Paint Your Wagon (LA)

Hello!

I have the pleasure of playing two roles (a saucy French madam and a disgruntled Mormon wife) in the Geffen's wonderful new production of Paint Your Wagon, and I really hope any LA-area folks on the board will come out and see it!

We officially open Dec. 1st, but we start Previews Nov 23rd, and the tickets are much less expensive that week. So, if you'd like to come but money is an issue, that's probably your best bet. =)

Hope to see you there!

Best,
Erika

PAINT YOUR WAGON

“Lusty ballads…Roaring tunes…Rowdy bar-room festivity”!
- New York Times

Written by: Alan Jay Lerner and Fredrick Loewe

Adapted by: David Rambo

Directed by: Gilbert Cates

November 23, 2004 – January 9, 2005


World Premiere Adaptation by David Rambo!

On November 23rd, Los Angeles is going to strike it rich! The Geffen Playhouse presents Lerner and Loewe’s rousing gold rush musical “Paint Your Wagon,” with an all new adaptation by David Rambo. The legendary Gil Cates directs this Great American Original at the Brentwood Theatre.

Ben Rumson has come out West to find his fortune. When he strikes gold, people come from all over to join the strike, and the gold is only the beginning of the adventure. When Ben’s daughter Jennifer falls in love with Julio Valveras, a Mexican in search of his own American dream, love becomes more important than money. The Rumson family is faced with choosing between gold and each other. Come along for the American journey where every man has a right to his own dream.
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PLAYBILL ARTICLE

"NYPD Blue" and Chicago Star Sharon Lawrence Sings in New Paint Your Wagon
By Ernio Hernandez
03 Nov 2004

"NYPD Blue" actress Sharon Lawrence will star in the Geffen Playhouse staging of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's Paint Your Wagon in a new adaptation by David Rambo.

The revised revival directed by Geffen producing director Gilbert Cates will play at the company's interim home at the Brentwood Theatre, Nov. 23, 2004-January 9, 2005. The official open is set for Dec. 1.

Lerner and Loewe's classic musical set during the California Gold Rush, Paint Your Wagon, comes to life anew via playwright Rambo (God's Man in Texas). The musical follows the "story of a widowed prospector, his 16-year-old daughter, and the boomtown that is created when they find gold," according to a release.

Lawrence — who has appeared on Broadway in Chicago — is featured in a cast that includes Erika Amato, Robert Alan Clink, Janelle Dote, Joe Garcia, Steven Hack, David Jennings, Rob Kahn, Daniel Lujan, Alex Mendoza, Harry S. Murphy, Tracy Powell, Morgan Rusler, Jessica Rush, Ian Shen, Andy Umberger and Tom Wilson.

The musical, featuring a book and lyrics by Lerner with music by Loewe, debuted on Broadway in 1951 with James Barton, Olga San Juan and James Mitchell. The work was later adapted for film in 1969 by Paddy Chayefsky starring Lee Marvin, Jean Seberg and Clint Eastwood. Lerner and Loewe also went on to create the musicals Brigadoon, My Fair Lady, Gigi and Camelot.

The score features songs such as "I'm On My Way," "I Still See Elisa," "They Call The Wind Maria," "There's A Coach Comin' In," "Whoop-Ti-Ay!," "I Talk to the Trees" and "Wand'rin' Star."

Paint Your Wagon will feature choreography by Kay Cole. Musical director Steve Orich provides arrangements and orchestrations. The design team for features Daniel Ionazzi (scenic and lighting), David Kay Mickeleson (costume) and Phil Allen (sound). Grayson Merritt serves as production stage manager.

Tickets to Paint Your Wagon, at the Brentwood Theatre, 11301 Wilshire Boulevard, (on the campus of the Veterans Administration) in Brentwood, CA, are available by calling (310) 208-5454 or online at www.geffenplayhouse.com.
The Geffen Playhouse