by Jeffrey Haddow and music by Neal Hampton.

    According to DCTC, "In this grand musical adaptation of Jane Austen's enthralling novel, audiences are drawn into the tempestuous world of the Dashwood sisters. Starring in the pivotal sister roles will be Stephanie Rothenberg as Elinor and Mary Michael Patterson as Marianne. The sisters' romantic entanglements will be portrayed by three of Broadway’s most dashing leading men." Nick Verina (Young Ben in the recent Broadway revival of Follies) plays love-struck Edward; Jeremiah James, who starred as Billy Bigelow in the West End revival of Carousel and as Curly in the first national tour of Oklahoma!, plays the cad Willoughby; and Robert Petkoff, Broadway's recent Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in Anything Goes and Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof, is the upstanding Colonel Brandon.

    Dodge, who also choreographs, earned a 2010 Direction Tony nomination for the Broadway revival of Ragtime. She recently won a South Florida Carbonell Award for her direction of Hello, Dolly! at Maltz Jupiter Theatre.

    Ed Dixon (Broadway's Anything Goes, Sunday in the Park with George, Mary Poppins, How the Grinch Stole Christmas) plays Sir John; Ruth Gottschall (Mary Poppins, The Music Man) plays Mrs. Jennings; and Joanna Glushak (Sunday in the Park with George, Urinetown, Les Misérables) plays Mrs. Dashwood/Mrs. Ferrars.

    The ensemble includes Jason Watson, Andrew Kober, Preston Dyar, Josh Walden, Stacie Bono, Liz Pearce, Kate Fisher, Jessica Hershberg, Steven Strafford and Daniella Dalli.

    The production team includes set designer Allen Moyer; costume designer Esosa; lighting designer James F. Ingalls; sound designer Craig Breitenbach; music supervisor David Loud; music director and conductor Paul Masse; and orchestrators Kim Scharnberg and Neal Hampton.

    DCTC producing artistic director Kent Thompson selected Sense & Sensibility following enthusiastic response at the 2012 Colorado New Play Summit.

    For more information, visit denvercenter.org.

     
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