PhotosPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Beautiful People of Denver!" A Two-Show Day at the Newly-Revised Unsinkable Molly Brown With Omar Lopez-CeperoThe Denver Center Theatre Company's new adaptation of Meredith Willson's classic musical The Unsinkable Molly Brown officially opened Sept. 19 at The Stage Theatre. Cast member Omar Lopez-Cepero (American Idiot) documented a recent two-show day with the Broadway-studded cast.
By
Matthew Blank
October 22, 2014
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Beautiful People of Denver!" A Two-Show Day at the Newly-Revised Unsinkable Molly Brown With Omar Lopez-Cepero
Directed and choreographed by three-time Tony winner Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes), performances will continue through Oct. 26.
Based on the book by Richard Morris, the production has a new book and additional lyrics by three-time Tony Award nominee Dick Scanlan (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and showcases never-before-heard songs from Willson's catalogue. Musical adaptation is by Michael Rafter. Colorado native Beth Malone (Fun Home) heads the cast as Molly Brown with Burke Moses (Beauty and the Beast) as JJ Brown.
"Rooted in extensive research of the turbulent Gold Rush era, Colorado’s most treasured rags-to-riches romance traces Molly’s rise from a small-town tomboy to a member of Denver’s high society," according to press notes. "The core of this musical comedy is the tempestuous can't-live-with him/can't-live-without him love story that survives the Silver Boom, the Gold Rush, and the R.M.S. Titanic." Song titles include “I Ain’t Down Yet,” “Belly Up To The Bar Boys” and “Colorado, My Home,” and “I’ll Never Say No.”
“The vision of the Theatre Company at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts is about reflecting the stories and the issues of the day, not only in our local community of Denver, but also Colorado, the Rocky Mountains and nationally,” said producing artistic director Kent Thompson in an earlier statement. "The Unsinkable Molly Brown has a deep Colorado connection, but this is also a story about one of the most iconic women in American history. We have a first class Broadway creative team and an exceptional cast of actors that are going to bring this production to life like it has never been seen before. I couldn’t imagine the show premiering elsewhere.”
The creative team includes scenic designer Derek McLane, costume designer Paul Tazewell, lighting designer Donald Holder, sound designer Craig Breitenbach and musical director Michael Rafter. Casting is by Jim Carnahan, CSA and Stephen Kopel, CSA. The production stage manager is Stephen R. Gruse.