Kyle Selig, Ron Bohmer, Kerry O’Malley Star in October Sky Musical, Opening Tonight

The Old Globe’s West Coast premiere of October Sky, a musical about American teens in the early days of space flight, officially opens at the San Diego venue September 22 following previews that began September 10. Performances continue through October 23.

Inspired by the 1999 Universal Pictures film and the book Rocket Boys, October Sky features a book by Drama Desk nominee Brian Hill (The Story of My Life) and Aaron Thielen (Hero) and a score by Michael Mahler (Diary of a Wimpy Kid). The musical is directed and choreographed by Joseph Jefferson Award winner Rachel Rockwell and produced in association with Universal Stage Productions.

Kyle Selig, seen on Broadway in The Book of Mormon, stars opposite Ron Bohmer (A Little Night Music, Ragtime) and Kerry O'Malley (Billy Elliot, Into the Woods) as members of the Hickam family.

The company also features Rebecca Bellingham (A Child’s Christmas in Wales Off-Broadway) as Mary Bykovski, Joel Blum (two-time Tony Award nominee, Kiss Me, Kate at the Globe) as Ike Bykovski, Will Branner (Music Theatre Wichita’s Jesus Christ Superstar and Mamma Mia!) as Buck, James Royce Edwards (creator and star of That Bachelorette Show Off-Broadway) as Jake, Steve Gouveia (Jersey Boys original Broadway cast) as Earl, Kevyn Morrow (The Color Purple) as Ken, Austyn Myers (Les Misérables on Broadway, Brighton Beach Memoirs at the Globe) as O’Dell, Destan Owens (Rent, Chicago, Smokey Joe’s Café on Broadway) as Bathtub Amos, Eliza Palasz (Rob Ashford’s Carousel at Lyric Opera of Chicago) as Dorothy, Liam Quealy (Off-Broadway’s Dear Edwina) as Jim, Sandra DeNise (Broadway’s Bright Star, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Kinky Boots) as Miss Riley, Patrick Rooney (Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for Rent in Chicago) as Roy Lee, Connor Russell (world premiere of Disney’s Aladdin) as Quentin, Lance Arthur Smith (over a dozen San Diego regional credits) as Otis, Betsy Stewart (Ilse in Marriott Theatre’s Spring Awakening) as Emily Sue, Nick Sullivan (original Broadway companies of Newsies and Footloose) as Mr. Turner and ensemble members Nicolette Burton (Putting the Pieces Together at 54 Below), John Cardoza (Seymour in Summer Rep’s Little Shop of Horrors), Clay Stefanki (Miss Saigon internationally, The Grinch at the Globe), Scott Wakefield (Globe’s Bright Star, Broadway’s Hands on a Hardbody) and Angela Wildflower (Motown on Broadway).

“In the sleepy town of Coalwood, West Virginia, school is just something you do until you’re old enough to work in the coal mines,” according to press notes. “After the Soviets launch the Sputnik rocket, a local high schooler named Homer decides to enter a rocketry competition against the wishes of his domineering, practical-minded dad. With the help of his friends and the local community, he just might light up the night. October Sky is a musical slice of small-town Americana packed with youthful exuberance that will send your heart soaring and inspire you to reach for the stars.”

The design team comprises Kevin Depinet (scenic design), Linda Cho (costume design), Japhy Weideman (lighting design), Garth Helm (sound design), Shawn Sagady (projection design), Markus Maurette (special effects design), Charlie Alterman (music director), Bruce Coughlin (orchestrations), Courtney Cerny (assistant director and associate choreographer), Howie Cherpakov, CSA (casting) and Anjee Nero (stage manager). Due to a scheduling conflict, Marsha Norman, previously announced to join the creative team, has instead served as a creative consultant to the Old Globe production.

Tickets start at $36 and can be purchased online at TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park.