FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
CONTACT: Marcus Cox, Director of Community Outreach (901) 937-6496 marcus@playhouseonthesquare.org
Memphis’ Professional Resident Theatre Company’s The Circuit Playhouse rocks with the
Regional Premiere of:
HEAD OVER HEELS
Book by James Magruder
Music and Lyrics by The Go-Go’s
Creator and Original Book by Jeff Whitty
Adaptation by James Magruder
October 4 - October 27, 2019
The Circuit Playhouse
51 South Cooper St.
Memphis, TN 38104
Playhouse on the Square, in partnership with super sponsor, Dr. Thomas Ratliff, is excited to bring the beat of a new musical to the Birthplace of Rock n Roll!
Charged with the unmistakable, iconic music of The Go-Go’s, the kingdom of Arcadia goes on a daring quest to do whatever it takes to protect their famous “Beat.” On their journey, they will find love, deceit, and misinterpreted prophecy. Will the kingdom of Arcadia be saved? “Our Lips Are Sealed.”
Director, Whitney Branan (Cabaret, Madagascar: A Musical Adventure), leads an all-star cast through the kingdom of Arcadia with fever pitched choreography matched only by The Go-Go’s rocking score, musically directed by Resident Company member Nathan McHenry. Resident Company members Daniel Stuart Nelson (Kinky Boots, Cabaret) and Brooke Papritz (The Humans, 1984) star as Musidorus and Mopsa.
The Head Over Heels ensemble introduces the Playhouse on the Square Associate Company to the city of Memphis. With performances from Madeline Jones, Jayland Potts, Isaiah Rosales, and Haley Wilson all last seen in Playhouse on the Square’s production of Kinky Boots. Associate Company Member, Michael Jackson plays the role of Dametas. Playhouse on the Square is happy to welcome some special guests to The Circuit Playhouse stage. The role of Pythio is portrayed by local Drag Queen star and former Miss Gay Tennessee (2011) Pat McCooter (Chris Bryant). The Ostrander Larry Riley Rising Star award recipient for 2019, Karl Robinson (Madagascar: A Musical Adventure, DreamGirls) and Playhouse on the Square’s newest Resident Company member Breyannah Tillman (Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook, DreamGirls), join this rocking cast.
Formed in Los Angeles, California, The Go-Go’s rose to popularity in the early 1980s with their debut album Beauty and the Beat, reaching number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. With four top selling albums and countless singles hits: “We Got the Beat,” “Vacation,” and “Our Lips are Sealed,” the Go-Go’s were pioneers in the genre of rock music. Head Over Heels, a new musical featuring the songs of the Go-Go's, ran on Broadway at the Hudson Theatre from July 26, 2018 to January 6, 2019.
The complete cast of Head Over Heels is as follows:
Pythio – Chris Bryant as “Pat McCooter” (With Vocals by Breyannah Tillman)
Gynecia – Christina Hernandez
Dametas – Michael Jackson
Philoclea – Rachel Brannen
Musidorus – Daniel Stuart Nelson
Mopsa – Brooke Papritz
Basilius – Chris Steinmetz
Pamela – Angela Thompson
Ensemble
Madeline Jones
Brandon King
Jayland Potts
Karl Robinson
Isaiah Rosales
Breyannah Tillman
Ashley Volner
Haley Wilson
PRODUCTION STAFF FOR HEAD OVER HEELS:
Directed/Choreographed by: Whitney Branan
Music Director – Nathan McHenry
Production Manager/Technical Director – Phillip Hughen
Stage Manager – Abby Teel
Costume Designer – Lindsay Schmeling
Lighting Designer – Justin Gibson
Scenic Designer – TBA
Sound Designer – Carter McHann
Properties Designer – Eli Grant