Full casting is set for the upcoming Huey Lewis jukebox musical “The Heart of Rock and Roll.” Corey Cott and McKenzie Kurtz will take on the lead roles of Bobby and Cassandra in the previously announced production, directed by Gordon Greenberg, set to begin previews on March 29 and officially open on April 22 at the James Earl Jones Theatre.
Cott has previously appeared on Broadway as Jack Kelly in “Newsies,” Gaston Lachaille in “Gigi” and Donny Novitski in “Bandstand.” Kurtz is currently portraying Glinda in “Wicked”; she made her Broadway debut as Anna in “Frozen.” Kurtz was a 2013 and 2015 nominee of the Jimmy Awards (National High School Musical Theatre Awards).
The “Heart of Rock and Roll” principal cast will also include Tony Award nominee John Dossett as Stone, Josh Breckenridge as Wyatt, F. Michael Haynie as Glenn, Zoe Jensen as Paige, Tamika Lawrence as Roz, Raymond J. Lee as JJ, John-Michael Lyles as Eli, Orville Mendoza as Fjord and Billy Harrigan Tighe as Tucker.
The ensemble will include Mike Baerga, Tommy Bracco, TyNia René Brnadon, Olivia Cece, Taylor Marie Daniel, Lindsay Joan, Ross Lekites, Robin Masella, Kara Menendez, Michael Olaribigbe, Kevin Pariseau and Robert Pendilla. Company swings will be Joe Moeller, Jennifer Noble, Fredric Rodriguez Odgaard and Leah Read. Casting is by Peter Van Dam of Tara Rubin Casting.
Also newly announced is the musical’s complete creative and design team: Derek McLane (scenic design), Jen Caprio (costume design), Japhy Weideman (lighting design), John Shivers (sound design), Nikiya Mathis (hair, wig and makeup design) and Justin Scribner (production stage management).
Set to a score of songs made famous by Huey Lewis and the News, “The Heart of Rock and Roll” tells the story of two thirtysomethings (played by Cott and Kurtz), each with certain plans, until they meet each other.
“The Heart of Rock and Roll” features a book by Jonathan A. Abrams based on a story devised by Tyler Mitchell and Abrams. The production will feature music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Brian Usifer, with choreography by Lorin Latarro.
“The Heart of Rock and Roll” is being produced by Hunter Arnold, Mitchell and Kayla Greenspan.
