Cumpsty, Gemignani, Molaskey & More Join Sunday in the Park

Michael Cumpsty, Alexander Gemignani and Jessica Molaskey have joined the cast of the forthcoming Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Sunday in the Park with George. Directed by Sam Buntrock, with musical staging by Christopher Gattelli, the production will begin previews on January 25, 2008, and open on February 21 at the Roundabout Theatre Company's Studio 54.

The full Broadway company of Sunday in the Park with George will include the previously announced Daniel Evans George and Jenna Russell Dot & Marie, both of whom appeared in the Menier Chocolate Factory's Olivier Award-winning production in London, along with Cumpsty Jules & Bob Gemignani Boatman & Dennis and Molaskey Yvonne & Naomi, plus Mary Beth Peil Old Lady & Blair, Ed Dixon Mr. Charles, Santino Fontana Soldier & Alex, Kelsey Fowler Louise, Jessica Grove Celeste #2 & Silent Artist, Alison Horowitz Louise, Stacie Morgain Lewis Frieda & Betty, Drew McVety Louis & Billy, Anne Nathan Nurse & Mrs. Harriet, Brynn O'Malley Celeste #1 and David Turner Franz & Lee.

Sunday in the Park with George, a musical fantasy celebrating the art of creation and the creation of art, was inspired by the Georges Seurat painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. The first half, set in 1884, sees the painting and its rich comic tapestry come to life in a world where, for Georges, art comes before love, before everything. In the second half, set in 1980s New York, the great grandson of Georges searches for inspiration among the world of contemporary art.

Cumpsty begins performances in the title role of Richard III on November 1 at Classic Stage Company, where he previously starred in Richard II and Hamlet. His Broadway credits include The Constant Wife, Democracy, Copenhagen, Enchanted April, 42nd Street, Electra,1776, Racing Demon, The Heiress, Translations, Timon of Athens, La Bête and Artist Descending a Staircase. Off-Broadway credits include Timon of Athens, All's Well That End's Well, Cymbeline, The Winter's Tale, Man and Superman and The Art of Success.

Gemignani most recently starred as Jean Valjean in the Broadway revival of Les Miserables and appeared on Broadway in Sweeney Todd, Assassins, Children and Art and Passion. Off-Broadway credits include Avenue Q and Sorry, Wrong Number.

Molaskey's Broadway credits include A Man of No Importance, Parade, Dream, Tommy, Crazy for You, Les Miserables, City of Angels, Chess, Cats and Oklahoma!. A popular recording artist and jazz performer, she has appeared alongside her husband, John Pizzarelli, in many venues as well as in solo engagements. Her CDs include Sitting in Limbo and Pentimento.

Peil's Broadway credits include Nine and The King and I. Dixon's Broadway credits include How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Best Man, The Iceman Cometh, Les Miserables and The Scarlet Pimpernel. Fontana appeared off-Broadway in The Fantasticks. Fowler appeared on Broadway in Grey Gardens. Grove's Broadway credits include Modern Millie, Les Miserables and The Wizard of Oz. Horowitz is making her Broadway debut.

Lewis has appeared on Broadway in Wicked, Urinetown and Titanic. McVety's Broadway credits include Spamalot, Frozen, Big Riber, Titanic and The Heidi Chronicles. Nathan has appeared on Broadway in Chicago, Assassins, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Ragtime. O'Malley's Broadway credits include Hairspray and Beauty and the Beast. Turner is currently featured in The Ritz and previously appeared on Broadway in In My Life and The Invention of Love.

Sunday in the Park with George is being produced by Roundabout Theatre Company in association with Boyett Ostar Productions, David Babani, Caro Newling for Neal Street Productions and Mark Rubinstein. The design team includes Caroline Humphris Musical Director, David Farley Set and Costume Design, Ken Billington Lighting Design, Sebastian Frost Sound Design and Tim Bird Projection Design.

Sunday in the Park with George premiered at the Booth Theatre on Broadway in 1984 starring Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters, directed by Lapine. The production won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama one of only six musicals in history and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. The Menier Chocolate Factory's production opened in London on November 29, 2005, and extended its sold-out limited run before until March 12, 2006. It then moved to Wyndhams Theatre in the West End and won five Olivier Awards, including Outstanding Musical Production.