press release
Get Ready for an All New Production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's International Sensation Sunset Boulevard at the Ogunquit Playhouse
For Immediate Release:
July 19, 2010
Get ready for your close-up! The Ogunquit Playhouse is the first fully staged Regional theatre in the nation to produce an all new production of Sunset Boulevard starring Stefanie Powers as Norma Desmond, July 28 through August 14, complete with the Tony Nominated costumes by the Academy Award winning designer, Anthony Powell and an all new set designed exclusively for the Ogunquit stage by Todd Ivins. This musical is based on the film noir classic by Billy Wilder that starred Gloria Swanson and William Holden. It is the winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical and features some of Andrew Lloyd Webber's loveliest melodies including, “With One Look” and “As If We Never Said Goodbye.”
Stefanie Powers is probably best known to audiences for her work on the very popular, long-running television series “Hart to Hart” with Robert Wagner. She began her career at age fifteen, dancing briefly for famed choreographer Jerome Robbins. Stefanie was under contract to Columbia Pictures for five years appearing in 15 motion pictures. In addition to her films, she has made dozens of TV guest appearances, over 20 mini-series and toured in many theatrical productions including Under the Yum Yum Tree, How the Other Half Loves, Sabrina, A View From the Bridge, Oliver! and Annie Get Your Gun. She appeared in the first revival of Applause, the musical version of All About Eve, Off-Broadway in The Vagina Monologues and took over for Elaine Page in the elaborate UK production of The King and I. She recently released her debut CD, “On the Same Page,” a collection of tunes from the classic American songbook. Stefanie’s long awaited memoire, “One From the Hart,” will be available in the Fall of 2010. She is also co-founder and president of the William Holden Wildlife Foundation, established in 1982 as a public charity to continue the late actor’s conservation work in Africa.
Todd Gearhart joins the cast as Joe Gillis, the ill-fated screen writer entangled in Norma Desmond’s dark world. Todd was seen recently in the Broadway production of Bye Bye Birdie. He has performed in many Regional Theaters throughout the country, on television in Law & Order, Lipstick Jungle, All My Children, Guiding Light and As the World Turns, as well as several films including Moving Mike, Neurotica and the upcoming Dogs Lie. Max will be played by Broadway veteran Sal Mistretta who returns to Ogunquit Playhouse after appearing in last season’s Guys and Dolls. Sal was part of the original Los Angeles and Broadway companies of Sunset Boulevard working with Glenn Close, Betty Buckley and Elaine Page. His Broadway and Touring credits include Caberet, Evita, Cats and Sweeney Todd. The part of Betty Schaefer will be played by Christina Decicco. She was last seen as Cindy Lou in the final Off-Broadway cast of The Marvelous Wonderettes and as Glinda in the National Tour of Wicked.
Shaun Kerrison, returns to the Ogunquit Playhouse to Direct Sunset Boulevard. Shaun recently directed Super Alice Smith a new musical for Perfect Pitch at Trafalgar Studios, London and in the U.S. he was Resident Director on the Broadway Production of Mary Poppins at the New Amsterdam Theatre. In 2008 Shaun helmed the productions of My Fair Lady {Best Musical and Best Director Nominations IRNE Awards} and Les Misérables for the Ogunquit Playhouse. Among Shaun Kerrison’s many achievements are positions as Associate Director of Les Misérables at the Palace Theatre in London and Tour Director for the national company, Associate Director of My Fair Lady at both the National Theatre and Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the Associate Director on J M Barrie's original play of Peter Pan and The Pirates of Penzance, both at The Savoy Theatre, London, the resident director of The Lion King (Lyceum) and in 2007 staged Les Misérables in concert for a special gala performance at Windsor Castle to celebrate 100 years of the Entente Cordiale, for Her Majesty the Queen and President Chirac.
The season continues with Monty Python's Spamalot, August 18 through September 11 and Chicagowraps up the Playhouse season, September 15 through October 24 with Sally Struthers in the roll ofMatron “Mama” Morton. The Ogunquit Playhouse is America’s Foremost Summer Theatre producing the finest Broadway musicals each season, with performances Tuesday through Sunday, from June 9 to October 24, 2010. Main Stage tickets prices range from $49-$67 per show. Gift Certificates and Season Subscriptions are also on sale now. For a complete list of show times, pricing and more information about the season, visit our website www.ogunquitplayhouse.org. Tickets on-line or through the box office at 207-646-5511.