CHICAGO (May 10, 2022) — Kokandy Productions is launching its 10th-anniversary season this summer with the Chicago storefront premiere of Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musicala flirty and fun, nostalgia-packed show laced with hits from '90s including No Doubt, Jewel, Britney Spears, Garbage and many more. Created by Jordan Ross, Lindsey Rosin and Roger Kumble and based on the film by Roger Kumble, Kokandy's production is directed by Artistic Associate Adrian Abel Azevedo (he/him) with music direction by Isabella Isherwood (she/her) and choreography by Laura Savage (she/her).
Cruel Intentions will run June 9 — Aug. 7 at The Chopin Theatre (Studio), 1543 W. Division St. Tickets are currently available at kokandyproductions.com .
The cast includes David Moreland (he/him) as the sauve and manipulative Sebastian Valmont, Maddison Denault (she/her) as Kathryn Merteuil, the "Marcia F*cking Brady of the Upper East Side" and Kelcy Taylor (she/her) as "paradigm of chastity and virtue" Annette Hardgrove. Anabella Oddo (she/her) and Elizabeth Lesinski (she/her) will play Cecile Caldwell and her mother Bunny, with Lucas Looch Johnson (he/him), as Ronald Clifford, Cecile's cello teacher. Joshua Pablo Szabo (he/they) and Jimmy Romano (he/him) round out the cast as Blaine Tuttle and Greg McConnell.
The Manchester Prep ensemble includes Niki-Charisse Franco (she/her), Justin Grey McPike (they/them) Jaxson Smith (he/him) and TJ Tapp (she/her). Swings include Grace Bobber (she/they) and Erika Rose (she/her). Additional casting TBA.
Based on the acclaimed hit film starring Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Phillippe and Sarah Michelle Gellar, Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical is the ultimate throwback party. Rulers of their elite Manhattan prep school, Sebastian and Kathryn have placed a mischievous bet. As their vengeful crusade wreaks havoc on the students at Manchester Prep, the two devilish step-siblings become entangled in their own web of deception and unexpected romance in this raucous jukebox throwback, featuring fresh takes on familiar '90s jams from No Doubt, *NSYNC, Garbage, Goo Goo Dolls, TLC and more.
The production team includes Mara Ishihara Zinky (she/her, scenic designer), Uriel Gómez (he/him, costume designer), G "Max" Maxin IV (he/him, lighting designer), Mike Patrick (he/him, sound designer), Katie Gallegos (she/her, properties designer), Kirsten Baity (they/them, intimacy designer), Emily Marazzo (she/her, stage manager), Erik Strebig (they/them, production manager), Kendyl Meyer (they/them, assistant stage manager), Leo Aranda (he/him, assistant lighting designer), Brennan Urbi (he/they, casting associate), Scot Kokandy (he/him, executive producer) and Derek Van Barham (he/him, producing artistic director).