Tony Winner George Hearn to Join Carolee Carmello in the Broadway Musical Scandalous
Two-time Tony winner George Hearn will join previously announced star Carolee Carmello in the Broadway premiere of Scandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson. The musical, featuring book and lyrics by Today co-host Kathie Lee Gifford and music by David Pomeranz and David Friedman, will begin previews at the Neil Simon Theatre on October 13 and open on November 15, directed by David Armstrong.
Set in 1920s Los Angeles, Scandalous is based on the life of the first superstar evangelist, a woman whose passion for saving souls equaled her passion for making headlines and attracting crowds. She rose to fame amid scandalous love affairs and controversy, which ended in a much-publicized fall from grace.
In Scandalous, Hearn will play both James Kennedy, Aimee's kindhearted father; and Brother Bob, a popular preacher whose growing resentment of Aimee and her public power fuels him to vehemently discredit her from his pulpit.
Hearn won his first Tony Award for originating the role of Albin in La Cage aux Folles, and his second for playing Max von Mayerling in Sunset Boulevard. He also received Tony nominations for Putting It Together, A Doll's Life and Watch on the Rhine. His other Broadway credits include Wicked, The Diary of Anne Frank, Meet Me in St. Louis, I Remember Mama, Ah, Wilderness!, An Almost Perfect Person, The Changing Room and A Time for Singing.
The Broadway production will be choreographed by Lorin Latarro, with musical direction by Joel Fram, scenic design by Walt Spangler, costume design by Gregory A. Poplyk, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Ken Travis and orchestrations by Bruce Couglin.
