Nashville, TN – Multi-platinum Country music star Lorrie Morgan has been cast in the Broadway-bound production of the hit movie PURE COUNTRY, producers Randall L. Wreghitt, Chris Presley and Ellen Rusconi announced today. Morgan joins fellow Country music star Joe Nichols to headline the new musical that is expected to open on Broadway in early 2010. As previously announced, Nichols takes on the role of ‘Rusty’ [‘Dusty’ in the movie], which was made famous in the film by George Strait. Morgan now joins him to play the role of ‘Lula,’ Rusty’s ruthless manager, which was created on film by Lesley Anne Warren.
“The PURE COUNTRY family is absolutely overjoyed to welcome Lorrie Morgan,” producer Wreghitt said. “To have a Country music star of her caliber sets the artistic bar high and brings additional authenticity to the show. The combination of Joe Nichols and Lorrie Morgan promises to be a dream collaboration for Country music fans and for everyone who sees the show. We couldn’t be more excited and proud to bring PURE COUNTRY and Lorrie Morgan to Broadway.”
Morgan is equally enthusiastic about the opportunity. “I never thought my life’s path would take me to Broadway, but when I heard they were creating a musical based on one of Country music’s best-loved films, I knew I had to be part of it,” Lorrie said. “I’m very excited about making my Broadway debut and becoming part of the Theater community. I’m also looking forward to working with Joe Nichols. He’s an amazing talent and I hope Country fans come on up to the big city to see us!”
Morgan began her career at a young age, making her first appearance on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry at age thirteen and later charting her first single in 1979. Her career exploded in 1989 with the hit single “Trainwreck of Emotion.” The daughter of the late Country legend George Morgan, the legacy followed up with a chain of Billboard chart-topping singles including “Five Minutes,” “What Part of No” and “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.” She’s recorded almost a dozen studio albums since, and was the first female Country star to have three consecutive albums certified platinum. She was named Female Artist of the Year four times by the TNN Music City News Country Awards. Her newest release, the upcoming A Moment in Time, is expected to hit stores in October.
PURE COUNTRY is a book musical based on the 1992 film of the same name. The musical features an eclectic original score that draws on the sounds of New and Classic Country, Broadway and Contemporary music. The musical boasts a powerhouse Creative Team from the worlds of Theater, Film and Country and Pop Music:
· Film and Theater writer and director Peter Masterson, best known as the co-writer and co-director of the hit Broadway musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (and co-author of the hit film), will direct and co-author the Book.
· 3-time Grammy nominee and 6-time Emmy nominee Steve Dorff, who has written nine #1 songs and 15 Top Ten hits (including such classics as Kenny Rogers’ “Through the Years,” Celine Dion’s “Miracle” and the Country staple and hit movie theme “Every Which Way But Loose” by Eddie Rabbit) will compose the Music.
· 2-time Emmy nominee, 3-time Grammy nominee and Golden Globe and Oscar nominee John Bettis, whose songs have sold over 250 million records worldwide (writing everything from George Strait’s “Heartland” to Madonna’s “Crazy for You”) is writing the Lyrics.
· Rex McGee, a protégé of the legendary filmmaker Billy Wilder, wrote the original Warner Brothers film Pure Country, on which the new musical is based, and co-wrote the musical’s Book with Masterson.
Sometimes fame and fortune aren’t enough. In the new Broadway musical PURE COUNTRY, Rusty (Joe Nichols) is a Country music superstar at the height of his career with all the high-stakes pressures that come with it. When the pressure takes its toll, he abandons his overblown concert tour, and his search to find himself – and the love he left behind – begins. PURE COUNTRY is about the price of fame and one man’s journey home.
Complementing the musical’s Creative Team is an A-list Design Team, including Tony Award-winning scenic designer Derek McLane (33 Variations), three-time Tony-nominated costume designer Ann Roth (a staggering 77 Broadway shows including the original The House of Blue Leaves, Singing’ in the Rain and The Odd Couple), Tony-winning lighting designer Kevin Adams (Spring Awakening, Passing Strange) and the Tony Award-nominated sound designers Acme Sound Partners (for Hair, plus In the Heights, La Bohéme and Spamalot). Music Director is Eugene Gwozdz (Oklahoma!, The Full Monty).
PURE COUNTRY is based on the 1992 Warner Brothers’ 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). The soundtrack went to #1 on the U.S. Country Album Chart and spawned two #1 Country singles, “Heartland” and “I Cross My Heart.” Both songs were written and co-produced by Steven Dorff, the composer of the musical, and are included in Dorff’s otherwise new and original score for the musical PURE COUNTRY.
Additional casting and dates for PURE COUNTRY will be announced in the coming weeks.
