Casting is now complete for the multiple Tony Award-winning Contact, a major new production by Asolo Rep in collaboration with The Sarasota Ballet, running from October 23-November 22 on Asolo Rep's mainstage. Tickets to Contact are on sale now at the Asolo Rep box office.
"The cast is simply stunning; it's an extraordinary blend of Broadway performers, the gifted Sarasota Ballet dancers, and our resident company. Then of course Contact is to be directed by Tome' Cousin, who was personally selected by the brilliant creator of this piece-Susan Stroman. The energy and sheer talent of this combination guarantees an end result that audiences will never forget." - Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards
"I am thrilled and honoured to be working with Michael and Tomé, and the dancers are excited
to have this great opportunity of dancing Susan Stroman's incredible choreography." - The Sarasota Ballet Director Iain Webb
Created by Susan Stroman, one of the most brilliant director/choreographers of our time, and John Weidman, Contact tells a trilogy of tales - "Swinging", "Did You Move?" and "Contact!" - told through a bold fusion of dance, dialogue and music as the characters struggle to connect with one another. The piece was inspired by the real-life woman in the yellow dress, who Stroman witnessed mesmerizing a string of suitors at an after-hours Manhattan dance club.
The infamous ‘Girl in the Yellow Dress' will be played by the stunning Shannon Lewis, who played ‘The Wife' in Contact on Broadway and received national attention for her performance of "I Gotcha" in FossE. Lewis is joined by Nadine Isenegger (The Wife/Quirky Girl), Fletcher McTaggart (Michael Wiley), Sean Ewing (Servant/Uncle Vinnie/Johnny), Ariel Shepley (Girl on a Swing/Stephanie), Matt Baker (Aristocrat/Waiter/Scott), Steven Sofia (Waterboy/Joe), Wilson Mendieta (Married Husband/Peter) and James Clarke (Husband/Bartender); and The Sarasota Ballet dancers Octavio Martin (Head Waiter/Jack), Kate Honea (Photo Girl/Pascale), Logan Learned (Busboy/Rocker), Tracey Tucci (Pregnant Woman/Shannon), Ricardo Rhodes (Engaged Man/Tome'), Rita Duclos (Engaged Woman/Dana) and Rania Charalambidou (Cigarette Girl/ Mayumi).
The production will be directed by Tome' Cousin who performed in and helped to develop Contact as part of the original Lincoln Center ensemble, both off-Broadway and on, from 1999-2002. As Supervising Director for Susan Stroman Productions of Contact, he is the only person sanctioned by Stroman to direct the production.
In addition to Director and Choreographer Tome' Cousin, the creative team includes Assistant Choreographer, LeeAnna Smith; Set Designer, Michael Essad; Costume Designer, William Ivey Long; Lighting Designer, Andrew Ostrowski; Sound Designer, Matthew Parker (based on the Broadway Sound Design by Scott Stauffer); Costume Coordinator, Paula Ninestein; Wig/Hair Designer, Michelle Hart; Stage Manager, MarIan Wallace; and Assistant Stage Manager, Libby Mickle.
