Mamie Parris, Bryonha Marie Parham to Join Drew Gehling in New Musical Dave

Full casting is announced for the upcoming Arena Stage world-premiere production of the new musical Dave, starring Drew Gehling.

The musical tells the story of Dave Kovic (Gehling), a high school teacher and presidential look-alike who is hired by the Secret Service as a stand-in for the president. When the president falls ill, Dave is thrust into the White House to avoid a national scandal. Dave features a book by Nell Benjamin and the late Thomas Meehan. The score features lyrics by Benjamin and music by Tom Kitt. Tina Landau will direct.

Gehling will play both President Bill Mitchell and the title role. He is joined in the principal company by Mamie Parris as First Lady Ellen Mitchell, Josh Breckenridge, Rachel Flynn, Bryonha Marie Parham, and Jonathan Rayson.

Rounding out the cast are Jenny Ashman, Jared Bradshaw, Dana Costello, Trista Dollison, Sherri L. Edelen, Kevin R. Free, Erin Quill, Jamison Scott, and Vishal Vaidya.

The production will have scenic design by Dane Laffrey, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, sound design by Walter Trarbach, and projection design by Peter Nigrini.

Inspired by the 1993 film starring Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver, Dave will run July 13-August 19 at the Kreeger Theater at the Mead Center for American Theater.