Blazer, Cleale, Dossett and More to Star in LaChiusa’s Giant at Signature

Casting has been announced for Giant, the stage adaptation of Edna Ferber’s epic novel from Tony-nominated composer Michael John LaChiusa and librettist Sybille Pearson, which will play at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia from April 28 through May 31. Jonathan Butterrell, best known the choreographer of such Broadway shows as The Light in the Piazza, Assassins and Nine, will direct.

The cast is led by Broadway regular Lewis Cleale Spamalot, The Fantasticks in the role of Jordan “Bick” Benedict. Betsy Morgan, recently seen in The Little Mermaid, will play Leslie, Bick’s wife. Ashley Robinson, seen in the original Chicago company of Wicked, has been cast as Jett Rink. Judy Blazer Titanic will play Luz, and Tony nominee John Dossett Gypsy has been cast as Bawley. Also featured in the company of 21 are Enrique Acevedo, Raul Aranas, Marisa Echeverria, Jessica Grové, Michael Thomas Holmes, Jordon Nichols, Andres Quintero, Michelle Rios, Isabel Santiago, Paul A. Schaefer, Martin Sola, Nick Spangler, Katie Thompson, Julie Tolivar, Mariand Torres and Lori Wilner.

Epic in vision and scope, Giant chronicles the life and times of cattleman Jordan “Bick” Benedict, his naïve young society wife, and their family in the sweeping panorama of Texas, the land that brings them together and almost splits them apart. It is a sensational story of power, love, lust, and bigotry among the wealthy Anglo cattle barons and oil tycoons, and the downtrodden Mexican-Americans who work for them.

Giant is perhaps best known for George Stevens’ 1956 film adaptation, which featured Rock Hudson as Bick, Elizabeth Taylor as Leslie and, in his final role, James Dean as Jett.