Two private industry readings of the new musical “Bran Castle” will be held on Sept. 19 and 20. The musical features a book and score by Donald Nolan and direction and choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter. Que Sera Sera Productions and Mary Maggio will produce the presentations.
The Eastern Europe-set musical follows Roma slave Mirela, whose journey to find and rescue her mother is upended after a fortune teller’s vision offers a choice between freeing her people and embracing vampiric powers.
Casting for the presentation will include Bryan Fenkart as Beaublair, John Riddle as Count Vladimir, Jennifer Sánchez as Carmilla, Aléna Watters as Vadoma, Lenka Z as Mirela and Kelvin Moon Loh as Franco. Rounding out the company will be Mike Baerga, Natalia Ballenger, Erica Simone Barnett, Tom Galantich, Jaquez, Justin Luciano, Michael Milkanin, Lily Rose, Anne Fraser Thomas and Minami Yusui. Casting is by Geoff Josselson.
Trial lawyer Nolan founded the Chicago-based Nolan Law Group, which specializes in aviation disaster cases. Hunter has enjoyed a decades-long career on Broadway, first as a performer, and then as a choreographer, recently crafting the dance for “Bad Cinderella,” Disaster!” and “School of Rock.”
Fenkart has appeared on Broadway and the road in “Memphis,” in addition to two national tours of “Waitress.”
Riddle has played various tenures as Raoul in Broadway’s “Phantom of the Opera” as well as appearances in “Frozen” and “The Visit.”
Both Sánchez and Watters made their Broadway debut in the 2009 revival of “West Side Story” understudying the role of Anita. Sánchez most recently appeared on the Main Stem in “Pretty Woman” and “The Rose Tattoo,” while Watters collaborated with Hunter on “Bad Cinderella.”
Lenka Z is known for television appearances on the Georgian edition of “The Voice” and “Got Talent.”
Loh was seen in both Broadway engagements of “Beetlejuice,” as well as in “SpongeBob SquarePants” and the 2015 revival of “The King and I.”
The musical team for “Bran Castle” will include arranger Sam Davis, orchestrator Christopher Jahnke and music director Nate Patten. RCI Theatricals will provide general management services.
