Young actors Jack McCarthy and Huxley Westemeier will share the title role in the upcoming world premiere of August Rush in Aurora, Illinois, this spring. As previously reported, John Doyle will direct the new musical, based on the Oscar-nominated Warner Bros. film about an orphaned music prodigy on a quest to be reunited with his parents.
August Rush will begin previews at Aurora's Paramount Theatre April 24 ahead of a May 3 opening night.
Tony winner Doyle will direct a principal cast that also includes The Band’s Visit’s George Abud as August's long-lost father; Sydney Shepherd (First Date), who will play August’s birth mother; and Leenya Rideout (War Horse) as Hope. Broadway veteran John Hickok will play the dual roles of Wizard (played by Robin Williams in the film) and Thomas Novacek.
August Rush features music and lyrics by Mark Mancina (who scored the original Warner Bros. film) and a book and lyrics by Glen Berger. Orchestrations and additional music are by Tony nominee David Metzger, who orchestrated the film.
“I’m excited about the development of this new and unique musical,” said director Doyle. “August Rush centers on the emotional and musical journey of a young boy–a lost boy. Through music he reunites with the parents he otherwise may never have found. The ‘hope’ that the story highlights is powerful. That, more than anything, is what attracted me to the material, and I’m honored to be a part of its journey.”
The ensemble for the world premiere will be made up of Marta Bagratuni, Alex Bender, Matt Deitchman, Ginna Doyle, Brad Giovanine, Lizzie Hagstedt, Jessie Linden, Troy Valjean Rucker, Doug Smith, and Katrina Yaukey.
August Rush will have choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter, music direction by Greg Jarrett, sets by Scott Pask, costumes by Ann Hould-Ward, lighting by Paul Toben, sound design by Dan Moses Schreier, projection design by Joe Burke, wig, hair, and makeup by Katie Cordts, and props by Jesse Gaffney. Casting is by Trent Stork and Stewart Whitley. Adam John Hunter, Christine D’Amore, and Matthew McMullen serve as stage managers.
For tickets and more, visit ParamountAurora.com,
