Click, Clack, Moo: Theatreworks USA announce cast for free theatre summer production

Theatreworks USA, the nation's leading not-for-profit professional theatre for family audiences, has announced the full cast for its 21st Annual Free Summer Theatre Program.

This summer's featured production is Click, Clack, Moo, a new musical based on the Caldecott Honor children's book by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin.

Click, Clack, Moo, opens at the Lucille Lortel Theatre on 28 Jul 2009, following previews from 21 Jul and runs through to 28 Aug 2009.

Directed by Tony Award winner John Rando (Urinetown) and choreographed by Wendy Seyb (Toxic Avenger), Click, Clack, Moo will feature Gretchen Bieber as 'Darlene - a cow,' Kristy Cates as 'Maddie - a cow,' Michael Thomas Holmes as 'Loretta - a cow,' Drew McVety as 'Farmer Brown,' DeMond B. Nason as 'Duck' and Kirsten Wyatt as 'Jenny/Chicken.'

Bieber understudied Amber Von Tussle in both the Broadway and first national touring companies of 'Hairspray.' Holmes appeared on Broadway in 'Oklahoma!' and in the first national tour of 'The Producers.' McVety's Broadway credits include 'Sunday in the Park with George,' 'Frozen,' 'Big River' and 'Titanic.'

Cates most notably starred as 'Elphaba' in the Chicago production of 'Wicked' at the Ford's Theatre, a role she also understudied on Broadway. Her other New York credits include 'Jerry Springer: The Opera' at Carnegie Hall and 'Boobs! The Music of Ruth Wallis' at The Triad.

Nason appeared Off-Broadway in 'Walmartopia' and as 'Lionel' in the national tour of 'Cinderella,' directed by Gabriel Barre. Wyatt's Broadway credits include 'Grease' (Frenchy), 'High Fidelity,' 'The Pajama Game' and 'Urinetown.'

Click, Clack, Moo has a book by Billy Aronson, lyrics by Kevin Del Aguila and music by Rodgers Award-winning composer Brad Alexander.

All day long Farmer Brown hears "click clack moo, clickety clackety moo..." The cows are typing and protesting their working conditions! Recommended for children ages four and up, Click, Clack, Moo is a new musical about compromise, based on the acclaimed 2005 children's book 'Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type.'

Click, Clack, Moo features scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Lora LaVon, lighting design by Matthew Richards and sound design by Jeremy Wilson.

Tickets for Click, Clack, Moo are FREE and available on a first come, first served basis in-person at the Lucille Lortel Theatre Box Office (121 Christopher St.) on the day of the performance, one hour prior to curtain time. Individual reservations cannot be made in advance.

Theatreworks USA's Free Summer Theatre Program is entirely underwritten by charitable contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations. This year Theatreworks USA is pleased to partner with Free Summer Theatre Committee members Michelle Humphrey (Chair), Amie Carey and Adam Richman, as well as Actors' Equity Association, The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and the Writers Guild of America.

Theatreworks USA is America's largest and most prolific professional not-for-profit theatre for young and family audiences. Since 1961, Theatreworks USA has enlightened, entertained and instructed over 85 million people in 49 states and Canada, now performing for about three million people annually.

Every year, the company tours approximately 16 shows from its ever-growing repertoire of 125 plays and musicals. In addition, Theatreworks USA also has an extensive multi-cultural guest artist roster, including storytellers, puppeteers, poets and magicians.