Randy Skinner (42nd Street) directs and choreographs the musical inspired by The Merry Wives of Windsor, which began previews Sept. 8. The run is slated through Sept. 30. (The show then heads to Broadway's Belasco Theatre for a Nov. 1 start and a Dec. 3 open.)
Transplanting the Bard's tale to the Wild West shortly after the Civil War, the musical conceived by John L. Haber features a book by Haber and Robert Horn with a score by Red Clay Rambler Jack Herrick. John Rando (Urinetown) serves as creative supervisor for the production.
Quaid — who will be making his Broadway debut in the work — stars as Colonel John Falstaff opposite Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde), Hoty (Will Rogers Follies) and Kennedy (Spamalot). Also featured in the cast are Clarke Thorell (Hairspray), Ramona Keller (Smokey Joe's Café), Drew McVety (Spamalot), Dan Sharkey (The Music Man), Kara Lindsay, Nick Sullivan (Footloose) and Brandon Williams (Off-Broadway run of Lone Star Love).
The ensemble comprises Stacey Harris, Amanda Lea LaVergne, Ryan Murray, Monica Patton, Miguel A. Romero, Chad Seib, Jeremy Benton, Anne Horak, Kristie Dale Sanders and Tony Lawson.
Red Clay Ramblers Chris Frank and Jack Herrick lead an onstage band, which also includes Sam Bardfeld, Gary Bristol, Shannon Ford and Emily Mikesell. The musical group The Red Clay Ramblers are not new to the stage, having earned a special 1999 Tony Award for their work in Fool Moon. The design team for Lone Star Love includes Derek McLane (set), Jane Greenwood (costumes), Ken Billington and Paul Miller (lighting), Tom Morse (sound) with Tom Watson (hair/wig). Herrick also serves as musical director with Ken Lundie as associate musical director.
The musical was previously presented by Amas Musical Theatre in a limited Off-Broadway run at the John Houseman Theatre with Michael Bogdanov directing and Skinner choreographing. Jay O. Sanders, who can be seen in the Broadway revival of Pygmalion, starred in the Falstaff role.
Lone Star Love will be produced on Broadway by Avenue A Productions, Roger Berlind, Robert Boyett Theatricals, Edmund and Eleanor Burke, Rusty and Susan Carter, Jon and Jeanne Cutler, Daisy Theatricals, and Michael Speyer/Bernard Abrams.
The season at 5th Ave. continues with Into The Woods (Oct. 19-Nov. 10), Whistle Down the Wind (Nov. 13-Dec. 2), Jersey Boys (Dec. 5-Jan. 12, 2008), Mame (Feb. 9-March 2, 2008) and Cabaret (March 25-April 13, 2008).
Tickets to Lone Star Love, at The 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 5th Avenue in downtown Seattle, WA, are available by calling (206) 625-1900, (toll free) at (888) 5TH 4TIX or online at 5thavenue.org.
