Creative Cauldron’s 2022/23 season takes its final bow with a regional premiere, Audrey: The New Musical, book, music, and lyrics by Danielle E. Moore, directed by Laura Connors Hull, with musical direction by Merissa Driscoll. Audrey explores the real life of the woman behind the iconic little black dress through song, dance, and a technicolor wardrobe. The show runs from May 11 through June 4, 2023.
Audrey: The New Musical received a workshop reading at Creative Cauldron in September 2021 as part of the “Bold New Voices” initiative, which focuses on developing works written by women or women-identifying writers. Audrey first premiered at Players Theatre in New York City last August. With further development of the script and music, Creative Cauldron decided to fully produce the show to close our 2022/23 season. Speaking about the choice, Founding Artistic Director Laura Connors Hull stated: “This original musical, the first to focus on the iconic and inspiring life of Audrey Hepburn, bristles with humor and pathos. Danielle has written a sophisticated, complex, and emotionally nuanced work of art. While no one could ever completely capture the fullness of Audrey’s life journey, Danielle’s deep knowledge of her subject matter lets us bask in the glow of Audrey’s indomitable spirit.”
Winning both the Tony and the Oscar in her first year on the Hollywood scene, Audrey Hepburn went on to become one of the most iconic stars in motion picture history.
Audrey: The New Musical follows a reluctant icon from her days as a ballerina-turned-spy in Nazi-occupied Holland, to her heartbreaking attempts to create the family that the war robbed from her. Sprinkled with stars like Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant, styled by Givenchy, this production weaves the duality of Audrey’s irresistible stardom and her humanity.
Danielle E. Moore is a NYC-based writer, producer, and composer with experience spanning live entertainment, TV/film development, editorial, and earned media. She is the executive director of Green Light Group Productions, a production firm specializing in the development of new works across stage and screen. Other works include Gatsby, a musical adaptation of “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, which was presented at the New York Theater Festival in September 2019.
Audrey Hepburn is played by actor and comedian Rebecca Ballinger. She recently co-wrote and performed in Frivolidays: A Christmas Comedy Cabaret at Creative Cauldron. Her past credits include The Playboy of the Western World at Solas Nua, The Outsider and Shakespeare in Love at Keegan Theatre, A Civil War Christmas at 1st Stage, and Beehive at NextStop Theatre. Ricky Drummond, last seen at Creative Cauldron as Horton in The Christmas Angel, plays Bill Holden. Other performers include Bianca Lipford (Edith Head), Garrett Matthews (Gregory Peck), Lenny Mendez (Collette), Tyler Cramer (Givenchy), Lindsey Jacobsen (Marilyn Monroe), Cynthia Davis (Ella Fitzgerald), Patrick Mahoney (Humphrey Bogart), Santiago Alfonzo Meza (Mel Ferrer), Morgan Arrivillaga (Young Audrey), and Noah Beye (U/S).
Laura Connors Hull, Creative Cauldron’s founding artistic director, returns to the director’s chair for this production, joined by Merissa Driscoll as music director and Helen Hayes Award winner for Outstanding Director, Matt Conner as ssistant Director. Strauss Award–Winning Resident Designer Margie Jervis is providing costume, set, and properties design, with Assistant Costume Designer Darryl Clark helping bring Audrey’s iconic fashion looks to life. Helen Hayes Award–nominated Lynn Joslin, is the lighting designer and James Morrison, is the projection designer. Orchestration is by Sam Nasar and choreography by Morgan Arravillaga. The production is stage-managed by Nicholas J Goodman.
Audrey: The New Musical plays May 11 through June 4, 2023 (Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm), at Creative Cauldron, 410 South Maple Avenue, Retail 116, Falls Church, VA. Purchase tickets (adults, $50–$40; students, $25) online or call the box office, at 703-436-9948.
COVID Safety: Masks are required at all times for all patrons and visitors during all indoor performances. See Creative Cauldron’s complete COVID-19 Theater Protocols.
