Max Crumm Stars in World Premiere of Beatsville

Performances of the world premiere of Glenn Slater and Wendy Leigh Wilf's musical Beatsville are underway at Asolo Repertory Theatre. A coproduction with Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre, Bill Berry directs the production, running through May 28.

Beatsville is described as follows: "Hang onto your berets — we’re headed to Beatsville — the world of subterranean coffee shops, goateed artists, turtle-necked poets, and bongo-playing jazzbos. Tragically square busboy Walter Paisley wants nothing more than to be one of the beatniks, but he has no artistic talent whatsoever. When he accidentally kills a cat and hides it in a lump of clay, "Dead Cat' is declared a masterpiece, and Walter a genius. More 'sculptures' bring more acclaim — but will the world discover Walter’s secret?"

Max Crumm leads the cast as Walter alongside Lauren Marcus as Carla, his love interest. They are joined by Ann Morrison (Mrs. Zwicker, Mrs. Greenberg), Cayman Ilika (Natasha), Charlie Johnson (Claude 1), Connor Russell (Claude 2), Sarah Rose Davis (Betty, Uptowner), Billie Wildrick (Naomi, Alice, Uptowner), Clifton Oliver (Thelonious, Uptowner), Taryn Darr (Naolia, Uptowner), Andrew Chappelle (Lou, Diego, Guy, Newsboy), Brandon O'Neill (Brock, Uptowner), and Michael Thomas Holmes (Leonard). Kevin Pariseau and Ann Morrison complete the ensemble.

The creative team includes JoAnn M. Hunter (choreography), Steve Orich (orchestrations), Steve Orich (vocal and dance music arrangements), Kat Sherrell (musical director), David Gallo (scenic design), David C. Woolard (costume design), Mike Baldassari (lighting design), Justin Stasiw (sound design), and Michelle Hart (hair, wig, and make-up design).

For tickets and more information, click here.