The American Heartland Taps Out a Ginger Rogers Tribute

Alan Scherstuhl of the Pitch Weekly had this to say about Backwards in High Heels:

"The American Heartland Theatre's Backwards in High Heels: The Ginger Rogers Musical is a high-spirited tribute to the headstrong Texas hoofer who walked away from her partnership with Fred Astaire at the peak of their success. It earns its keep on sweat, hustle and a score I'm tempted to call swell — especially when the talented ensemble taps through "We're in the Money" or "I Got Rhythm."

Musical director Anthony Edwards finally gets songs worth his talent. Dancers come in twos and fours, in solos and in full-ensemble extravaganzas, executing director Jeremy Benton's choreography with dash and verve."

Click HERE to read the entire review at the Pitch Weekly Online.

Ginger & Fred

Here's some amazing video of Ginger and Fred dancing together. While our stars, Vanessa and Erik, aren't THE Ginger and Fred, they are pretty darn close!

"Some seriously talented actors"

Read the review from the Kansas City Star

The first review is in!

Check out what infozine thinks about Backwards in High Heels!

"Backwards in High Heels" at American Heartland Theatre, Review

Backwards in High Heels on KCUR

Have a listen to Steve Walker of KCUR's interview with actors Vanessa Sonon (Ginger) and Licia Watson (Ginger's mother) and director Jeremy Benton.

Opening Night!

Things have changed monumentally in the theatre since Morgan posted the photo of the stage under construction on Wednesday - Here's what the stage looks like as of last night:



On the right in the cherry-picker you can see Tech Director, Shane Rowse, checking the lightbulbs to make sure they are wired correctly. This set has quite a few pieces that move in and out in order to clearly change location during the show. It will be exciting to see it all in action. I'm sure the nerves are setting in for the actors, as tonight will be there first performance. Break a leg!

For a special discount, visit our facebook fans page (there's a link over there to the right) where you'll find a code for a buy one, get one half off promotion - book your seats now, as they are going fast!

Change-Over

The air smells like saw dust and the sounds of drills echo in the halls - it must be change-over week!

Change-over is one of my very favorite weeks in the theatre. It is very exciting - you never know what is going to happen next. The set from the last show is taken down and the new set is built. I really enjoy seeing the stage between sets - it reminds me how infinite the possibilities are. This stage has been a beauty parlor, an Iowa cornfield, and the entire city of Tuna, TX. It’s been home to Snoopy’s dog house, Buddy Holly’s recording studio and Marilyn Monroe’s Hollywood bungalow. Last week it was a living room where a murder takes place and next week it will be the setting for the life story of Ginger Rogers.

Since this is part of the theatre that the audience never gets to experience, I thought we’d give you a quick glimpse. The stage is being set for Backwards in High Heels, which opens March 6th. Be sure to come see how the stage is transformed this time!

Polishing Those Dancing Shoes

The cast of Backwards in High Heels is hard at work putting the final touches on their steps and songs to bring you the Ginger Rogers musical! With the show opening in just a few days everyone is in top form and ready to bring you a fantastic evening of song and dance.

Enjoy this sneak peek of rehearsal.

Vanessa Sonon, Erik Floor, Larissa Klinger and Chance Blakeley
learn their steps under the direction of Jeremy Benton.

The cast takes a moment to rest and study their scripts.

Sean Montgomery goes over a song with musician Daniel Doss.

The cast practices a tricky dance step.

AHT on Channel 9

Be sure to tune in to the Channel 9 morning news tomorrow (Thursday, February 26) on Channel 29, KCWE from 7:30 - 8:30am. They'll be doing live interviews with Backwards in High Heels director, Jeremy Benton and actors Vanessa Sonon and Erik Floor! Pretty exciting stuff, if you ask us!

Press Information about Backwards in High Heels!

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release - February 17, 2008

Backwards in High Heels
An enchanted evening of the Ginger Musical!
Kansas City Premiere – March 6 thru April 19, 2009

Kansas City, MO – Backwards in High Heels dances through the extraordinary life of Ginger Rogers. The evening starts with young Ginger realizing her destiny as she taps her heart out to the tune “Tame These Feet.” We follow Ginger’s life, including her glorious Oscar-winning moment. The evening glides and swirls through such memorable standards as “Fascinating Rhythm,” “Change Partners,” “Embraceable You,” “A Fine Romance” and “We’re in the Money.” It’s a wonderful tribute and evening of music and dance. Backwards in High Heels runs March 6 through April 19, 2009.

