An American Tail the Musical, based on the 1986 Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment animated film, officially opens its world-premiere engagement April 29 following previews that began April 25 at Minnesota's Tony-winning Children's Theatre Company. Performances continue through June 18.
Produced in association with Universal Theatrical Group, the musical features a book and lyrics by The Band's Visit Tony winner Itamar Moses and music and lyrics by Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler. Taibi Magar (We Are Proud to Present) directs with music supervision by Andrea Grody (The Band’s Visit) and choreography by Katie Spelman (The Notebook).
The cast features Luverne Seifert as Papa/Warren T. Rat, Becca Hart as Mama/Digit, Ryan London Levin as Tony/Ensemble, Kiko Laureano as Bridget/Ensemble, Autumn Ness as Gussie/Ensemble, Alexcia Thompson as Cherisse/Ensemble, Deidre Cochran as Henri/Ensemble, Reed Sigmund as Honest John/Ensemble, Morgen Chang as Qiujin’s Mom/Violinist/Ensemble/Dance Captain, Dean Holt as German Landlord/Cop/Ensemble, and Glenn E. Williams II as Moe/Ensemble.
The student cast includes Matthew Woody as Fievel, Lillian Hochman as Tanya/Ensemble, Monica Xiong as Qiujin/Ensemble, Ines Mojica as Orphan/Ensemble, El Kost as Orphan/Ensemble, Mabel Weismann as Orphan/Stu/Ensemble, Anja Arora as Orphan/Ensemble, Mari Peterson-Hilleque as Orphan/Ensemble, and Tic Trietler as Orphan/Sigfrid/Ensemble.
Understudies are Jim Ahrens, Ayla Rose Bornsztein, Samantha Buckley, Morgen Chang, Adelyn Frost, Max Kile, Sam Mandell, Ines Mojica, Junia Morrow, Alexcia Thompson, Mabel Weismann, and Glenn E. Williams II.
An American Tail follows the optimistic, young Fievel Mousekewitz, who escapes Russia by boat, making his way as a new immigrant in New York. Despite everything stacked against him, Fievel clings to his dreams of a better life and reuniting with his family.
The creative team also includes scenic designer Jason Sherwood, costume designer Trevor Bowen, lighting designer Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew, sound designer Katharine Horowitz, puppet designer Christopher Lutter-Gardella, dramaturg Talvin Wilks, dialect coach Keely Wolter, wig, hair, and makeup designer J. Jared Janas, associate music supervisor/conductor Victor Zupanc, copyist Jason Hansen, assistant director Emma Lai, assistant choreographer Emily Madigan, assistant lighting designer Ellie Simonett, associate sound designer Sten Severson, stage manager Jenny Friend, assistant stage manager/stage manager Kathryn Sam Houkom, assistant stage manager Z Makila, and stage management fellows Cortney Gilliam and Jiccarra N. Hollman.
Featuring a screenplay by Judy Freudberg and Tony Geiss based on a story by David Kirschner, the film's voice cast included Dom DeLuise, Christopher Plummer, Phillip Glasser, Erica Yohn, and more. An American Tail was nominated for an Academy Award in 1987 for Best Original Song for "Somewhere Out There," penned by James Horner, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil.
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