COMPLETE CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE OF ROSS GOLAN’S “THE WRONG MAN” AT MCC THEATER
Press Contact:
Rick Miramontez
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE
COMPLETE CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR
THE WORLD PREMIERE OF
MULTI-PLATINUM COMPOSER
ROSS GOLAN’S NEW MUSICAL
“THE WRONG MAN”
AT MCC THEATER
DIRECTED BY TONY AWARD® WINNER THOMAS KAIL
MUSIC SUPERVISION AND ORCHESTRATIONS BY TONY & GRAMMY AWARD® WINNER ALEX LACAMOIRE
CHOREOGRAPHED BY EMMY AWARD® WINNER TRAVIS WALL
PERFORMANCES BEGIN WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
New York, NY (August 20, 2019) – MCC Theater (Bob LuPone, Bernie Telsey, Will Cantler, Artistic Directors; Blake West, Executive Director) announced today the complete casting for the the highly anticipated World Premiere of The Wrong Man, the new stage musical written by multi-platinum songwriter Ross Golan (book, music, lyrics).
As previously announced, The Wrong Man will star three-time Tony Award® nominee and Grammy Award® nominee Joshua Henry, Ciara Renée, and Ryan Vasquez. They will be joined by “American Idol” finalist Anoop Desai, Tilly Evans-Krueger (“RENT: Live”), Malik Kitchen (Hamilton, Chicago), Libby Lloyd, Amber Pickens (Cirque du Soleil Paramour), Kyle Robinson (An American in Paris), Debbie Christine Tjong (Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of the Future), and Julius Williams.
The production, which marks the reunion of Hamilton’s Tony Award®-winning director Thomas Kail and three-time Tony® and four-time Grammy®-award winning orchestrator Alex Lacamoire, begins performances Wednesday, September 18, 2019 (with opening night set for October 7, 2019). The production will also feature choreography by two-time Emmy® winning choreographer Travis Wall.
The creative team for The Wrong Man includes scenic design by Tony Award® winner Rachel Hauck, costume design by Jennifer Moeller and Kristin Isola, lighting design by Betsy Adams, sound design by Tony Award® winner Nevin Steinberg, hair and make-up design by Tommy Kurzman, music direction by Taylor Peckham, and casting by Telsey + Company. The Production Stage Manager is Jason Pacella. Tickets are now available at mcctheater.org.
In this singular and exciting new work, the wrong man meets the wrong woman in the wrong place at the wrong time. Set in Reno, Nevada, The Wrong Man tells the story of Duran, a man just scraping by, who is accused of a murder he says he didn’t commit.
Ross Golan has written hit songs for artists spanning multiple genres, including Maroon 5, Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, Lady Antebellum, Michael Bublé, Selena Gomez, Keith Urban, Ariana Grande, Flo Rida, One Direction, Idina Menzel, Nelly, Demi Lovato, Jason Derulo, Meghan Trainor, Cee Lo Green, 5 Seconds of Summer, Prince Royce, Snoop Dogg, Gavin DeGraw, Colbie Caillat, Andy Grammer, James Blunt, Big Sean, Travis Barker, Lukas Graham, Skylar Grey, Rixton, The Vamps, and Icona Pop, amongst many others.
Initially conceived as a solo-acoustic performance in which Golan sings the story, The Wrong Man has evolved over the last 10+ years into a full-length album, animated film, and now a musical developed with Warner Chappell Music.
Ross Golan’s concept album of The Wrong Man, released by Interscope Records, is now available at all major digital retailers. The lead single from The Wrong Man, “Stay Positive,” is now available at all major digital retailers and can be found here. The Wrong Man concept album is written by Golan (music and lyrics); produced by Ricky Reed (The Weeknd, Twenty One Pilots); mixed by Grammy nominee Neal Avron; and features Dr. Dre’s rhythm section, Mike Elizondo, Trevor Lawrence, Johan Carlsson, and Nate Mercereau. An animated film adaptation, directed by Golan and John Hwang, premiered earlier this year at the Tribeca Film Festival.
BIOGRAPHIES
Anoop Desai is a New York-based actor, songwriter, and recording artist. Since 2012, under the pseudonym TOTEM, he has performed on stages from Lollapalooza to SXSW and earned lavish praise from the likes of Billboard, TIME, and The FADER. His music has been recorded by artists on three continents and streamed more than 30 million times on Spotify. He works primarily in his Brooklyn studio when not writing and developing new projects in Los Angeles, Stockholm, and Seoul. This is his Off-Broadway debut, having recently rekindled his love for theater as part of The Secret Garden Developmental Lab (Fakir) in 2018.
