Cuccioli Set for Show Boat Benefit

October 21, 2007 

Broadway Ala Carte, the Professional Theatre-in-Residence at the YM-YMHA of North Jersey, will present preview performances of Show Boat on Oct. 18 at 8 PM and Oct. 20 at 8:30 PM with Andrea Rivette (Julie), David Weitzer (Gaylord Ravenal) and Katherine Haverlandt-Guantez (Magnolia).

A benefit performance of Show Boat — Oct. 21 at 2 PM — will feature the three aforementioned actors as well as Jacques Brel's Robert Cuccioli as Ravenal and Gay Willis as Magnolia. Mike O’Carroll will direct with choreography by Adolpho Blaine. Peter Candela serves as Musical Director.  

Robert Cuccioli, most recently on the New York stage in the revival of Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical for his work in Jekyll & Hyde. He won the Drama Desk and the Outer Critics Circle awards for that performance as well. He also received Chicago's prestigious Joseph Jefferson Award during Jekyll & Hyde's successful national tour. He boasts an impressive list of Off-Broadway credits, including And the World Goes 'Round (Outer Critics Circle Award), The Rothchilds, Gigi, Senor Discretion, and the acclaimed Off Broadway revival of Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well And Living In Paris.  

Mr. Cuccioli played Lancelot in the U.S. and Canadian tours of Camelot starring Richard Harris. Mr. Cuccioli also appeared in the Broadway production of Les Misérables and has been seen on screen in "Sliders," "Baywatch," "Celebrity," and "The Stranger".  His recent theatrical credits include Guys and Dolls, Temporary Help, Lorenzaccio, The Sound of Music and the Actors' Fund benefit concert of On the Twentieth Century.

Director Mike O’Carroll has appeared in numerous Broadway productions including original roles in Hal Prince’s Tony Award-winning hit revival of Show Boat (under-studying and performing Captain Andy) and Ragtime (J.P. Morgan), as well as Fiddler On The Roof starring Topol. National and International Tours include Beauty and the Beast, 42^nd Street, Ragtime, Show Boat, Annie Get Your Gun, Fiddler On The Roof, and On Your Toes.

Gay Willis performed the role of Magnolia for over two years in the Broadway, Chicago, and touring companies of Hal Prince’s revival of Showboat opposite such greats as Cloris Leachman, Anita Gilette, Elaine Stritch, Dorothy Loudon, Marilyn McCoo, Dick Van Patten, Pat Harrington, John McMartin, and Dean Jones. Prior to her appearance in Show Boat, Gay performed the role of Christine Daae in the Toronto and Canadian touring productions of The Phantom Of The Opera opposite Colm Wilkinson and Ciaran Sheehan. She also received rave reviews for her performance in the world tour of The Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber opposite Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman, playing to sold-out houses around the world including Royal Albert Hall in London and Radio City Music Hall in New York.

Andrea Rivette performed the role of Emma Carew in the Broadway and television productions of Jekyll & Hyde starring David Hasselhoff, after having played Emma Carew in the recent Equity national tour. Andrea is also proud of a three-year association with Miss Saigon. On Broadway, she was the understudy for Ellen, the American G.I.'s wife. She eventually assumed that role in the second National Touring Company to critical acclaim. Favorite regional credits include Christine in Kopit/Yeston's Phantom, Magnolia in Show Boat, The Baker's Wife in Into the Woods, and Luisa in The Fantasticks. Miss Rivette can be heard with Chuck Wagner on his self-titled CD singing "Take Me As I Am." 

The YM-YMHA of North Jersey is located at One Pike Drive in Wayne, NJ.

Tickets for the preview performances are $28; Benefit performances are priced $40 (show only) and $50 (show and meet-the-cast reception). 

For further information, call (973) 595-0100, ext. 226.