Aurora – Brazen and beguiling, the Tony-nominated “BONNIE & CLYDE: A New Musical” opens 8 pm June 28 for seven performances Fridays and Saturdays through July 13 and 3 pm Sunday July 7 at Aurora Community Theatre, 115 E. Pioneer Trail.
The reckless duo’s story of love, adventure and shameless crime features a thrilling, non-traditional score by Frank Wildhorn that combines blues, gospel and rockabilly music with lyrics by Don Black, and a book by Ivan Menchell.
Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, two small-town nobodies who chase dreams of fame and fortune, become Texas law enforcement’s worst nightmare and America’s most renowned folk heroes at the height of the Great Depression.
Marc C. Howard directs and choreographs Hannah Rae Backus as Bonnie and Frank Lucas as Clyde with D. Keith Stiver, music director, and Katie Hintze, producer.
Jesse Roberts takes on the role of Marvin “Buck” Barrow, Clyde’s outlaw brother, and Paige Schiller plays Blanche Barrow, Buck’s righteous, religious wife. Lisa Georges performs as Cumie Barrow, mother of Clyde and Buck, with Jerry Schaber as their dad, Henry Barrow. Theresa Benyo-Marzullo plays Emma Parker, Bonnie’s fragile, widowed mother.
Paul Bass performs the role of Sheriff Schmid with Jovanny Ortiz Jr. (Deputy Johnson), Isaiah Blue (The Preacher), David Rusnak (Ted Hinton), Theresa Dean (Governor Miriam Ferguson), Amie Gabel (Eleanor), Jessie Pollak (Stella),and Jordan Gadoury (Trish).
The play, which explores the early life of the two notorious lovers, features Gilda Chestney, Gina Marzullo, and Hannah Morocco alternating the role of Young Bonnie, with Owen Bass and Peter Stoycos sharing the role of Young Clyde.
Ensemble players (store clerks, police, guards, bank customers, and the choir) include: Megan Feezle, Dan Georges, Jack Jennemann, Bernie Keister, Jim Marzullo, Rachel Marzullo, Sally Morris, Kathy Pekarcik, and Carson Strnisa.
Ann Nyenhuis serves as stage manager and technical director, with April Sike, assistant stage manager. Karen Cirino is in charge of costumes. Maggie Hamilton, sound designer, will operate the sound board for each performance. T.L. Codella designed the lighting.
Todd Plone designed the set with Nyenhuis in charge of the construction crew that included Joe Mira, Paul Mira, Ashley McCoy, Neil Rubin, Craig McCloud, Jerry Schaber, Kelsey Qualters, Chris Hrach, Linda Weinkamer and April Sike.
Liaison to the ACT Board of Trustees is Rebecca Gang. Marianne Gingras designed the show image, poster and signage. In a unique responsibility for this play, Jim Marzullo was the gun/rifle director.
Music director Stiver will play keyboards while conducting the orchestra that includes Debbie Bodkin and Anne Marie Wolfe on reeds, Jonathan “Skip” Edwards, bass, Heather Kovach, fiddle, Herbert Parker, guitar, and Tyler Hardin on percussion.
AUDIENCE ADVISORY: “BONNIE & CLYDE: A New Musical” includes the sound of gunshots, intense lighting effects, portrayals of violence, graphic images, and adult themes. The show may not be suitable for younger viewers.
“BONNIE & CLYDE: A New Musical” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.www.mtishows.com
Tickets for all shows are available online anytime, including seat selection, at auroracommunitytheatre.com or by calling 330-562-1818.
