For Immediate Release: August 24, 2005
Media Contact: David J. Abers, Bristol Riverside Theatre, 215.785.6664

Bristol Riverside Theatre is proud to announce that casting is complete for their world premiere production of I Married Wyatt Earp. Sheilah Rae and Thomas Edward West wrote the book for this all-female cast musical. The lyrics are by Sheilah Rae and the music is by Michele Brourman. I Married Wyatt Earp will open BRT’s 19th Season on September 27, 2005.

Who caused the famous shootout at the OK Corral? Why is Wyatt Earp buried in a Jewish cemetery? Why is an 81–year-old woman pointing a pistol at a 90-year-old woman? Answers to these and other provocative questions can be found in this new musical that tells what the women of Tombstone, Arizona were doing while the bullets were flying. Based on a TRUE story, I Married Wyatt Earp follows young Josie Marcus from her pampered upper-middle-class life in San Francisco, to a touring Gilbert and Sullivan troupe, to a scandalous and tawdry romance with the Sheriff of Tombstone. All of these adventures led her to the love of her life, Wyatt Earp, and the secret she thought she would take to her grave – until the widow of Virgil Earp showed up at her door in 1943.

Bringing these extraordinary women to life on stage requires an extraordinary cast of women. Director Keith Baker has found the women up to the challenge. Jean Arbeiter, Lisa Asher, Diane J. Findlay, Anya Paulina Ismail, Tara Korbelak, Leila Martin, Mary Mossberg, Lyn Nagel, Stephanie Palumbo, April Woodall, and Jennifer Zimmerman are those amazing women.

Leila Martin who will play Josie Marcus, a woman who was ahead of her time on a personal journey to find freedom and adventure, was the original Madame Giry in the Broadway production of Phantom of the Opera, in addition she appeared in the original Broadway casts of Gypsy, 42nd Street, and The Rothschilds. Jennifer Zimmerman will play her counterpart Young Josie. Jennifer appeared in the Broadway Company of Les Miserables as Fantine. In addition she appeared in the National Tours of The Scarlet Pimpernel and Evita.

Broadway veteran Diane J. Findlay will play Allie Earp. Diane has played numerous roles in Broadway National Tours, Off-Broadway and regional theatres in such shows as 42nd Street, Annie, Anything Goes, Pajama Game, Funny Girl, Steel Magnolias, The Sound of Music and Promises, Promises. Playing Young Allie will be Stephanie Palumbo. Stephanie has appeared in such shows as The Three Penny Opera, A Little Night Music, Ragtime, Chicago, Anything Goes and Once Upon A Mattress.

The role of Mattie Earp, Wyatt’s common-law wife, is being played by Jean Arbeiter. Jean played Jellylorum in the final company of Cats on Broadway. In regional theatres she has played lead roles in such shows as Olympus On My Mind, My Fair Lady, Ragtime, Mousetrap and The Music Man. Rounding out the rest of the Earp clan are Bess Earp, played by Lisa Asher and Bess’ daughter Hattie played by Lyn Nagel. Lisa has been seen in the National Tour of The Who’s Tommy as well as Almost Heaven: Songs & Stories of John Denver, Christmas at the Swingtime Canteen and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Lyn’s Broadway appearance was in the Lincoln Center production of Carousel. Her many regional credits include Evita, The Secret Garden, You Can’t Take It With You, Jekyll and Hyde and The Three Penny Opera. Kate Haroney, Doc Holliday’s mistress will be played by Mary Mossberg. Mary, a California native, has been seen on the east coast in such shows as Chess, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Baker’s Wife, Children of Eden and Nunsense.

April Woodall, Tara Korbelak, and Anya Paulina Ismail round out the cast of women for this show. April has been seen in The Glass Menagerie, She Stoops to Conquer, The Lion in Winter, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Tara has an equally impressive list of credits which includes Jesus Christ Superstar, The Pajama Game, The Wizard of Oz, Bye, Bye, Birdie, Anything Goes, and Working. Anya has been seen in Kiss Me Kate, Oklahoma!, The Sound of Music, Little Shop of Horrors, and Guys and Dolls.

Call the Box Office at 215-785-0100 for information on subscriptions, or visit us on the web at www.BRTstage.org.

For information regarding Bristol Riverside Theatre, this press release, or to arrange for interviews call David J. Abers at 215-785-6664.

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