Contact:Gretchen Miller Basso
Public Relations Director
The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
Phone: 407/896-6700 x 223
Fax: 407/896-5512
gmiller@orlandophil.org
www.orlandophil.org
(Orlando, FL – August 30, 2010) – The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra is proud to announce the cast for its upcoming production of Frank Loesser’s Guys and Dolls, the second program in its 2010-2011 Super Series. Guys and Dolls, presented in collaboration with Mad Cow Theatre, takes place on Saturday, October 9, 2010 with two performances: 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM, at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, 401 W. Livingston Street, Orlando. The Sponsor of the Super Series is Darden Restaurants Foundation. The Artists’ sponsor for Guys and Dolls is Harriett Lake.
Guys and Dolls may be a production out of the Broadway history books, but the story line still has a modern tone. Boy meets Girl, Girl can’t be bothered with Boy, Boy chases Girl, Girl falls head over heels in love…
Maestro Christopher Wilkins leads the Orlando Philharmonic in a concert staging of this classic musical featuring stage direction by Frank McClain. This is the sixth collaboration between the Orlando Philharmonic and Mad Cow Theatre.
In the title role of Sky Masterson is the multi-talented Davis Gaines. Gaines, best-known for his starring role on Broadway as the Phantom of the Opera, recently wowed Orlando audiences with his performance in the title role of Sweeney Todd with the Orlando Philharmonic and Mad Cow Theatre. Gaines has also sung in numerous concert performances with the Philharmonic; his talent and charm attracting wide audiences. Gaines was chosen by Hal Prince and Andrew Lloyd Webber to play the leading role in the world premiere of Whistle Down the Wind in Washington, D.C. Other Broadway and national tour credits include Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera, Cornelius Hackl in Hello, Dolly! with Carol Channing, Camelot with Richard Burton and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas with Alexis Smith.
In the role of Miss Adelaide is Andrea Canny. Canny has been a star of the Orlando Cabaret scene for years. Her soaring voice has entertained discerning audiences throughout the nation. She has performed in roles for Disney Live Entertainment including Belle in Beauty and the Beast, and as an entertainer in various roles at Disney’s Adventurer’s Club. (Faith Prince, originally cast in the role of Miss Adelaide, had to decline the role because she had an outstanding opportunity to perform in the touring Broadway production of the smash hit, Billy Elliott.)
In the role of Sarah Brown is Michelle Knight. Knight charmed Philharmonic audiences in her role as Eliza Doolittle in last season’s production of My Fair Lady. She was seen on Broadway in the Tony award winning Jersey Boys. National tours include Rizzo in Grease and Connie Boylan in the 30th anniversary tour of Annie. Locally, she performed with Mad Cow in The Butter and Egg Man, with the Orlando Shakespeare Festival in A Little Night Music, and at Seaside Music Theater as Belle in Beauty and the Beast.
Popular Orlando actor Philip Nolen performs the role of Nathan Detroit. Nolen performed the role of Henry Higgins in the Philharmonic’s recent production of My Fair Lady, presented in collaboration with Mad Cow Theatre. In his twenty-year career he has appeared in over thirty plays and musicals, most recently giving critically acclaimed performances as Salieri in Mad Cow Theatre’s Amadeus, and in Orlando Shakespeare Theater’s hilarious musical history of the universe, The Big Bang. Mr. Nolen also appears as an actor and singer on various stages at Walt Disney World, where he currently sits on the judges’ panel in The American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Additional cast members are Andrew Meidenbauer as Nicely-Nicely Johnson, Michael Edwards as Benny Southstreet, Mark Miller as Big Jule, Rod Cathey as Rusty Charlie, Melissa Vasquez as General Cartwright and Frank Siano as Arvide Abernathy.
Single tickets to Guys and Dolls are $14.75, $29, $39, $52, $70. Subscriptions to the Orlando Philharmonic’s Super Series are presently on sale, and range in price from $35 to $600. To purchase subscriptions and single tickets, phone the Philharmonic’s box office at 407-770-0071, or visit the Philharmonic’s website at www.orlandophil.org.
