Broadway's Sara Gettelfinger Sets Fur Flying on 101 Dalmatians Tour

Broadway alum Sara Gettelfinger will take over the devilish role of Cruella de Vil in the national tour of The 101 Dalmatians Musical, producers have announced. The actress assumes the part, previously played by Rachel York, beginning February 16 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago.

Gettelfinger's Broadway credits include Seussical, Anything Goes, Nine and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Off-Broadway, she originated the role of Little Edie in Grey Gardens.

Gettelfinger joins a cast featuring James Ludwig (Spamalot, Little Shop of Horrors, Blue Man Group) as Dalmatian patriarch Pongo, newcomer Catia Ojeda as Missus, Pongo’s wife and the loving mom of the puppies dognapped by Cruella, and Julie Foldesi (South Pacific, Little Women, The Full Monty) as family nurse Perdita.

The cast is rounded out by Sammy Borla (Lucky), Lydia Clemente (Cadpig), Piper Curda (Roly-Poly), Madeleine Doherty (Nanny Butler, Gypsy Wife), Michael Thomas Holmes (Jasper, Gruff Yorkie), Robert Anthony Jones (Jinx), Erin Maguire (Nanny Cook, Collie Inn Keeper), Mike Masters (Mr. Dearly, Horse), Catherine Missal (Patch), Kristen Beth Williams (Mrs. Dearly, Tabby Cat), Chuck Ragsdale (Prince), Chip Abbott (Ensemble), Joel Blum (Ensemble, Harry De Vil, Gypsy Impresario, Bloodhound Miner), Jeff Scot Carey (Ensemble Prince, Mr. Dearly), Kristy Cavanaugh (Ensemble), Joseph Dellger (Ensemble, Splendid Vet, Nervous Setter, Tipsy St. Bernard), Ashley Blair Fitzgerald (Ensemble, Dream Perdita), Garett Hawe (Ensemble, Perdita’s Husband, Beagle), Kevin C. Loomis (Ensemble, Sheepdog), Neal Mayer (Swing), Ah-Niyah Yonay Neal (Ensemble), Clark Kelley Oliver (Ensemble), Gabriel Rush (Ensemble), Molly Sorohan (Swing), Kendra Tate (Ensemble; u/s Cadpig) and Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods vet Emma Zaks (Ensemble, Cruella’s Cat).

The 101 Dalmatians Musical, directed by Jerry Zaks, features music and lyrics by Dennis DeYoung, a founding member of the rock band STYX, and a book and lyrics by BT McNicholl. The family-friendly musical began performances at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis on October 13, 2009.

The musical follows Dalmatians spouses Pongo and Missis Pongo who are living the good life in London with their “pets” Charles and Catherine Dearly. When their 10 puppies are dognapped by the villainous Cruella de Vil, they summon the help of a vast network of dogs and set off to rescue their pups. There’s a happy ending for all with laughter, mayhem and music along the way. The finale features 15 real Dalmatians, many of which were rescued from animal shelters across the country.