Heather Orth and Samantha Bruce will return to Sierra Repertory
Theatre this summer after playing mother and daughter Rose and Gypsy Rose Lee
to standing ovations in the theatre’s season opener, Gypsy. This time, the pair will play cousins Nettie Fowler and
Julie Jordan in Sierra Rep’s production of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein
musical, Carousel, opening June 29 at
the Fallon House Theatre. Los Angeles performer Marc Ginsberg joins Orth and
Bruce as Billy Bigelow, the rough but magnetic carnival barker who falls in
love with Julie Jordan, a small-town mill girl.
“We saw
literally dozens and dozens of actors for the role of Billy Bigelow,” said Sierra
Rep Artistic Director Scott Viets. “This is a character revered as one of the
most demanding and vocally challenging roles in musical theatre. He's a tricky
role to cast as the vocal demands are near-operatic and the acting requirements
are complex. Marc Ginsburg nailed it over and beyond his competition on all
accounts. We're thrilled to have him paired with our SRT company member
Samantha Bruce, who is equally gifted.
“The same can be
said for another newcomer to our stage, Jessica Reiner-Harris, in the role of
Carrie Pipperidge. We needed someone who could be comic, yet smart in a naive
way without making the character silly, or dumbed down. Jessica embodies all
the qualities I see in the role: sweet,
naive, fun and sensitive, but no dummy. And when she sings ‘Mister Snow,’ it's
exactly how the role should be sung. I'm excited for our audiences to hear
these glorious tunes sung by truly amazing singers who are also fantastic
actors. The experience promises to be rich indeed.”
Viets will
direct Carousel, playing June 29
through August 19. The musical follows Sierra Rep’s production of The 39 Steps. Jim Shine returns to
Sierra Rep for the comedy based on Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller. Shine also
starred in Sierra Rep’s Gypsy.
Joining Shine are SRT newcomers New Yorker Toby Miller as the dashing hero and
comedians David Thornton and Laura Cable as multi-character players.
Sierra Rep
Producing Director Dennis Jones will direct Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps, opening June 1 and playing
through July 1 at SRT’s East Sonora Theatre. The story opens in pre-war London
when bored bachelor Richard Hannay wanders out for an evening at the music hall
and finds himself entangled with a mysterious woman. Her desperate secret could
decide the fate of Europe. When she’s murdered in his apartment, he’s yanked
into her world of spies, falsely accused and chased across Britain as he tries
to clear his name and save his country from a sinister plot. Four actors play more
than 150 characters in this hilarious award-winning treat that kept audiences
rolling on Broadway for over three years.
Thursday and
Friday performances begin at 7, Saturday evening performances are at 8 and
Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 2. Ticket prices range from
$24 to $30 depending on the day of the performance. For more information or
reservations, call Sierra Rep’s box office at (209) 532-3120 or visit Sierra
Rep at www.sierrarep.org.