Pure Country: Multi-platinum Country music star Lorrie Morgan to star as �Lula�

Multi-platinum Country music star Lorrie Morgan has been cast in the Broadway-bound production of the movie Pure Country, producers Randall L. Wreghitt, Chris Presley and Ellen Rusconi announced on 4 Aug 2009.

Morgan joins fellow Country music star Joe Nichols to headline the new musical that is expected to open on Broadway in early 2010.

As previously announced, Nichols takes on the role of �Rusty� [�Dusty� in the movie], which was made famous in the film by George Strait. Morgan now joins him to play the role of �Lula,� Rusty�s ruthless manager, which was created on film by Lesley Anne Warren.

�The Pure Country family is absolutely overjoyed to welcome Lorrie Morgan,� producer Wreghitt said. �To have a Country music star of her caliber sets the artistic bar high and brings additional authenticity to the show. The combination of Joe Nichols and Lorrie Morgan promises to be a dream collaboration for Country music fans and for everyone who sees the show. We couldn�t be more excited and proud to bring Pure Country and Lorrie Morgan to Broadway.�

Morgan is equally enthusiastic about the opportunity. �I never thought my life�s path would take me to Broadway, but when I heard they were creating a musical based on one of Country music�s best-loved films, I knew I had to be part of it,� Lorrie said. �I�m very excited about making my Broadway debut and becoming part of the Theater community. I�m also looking forward to working with Joe Nichols. He�s an amazing talent and I hope Country fans come on up to the big city to see us!�

Morgan began her career at a young age, making her first appearance on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry at age thirteen and later charting her first single in 1979.

Her career exploded in 1989 with the hit single 'Trainwreck of Emotion.' The daughter of the late Country legend George Morgan, the legacy followed up with a chain of Billboard chart-topping singles including 'Five Minutes,' 'What Part of No' and 'I Didn�t Know My Own Strength.' She�s recorded almost a dozen studio albums since, and was the first female Country star to have three consecutive albums certified platinum.

Morgan was named Female Artist of the Year four times by the TNN Music City News Country Awards. Her newest release, the upcoming 'A Moment in Time,' is expected to hit stores in October.

Additional casting and dates for Pure Country will be announced in the coming months.

As previously announced, Pure Country is a book musical based on the 1992 film of the same name. It features an eclectic, original score drawing on the sounds of New and Classic Country, as well as Broadway and Adult Contemporary. It will be directed by Peter Masterson and choreographed by Se�n Curran.

The musical boasts a creative team from the worlds of theater, film and country and pop Music.

3-time Grammy nominee and 6-time Emmy nominee Steve Dorff, who has written nine #1 songs and 15 Top Ten hits (including such classics as Kenny Rogers� 'Through the Years,' Celine Dion�s 'Miracle' and the 'Country staple' and hit movie theme 'Every Which Way But Loose' by Eddie Rabbit) will compose the Music.

2-time Emmy nominee, 3-time Grammy nominee and Golden Globe and Oscar nominee John Bettis, whose songs have sold over 250 million records worldwide (writing everything from George Strait�s 'Heartland' to Madonna�s 'Crazy for You') is writing the Lyrics.

Rex McGee, a prot�g� of the legendary filmmaker Billy Wilder, wrote the original Warner Brothers film Pure Country, on which the new musical is based, and co-wrote the musical�s Book with Masterson.

Sometimes fame and fortune aren�t enough. In the new Broadway musical Pure Country, Rusty is a country music superstar at the height of his career with all the high stakes pressures that come with it. When they start to take their toll and he walks out of an overblown concert tour, his search begins to find himself � and the love he left behind. PURE COUNTRY is about the price of fame and one man�s journey home.

The show's creative team includes Derek McLane (sets), Ann Roth (costumes), Kevin Adams (lighting) and Acme Sound Partners (Sound).

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