Bells are Ringing to star Kelli O’Hara & Will Chase

Kelli O'Hara and Will Chase will star in Bells Are Ringing, the first Encores! production of the New York City Center season, running 8 - 12 Nov 2010 at City Center.

The cast will also feature Dylan Baker, Bobby Cannavale, Judy Kaye, Brad Oscar and David Pittu.

Bells Are Ringing, directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall with music direction by Rob Berman, has music by Jule Styne and book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green.

In Bells Are Ringing, a lonely young woman can't help getting involved in the lives of her answering service clients. When she falls for a man she has met only by voice, classic 1950s mayhem ensues.

The score includes 'Just in Time,' 'The Party's Over,' 'I Met a Girl,' 'Long Before I Knew You' and other tunes from one of Broadway's greatest tunesmiths. The original production opened at the Shubert Theater on 29 Nov 1956, and played a total of 924 performances. The entire original production was directed by Jerome Robbins, dance and musical numbers of the original production were staged by Jerome Robbins and Bob Fosse. The show won Tony awards for its stars Judy Holliday and Sydney Chaplin.

The full cast of Bells Are Ringing features Dylan Baker, Bobby Cannavale, Will Chase, Judy Kaye, Kelli O'Hara, Brad Oscar, David Pittu, Danny Rutigliano, Jeffrey Schecter and John C. Vennema.

Bio's

Kelli O'Hara (Ella Peterson) received her third Tony nomination for her portrayal of 'Nellie Forbush' in 'South Pacific' at Lincoln Center Theater. O'Hara's previous Broadway credits include 'The Pajama Game' (Tony nomination) with 'Harry Connick, Jr.,' 'The Light in the Piazza' (Tony nomination), 'Follies,' 'Sweet Smell of Success,' 'Jekyll & Hyde' and 'Dracula.' She has appeared as 'Eliza Doolittle' in the New York Philharmonic production of 'My Fair Lady,' with the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, and at a sold-out run at Cafe´ Carlyle.

Will Chase (Jeffrey Moss) can currently be seen on Broadway in 'Billy Elliot.' His previous Broadway credits include 'The Story of My Life,' 'High Fidelity,' 'Lennon,' 'The Full Monty,' 'Aida,' 'Miss Saigon' and as 'Roger' in the final cast and filmed stage version of 'Rent.' He was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award for his performance in the Signature Theatre's 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' and has been nominated three times for Chicago's Jeff Award.

Dylan Baker (Inspector Barnes) has appeared on Broadway in 'God of Carnage,' the original production of 'La Bête' (Tony nomination), 'November,' 'Mauritius' and 'Eastern Standard.' His many Off-Broadway credits include 'Not About Heroes' (Obie Award), 'Sea of Tranquility,' 'Homebody/Kabul,' 'The Common Pursuit' and 'Tartuffe.' His film credits include "Secretariat," "Road to Perdition," "Happiness," "Revolutionary Road," "Spider-Man 2," "Spider-Man 3" and "Planes, Trains and Automobiles."

Bobby Cannavale (Blake Barton) was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in 'Mauritius' and has been seen in New York in 'Trust,' 'Hurly Burly,' 'The Gingerbread House' and others. He has appeared in the films 'Night Falls on Manhattan,' 'Snakes on a Plane,' 'The Bone Collector,' 'The Guru,' 'Shall We Dance?' and 'Romance & Cigarettes.' He has had recurring television roles on "Will & Grace" (Emmy Award), "Third Watch," "100 Centre Street" and "Ally McBeal."

Judy Kaye (Sue Summers) won the Tony Award for her performance as 'Carlotta' in 'The Phantom of the Opera' and was nominated for her roles in 'Mamma Mia!' and 'Souvenir.' She also appeared on Broadway in 'Ragtime,' 'On the Twentieth Century,' 'Sweeney Todd' and 'Grease!' Kaye has appeared in theaters and opera houses across the country as 'Mama Rose' in 'Gypsy,' 'Pistache' in 'Can-Can,' 'Aldonza' in 'Man of La Mancha,'' Mrs. Lovett' in 'Sweeney Todd,' 'Annie' in 'Annie Get Your Gun,' 'Lucy Lockit' in 'The Beggar's Opera' and 'Sally' in 'Follies.' She last appeared at City Center in the Encores! production of 'Face the Music.'

Brad Oscar (Dr. Kitchell) was nominated for the Tony Award for his role as Nazi playwright 'Franz Liebkind' in 'The Producers' and subsequently took over the lead role of 'Max Bialystock' on Broadway and in Los Angeles. His other Broadway credits include 'Spamalot,' 'Jekyll & Hyde' and 'Aspects of Love.' He has appeared at the Arena Stage as the 'Devil in Damn Yankees' and as the 'M.C.' in 'Cabaret,' and at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in the title role of 'Barnum.' Mr. Oscar was last seen at City Center in the Encores! production of 'Do Re Mi.'

Davie Pittu (Sandor Prantz) has been nominated for Tony awards for his performances in 'LoveMusik' and 'Is He Dead?' In 2008, he wrote, co-directed, and starred in 'What's That Smell: The Music of Jacob Sterling.' He has also been seen in 'The Coast of Utopia,' 'The Tenth Man,' 'Twelfth Night' and 'Equivocation.' David was last seen at City Center in the Encores! production of 'Of Thee I Sing.'

Danny Rutigliano (Francis) was recently seen in New York in Cirque du Soleil's 'Banana Shpeel.' He originated the role of 'Timon' in the L.A. production of 'The Lion King,' for which he received the Ovation Award, and performed the role in the Broadway production. His television credits include "Without a Trace," "Law & Order" and "The Brothers Garcia." His film credits include "Goodfellas," "The Producers" and the voice of Timothy Mouse in "Dumbo 2."

Jeffrey Schecter (Carl) appeared on Broadway in "A Chorus Line¸" "The Pajama Game," "Wonderful Town," "Guys and Dolls" and "Beauty and the Beast" and at the Old Globe in San Diego in the world premiere of "Robin and the Seven Hoods." He was seen as "Ozzie" in "On the Town" at the Paper Mill Playhouse.

John C. Vennema (Larry Hastings) appeared on Broadway in 'The Cripple Of Inishman,' 'The Ride Down Mt. Morgan,' 'The Elephant Man,' 'The Royal Family,' 'Otherwise Engaged' and 'Racing Demon.' His many Off-Broadway credits include 'Prisoner of the Crown,'' The Skin Game,' 'Right Kind Of People' and 'House and Garden.'

Kathleen Marshall (Director and Choreographer) returns to Encores!, where she has directed and choreographed 'Applause,' 'Carnival,' 'Hair' and 'Babes In Arms,' among others, and served as artistic director for four seasons. Her Broadway credits include 'The Pajama Game,' 'Wonderful Town,' 'Grease,' 'Boeing, Boeing,' 'Little Shop of Horrors,' 'Follies,' 'Seussical,' 'Kiss Me, Kate,' 'Ring Round the Moon,' '1776' and 'Swinging on a Star.' For ABC/Disney, she directed and choreographed "Once Upon a Mattress" and choreographed "The Music Man" (Emmy nomination). She has received two Tony awards.