Warren Carlyle to Choreograph Pure Country on Broadway

Warren Carlyle, helmer and choreographer of the Finian's Rainbow revival, has signed on as the choreographer for the new musical Pure Country. The tuner, starring country music artist Joe Nichols and directed by Peter Masterson, is aiming for a Broadway bow during the 2010-2011 season.

Pure Country tells the story of Rusty, a country music superstar at the height of his career living with all the high stakes pressures that come with it. When they start to take their toll and he walks out of an overblown concert tour, his begins to find himself, and the love he left behind.

In addition to Finian’s Rainbow, Carlyle's New York stage credits include A Tale of Two Cities on Broadway, choreographing the Encores! production of Girl Crazy and choreographing On the Town, Juno and Stairway to Paradise all at Encores! In his native England, his work includes Me and My Girl, The Goodbye Girl, Pageant, Sondheim’s Moving On and Scrooge.

“On behalf of the producing team and our director Peter Masterson, we’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Warren Carlyle to the PURE COUNTRY family,” producer Randall L. Wreghitt said in a statement.  “For this dance-heavy, down-home show, we all know that he’s the perfect person to have us kicking up our cowboy boots!”  

Pure Country is based on the 1992 film of the same name, written by Rex McGee and directed by Christopher Cain. It starred George Strait in his film debut, Lesley Ann Warren, Kyle Chandler and Rory Calhoun in his final film appearance. In addition to Nichols, the production stars Lorrie Morgan in the role of Lula, Rusty's ruthless manager, a role created on film by Warren.

Pure Country features music by Steven Dorff, lyrics by John Bettis and a book by Masterson and Rex McGee. The production will feature set design by Derek McLane, costume design by Ann Roth, lighting design by Kevin Adams and sound design by Acme Sound Partners.