The Old Globe Theatre has announced complete casting for its upcoming world-premiere musical adaptation of Benny & Joon, based on the 1993 romantic film comedy by Barry Berman and Leslie McNeil.

Tony Award nominee Bryce Pinkham (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Hair) will star as the eccentric comedian Sam, with Hannah Elless (Bright Star, Godspell, The Other Josh Cohen) as Joon, a mentally ill, free-spirited young woman who is cared for by her brother Benny, to be played by Andrew Samonsky (South Pacific, The Bridges of Madison County, Scandalous). The roles were originated on screen by Johnny Depp, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Aidan Quinn, respectively.

Benny & Joon has a book by Kirsten Guenther (Little Miss Fix-It, Mrs. Sharp), music by Nolan Gasser, and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein (Broadway’s Little Women).

Jack Cummings III, artistic director of Off-Broadway’s Transport Group, directs the musical that runs September 7—October 22. Benny & Joon will officially open September 15.

The premiere cast will also include Colin Hanlon (Falsettos, In Transit) as Mike, January LaVoy (Enron, Coraline) as Ruthie, Paolo Montalban (Allegiance, Cinderella) as Larry, Natalie Toro (A Tale of Two Cities, Les Misérables) as Dr. Cruz and Mrs. Smail, and Jason SweetTooth Williams (Freaky Friday) as Waldo and Video Store Owner. The cast is completed by Katie Whalley Banville and Jake Millgard.

The creative team includes Scott Rink (choreographer), Dane Laffrey (Scenic and Costume Design), R. Lee Kennedy (lighting design), Kai Harada (sound design), Michael Starobin (orchestrations), J. Oconer Navarro (music director), Howie Cherpakov, CSA (casting), Anjee Nero (production stage manager), and Amanda Salmons (stage manager).

Tickets go on sale August 18 at noon. Visit TheOldGlobe.org.

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