Photo Flash: Stages St. Louis Presents VICTOR/VICTORIA

Victor/Victoria opens September 9 at STAGES ST. LOUIS and continues through October 9 at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood.

Based on the seven-time Oscar-nominated film,Victor/Victoria comes to the stage backed by an exceptional Academy Award-winning score by the great Henry Mancini. This fun-filled romp through 1930's Paris includes show-stopping numbers ranging from the electrifying "Le Jazz Hot" to the heart-rending "Almost a Love Song," and "Crazy World." Music by Henry Mancini and Frank Wildhorn; lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Frank Wildhorn; book by Blake Edwards.

Lead by the always remarkable Julie Andrews, Victor/Victoria first opened on Broadway in 1995 and ran for a successful 735 performances.Victor/Victoria is a warm and wildly energetic look at gender perceptions as seen through the eternal battle of the sexes. A comical and touching celebration of the many facets of love, this show has it all!

Direction and musical staging are by STAGES ST. LOUIS Artistic Director Michael Hamilton, with choreography by Dana Lewis and musical direction by Lisa Campbell-Albert. Completing the artistic team are Scenic Designer Mark Halpin, Costume Designer Lou Bird, Lighting Designer Matthew McCarthy and Orchestral Designer Stuart M. Elmore. New York casting by Gayle Seay and Scott Wojcik of Wojcik/Seay Casting.

The show-stopping cast includes, New York Actress Janna Cardia as Victoria Grant, whose previous credits include both national and international tours as the Queen in Cinderella and has appeared at the Fulton Opera as the Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd, Nancy in Oliver, Rizzo in Grease, and the Witch in Into the Woods. New York Actor David Schmittou as Caroll "Toddy" Todd, whose previous STAGES credits include The Drowsy Chaperone, The Sound of Music, Big-The Musical, Sweet Charity, She Loves Me, Disney's The Aristocats, and High Society. Broadway Actor Gary Lynch, as King Marchan, whose Broadway and National Tour credits include Provaire/Javert in Les Miserables, Moe Pressman in Dirty Dancing, and Sam Carmichael in Mamma Mia!. California Actress Melinda Cowan as Norma, whose previous STAGES credits include Rose in Meet Me in St. Louis, Patsy in Crazy for You,and Kitty in The Drowsy Chaperone. European Actor Steve Judkins as Mr. "Squash" Bernstein, whose West End credits include Notre Dame De Paris, The Full Monty,and the UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Also, in order of appearance, are St. Louis Actor Steve Isom as Sal Andretti, New York Actor Tony Howell, New York Actor Matthew Kilgore, New York Actress Melissa Manning, Broadway Actor Michael McGurk, New York Actress Alida Michael, and New York Actor Tim McGarrigalas Les Boys, New York Actor Leigh Wakeford as Richard Di Nardo, Broadway Actress Kim Shriver as Simone Kallisto, St. Louis Actor Darin Wood as Clam, St. Louis Actress Zoe Vonder Haar as Miss Selmer, New York Actor James Beaman as Henri Labisse, St. Louis Actor John Flack as Gregor/Juke, St. Louis Actress Ellen Isom as Madame Roget, New York Actor Michael Jablonski as Choreographer, and St. Louis Actor Whit Reichert as Andre Cassell. The remaining ensemble members include New York Actress Becca Kloha, and St. Louis Actress Taylor Pietz.

Single ticket prices range from $15 - $55. STAGES performs in the intimate, 384-seat Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Civic Center, 111 South Geyer Road in St. Louis, MO. For more information or to purchase tickets call 314-821-2407 or visit www.stagesstlouis.org.

Photos by Peter Wochniak