Utah Rep Announces Cast for I LOVE YOU BECAUSE

Utah Repertory Theater Company has announced final casting for the Utah premiere of the musical "I Love You Because."

"This cast is going to blow the roof of the theater with the talent they have," said director Ashley Ramsey. "They are dedicated and hard working. It is always such a spectacular thing when you as a director are able to work with actors that are as passionate about the project as you are. That's when magic is really able to happen."

The lead role of Marcy Fitzwilliams will be played by popular local actress Madeline Weinberger. She is about to appear in the Pygmalion Theatre Company's premiere of "Cheat," originating the part of Edie. Weinberger was last seen as Fortune Teller in the Utah premiere of "Side Show," Utah Rep's inaugural production. She has also appeared in the lead roles of Doralee Rhodes in "9 to 5: the Musical" and as Kay Banks "Father of the Bride" at the Hale Center Theatre. Her favorite roles include Kitty Clive in "Joyful Noise," Sabine in "The Three Musketeers," and Nora in "Brighton Beach Memoirs."

Playing opposite Weinberger is Billy Hagee in the role of Austin Bennet. Some of his favorite roles include include Billy Crocker in "Anything Goes," Charlie Brown in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," Seton Cram in "Holiday," Phillips in "Casey at the Bat: the Musical" and Yertle the Turtle in "Seussical: the Musical."

Brandon Roach (Jeff Bennet) was most recently seen as Don Atilio in "The Phantom of the Opera" and as Seymour in "Little Shop of Horrors." The credits of Jordan Hall (Diana Bingley) include Mary in "Jekyll & Hyde," Corny Collins Dancer in the Utah premiere of "Hairspray" and Princess "Fred" Winnifred in "Once Upon a Mattress."

Cast in the ensemble is Amanda Crawley. She was last seen in Utah Rep's production of "Side Show" and her previous roles include Crystal in "Little Shop of Horrors," Tzeitel in "Fiddler on the Roof," Mrs. Potts in "Disney's Beauty and the Beast," Marty in "Grease," as well as Cecily Cardew in "The Importance of Being Earnest" and Helena in "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

The other "I Love You Because" ensemble members are:

Andrew Foree: LeFevre in "The Phantom of the Opera," Bellomy in "The Fantasticks" and Shylock in "The Merchant of Venice."

Twyla Spittle: Tobias in "Sweeney Todd," Tracy Turnblad in "Hairspray" and Bonnie Lateur in Anything Goes.

Johnny Wilson: Ryan in "High School Musical," Ugly in "Honk!" and Matt in "The Fantasticks."

"The thing that is most exciting about 'I Love You Because' is that it is the first time it has ever been done here," Ramsey said. "It is such a wonderful story that everyone is going to be able to relate to. It's funny and uplifting. It's theatre to be enjoyed."

The off-Broadway musical "I Love You Because," with music by Joshua Salzman and lyrics by Ryan Cunningham, is a modern musical twist on Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice."

The director recommended the musical "because it is going to a fabulous night out. While it is fun show, it also has a wonderful message of learning to really truly love people. None of us are perfect, which these characters so charmingly show. But because of those imperfections, we can learn to love deeper then we thought possible."

"I Love You Because" plays March 22-29 at Utah Rep's resident theater, the History Murray Theater, and April 1-5 at the Echo Theatre in Provo.

For more information, visit www.utahrep.org.

Blair Howell's career is in the professional publishing arena (for more years than he cares to remember), with a longstanding interest in theater. He found it to be great fun to live in New Canaan, Connecticut, with easy access to the Great White Way. But now, Blair lives in Salt Lake City (a long, not interesting story). The much-lamented move has allowed him to be more active in regional theater. He now covers theater and the arts for the Deseret News, Utah's oldest, continuously-published metro daily newspaper, and has written for various theater-related national magazines and websites.

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