Ryan Scott Oliver and Hunter Foster’s Jasper in Deadland, a new musical that follows 16-year-old Jasper as he journeys into the afterlife to save his best friend, will head to Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre following its acclaimed Off-Broadway run this past spring.
The 5th Avenue Theatre announced Dec. 23 that Jasper replaces the Broadway-bound Something Rotten! in its 2014-15 season. Performances will run April 30-May 24, 2015, with an official opening set for May 14.
“I could not be more pleased to have this dynamic new musical as the new addition to our season,” said 5th Avenue Theatre executive producer and artistic director David Armstrong in a statement. “Ryan Scott Oliver and Hunter Foster are two of the most exciting young talents working in the theatre today and The 5th has a very successful track record in providing emerging theatre artists like these with a large scale playing field in which they can thrill and amaze us. What Rent is to La Bohème, this show is to the Orpheus myths and legends.”
Prospect Theater Company presented the New York City premiere, which featured Matt Doyle (The Book of Mormon) as Jasper, Allison Scagliotti (Off-Broadway debut, SyFy’s “Warehouse 13”) as Gretchen and Ben Crawford (Big Fish, Shrek The Musical) as Mr. Lethe. Performances ran through April 13 at the West End Theatre in the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew.
Jasper in Deadland tells the story of 16-year-old Jasper, who journeys into the Afterlife to rescue his recently deceased best friend, Agnes. But in this version of the hereafter – known as “Deadland,” a hybrid of mythology, religion, and superstition – the dead forget Life… And so, too, will Jasper, if he can’t get past the seven circles of Deadland, fearsome Cerberus, heavenly Beatrix, mysterious Mr. Lethe, and ultimately himself. Can Jasper bring his best friend back from the dead, or will he join the dead forever?
The non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre Association exists to develop, produce and present live musical theater for the cultural enrichment of the Northwest community, and to preserve, maintain, and operate the historic and irreplaceable 5th Avenue Theatre. The 5th Avenue Theatre has developed numerous shows that have gone to Broadway, including the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Hairspray, Jekyll & Hyde, The Wedding Singer, Memphis, Catch Me If You Can, Scandalous, A Christmas Story, First Date and Aladdin.
The 5th Avenue Theatre is located at 1308 5th Avenue in Seattle, WA. Tickets (starting at $29) may be purchased starting Jan. 16, 2015, at 5thAvenue.org or by phone at (206) 625-1900.