The Arena Stage world premiere of the new musical Dave began performances July 18. Opening night in Washington, D.C., is scheduled for July 27. Drew Gehling, who originated the role of Dr. Pomatter in the Broadway musical Waitress, plays both President Bill Mitchell and the title role.
The cast also features Mamie Parris (Cats, School of Rock) as First Lady Ellen Mitchell, Douglas Sills (War Paint) as Chief of Staff Bob Alexander, Josh Breckenridge (Come From Away), Rachel Flynn (Off-Broadway’s Heathers the Musical), Bryonha Marie Parham (Prince of Broadway), and Jonathan Rayson (Little Shop of Horrors). (While Sills recovers from minor surgery, Dave cast member Jared Bradshaw has stepped into his role.)
Flip through photos of the production below:
Dave features a book by three-time Tony winner Thomas Meehan (Annie, Hairspray, The Producers) and Tony nominee Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls, Legally Blonde), music by Pulitzer Prize and two-time Tony winner Tom Kitt (Next to Normal, If/Then), and lyrics by Benjamin. Tony nominee Tina Landau, currently represented on Broadway with SpongeBob SquarePants, directs.
The production also has scenic design by Tony Award nominee Dane Laffrey, costume design by two-time Tony Award nominee Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by five-time Tony Award nominee Japhy Weideman, sound design by Tony Award nominee Walter Trarbach, projection design by Drama Desk Award winner Peter Nigrini, and casting by Telsey + Company/Patrick Goodwin, CSA.
