Chicago – Full cast and crew have been announced for Pride Films and Plays’ holiday production – AMERICA’S BEST OUTCAST TOY- AN ODDBALL HOLIDAY REALITY MUSICAL, penned by composer Cindy O’Connor and bookwriter/lyricist Larry Todd Cousineau. The new musical imagines what later happened to some outcast toys rescued by a certain famous reindeer. After becoming huge celebrities in America, they are re-united to compete in a series of challenges where they must sing, model, design fashion, outwit/outplay/outlast and bake cakes, and of course, dance for their lives, all to prove that they are AMERICA’S BEST or FAVORITE, or LEAST OBJECTIONABLE, or something! The audience will actually determine the results with their votes, meaning every night can be a whole new show!
Director Donterrio Johnson announced his cast today. It will include Danny Ackman (Spotty), Anna Blanchard (Squeak), Tyler Deloatch (Beary/Judge 2), Teresa Echeveste (offstage female swing), Haylie Kinsler (Jackie), Patrick Regner (Schermie), Julia Rowley (Ashley), Riley Smith (Fishbird/Judge 3), Josh Kemper (Bucky), and Jasmine Young (Kitty/Judge 1).
The production team will include Cody Michael Bradley (Music Director), Evan Frank (Scenic Director), Jos N. Banks (Costume Designer), Evan Sposato (Technical Director), Bri Wolfe (Production Stage Manager) and Jacob Schaffer (Assistant Stage Manager).
Tickets are $40 premium reserved seats, $30 general reserved seats, $25 students and seniors (not valid Saturdays) and are on sale now at www.pridefilmsandplays.com or by phone at 866-811-4111 or 773-857-0222.
LISTING INFORMATION
AMERICA’S BEST OUTCAST TOY – AN ODDBALL HOLIDAY REALITY MUSICAL
Book and Lyrics by Larry Todd Cousineau
Music by Cindy O’Connor
WORLD PREMIERE
Directed by Donterrio Johnson
Music Direction by Cody Michael Bradley
November 29, 2019 – January 12, 2020
Previews Friday, November 29 – Monday, December 2
Press Opening Tuesday, December 3 at 7:30 pm
Ticket prices: $40 premium reserved seats, $30 general reserved seats, $25 students and seniors (not valid Saturdays)
Recommended for ages 16+
The Broadway, Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago
Tickets available by phone at 866-811-4111 or 773-857-0222 or online at www.pridefilmsandplays.com
A holiday reality show musical. We all know the story of the outcast toys and how they were rescued from their island by a certain reindeer (may he rest in peace). But what became of the outcast toys when they came back to America? They became huge celebrities, of course! Now, years later, they are re-united to compete in a series of challenges where they must sing, model, design fashion, outwit/outplay/outlast and bake cakes, and of course, dance for their lives, all to prove that they are AMERICA’S BEST or FAVORITE, or LEAST OBJECTIONABLE, or something! And you, the audience, actually determine the results with your vote, meaning every night can be a whole new show!
BIOS
Cindy O’Connor (composer) and Larry Todd (Johnson) Cousineau (bookwriter/lyricist) have a long history together. Most recently, the revised version of their 1993 musical ALL THAT HE WAS was produced to critical acclaim and a Jeff Recommendation at Pride Films and Plays, where their musical comedy FLIES! THE MUSICAL!, was a hit and was nominated for a Jeff Award for Best New Musical. Their other works include 40 IS THE NEW 15, which had a critically acclaimed run at the NoHo Arts Center in Los Angeles, receiving Best New Musical award from Stagescene LA and a GLAAD Media Award Nomination for Outstanding Los Angeles Theatre. Several of their songs have been featured in concerts by the Gay Men’s Choruses of Chicago, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. O’Connor was nominated in 2018 for an Outstanding Music Composition For A Series (Original Dramatic Score) Emmy for her work on ONCE UPON A TIME (ABC). Her other credits include CRASH (Starz), DOLPHIN TALE, and FORGIVING THE FRANKLINS (Sundance). Cousineau’s writing has been featured in animated series including YIN, YANG, YO! (Disney), THE NEW CARE BEARS, and ANGELA ANACONDA. His SONGS FROM MY CLOSET cabaret series is an annual hit. Larry was recently named an Artistic Associate of Pride Films and Plays.
Donterrio Johnson (Director) was director of Pride Films and Plays 2019 production of BUYER AND CELLAR by Jonathan Tolins and is the director of PFP’s current production of A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE. Additionally for PFP, he will direct THE PASS early next year. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for intricate storytelling that is thought-provoking and modernistic, Donterrio Johnson has created some incredible art as both actor and director over the past 15 years. He was a Jeff Award-winner for his Judas Iscariot in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR with Theo Ubique and has earned raves for his Dan in NEXT TO NORMAL and his Caldwell B. Cladwell in URINETOWN, both with BoHo Theatre. He has also appeared in the Chicago cast of SPAMILTON and as Leading Player in PIPPIN at Mercury Theater and recently returned from a year-long stint in the National Tour of WAITRESS. In October, he will perform Eric Bogosian’s one-man play POUNDING NAILS IN THE FLOOR WITH MY FOREHEAD.
Johnson’s notable directing credits include: A MAN OF NO IMPOPRTANCE, BUYER AND CELLAR, THE COLORED MUSEUM, 101 DALMATIANS , EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES WILLY WONKA, LAST FIVE YEARS, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS AND THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. Donterrio has worked with companies such as Pulse Theatre Company, Prisco Center, and The REPA Center.
ABOUT PRIDE FILMS AND PLAYS
Pride Films and Plays changes lives through the generation of diverse new work (or work that is new to Chicago) with LGBTQ+ characters or themes that is essential viewing for all audiences. The company produces a four-play season of full productions, shoots one short film each year, and continues our famed play developmental projects. PFP is the principal tenant in Pride Arts Center.
Pride Arts Center, in its own right, produces events complementing the PFP vision, including dance, cabaret, film, and more. Events can be one-night or limited run productions or feature national treasures like Charles Busch. PAC occupies The Broadway at 4139 N. Broadway, which has 85 seats, and The Buena, which has 50 seats at 4147 N Broadway.
Pride Films and Plays is supported by The MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at The Richard Driehaus Foundation, The Illinois Arts Council, City of Chicago’s City Arts Fund, the Elliott Fredland Charitable Trust, Proud to Run, the AmazonSmile Foundation, Arts and Business Foundation, Tap Root Foundation, Arts and Business Council, and Alphawood Foundation.
PFP is a member of the Smart Growth Program of the Chicago Community Trust. Pride Films and Plays is a member of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, Northhalsted Business Association, Uptown United, and The League of Chicago Theatres.
For more information, visit www.pridefilmsandplays.com or call 1.800.737.0984.
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