Tilly Evans-Krueger. Originally from Madison, WI, Tilly began her training at the Kehl’s School of Dance under the direction of Jenny Hiltbrand. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.F.A. in dance from Wright State University. This past winter she had the pleasure of performing in Fox’s “RENT: Live” and most recently wrapped up filming for In The Heights. Professional Dance companies include; Sonya Tayeh Inc., Chuthis, Camille A. Brown and Dancers, BODYTRAFFIC, Spectrum Dance Theater, and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. Theater credits include: Working: A Musical, The Lucky Ones, and Company XIV’s Nutcracker Rouge directed and created by Austin McCormick. She is thrilled to be making her MCC theater debut.
Joshua Henry was most recently seen on Broadway as the iconic ‘Billy Bigelow’ in the revival of Carousel for which he received a coveted Tony and Grammy nomination. Prior to that Joshua closed his run as ‘Aaron Burr’ in the cultural phenomenon, Hamilton, in Los Angeles. This Fall, Joshua will be starring opposite Jason Mamoa in “See” for Apple TV. Joshua can also be seen in the action flick Renegades starring opposite Oscar winner JK Simmons and Sullivan Stapleton. Joshua has also starred on Broadway as ‘Noble Sissle’ in George C. Wolfe’s Tony-nominated musical Shuffle Along. Prior to Shuffle Along, Joshua was Tony nominated for his star turn as ‘Flick’ in the musical Violet. He received Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Award nominations for his thrilling, show-stopping performance. He was previously nominated for a Tony Award for his starring role in Susan Stroman’s The Scottsboro Boys. Other Broadway credits include leading roles in Diane Paulus’ revival of Porgy & Bess and Green Day’s American Idiot.
Malik Kitchen is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. Theater: Original cast of the Chicago company of Hamilton: An American Musical (ensemble, u/s John Laurens and Phillip Hamilton); TV: Original and lead cast member of MTV’s “Taking The Stage” (season 1); Off-Broadway: Working: a Musical (NYCC Encores!), Company XIV’s Nutcracker Rouge, Cinderella, and Snow White; Other work: Elisa Monte Dance, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Angel Haze. An alumnus and three-time artistic merit scholarship recipient of The Ailey School. Glory to God through whom all things are possible. Love to my family and Adam for their unwavering support. Thanks to my agents at MSA. Gratitude to Telsey+Co and the team at The Wrong Man for this opportunity. IG @malikshabazzkitchen
Libby Lloyd is overjoyed to make her Off-Broadway debut in The Wrong Man. Favorite regional credits: The Prince of Egypt, Matilda, Cinderella u/s Ella (Tuacahn), Seven Brides, Thoroughly Modern Millie u/s Millie, Hairspray (MTWichita), and Oklahoma! (Broadway by the Bay). TV: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” BFA, BYU and three-time National Dance Champion with the BYU Cougarettes. Endless gratitude to God, Telsey + Co, and Bloc. So much love to my gracious husband Dallas, and my incredible family and friends! @libby.lloyd
Amber Pickens is super excited to be making her MCC debut! A graduate of The Juilliard School, she made her Broadway debut in Cirque du Soleil’s Paramour. Amber was recently seen onstage in American Repertory Theater’s The Black Clown during Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival and Savion Glover’s acclaimed production of Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope at NY City Center. An artist of many talents, she has modeled for international fashion houses. Amber has been featured recently in billboards for Desigual in Paris and Dior’s Jerome Gautier’s book Dior: New Looks. Amber received her first television credits in roles on “Bronx SIU” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and has been featured in commercials for Maybelline and BlackPeopleMeet.com. She hosts an online talk show, Kickback & Chat with Amber Pickens, where she chats with established and emerging entertainment professionals. Check out episodes from The Muny’s The Wiz and with producer/choreographer Chase Brock, producer/director Spike Lee, actor Corey Hawkins and more at kickbackchat.com.
Ciara Renée was recently seen on “The Big Bang Theory’s” final season and recurring on Facebook’s original series “Strangers.” She has also appeared on Netflix’s “Master of None” and was previously a series regular on CW’s “Legends of Tomorrow.” A talented singer, Ciara originated the role of ‘The Witch’ in Big Fish and appeared in Pippin on Broadway and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Kyle Robinson is a Juilliard Alumnus. Company work: Hell’s Kitchen Dance with Mikhail Baryshnikov; Aszure Barton; Lar Lubovitch; and Shaping Sound Dance Company where he is a co-founder and owner. NBC “Parks and Recreation” as Abe Lincoln; Diesel and Riff u/s 1st Nat’l Tour of West Side Story. Jerry Mulligan in 1st Nat’l Tour of An American in Paris. Teacher at Dance Makers Inc.
