Matt Doyle, who has appeared in Broadway’s The Book of Mormon, War Horse, and Spring Awakening, will star in the world premiere of The Heart of Rock & Roll, the new musical inspired by the music of the 1980s rock band Huey Lewis and the News that is set to debut at the Old Globe in San Diego this September.
Doyle will play Bobby, a former rocker who trades in his guitar for a steady job in corporate America in the jukebox musical that is directed by Gordon Greenberg. The Heart of Rock & Roll has a book by Jonathan Abrams and story by Tyler Mitchell and Abrams.
Here's how the comedy is billed: “Mainstays on the Chicago dive bar circuit, Bobby and his band are hustling for their big break. But after their latest rejection, Bobby decides it’s 'Hip to Be Square,' trades in his guitar, and starts ‘Workin’ for a Livin’ in corporate America. His boss, Cassandra, has struggles of her own, having sacrificed her personal life for the company. When they both get a shot at their dreams—for Bobby, another crack at rock stardom, and for Cassandra, a chance to become CEO—they must decide ‘If This Is It for their careers, or if ‘The Power of Love’ triumphs over all.”
The Heart of Rock & Roll will run September 6–October 21. An official opening has been set for September 14.
Doyle will be joined by Katie Rose Clarke as Cassandra (Miss Saigon, Allegiance, Wicked), with fellow cast members Lindsay Nicole Chambers as Nina (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde), Patrice Covington as Roz (The Color Purple, Motown), Tony nominee John Dossett as Stone (Newsies, War Paint), Paige Faure as Paige (Cinderella, How to Succeed), F. Michael Haynie as Glenn (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Wicked), Orville Mendoza as Fjord (Peter and the Starcatcher, Pacific Overtures), Lucas Papaelias as JJ (Once, Cyrano de Bergerac), Zachary Noah Piser as Eli (Wicked, Sweeney Todd), Christopher Ramirez as Wyatt (Freaky Friday), and Billy Harrigan Tighe as Tucker (The Book of Mormon).
The ensemble includes Nicolette Burton, James Royce Edwards, Oyoyo Joi, Lucas Papaelias, Robert Pendilla, Christopher Ramirez, MiMi Scardulla, Salisha Thomas, and Josh Tolle, as well as swings Bryan Banville and Katie Banville.
The Heart of Rock & Roll will have choreography by Lorin Latarro, with music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations by Brian Usifer. The creative team includes Tony Award winner Derek McLane (scenic design), Tony winner Paloma Young (costume design), Tony winner Howell Binkley (lighting design), David Patridge and Tony winner John Shivers (sound design), Matt Doebler (music director), Tara Rubin Casting/Eric Woodall, CSA (casting), and Anjee Nero (production stage manager).
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