Jersey Boys’ Steve Orich Orchestrating New Can-Can!
June 18th, 2007Playbill.com reports that Jersey Boys’ Orchestrator Steve Orich is part of the creative team that will give the Cole Porter musical comedy Can-Can a fresh take in a world-premier at Pasadena Playhouse.
David Lee and Joel Fields have revised the book for the musical, which begins previews June 28 and opens July 6 at the California stage for a run through August 5. Lee will direct the cast of 22.
Can-Can centers on “Pistache, the only woman in Paris who owns a café that features the sexy and provocative Can-Can dance,” as a release states. “Pistache faces both a fervent attempt to shut down her business as well as her own complications in love.”
The cast will feature Michelle Duffy (as Pistache), Kevin Earley (Aristide), Amir Talai (Boris), David Engel (Hilaire), Yvette Tucker (Claudine), Robert Yacko (Le Petomane), Jeffrey Landman (Hercule) and Justin Robertson as(Etienne). The ensemble also includes Shell Bauman, Andrea Beasom, Bonnie Bentley, Robert Alan Clink, Seth Hampton, Alaine Kashian, Jeanine Meyer, Alison Mixon, Justin Roller, Joe Schenck, Jonathan Sharp, Leslie Stevens, Rocklin Thompson and Rebecca Whitehurst.
The musical originally opened on Broadway in 1953 starring Gwen Verdon (who would win the Tony Award) at the Shubert Theatre. The show was then adapted for the 1960 film version featuring Shirley MacLaine and Frank Sinatra.
Tickets to Can-Can at the Pasadena Playhouse, 39 South El Molino Ave. in Pasadena, CA are available by calling (626) 356-PLAY, at the box office or online at pasadenaplayhouse.org.
Wow, Steve–I never saw Can-Can on stage, but do remember the movie. I particularly remember the song “Let’s Do It”. It will be interesting to see how the book is updated for the new century. (I do recall the subject matter being somewhat controversial forty plus years ago!)
I have checked your website and your resume is indeed impressive….Helen Reddy (one of my favorites from the 1970′s), Petula Clark, and Debbie Gibson, all doing showtunes.
I’m sure it’ll be a success, Steve, given your track record. I’ll watch for the glowing reviews.
Comment by Howard Tucker — June 20, 2007 @ 8:14 pm