Actor's Express continues its 23rd season with the Atlanta Premiere of the hit off-Broadway musical See What I Wanna See.
Described by the Wall Street Journal as a "powerhouse of a show whose shear intensity will knock you flat," See What I Wanna See is comprised of three one-act musicals inspired by the short stories of famed Japanese author Ryunosuke Akutagawa. In "Kesa and Morito," two lovers in medieval Japan plot to murder each other - neither knowing the other's intent. In "R Shoman," a murder in Central Park brings together a disparate group of New Yorkers, each with a decidedly different version of the truth. And "Gloryday" follows a hoax perpetrated by a priest who has lost his faith. Each short piece weaves an intriguing tale in which a lie becomes truth and truth becomes a lie.
Artistic Director Freddie Ashley promises fans of musical theatre an original experience. "This show is staggeringly original and unique," he says. "I've never seen another show quite like this one. It's one of my favorite musicals from the past decade."
See What I Wanna See is written by Michael John LaChiusa, a three-time Tony Award nominee whose previous work includes The Wild Party, Marie Christine and Hello Again. It premiered off-Broadway at The Public Theatre in 2005 with a cast that included Mark Kudisch, Mary Testa and Idina Menzel in her first role after her Tony-winning role in Wicked.
The Actor's Express cast includes recent Suzi Bass Award winner Ingrid Cole (Best Actress in a Musical, A Catered Affair at Aurora Theatre), as well as Kylie Brown, Stuart Schleuse and Suzi Bass nominees Dustin Lewis and Craig Waldrip (who was last seen at the Express as the title role in Hedwig and the Angry Inch).
Actor's Express Associate Artist Melissa Foulger directs the production. Foulger previously directed AE productions of Suddenly Last Summer and Good Boys and True. She is joined by music director Seth Davis and choreographer Sarah Turner. The rest of the creative team includes Seamus M. Bourne (Scenery), Ben Tilley (Lighting), Elizabeth Rasmusson (Costumes), Mike Post (Sound), Elisabeth Cooper (Props) and Alicia Quirk (Stage Manager).
See What I Wanna See preview performances begin March 17. Opening Night is Sunday, March 20, and the production runs through April 16.
For more information, visit www.actors-express.com.
