The complete cast for the world premiere of Christmas in Connecticut–A New Musical at Goodspeed Musicals has been announced!
Beginning November 18 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Connecticut, the production will open December 7 with performances scheduled through December 30.
The production will be led by Audrey Cardwell (The Music Man) as Liz Sandor, and Ed Dixon (Anything Goes, Mary Poppins, Les Misérables) as Alexander Yardley, with Matt Bogart (Paradise Square, Jersey Boys) as Victor Beecham, Josh Breckenridge (Come From Away, The Scottsboro Boys, The Ritz) as Jefferson Jones, Raymond J. Lee (Aladdin, Anything Goes, Groundhog Day) as Dudley Beecham, James Judy (Into the Woods, The Scarlet Pimpernel) as Felix Bassenak, Tina Stafford as Norah O’Connor, and Rashidra Scott (Company, Ain’t Too Proud) as Gladys Higgenbottom.
The ensemble will feature Matthew Curiano, Rachel Fobbs, Julie Kavanagh, Emily Larger, Brendan McGrady, and Melvin Tunstall III. Ty-Gabriel Jones and Jamie Zeidman will be the production's swings.
Based on the 1945 Warner Bros. film starring Barbara Stanwyck, the holiday-themed comedy features a book by Patrick Pacheco and Erik Forrest Jackson, music by Jason Howland, and lyrics by Amanda Yesnowitz. Amy Corcoran will direct, Marjorie Failoni will choreograph, and Adam Souza will music director.
Christmas in Connecticut concerns columnist Liz Lane, an expert on marriage, cooking, and homemaking who is asked by her publisher to host a war hero for Christmas dinner at her renowned Connecticut farmhouse. The only problem? She can’t cook, she isn’t married, and she lives in a tiny New York apartment.
The creative team will consist of scenic designer Lawrence E. Moten III, costume designer Herin Kaputkin, lighting designer Rui Rita, sound designer Jay Hilton, and hair, wig, and makeup designer Jason P. Hayes. Orchestrations will be by Kim Scharnberg.
"Christmas in Connecticut gives us the opportunity to do what Goodspeed does best—develop and produce a new musical comedy packed with smart writing and fantastic music that will thrill our audiences. The fact that it’s a holiday classic set in our home state makes it irresistible," says Goodspeed Artistic Director Donna Lynn Hilton. "I especially look forward to working with this accomplished creative team to develop and launch a special new musical comedy to the world."
The new musical was originally commissioned by Broadway Licensing.
Goodspeed’s season also includes Cabaret, the world premiere of Anne of Green Gables, and 42nd Street. Visit Goodspeed.org.
