Several of us from the A.R.T. trekked down to the big apple yesterday for the presentation at the end of a one-week workshop kindly hosted by the folks at The Public Theater. The cast – which all of us present hope will be the one that will come to Cambridge – was assembled in front of their scores, with a pianist and a conductor. Diane made a brief speech, and the music began…. and WHAT a ride it was! The cast was phenomenal, voices ranging from the big handsome Philip Boykin singing the role of the King with the deepest bass baritone voice to the absolutely adorable 12-year old Chris Borger, who not only sounds like an angel, but performed with the poise and the self-assurance of a total pro. And the amazing Lavon Fisher-Wilson, who brought the house down with her “let a little sunshine in”…. we were practically dancing in the aisles. And… last but not least, there was “Big Daddy” himself, David Alan Grier, a sort of master of ceremonies, story teller, who tied all the proceedings together with a great sense of humor and improvisation. I was not familiar with the music of composer Deirdre Murray, but I could not sit still, totally enveloped in the rhythm, the buoyancy and enthusiasm of the cast, and those voices!!!! I cant wait for rehearsals to begin here in Cambridge in the fall…
cast assembled
Jeanette Bayardelle struts her stuff
little Chris Borger enchants
Big Daddy himself, David Alan Grier
Lavon Fisher-Wilson lets a little sunshine in....
the cast
American Repertory Theater 
This was so much fun and I absolutely love this cast as well. I’d love to have a copy of the pictures from the workshop. Can you email them to me? Thanks Phillip
Philip, I am so glad you had such a great time… we had an even better time listening to you! I e-mailed you photos last week, hope you got them. We will post them on our website shortly. Looking forward to seeing you in the fall.
Kati
Hey Phillip,
James Alexander also has copies of these photos if you want some. How much fun was that! I already miss the cast and the crew. Chris, SM, you rocked by world with your “breaks”. We were having so much fun hanging uot with it each other and bringing the music to life.This was a great opportunity and I was glad I was apart of it!!!!!