McCarter Theatre Center will produce the world premiere of “Empire Records.” The new musical, adapted from the 1995 film of the same name, will begin previews on Sept. 6 and open on Sept. 13 at McCarter’s Berlind Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey. Directed by Trip Cullman and choreographed by Ellenore Scott, the production is scheduled to play a limited engagement through Oct. 6.
“Empire Records” features a rock score by Zoe Sarnak and book by Carol Heikkinen, who penned the original screenplay. The musical follows a group of employees who band together to save their beloved independent record store from corporate takeover.
The cast of “Empire Records” will include Tony Award nominee Lorna Courtney as Corey, Tony nominee Damon Daunno as Rex Manning, Taylor Iman Jones as Max, Michael Luwoye as Joe, Tyler Donovan McCall as Lucas, Liam Pearce as AJ, Sam Poon as Warren, Analise Scarpaci as Debra, Eric Wiegand as Mark and Samantha Williams as Gina. Rounding out the company are ensemble members Hoke Faser, Alex Lugo, Leah Read and Maximilian Sangerman, as well as Andrew Cekala and Jarynn Whitney, who will serve as swings. Casting is by Karyn Casl and Destiny Lilly of the Telsey Office.
“We are beyond thrilled to have this amazing team and incredible cast here in Princeton," said Sarah Rasmussen, McCarter’s artistic director, in a statement. “Their talent and chemistry are going to bring the timeless story of ‘Empire Records’ to brilliant new life.”
“‘Empire Records’ resonates across generations, from vinyl enthusiasts to AirPods addicts,” added executive director Martin Miller. “We all have something, some place, or someone that we’d fight like anything to save. That spirit is infectious, and it’s the driving force of this terrific show—plus, with this amazing cast, it’s just so fun to watch.”
In addition to the film version of “Empire Records,” Heikkinen wrote the screenplays for 1993’s “The Thing Called Love” and 2000’s “Center Stage.”
Sarnak’s additional credits include writing the scores of “The Lonely Few” and “Galileo,” which played spring 2024 engagements at MCC Theater and Berkeley Repertory, respectively.
Cullman and Scott co-directed Sarnak’s “Lonely Few,” a production which also featured Daunno and Jones.
Courtney received a 2023 Tony nomination for her leading turn in “& Juliet.” Luwoye has played the titular role in “Hamilton” both on Broadway and on national tour. McCall was featured in the national tour of “Fiddler on the Roof.” Pearce made his Broadway debut in 2023’s “How to Dance in Ohio.” Poon has appeared in Main Stem revivals of “Macbeth” and “The King and I.” Scarpaci appeared on Broadway in both “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Matilda.” Wiegand made his Broadway debut in the 2022 revival of “Plaza Suite,” and Williams recently appeared in the 2021 revival of “Caroline, or Change.”
The creative team for “Empire Records” includes Tony-winning scenic designer David Rockwell, Tony-winning costume designer Paloma Young, lighting designer Adam Honoré, Tony-winning sound designer John Shivers and hair and makeup designer Tommy Kurzman. Daniel will serve as music director, while Bryan Perri will serve as music supervisor. Sarnak and Perri will provide orchestrations, with Sarnak also providing arrangements. Additional team members include intimacy coordinator Ann C. James, dramaturg Julie Felise Dubiner, production stage manager Samantha Watson, deck stage manager Alison Cote, assistant stage manager Matthew Luppino and creative producer Sally Cade Holmes
McCarter Theatre is the 1994 recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award. The nonprofit earned an additional Tony as the originating producer of 2013’s “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.”
“Empire Records” is being produced by special arrangement with Bill Weiner.