The AHT production of Backwards in High Heels stars Vanessa Sonon as Ginger Rogers. She comes to AHT from the Broadway cast of Spamalot. Other Broadway credits include 42nd Street (Peggy Sawyer u/s-ensemble). Regional shows include LA cast of White Christmas (Judy u/s-enemble), On the Town (Ivy Smith), and BABY (Pam).

Sean Montgomery stars as Man #1. Regional credits include Oklahoma! (Atlanta TOTS), Show Boat (Gateway Playhouse), Les Miserables, The Pajama Game, Hello, Dolly! (MUNY), Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty (La Comedia), Big Tent, Last Starfighter (NYMF).

Erik Floor stars as Fred Astaire and Man #2. Regional credits include Singin’ in the Rain, The Producers, The Will Rogers Follies, Crazy Love, Pal Joey, Sugar, Dames at Sea, West Side Story, Urban Cowboy and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Chance W. Blakeley stars as Man #3. Chance just finished working in New York with the Little Orchestra Society at Lincoln Center on the Victor Herbert operetta Babes in Toy Land. Other credits include working Summer Stock with Lyric Theatre, City Rep., Light Opera of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Musical Theatre, Opera Performing Arts and Casa Manana. His performances include Urine Town, Forum, The Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado, Fiddler on the Roof and The Gift.

Licia Watson stars as Lela. Credits include The Nerd and Menopause The Musical (AHT), Hank Williams: Lost Highway (KC Rep), A New Brain (Eubank Productions), Barefoot in the Park (Great Plains Theatre), Our Town and Book of Days (staged readings for Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre), A Man of No Importance (MET) and Radio Gals (AHT and, most recently, the Chestnut Fine Arts Center).

Larissa L. Klinger stars as Woman #3. She has a BA in Music Education and a minor in Theatre from MidAmerica Nazarene University. Credits include 42nd Street, Gypsy, 1776, Nunsense, The Robber Bridegroom, Once Upon a Mattress, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Singing in the Rain, and West Side Story.

Nathanael Card stars in the Ensemble and serves as an understudy. He was last seen on the Coterie stage in And Then They Came For Me. Mr. Card is a BFA graduate of Stephens College of the Performing Arts.

Backwards in High Heels was conceived and developed by Lynnette Barkley and Christopher McGovern. Book/Original Songs & Arrangements are by Mr. McGovern as well. The production is directed by Jeremy Benton. His credits for direction and choreography include the Broadway production and national tour of 42nd Street. Film credits include The Producers. Regional productions include Mame and White Christmas. World/American Premieres include Ken Ludwig's An American In Paris, Ace: The New Musical, The Witches of Eastwick, Lonestar Love, and Stormy Weather.

Scenic design is by Jeremy Doucette, set construction is by Alex Perry, and Bill Christie and Jan Kohl are serving as stage managers. Finally, sound design is provided by Roger Stoddard, with lighting by Shane Rowse.

To purchase tickets, call 816-842-9999, visit the box office in Crown Center, or view us online at www.ahtkc.com. Groups of 12 or more may call 816-842-0202 for reservations (group discounts available).

Tuesday through Thursday evening performances begin at 7:30pm. Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 8:00pm. Sunday matinee performances begin at 2:00pm. There are also select Sunday evening performances, as well as select Wednesday matinees. Select Saturday matinees begin at 2:00pm & select Saturday twilight performances begin at 4:00pm.

Visit http://www.ahtkc.com/ for a complete schedule. Tickets have an attached coupon for discounts at several Crown Center restaurants on the date of the performance. Parking is inside, secure and free with theatre validation. Handicapped seating and assistive listening devices are available.

A Special Guest

Rehearsals started this week for Backwards in High Heels, which opens March 6. In the offices we can hear all sorts of crazy tapping coming from the rehearsal hall. These kids can dance!

One of the rituals of beginning a new show is having a Meet & Greet with the new cast. This gives the AHT staff who aren't directly involved in the show a chance to meet the actors, and allows the actors to know who's who in the offices - who does paychecks, whose computer they can borrow in a pinch, etc.

Last night we had a special guest at the Meet & Greet, whom the actors were excited to meet. Bruce Rogers, half brother of Ginger Rogers, was present with stories to tell and a special photo for the star of our show, Vanessa Sonon. Luckily, cast member Sean Montgomery had his camera on hand and allowed us to snap a great photo of the event.

Vanessa Sonon with Veda & Bruce Rogers