bill russell

http://playbill.com/news/article/177532-Pageant-Will-Compete-Off-Broadway-at-New-World-Stages

The Miss Glamouresse contestants will once again compete for New York audiences this summer when the Bill Russell-Frank Kelly-Albert Evans musical Pageant returns for an Off-Broadway run at New World Stages.


The musical, which features an all-male cast playing the beauty queens, premiered Off-Broadway in 1991 at the Blue Angel, with subsequent productions in London and Australia. Pageant continues to be a popular regional title across the U.S. The original New York cast featured David Drake and Tony Award winner Dick Scanlan.



The new production, staged by Matt Lenz and choreographed by Shea Sullivan, will begin performances Aug. 9 at New World Stages, according to an Equity casting notice.



Details of the Off-Broadway run have not been officially announced; however, casting notices indicate that Pageant will play select performances at New World Stages each week. The creative team held an industry reading of the musical last spring.



Pageant has book and lyrics by Tony nominee Russell (Side Show, Elegies…) and Kelly, and music by Evans. It was originally conceived by Robert Longbottom (Side Show).



"We authors are thrilled that Pageant is coming back to parade its special kind of beauty Off-Broadway," Russell told Playbill.com. "In the years since the original production, the heels of Misses Deep South, West Coast, Great Plains, Bible Belt, Industrial Northeast and Texas have been filled by many fine actors around the world. But of course we expect to find the most talented and beautiful contestants in NYC. We're especially excited to be working with Shea Sullivan (choreography) and Stephen Yearick (costumes) – both of whom have extensive experience in the world of pageants. Let the beauty begin!"



"It is like no beauty pageant you’ve seen before," according to press notes. "Six contestants vying for the title of Miss Glamouresse compete in swimsuit, talent, evening gown and spokesmodel. You even get to choose the winner."



Casting is underway for the production. Mark Hartman will musical direct.



A reading last spring featured Tom Deckman (Spamalot), Jeff Hiller (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Silence!), Michael James Scott (Book of Mormon), Tyler Maynard (Altar Boyz, Little Mermaid), Constantine Rousouli (Ghost), Tony Sheldon (Priscilla Queen of the Desert) and David Turner (On a Clear Day, Arcadia, The Ritz).