Actors’ Playhouse continues its 2013-14 season with a celebrated production of Peter Quilter’s End of the Rainbow, a new play with music. The recipient of rave reviews in London’s West End and on Broadway just last season, End of the Rainbow is making its Florida premiere at the Miracle Theatre now through Feb. 9.
In the play: It’s December 1968 and Judy Garland is poised to make her triumphant comeback — again. The drama unfolds in a London hotel room as she undertakes an exhausting series of performances at the famed Talk of the Town nightclub to try and reclaim her crown as the greatest talent of her generation.
Alongside her young new fiancé, Mickey, and loyal pianist Anthony, Garland — with her signature cocktail of talent, tenacity and razor-sharp wit — takes on her most challenging role ever — herself.
Directed by the award-winning David Arisco, End of the Rainbow will star veteran actress-singer Kathy St. George as Minnesotaborn Judy Garland. Joining St. George are Colin McPhillamy (Anthony), Michael Laurino (Mickey) and Terry M. Cain (Various).
Musical director David Nagy leads a sixpiece onstage band, backing St. George throughout the production which features Garland’s most memorable songs including The Man That Got Away, Come Rain Or Come Shine, The Trolley Song, and, of course, Somewhere Over The Rainbow.
The creative team for End of the Rainbow includes Tim Bennett (Scenic Design), Ellis Tillman (Costume Design), Sean Lawson (Sound Design) and Luke Klingberg (Lighting Design).
“The professional actors, creative and design team at Actors’ Playhouse take us back to 1968-69, and meticulously recreate the danger, vulnerability, and first-rate stardom of Judy Garland, and the impact she had on the entertainment world of her time,” said director David Arisco. “This is a very special play, only seen in London, New York and LA in the past few years. Now South Florida audiences will be swept away by End of the Rainbow, and Kathy St. George as Judy Garland
Evening performances will take place Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., with afternoon matinees on Sunday at 3 p.m. A special weekday matinee is scheduled on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 2 p.m.
A series of pre-show talks to promote dialogue on addiction, lead by a team of health professionals provided by South Miami Hospital – Baptist Health South Florida Addiction Treatment Center, are scheduled throughout the production run. Full details and a complete schedule outline will be available at www.actorsplayhouse.org.
Tickets for weeknights and matinees are $47, and on Friday and Saturday evenings $55. The theater offers a 10 percent senior discount rate the day of performance and $15 student rush tickets 15 minutes prior to curtain with identification. Single tickets may be purchased through the box office at 305-444-9293 or online at www.actorsplayhouse.org.
