Rehearsals started last week for the Alliance Theatre’s upcoming world premiere BULL DURHAM, a new musical based on the beloved 1988 film, which Sports Illustrated proclaimed to be the “#1 Greatest Sports Movie of All-time.” Directed by Kip Fagan(Off-Broadway: The Revisionist), BULL DURHAM has a book by Academy Award-nominee Ron Shelton (director and screenwriter of the Bull Durham movie) and music and lyrics by Susan Werner, whom the Chicago Tribune called, “one of the most innovative songwriters working today.”
BULL DURHAM, loosely based on Ron Shelton’s experiences on and off the field with a Minor League Baseball team, tells the story of three lives brought together by America’s two favorite pastimes. Veteran catcher “Crash” Davis has been brought to the Durham Bulls to prepare rookie Ebby Calvin “Nuke” LaLoosh, a hot rod pitcher with a “million dollar arm and a five cent head,” for the majors. Annie Savoy, self-appointed high priestess and muse of the Bulls, has a hard decision to make – every season she transforms one lucky player from an also-ran to an all-star by sharing with them her wisdom, experience, and bed. The love triangle heats up quickly as each character struggles with their own desires and hopes for what the future holds. BULL DURHAM is a pitch perfect blend of comedy, drama, and steamy romance.
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Broadway veterans John Behlmann, Melissa Errico, and Will Swenson will star as the Veteran catcher “Crash” Davis (Swenson), rookie pitcher Ebby Calvin “Nuke” LaLoosh (Behlmann) and Annie Savoy (Errico). John Behlmann made his Broadway debut in the Tony award winningJourney’s End and has starred in the Tony nominated play The 39 Steps. Melissa Errico is a Tony Award nominee for her work in Amour. She was seen Off-Broadway as Clara in the recent revival of Passion and has a recurring role on Stephen Soderbergh’s upcoming Cinemax series The Knick. Will Swenson can currently be seen as Inspector Javert on Broadway in Les Misérables and is a Tony award nominee for his work in Hair.
Also joining the cast in principal roles – Brent Bateman as Larry Hockett, Jake Boyd as Jimmy,Lora Lee Gayer (Broadway: Follies) as Millie, Jordan Gelber (Broadway: Elf) as Joe “Skip” Riggins, Joel Hatch (Broadway: Annie) as Max Patkin, Manuel Herrera (Broadway: West Side Story) as Jose, John Clarence Stewart (Alliance: Choir Boy, The Whipping Man) as Deke, and Joe Tippet as Hack Arnold.
Performances for BULL DURHAM are Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 pm, Fridays at 8:00 pm, Saturdays at 2:30 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm, September 3 – October 5, 2014. Opening Night is September 13, 2014, at 8:00 pm. There will be no 2:30 pm performance on September 6.
Tickets start at $25 and are available at the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office in person or by calling 404.733.5000. Tickets are also available online at www.alliancetheatre.org/bulldurham. Discounted rates for groups of 10 or more are available by calling 404.733.4690. Discounted rates are also available for members of the military, seniors, and students. The Alliance Theatre is located at the Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, at the corner of Peachtree and 15th Street.
This is going to be a great show! Also on a random note, we’re excited to see Alpha Trivette (any Banshee fans in the house? 😉 He plays Proctor’s Father in that show). Atlanta’s Arts Community gets a gigantic hug from us (hugs). Keep the greatness coming!
-TPR