Readings and WorkshopsSydney James Harcourt, Sally Wilfert, Eddie Cooper, More Will Star in Industry Reading of New Musical PopStarSharon Rosen, who conceived the project, also directs.
By
Andrew Gans
October 08, 2019
Sydney James Harcourt
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Invitation-only staged readings of the new musical PopStar will be presented October 17–18 at Ripley Grier in Manhattan.
In the musical, “Buzz” Michaelson, a driven, brilliant, but abrasive Hollywood record executive, decides to strike out on his own, risking it all to take his young proteges to the top of the charts.
Conceived and directed by Sharon Rosen with choreography by Josh Assor, the cast will feature Sydney James Harcourt (Hamilton) as Buzz, Roman Banks (Dear Evan Hansen) as Luka, Kalyn West (The Prom) as Katie, Sally Wilfert (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee national tour) as Mimi, Ashley D. Kelley (Eve’s Song Off-Broadway) as Daphne, Eddie Cooper (The Cradle Will Rock Off-Broadway) as The Lodge, Perry Young (In the Heights national tour) as Marco, Amy Keum (Be More Chill, regional) as Daisy, and Levin Valayil as Chaz.
The ensemble includes Liam Allen, Ian Campayno, Erik J. Christensen, Alex Hartman, Carolyn Miller, Genny Lis Padilla, Nico de Jesus, Cajai Fellows Johnson, and Monica Woods.
PopStar has a book by Martin Casella (The Irish Curse) and music and lyrics by Sophie Dupin (Manhattan Nocturne) and Jay Levine (iCarly).
The creative team also includes music supervisors Dominick Amendum (First Date) and Aaron Jodoin (Pretty Woman) and music director Matt Hinkley (Godspell). Casting is by Geoff Josselson (Southern Comfort, Yank!), and general management is by Alchemy Production Group (Come From Away).
Lauren is very excited about getting ready for the show.
Sydney James Harcourt
Kit Treece arrives and immediately flashes the guns.
Sydney James Harcourt
Anna concentrating intensely on becoming a Phantom.
Sydney James Harcourt
Collect all nine Rocky Horror trading cards! Trade with your friends!
Sydney James Harcourt
Matt McGrath and Jason Wooten, our Frank and Riff Raff. Everyone's got a showmance.
Sydney James Harcourt
The gorgeous ladies of wardrobe wait to suit us up: Suzanne Noll, Beth Merriman, Heather Premo and Kelly Jones.
Sydney James Harcourt
Rocky's sweet kicks.
Sydney James Harcourt
Who wears short shorts? Rocky wears short shorts!
Sydney James Harcourt
There's a strange creature in my dressing room! Oh, it's just Anna.
Sydney James Harcourt
Kelsey Kurz "gets his hair did" to become Brad.
Sydney James Harcourt
The cast congregates in my dressing room. Clockwise from top: Andrew Call, Kit Treece, Lauren Lim Jackson and Jason Wooten.
Sydney James Harcourt
Giving my head the Midas touch.
Sydney James Harcourt
Wait... I think I saw one of them move.
Sydney James Harcourt
Audio Technician Rachel Eaves dutifully checking our mic packs.
Sydney James Harcourt
Good-girl Janet is ready for action! Well, not TOO much action...
Sydney James Harcourt
Brad walks the runway to his entrance.
Sydney James Harcourt
Kelsey and Jeanna flank Shelly Williams, assistant costume designer.
Sydney James Harcourt
Pre-show pump up stage left.
Sydney James Harcourt
Suzanne Noll harnesses Andrew up. Every Phantom needs a good harness.
Sydney James Harcourt
One last photo before the show begins! Master Sound Technician Erik Carstensen, Carpenter/Flyman Christian Thorsen, Jeanna de Waal, Prop Master Trevor Hay and our Narrator/Dr. Scott, David Andrew MacDonald.
Sydney James Harcourt
Our Columbia, Nadine Isenegger, flexes her tats in the pit next to Rocky's chamber.
Sydney James Harcourt
Working out the knots at intermission.
Sydney James Harcourt
Laura Shoop takes a breather, but she's still got that Magenta look in her eye!
Sydney James Harcourt
Changing shoes into my big girl heels (size 14).
Sydney James Harcourt
Lauren shivers with antici... pation!
Sydney James Harcourt
Do these pantyhose make me look fat?
Sydney James Harcourt
Just your average water cooler chat. Don't people dress like this where you work?
Sydney James Harcourt
The things Kelsey will wear for money.
Sydney James Harcourt
Frank 'N' Furter marks his territory.
Sydney James Harcourt
A look at the theatre as we leave for the evening. Come see us at The Old Globe through Nov. 6!
Estefan and Huerta will discuss their journeys bringing latin pop music to Broadway, what they’ve learned through adapting their musical styles for the stage, and more.
