The workshop is in advance of a new production of Merrily, which is set to hit the stage of Beverly Hills' Bram Goldsmith Theater at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts November 22-December 18.
The cast was led by stage and screen star Tituss Burgess, Tony winner Steve Kazee, Tony winner Marissa Jaret Winokur and Tony nominee Valarie Pettiford with Adam Von Almen, Bryan Dobson, Max Ehrich, Annie Funke, LaRece Hawkins, Ginifer King, Jeffrey Landman, Charlotte Maltby, Peter Porte, Scarlett Strallen and Luke Youngblood.
Casting for the November production will be announced at a later date.
“I’m so excited to be partnering with The Wallis and Cody Lassen again to bring one of my favorite musicals to life,” remarked Arden. “Just about a year ago, we were in the same rehearsal hall working on Spring Awakening, and to be back in that same room with these incredible actors and creatives felt like a homecoming.”
“The Wallis is both a performing arts center, with stages to share performances with audiences, and a collaborative resource for artists to nurture and develop new ideas, projects and possible productions,” said Paul Crewes, The Wallis’ new artistic director. “We were thrilled to support Michael’s development of our co-production of Merrily We Roll Along, which will be our second theater production of the new season.”
The creative team also included Eamon Foley (choreographer), Adam Wachter (music director), Blake Silver (associate director), Jacob Yates (accompanist), Beth Lipari (casting director) and Lora K. Powell (production stage manager).
Merrily We Roll Along, according to production notes, "travels backwards in time to navigate the bumpy history between three friends—Franklin, Charlie and Mary—who begin their careers in show business together." The musical, based on the Kaufman and Hart play, features “Good Thing Going,” “Old Friends,” “Our Time” and “Not a Day Goes By.”
The musical will be produced by The Wallis and Cody Lassen with co-producer Aaron Sanko.
For more information visit TheWallis.org.