Theatre Aspen announces casts for 2019 summer season

Aspen Times file
Theatre Aspen has announced the complete casts for its summer 2019 productions of “Guys and Dolls,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and “God of Carnage,” along with a slate of special events for the season.
“One of the most distinctive things about Theatre Aspen is its ability to provide a home to so many artists, on and off-stage. In this packed and exciting 2019 season, we are delighted to be welcoming so many alumni back to the Hurst Theatre,” producing director Jed Bernstein said in the announcement.
The 2019 Theatre Aspen company of actors includes Travis Anderson (“Guys and Dolls:” Angie The Ox; “Little Shop of Horrors:” Wino #1/Puppeteer) Heather Botts (“Guys and Dolls:” Sarah Brown; Cabaret Series), Kevin Michael Buckley (“Guys and Dolls:” Calvin, Havana Waiter; Cabaret Series), Galyana Castillo (“Guys and Dolls:” General Cartwright; Little Shop of Horrors: Crystal), Christian Conn (“God of Carnage:”: Alan), Jon Cooper (“Guys and Dolls:” Benny Southstreet; Cabaret Series), Ray Demattis (“Guys and Dolls:” Arvide; Little Shop of Horrors: Mr. Mushnik), Robert Ellis (“Guys and Dolls:” Seldome Seen Kid; Cabaret Series), Rosharra Francis (“Guys and Dolls:” Hot Box Girl; Little Shop of Horrors: Ronette), Jonathan Gomolka (“Guys and Dolls:” Harry The Horse; Cabaret Series), Dion Greer (“Guys and Dolls:” Nicely, Nicely; Little Shop of Horrors: Audrey II), Joan Hess (God of Carnage: Veronica), Torsten Hillhouse (God of Carnage: Michael), Alisha Jury (“Guys and Dolls:” Hot Box Girl; Little Shop of Horrors: Chiffon), Julie Kavanaugh (“Guys and Dolls:” Adelaide; Little Shop of Horrors: Audrey), Nevada Koenig (“Guys and Dolls:” Hot Box Girl; Cabaret Series), Christopher Carter Minor (“Guys and Dolls:” Lt. Branigan; Cabaret Series), Tony Roach (“Guys and Dolls:” Sky Masterson; Little Shop of Horrors: Orin), Alice Sherman (God of Carnage: Annette), Blakely Slaybaugh (“Guys and Dolls:” Nathan Detroit; Cabaret Series), and Blake Stadnik (“Guys and Dolls:” Rusty Charlie, Joey Biltmore; “Little Shop of Horrors:” Seymour).
As previously announced, “Guys and Dolls” will run June 21 to Aug. 17 and will be directed by Tony Award nominee Hunter Foster. It will be choreographed by Lisa Shriver (first season), with a creative team that includes Eric Alsford (music director; sixth Season), David Arsenault (scenic designer; first Season), Nikki Moody (costume designer; second Season), Aaron Spivey (lighting designer; first Season), David Thomas (sound designer; 12th Season), and Jared Janas (hair & wig designer; second Season).
Carbonell Award winner Mark Martino returns to Theatre Aspen for a remarkable eleventh time to direct and choreograph a newly reimagined production of “Little Shop of Horrors,” running July 11 to Aug. 17, alongside Elise Kinnon (associate director and co-choreographer; sixth Season) and a creative team that includes Eric Alsford (music director), Markas Henry (scenic designer; second Season), Kevin Brainerd (costume designer; eighth Season), Aaron Spivey (lighting designer), David Thomas (sound designer), and Diana Ben-Kiki (hair and wig designer; fourth season).
Rounding out the main-stage season is Yasmina Reza’s play “God of Carnage” (July 17 – Aug. 3), directed Karen Azenberg, Artistic Director of the Pioneer Theatre Company, in her first summer at Theatre Aspen. The creative team for “God of Carnage” includes Markas Henry (scenic designer), Kevin Brainerd (costume designer), Aaron Spivey (lighting design), and David Thomas (sound designer).
Additionally, Theatre Aspen Education’s Summer Conservatory Program will present a limited-engagement student production of The Wizard of Oz (July 25 – Aug. 10) on the main-stage, directed and choreographed by Elise Kinnon and designed by the 2019 Theatre Aspen Apprentices.
Complementing this year’s main-stage presentations, the season will also feature several special events throughout the summer, including a Season Sneak Peek on Sunday, June 16 at the Hurst Theatre; the return of the Theatre Aspen Cabaret Series, now expanded by popular demand to three dates: June 30 (Caribou Club), July 14, and August 4 (Jimmy’s); in collaboration with the Aspen Music Festival, a one-night-only presentation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific: In Concert” on Monday, July 22 in the Benedict Music Tent; and the Theatre Aspen Apprentice Program Showcase on Sunday, Aug. 11 on the Hurst Theatre stage.
Season passes went on-sale April 15 and can be purchased online at theatreaspen.org or by phone at 970-925-9313. Singe tickets will be available May 8.

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