Tony Winner Levi Kreis to Headline New Musical Pure Country at Houston's Theatre Under the Stars

Levi Kreis, the standout star who nabbed a Tony for his Broadway debut in Million Dollar Quartet, has been selected to lead the new musical Pure Country, based on the hit movie. The production, directed and choreographed by Tony nominee Dan Knechtges, will run from April 14-26 at Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) in Houston, Texas.

Kreis took home the 2010 Best Featured Actor in a Musical Tony Award for his strong-voiced turn as Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet, a performance he later reprised on tour. His credits also include a Broadway turn as Preacher in Violet and a touring appearance as Roger in Rent.

Featuring a book by the film's screenwriter Rex McGee, music by Steve Dorff and lyrics by John Bettis, Pure Country tells the tale of a jaded country music mega-star (Kreis) who suddenly walks away from his successful yet joyless career to return to his roots and rediscover his passion for life, love and music.

Joining Kreis in the principal cast will be Tony nominee Sally Mayes as Mama Ivy, Stephanie Gibson as Harley, Felicia Finley as Lula, Matt DeAngelis as Earl, Mark Price as Marty and Doug Atkins as Charlie.

Rounding out ensemble are Brittany Halen, Logan Keslar, Charles Mitchell, Shea Renne, Katie Stuckey, Nick Szoeke, Christopher Tipps, LaBraska Washington, Ryan Winkler, Katja Rivera Yanko and Lucille Lortel Award nominee Kevin Zak.

Pure Country will feature music supervision/arrangements by Charlie Alterman and orchestrations by Michael Holland, with scenic design by Christine Peters, costume design by Colleen Grady, lighting design by Ryan O'Gara, sound design by Andrew Harper and projection design by Greg Emetaz.

The musical has been in development for over a decade; a Broadway run, headlined by country music stars Joe Nichols and Lorrie Morgan, was announced in 2008 but didn't surface.