The Goodspeed Musicals' production of the new Because of Winn Dixie, based on the novel by Kate DiCamillo, officially opened July 17 following previews that began June 28.
Directed by Tony winner John Rando (Urinetown) with choreography by Chris Bailey, the limited engagement runs through September 5 at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Connecticut.
Read what critics have to say below:
Hartford Courant (Christopher Arnott)
Journal Inquirer (Tim Leininger)
New Haven Register (E. Kyle Minor)
New York Stage Review (Bob Verini)
The cast features Josie Todd as Opal, J. Robert Spencer as Preacher, Sophia Massa as Sweetie Pie Thomas, Crystal Kellogg as Callie Thomas, Brian Michael Hoffman as Jiggs Thomas, Jay Hendrix as Stevie Dewberry, Jamie Mann as Dunlap Dewberry, Kacie Sheik as Jeanne Dewberry, Chloë Cheers as Amanda Wilkinson, Nicole Powell as Millie Wilkinson, John Edwards as Carl Wilkinson, David Poe as Otis, Isabel Keating as Franny Block, Roz Ryan as Gloria Dump, Ryan Halsaver and Mackenzie Warren as Townspeople, and Bowdie as the title dog. Understudies are Ava Loughlin, Ben Stone-Zelman, Tess Santarsiero, Veronica James, and Bailey.
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Because of Winn Dixie has a book and lyrics by Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls, Legally Blonde) and music by Tony winner Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening, Alice by Heart). The musical is set in a Southern town filled with lost souls. However, a new "leash on life" is just around the corner when a preacher and his daughter take in a mutt named Winn Dixie.
The production also has animal direction by Tony honoree William Berloni, scenic design by Tony winner Donyale Werle, costume design by Emily Rebholz, lighting design by Tony winner Jeff Croiter, sound design by Jay Hilton, wig and hair design by Mark Adam Rampmeyer, music supervision and orchestrations by Jason Hart, and music direction by Adam Souza. The production stage manager is Bradley G. Spachman with casting by Kaitlin Shaw (Tara Rubin Casting).
