Prelude to a Kiss a musical—the
musical version of Craig Lucas' 1990 Tony-nominated romantic
comedy—began performances at Milwaukee Repertory Theater September 10 following the recent world premiere at South Coast Repertory. Opening is September 13.
The cast is led by Andrew Montgomery Coleman as Taylor, Jonathan Gillard Daly as Julius, Julie Garnyé (Come from Away national tour) as Leah, Caitlin Houlahan (Girl From the North Country) as Rita, Chris McCarrell (Les Misérables) as Peter, James Moye (Million Dollar Quartet) as Rita’s Dad, Keirsten Hodgens as Angie, and Tony winner Karen Ziemba (Contact) as Rita’s Mom with ensemble members Bella Hicks (Waitress), Robert Zelaya (Kinky Boots), Caroline Pernick, and Scott Redman plus swings Rachel Lykins and Marcel Werder.
Kenneth Ferrone (The Wanderer) directs the production
with directorial contributions from South Coast Rep Artistic Director
David Ivers.
Check out photos from the new musical, currently scheduled through October 19 at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, in the gallery below.
Prelude to a Kiss a musical
Caitlin Houlahan, Chris McCarrell, and company of Prelude to a Kiss a musical
Chris McCarrell, James Moye, Caitlin Houlahan, and Karen Ziemba in Prelude to a Kiss a musical
Company of Prelude to a Kiss a musical
Jonathan Gillard Daly, Caitlin Houlahan, and Chris McCarrell in Prelude to a Kiss a musical
Julie Garnyé, Chris McCarrell, and Jonathan Gillard Daly in Prelude to a Kiss a musical
Jonathan Gillard Daly, Caitlin Houlahan, and Chris McCarrell in Prelude to a Kiss a musical
Keirsten Hodgens, Caitlin Houlahan, Andrew Montgomery Coleman, and Chris McCarrell in Prelude to a Kiss a musical
Caitlin Houlahan and Chris McCarrell in Prelude to a Kiss a musical
Caitlin Houlahan and Chris McCarrell in Prelude to a Kiss a musical
Karen Ziemba, James Moye, Caitlin Houlahan, and Chris McCarrell in Prelude to a Kiss a musical
Caitlin Houlahan and Chris McCarrell in Prelude to a Kiss a musical
Robert Zelaya, Andrew Montgomery Coleman, Scott Redmond, Chris McCarrell and James Moye in Prelude to a Kiss a musical
Caroline Pernick, Keirsten Hodgens, Bella Hicks, Caitlin Houlahan, Julie Garnyé, and Karen Ziemba in Prelude to a Kiss a musical
Caitlin Houlahan and Chris McCarrell in Prelude to a Kiss a musical
James Moye and Chris McCarrell in Prelude to a Kiss a musical
With lyrics by Sean Hartley and Daniel Messé, music by Messé,
and a book by original playwright Lucas, the new musical concerns a
mysterious guest, who requests a kiss at Peter and Rita’s wedding. The
boundaries of true love are tested, taking the couple on a fantastic
journey of self-discovery.
The production also has musical direction by Wiley DeWeese, choreography by Julia Rhoads, set design by Scott Davis, costume design by Linda Cho and Herin Kaputkin, lighting design by Marcus Doshi, sound design by Andrea Allmond, projection design by Yee Eun Nam, orchestrations by Greg Pliska, vocal arrangements by Wiley DeWeese and Daniel Messé, dramaturgy by Andy Knight, and production stage management by Mark Johnson.
Geoff Josselson handled casting with additional casting by Joanne DeNaut and Jonathan Hetler.
Prelude to a Kiss, the source material behind the new musical, premiered at South Coast Rep in 1988.
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