Dion jukebox biomusical The Wanderer has set an invitation-only industry presentation for November 10 at NYC's Carroll Music Studios. The move comes as National Artists Management Company joins the team as executive producer. The presentation is being billed as "pre-Broadway."
With a book by Charles Messina (A Room of My Own), The Wanderer tells the life story of Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Dion DiMucci. Both as lead singer of Dion and the Belmonts and then as a solo artist, the mononym-billed Dion was one of the most popular American rock n’ roll performers of his time. He had 30 Top 40 hits in the late ’50s and ’60s, including “Runaround Sue,” “Teenager in Love," “I Wonder Why,” “Ruby Baby,” “Abraham, Martin and John,” and “The Wanderer.” He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.
The musical made its world premiere at New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse in 2022, and much of the cast of that production is returning for the upcoming reading, including Mike Wartella as Dion, Joey McIntyre as Johnny, Christy Altomare as Susan, Johnny Tammaro as Pat DiMucci, and Joli Tribuzio as Frances DiMucci. New to the project are Lance Roberts as Willie Green, Joy Woods as Melody Green, and Noah Weisberg as Bob Schwartz.
The ensemble will feature Sarah Daniels Barrett, Mackenzie Bell, Mike Cefalo, Stephen Cerf, Jordan Dobson, Natalie Gallo, Miguel Jarquin-Moreland, Jess LeProtto, Michal Kolaczkowski, Ray DeMattis, and Gabi Stapula. Casting is by The Telsey Office's Patrick Goodwin.
The creative team has carried over from the Paper Mill run, including director Kenneth Ferrone, choreographer Sarah O'Gleby, scenic designer Beowulf Boritt, costume designer Sarah Laux, lighting designer Jake DeGroot, sound designer John Shivers, orchestrator and music supervisor Sonny Paladino, and production stage manager Linda Marvel. Steven Van Zandt is music consultant, and Live Wire Theatrical's Robert Ahrens and Chris Aniello are serving as general managers.
Mike Wartella and the cast The Wanderer
Miguel Jarquin-Moreland, Mike Wartella, Billy Finn, Stephen Cerf
Christy Altomare abd Mike Wartella
Billy Finn, Jess LeProtto, Mike Wartella, and Stephen Cerf
Mike Wartella and Joey McIntyre
Mike Wartella and Christy Altomare
Mike Wartella and The Cast of The Wanderer
Mike Wartella and The Cast of The Wanderer
Mike Wartella
Joey McIntyre, Mike Wartella, and Christy Altomare
Mike Wartella and Christy Altomare
Mike Wartella and the cast of The Wanderer
Mike Wartella, Johnny Tammaro, and Joli Tribuzio
