Arena Stage is presenting the world premiere of Dave by Thomas Meehan, Nell Benjamin and Tom Kitt through August 19, 2018 in the Kreeger Theater. Opening night is July 27. Click here for tickets.
Dave is inspired by the Academy Award-nominated American political comedy film. Helmed by Tony Award nominee Tina Landau, Dave features choreography by Tony Award nominee Sam Pinkleton and music direction by Rob Berman. Dave tells the story of high school teacher (and presidential lookalike) Dave Kovic, who is hired by the Secret Service as a stand-in for the Commander-in-Chief. When the President falls ill under less than “presidential” circumstances, Dave is thrust into the Oval Office to avoid a national scandal, and must find a way to gain the trust and love of the American people…and the First Lady.
Drew Gehling stars as President Bill Mitchell and the title role of Dave with Mamie Parris (Broadway’s Cats, School of Rock) as First Lady Ellen Mitchell, Douglas Sills as Chief of Staff Bob Alexander, Josh Breckenridge (Broadway’s Come From Away), Rachel Flynn (Off-Broadway’s Heathers the Musical), Bryonha Marie Parham (Broadway’s Prince of Broadway) and Jonathan Rayson (Broadway’s Little Shop of Horrors).
While Mr. Sills recovers from minor unexpected surgery, Dave cast member Jared Bradshaw will step into the role of Bob Alexander.
Rounding out the company are Jenny Ashman (Kansas City Repertory’s Evita), Jared Bradshaw (Broadway’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Dana Costello (Jekyll and Hyde national tour), Trista Dollison (Broadway’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Sherri L. Edelen (Arena Stage’s Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike), Kevin R. Free (The Neo-Futurists’ Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind), Erin Quill (Broadway’s Avenue Q), Jamison Scott (Broadway’s Motown the Musical), Thomas Adrian Simpson (Arena Stage’s A Raisin in the Sun and Carousel) and Vishal Vaidya (Broadway’s Groundhog Day).
The creative team for Dave also includes scenic design by Tony Award nominee Dane Laffrey; costume design by two-time Tony Award nominee Toni-Leslie James; lighting design by five-time Tony Award nominee Japhy Weideman; sound design by Tony Award nominee Walter Trarbach; projection design by Drama Desk Award winner Peter Nigrini; and casting by Telsey + Company/Patrick Goodwin, CSA.
Click here for full company bios.
The all-star cast is lead by four Tony Award nominees: Constantine Maroulis (“American Idol,” ), Max von Essen (An American in Paris, Evita, Les Miserables), Saycon Sengbloh (ABC’s “Scandal,” Eclipsed) and Charl Brown (Motown: the musical), plus Drama League Award nominee Eden Espinosa (Brooklyn, Wicked), one of the stars of CBS’ hit show “Madam Secretary” and the Jersey Boys film, Erich Bergen, two-time Drama Desk Award nominee, celebrity vocal impressionist and YouTube sensation Christina Bianco (“The Ellen Degeneres Show,” Forbidden Broadway), from NBC’s “The Voice,” Katrina Rose (Hairspray), original cast member of the TONY Award winning musical Jersey Boys, Daniel Reichard (The Midtown Men), Recording artist Shayna Steele (Hairspray, RENT, Jesus Christ Superstar), Broadway’s Nick Adams (Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, Wicked, A Chorus Line), Kevin Smith Kirkwood (Kinky Boots), Marty Thomas (Wicked, Xanadu), and Erin Quill (Avenue Q – Original Broadway Company), a special performance by The Doo Wop Project, and more! The evening will once again be produced and hosted by TV personality Scott Nevins (Bravo’s “The People’s Couch,” “truTV Presents: World’s Dumbest…”) with Benjamin Rauhala serving as Music Director and Arranger. *Cast is subject to change without notice.
Brian Eugenio Herrera will moderate an 