Ruby Rakos, Max Von Essen, Lesli Margherita, and More Will Lead Chasing Rainbows at Paper Mill

by NYBroadwayTours | Aug 7, 2019 | Blog, Broadway

WE MUST BE OVER THE RAINBOW!!! Everyone has grown up with the iconic Judy Garland. Now get ready to discover life behind closed doors of her rise-to fame in the Broadway bound Chasing Rainbows the Musical. The show will be coming to New Jersey's legendary Paper Mill Playhouse this Fall. Previews will begin September 26th, 2019, Opening Night is set for October 6th, 2019, and will run through October 27, 2019.

In addition, we are so excited to share with all of you the full casting announcement consisting of….

Ruby Rakos (Billy Elliot on Broadway) who has been with the show's journey since DAY 1 playing the young "Frances Gumm" who becomes the legendary "Judy Garland",

Tony nominee Max von Essen (An American In Paris on Broadway, Anastasia The Musical, and last seen on the recent National tour of Falsettos on Broadway) as Judy's caring father "Frank Gumm",

Olivier Award-winner Queen Lesli Margherita (Matilda The Musical on Broadway, Dames At Sea Broadway, and West End's Zorro) as Judy's stern" mother "Ethel Gumm",

Karen Mason (Broadway's Mamma Mia! and Wonderland – The Musical, and most recently on the National Tour of Love Never Dies) in the dual roles of "Ma Lawlor" and "Kay Koverman",

Stephen DeRosa (Broadway's 2002 revival of Into The Woods, the 2015 revival of On The Town – The Musical Comedy Classic, and recently in Gary on Broadway plus TV's Boardwalk Empire) as MGM co-founder and producer "Louis B. Mayer",

Michael Wartella (Broadway's WICKED The Musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Tuck Everlasting) as heartthrob "Mickey Rooney",

Colin Hanlon (Broadway's Rent and In Transit Broadway, ABC's Modern Family) as Hollywood composer and producer "Roger Edens",

and a full Ensemble.

CHASING RAINBOWS follows the iconic Frances Ethel Gumm turned Judy Garland during her youth years. It centers her life from being that young awkward girl with a big beautiful voice from Grand Rapids, Minnesota, her life performing in Vaudeville with her sisters, landing her contract at Metro-Goldwyn Meyer (a.k.a. MGM), and up to her landing the signature role that made her a worldwide star and how we all fell in love with her today…. "Dorothy Gale" in The Wizard of Oz.

The show was co-conceived and created by Tina Marie Casamento,

Direction and choreography by Denis Jones (Holiday Inn and Tootsie The Musical),

a Book by Marc Acito (Allegiance – A New Musical),

an original score by Casamento, Acito, and David Libby,

and features some of Garland's greatest hits including YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU, EVERYBODY SING, DEAR MR. GABLE, and of course her Oscar winning signature song OVER THE RAINBOW,

CHASING RAINBOWS has been in development for several years. It has been going through numerous readings and workshops. The show had its world premiere production at the Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut back in 2016. The show is still going through numerous changes. During one of the show's most recent labs, the legendary Liza Minnelli (Garland's eldest daughter) attended and gave the new musical the thumbs up and her blessing. No plans have been announced yet when the show will officially be coming to Broadway.

Who is excited?

Ruby Rakos, Max Von Essen, Lesli Margherita, and More Will Lead Chasing Rainbows at Paper Mill

Casting has been announced for Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz at Paper Mill Playhouse! The musical features a book by Marc Acito, musical adaptation & additional music by David Libby and is conceived by and additional lyrics by Tina Marie Casamento.

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