CUMBERLAND — The Cumberland Theatre will continue its 37th season with two musicals to be performed on alternate evenings.
Opening first, on July 10, will be “Grease the Musical,” which is centered around Rydell High’s senior class of 1959.
An eight-year run on Broadway and two subsequent revivals, along with innumerable school and community productions place “Grease” among the world’s most popular musicals.
“Grease” is being directed by Kimberli Rowley, with musical direction by Kelly Schrecengost and choreography by Kiersten Gasemy. The show stars newcomers Kassie Kueffner as Sandy and Gianni Saverio as Danny. Also featured will be Shanna Brajevic (also making her CT debut) as Rizzo and local actor Brian Records (last seen in “Jersey Boys”) as Kenickie.
Opening on July 12, will be the musical adaptation of the 1998 film “The Wedding Singer,” which starred Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. The show is set in a time when hair was big, greed was good, collars were up and a wedding singer might just be the coolest guy in the room.
Serving as director and choreographer for “The Wedding Singer” is Danny Durr with music direction by Mikayla Dodge. Starring as Robbie Hart will be Nolen Petrosky, who last appeared on the CT stage as Tommy in “Jersey Boys.” Newcoming Addie Skillman will play the role of Julia. Also featured are Emma Schilling (also last seen in “Jersey Boys”) as Holly and local actor Kirk Squires as Sammy.
The supporting cast of both shows include Connor McCabe, Lexus Middleton, Joseph DiBiase, Keri Palmer, Andrew Watkins, Emily Snyder, Lura Thompson, Sean Besecker, Kiersten Gasemy and Joel Hoover.
The design team includes Jennifer Clark (costume design for Grease), Nick Cochran (costume design for The Wedding Singer), Matthew Georgeson (lighting design for Grease), Xander Mulder (lighting design for The Wedding Singer), Rhett Wolford (set design) and Jaiden Courrier (sound design). Marcus Hardinger is serving as the stage manager for both productions with assistance from Joseph DiBiase.
“We are excited to try something new at CT,” said Rowley, the theater’s artistic director. “It is both a challenge and a joy to offer our patrons not one — but two — amazing musicals set in two awesome decades that feature great music and a very talented cast!”
Performance dates for “Grease” are July 10, 11, 19, 20, 24 and 25 and Aug. 2 and 3. “The Wedding Singer” will be performed July 12, 13, 17, 18, 26, 27, 31 and Aug. 1. Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at cumberlandtheatre.com or by calling 301-759-4990.