CAST & CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR WORLD PREMIERE MUSICAL OPENING IN DALLAS-FORT WORTH, MAY 2023
Max Kuenzer plays Jesus, leading a company of primarily home-grown local Texas artists including Lily Gast as Mary Magdeline, Richard Chaz Comez as Judas, Jataria Heyward as Mother Mary, Logan Dolence as Joseph, Casey Lamont as Lucifer, Carlos Gutierrez as Gabriel, Bryan Munar as Peter, Camden Deal as Leper, Justin Taylor as Matthew, Caleb Bermejo as Pontius Pilate, Mat Blasio as Nicodemus, Courtney Blanc as Caiaphus, Ja’Naye Flanagan, Lia Karagianopoulos, Abby Murphy, Audrey Lee, Gigi Hausman, Nicholas Haas and Mark Quach.
The producers have also announced the full creative team for the production, bringing together top talent from both the Broadway and arena touring industries. Scenic designer Tobin Ost, costume designer Junghyun Georgia Lee, lighting designer Sooner Routhier, sound designer Daniel Lundberg, projection designer Caite Hevner, hair & make-up designer Tommy Kurzman, and music director Jesse Fry join the previously announced creative team including two-time Tony Award-nominated director Jeff Calhoun (Disney’s Newsies, Bonnie & Clyde), choreographer Eamon Foley (Annie at The Hollywood Bowl), music supervisor Rick Hip-Flores (Natasha, Pierre..., In Transit on Broadway) and arrangers Rick Hip-Flores and Paweł ‘Bzim’ Zarecki. Casting is by Eisenberg / Beans Casting.
“We could not be more excited that this company of artists will begin rehearsals in Lewisville, TX next week and will introduce His Story: The Musical to the world next month,” says producer Bruce Lazarus. “It has always been our aim to form a company led by local, Texas talent. We are proud to say that, by the time we open in May, we will have brought nearly 150 new jobs to the region. We cannot wait for this extraordinary company to take the stage and bring His Story to life for Dallas-Fort Worth audiences.”
His Story: The Musical features an original book music and lyrics by Anna Miriam Brown, with direction by twotime Tony Award nominee Jeff Calhoun (Disney’s Newsies, Bonnie & Clyde), and is presented by Tony Award nominated producer Bruce Lazarus, Willie and Korie Robertson (stars of “Duck Dynasty,” New York Times bestselling authors), Brad Reeves / Bill Noble, Thinking Tree LLC, Jill Wilkinson, Cooper Collins, Christian and Sadie Robertson Huff, Mike Collins, and Troy Duhon / Bob Katz in association with Matthew Churchill Productions Ltd.
His Story: The Musical is a Broadway-style theatrical event, 2000 years in the making. In this new contemporary pop musical based on the life of Jesus, a common-man-from-an-obscure-family arrives in the big city and defies expectations. He performs miracles and speaks great wisdom, but chooses friends from the dregs of society and hangs out in the wrong part of town. Mocked by the establishment, he is adored by the people. Melding a youthful voice with a timeless perspective, the greatest story ever told is brought into the third millennium, reminding us of the universal power of love and redemption.
“In every generation, new voices point us to Jesus in unique, powerful and creative ways, say producers Willie and Korie Robertson. “We believe Anna Miriam Brown, who was 17 years old when she wrote His Story: The Musical is one of those extraordinary voices. We are thrilled to be a part of bringing this musical to the stage.” “I have worked on seventeen Broadway musicals, but nothing prepared me for the shock and awe of meeting this truly amazing artist, Anna Brown,” says Tony Award nominated director Jeff Calhoun. “Anna’s Gen Z perspective has made this familiar story youthful and contemporary …not exactly adjectives I had previously associated with the Bible. I am excited to use the theater to bring all types of people together to share a message that is so needed in today’s climate. My prayer is that once you experience His Story The Musical, you will leave the theater with a renewed optimism about the potential of humanity.”
“Immediately on hearing the music I knew I wanted to bring His Story: The Musical to a worldwide audience, and knew that Grandscape was the perfect place to start the journey,” says producer Bruce Lazarus. Grandscape is a brand-new, one-of-a-kind outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment destination – an oasis in the middle of North Texas. It includes world-class restaurants, lush landscaping, family-friendly experiences, entertainment and events. Grandscape continues to lead the way for experience destinations around the globe. The Broadway Tent at Grandscape is a state-of-the-art 1300-seat theater tent designed by Matthew Churchill Productions, Ltd. The first-class venue features plush seating, 360 degree overhead projection mapping, and full A/C and heating.
The Original Concept Recording of His Story: The Musical is now available on Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and all major platforms.
His Story: The Musical launches an open-ended run May 5, 2023, at The Broadway Tent at Grandscape (5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX 75056), Opening night is May 18. Tickets range from $39 - $139, with VIP packages available starting at $219 - $239. Additional service charges and Ticketmaster processing fees may apply. Tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster.com. To inquire about special rates for groups of 20+, email groups@hisstorythemusical.com or call, toll-free, 855-HIS-STORY (855-447-7867). For further information, including performance schedules, visit www.HisStoryTheMusical.com.