Broadway stars Matt Doyle and Katie Rose Clarke will lead The Old Globe's world premiere musical "The Heart of Rock & Roll," opening this fall, the theater announced Friday.
The musical comedy, with a book by Jonathan Abrams, is inspired by the songs of Huey Lewis and The News, one of the most iconic acts in music history. Gordon Greenberg will direct.
“Everyone at the Globe is beyond excited to have Huey Lewis’s thrilling songs open our 2018–2019 Season in this rocking and rollicking new musical,” said Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein in a statement. “Full of laughter and joy, The Heart of Rock & Roll tells a sweet story of how our wildest dreams sometimes do come true, only in slightly different ways than we imagined.”
Doyle, best known for his work in "Sweeney Todd," "The Book of Mormon," and "Spring Awakening," will star as Bobby, the frontman of a band hustling for their big break in Chicago. After another rejection, though, he trades his guitar for a suit and begins a new path working in corporate America.
Clarke, last seen in "Miss Saigon," "Allegiance," and "Wicked," stars as Cassandra, a woman who has sacrificed her personal life for the company.
The musical follows the two of them as they get a second chance at their dreams.
The cast also includes Lindsay Nicole Chambers ("Kinky Boots," "Legally Blonde," and "Hairspray") as Nina, Patrice Covington ("The Color Purple," "The Book of Mormon") as Roz, John Dossett ("Newsies," The Globe's "The First Wives Club") as Stone. Additional cast includes Paige Faure, F. Michael Haynie, Orville Mendoza, Lucas Papaelias, Zachary Noah Piser, Christopher Ramirez, Billy Harrigan Tighe, Nicolette Burton, James Royce Edwards, Oyoyo Joi, Lucas Papaelias, Robert Pendilla, Christopher Ramirez, MiMi Scardulla, Salisha Thomas, and Josh Tolle, as well as swings Bryan Banville and Katie Banville.
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"The Heart of Rock & Roll" opens at The Old Globe on Friday, Sept. 14 and will run through Sunday, Oct. 21. Tickets will go on sale Sunday, Aug. 5.
