The Goodspeed Musicals production of the new musical A Complicated Woman, which began previews in the company's Terris Theatre May 10, will officially open May 29 for a limited engagement through June 2 at the Chester, Connecticut, venue.
Directed and choreographed by Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun (Newsies), the gender-diverse cast features Nora Brigid Monahan as John/Jean, Tony nominee L Morgan Lee (A Strange Loop) as Nina Mae, Christian Brailsford (Oratorio for Living Things) as Oscar, Klea Blackhurst (Hello, Dolly!) as Myrtle, Danny Rutigliano (Holiday Inn) as Lee Shubert, Dashiell Gregory (Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical) as Carl, Zachary A. Myers (A Strange Loop) as Muhlaysia, Arewá Basit (A Map to Know Where) as Diamond, with Siena Rafter (Runaways) and Bryan Munar. Casting is by Paul Hardt of Hardt Casting.
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Get a first look at the production in the photo gallery below:
Nora Brigid Monahan and cast of A Complicated Woman
Christian Brailsford and L Morgan Lee in A Complicated Woman
Nora Brigid Monahan and Danny Rutigliano in A Complicated Woman
L Morgan Lee, Zachary A. Myers, Arewa Basit, and Nora Brigid Monahan in A Complicated Woman
Klea Blackhurst in A Complicated Woman
Nora Brigid Monahan in A Complicated Woman
Nora Brigid Monahan and L Morgan Lee in A Complicated Woman
A Complicated Woman features a book by Ianne Fields Stewart, music and lyrics by Jonathan Brielle, and additional lyrics by Sam Salmond. The musical is loosely based on the life of producer John Kenley, who brought Hollywood stars to summer stock stages in Ohio. But during the off-season, John disappears to Florida, and lives life as Jean.
Monahan, who plays John/Jean, said in an earlier statement, “It's been an amazing experience participating at various stages in the development of A Complicated Woman, and I'm humbled to get to bring the show to life at The Terris Theatre this spring with this wonderful creative team. Special credit is due to Donna Lynn Hilton and the entire team at Goodspeed for investing in new musicals—and for making sure that trans voices and stories are included in the future of the musical theatre canon.”
Lee, who plays Nina Mae, added, “Ianne
(book), Jonathan (composer), and Jeff (director) are cooking up quite the
meal with this show. I'm thrilled to be part of its development! Nina
Mae is a kind of woman many theatre ‘girls like us’ have been waiting
for, and her 40+ year friendship with Kenley is one for the ages. Mame
and Vera better watch out because Kenley and Nina Mae are on the prowl!”
The creative team also includes music director by Debra Barsha, scenic designer Tobin Ost, costume designer Phương Nguyễn, lighting designer Jason Lyons, sound designer Jay Hilton, and wig, hair, and makeup designer Tommy Kurzman. Orchestrations are by Jonathan Brielle and Nathan Dame. Devin Day is the production stage manager.
Visit Goodspeed.org for tickets.
