Paper Mill Playhouse's world premiere of The Wanderer, the new Broadway-aimed musical based on the life of Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Dion DiMucci, is set to open April 3 with a cast let by Mike Wartella (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as Dion and Christy Altomare (Anastasia) as Susan.
They're joined by Joey McIntyre (Waitress) as Johnny, Kingsley Leggs (The Color Purple) as Willie Green, Jasmine Rogers (Becoming Nancy) as Melody Green, Jeffrey Schecter (Paper Mill’s On the Town) as Bob Schwartz, Johnny Tammaro (Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding) as Pat DiMucci, and Joli Tribuzio (A Room of My Own) as Frances DiMucci.
Get a peek inside the production below.
Mike Wartella and the cast The Wanderer
Miguel Jarquin-Moreland, Mike Wartella, Billy Finn, Stephen Cerf
Christy Altomare abd Mike Wartella
Billy Finn, Jess LeProtto, Mike Wartella, and Stephen Cerf
Mike Wartella and Joey McIntyre
Mike Wartella and Christy Altomare
Mike Wartella and The Cast of The Wanderer
Mike Wartella and The Cast of The Wanderer
Mike Wartella
Joey McIntyre, Mike Wartella, and Christy Altomare
Mike Wartella and Christy Altomare
Mike Wartella and the cast of The Wanderer
Mike Wartella, Johnny Tammaro, and Joli Tribuzio
Rounding out the ensemble are Joe Barbara, Mackenzie Bell, Stephen Cerf, Jordan Dobson, Josh Dunn, Billy Finn, Natalie Gallo, Miguel Jarquin-Moreland, Will Jewett, Michal Kolaczkowski, Jess LeProtto, Janayé McAlpine, Katie Pohlman, Sydney Skye, and Gabi Stapula.
Both as lead singer of Dion and the Belmonts and then as a solo artist, Dion was one of the most popular American rock n’ roll performers of his time. He had 30 Top 40 hits in the late ’50s and ’60s, including “Runaround Sue,” “Teenager in Love," “I Wonder Why,” “Ruby Baby,” “Abraham, Martin and John,” and “The Wanderer.” He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.
Produced in cooperation with DiMucci, The Wanderer is written by Charles Messina (A Room of My Own) and will also feature scenic design by Tony winner Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Sarah Laux, lighting design by Jake DeGroot, sound design by Tony winner John Shivers, and hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe. Rick Sordelet is the fight director, and Linda Marvel serves as the production stage manager. Casting is by The Telsey Office.