Debbie Christine Tjong is excited to be a part of this amazing show! Debbie is a singer, multi-instrumentalist and actress. Alumni of Berklee College of Music. Off-Broadway: Rags Parkland (Ars Nova) Red Roses, Green Gold (Minetta Lane Theater), Missed Connections: A Craigslist Musical (New Ohio Theater). International: A Labor of Love (p.L.a.Y Prod.), Les Misérables (Victoria Theater). Others: Cowboy Bob (New York Stage and Film), Agent 355 (LPR/MTF), Bran Castle (Signature Theater), Time Bomb (Lenfest Center @ Columbia University), Eastbound (MTF). Currently lead singer and bassist of Imperial Cities at Haswell Green’s. Thank you to my husband Nate, my agents at Professional Artists and the whole team behind The Wrong Man! Instagram: @debbietjongmusic
Ryan Vasquez. MCC debut! Ryan comes from the Broadway cast of Hamilton: An American Musical, where he has the distinct honor of being the first and only actor to portray the roles of Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, George Washington, Hercules Mulligan/James Madison, and Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson. Broadway: Hamilton, Waitress (Original Broadway Cast), Wicked. TV/Film: “The Good Fight” (CBS), “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (HBO), “The Code” (CBS). NY Workshops include The Outsiders (dir. Liesl Tommy), Only Gold (dir. Andy Blankenbuehler), and Dogfight at Second Stage Theater. Ryan’s single, Pray, is available on all platforms. Proud University of Michigan graduate. ryanvasqueznyc.com
Julius Willliams. Hailing from Columbia, Missouri, Julius Williams is excited to make his Off Broadway debut with The Wrong Man at MCC. Julius attended Howard University for Musical Theater and has traveled the world performing on multiple Norwegian Cruise Line vessels. Julius’ accomplishments include opening new shows at Universal Studios Orlando and Busch Gardens Williamsburg. He has also recently performed in Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, Footloose, Crazy For You, Mamma Mia, Passing Strange, Finian’s Rainbow, Rock of Ages, and many other productions around the nation. He would like to thank God, family, and friends for the support and believing in everything he does. @howardboi21
ABOUT MCC THEATER
MCC Theater is one of New York’s leading nonprofit Off-Broadway companies, driven by a mission to provoke conversations that have never happened and otherwise never would. Founded in 1986 as a collective of artists leading peer-based classes to support their own development as actors, writers and directors, the tenets of collaboration, education, and community are at the core of MCC Theater’s programming. One of the only theaters in the country led continuously by its founders, Artistic Directors Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, and William Cantler, MCC fulfills its mission through the production of world, American, and New York premiere plays and musicals that challenge artists and audiences to confront contemporary personal and social issues, and robust playwright development and education initiatives that foster the next generation of theater artists and students.
MCC Theater’s celebrated productions include Jocelyn Bioh’s School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play; Penelope Skinner’s The Village Bike; Robert Askins’ Hand to God (Broadway transfer; five 2015 Tony Award® nominations including Best Play); John Pollono’s Small Engine Repair; Paul Downs Colaizzo’s Really Really; Sharr White’s The Other Place (Broadway transfer); Jeff Talbott’s The Submission (Laurents/Hatcher Award); Neil LaBute’s Reasons to Be Happy, reasons to be pretty (Broadway transfer, three 2009 Tony Award® nominations, including Best Play), Some Girl(s), Fat Pig, The Mercy Seat, and All The Ways To Say I Love You; Michael Weller’s Fifty Words; Alexi Kaye Campbell’s The Pride; Bryony Lavery’s Frozen (Broadway transfer; four 2004 Tony Award® nominations including Best Play, Tony Award® for Best Featured Actor); Tim Blake Nelson’s The Grey Zone; Rebecca Gilman’s The Glory of Living (2002 Pulitzer Prize finalist); Margaret Edson’s Wit (1999 Pulitzer Prize); and the musicals Coraline, Carrie, and Ride the Cyclone. Many plays developed and produced by MCC have gone on to productions throughout the country and around the world.
Blake West joined the company in 2006 as Executive Director. MCC opened the doors to its new home in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, The Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space, on January 9, 2019, unifying the company’s activities under one roof for the first time and expanding its producing, artist development, and education programming.
ABOUT THE ROBERT W. WILSON CHARITABLE TRUST
A successful investor from the 1960s through the 1980s, Robert W. Wilson devoted his life to philanthropy after his retirement, focusing on supporting organizations on preservation and conservation initiatives worldwide. An avid New Yorker, Wilson was also deeply engaged with a number of New York’s cultural institutions. He was a major supporter of, and held leadership roles with, the Whitney Museum and the Metropolitan Opera, where he was a board member for many years. In addition, the Trust continues to support the New York Public Library, Central Park Conservancy, BAM, Wildlife Conservation Society, EDF, Nature Conservancy, WMF, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, organizations he championed during his lifetime. He played a leading role in transforming many of these institutions.
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