TUTS Underground unveils the National Regional Premiere of MURDER BALLAD which plays April 17th - 27th, 2014.  MURDER BALLAD features a steamy quartet of actors Steel, Patrick, Lauren and Kristin;  MURDER BALLAD is fresh off its New York City run.  Presented at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts located at 800 Bagby, Houston Texas 77002.  Photo by Claire McAdams.
 

TUTS UNDERGROUND UNVEILS THE QUARTET OF CAST MEMBERS TO MAKE
THE NATIONAL REGIONAL PREMIERE OF

MURDER BALLAD

APRIL 17 - 27, 2014

HOUSTON – TUTS Underground unveils the cast for the sizzling and explosive musical Murder Ballad.  The steamy quartet of actors includes Steel Burkhardt, Patrick McRoberts, Lauren Molina and Kristin Warren.  Fresh off its New York City run, Murder Ballad makes its national regional premiere at Hobby Center’s Zilkha Hall April 17 – 27, 2014.

Murder Ballad tells the sultry story of passion’s dark side.  A love triangle gone wrong, the show centers on Sara, an Upper West Sider who seemingly has it all but whose downtown past lingers enticingly and dangerously in front of her. This sexy new rock musical explores the complications of love, the compromises we make, and the betrayals that can ultimately undo us.

Heading the show as the leading ladies are Lauren Molina, who plays Sara, and Kristin Warren, who plays the narrator.  Molina’s stage credits are comprised of Broadway’s Rock of Ages and Sweeney Todd as well as the first national tour of Sweeney Todd.  Warren is a native Houstonian who has appeared many times at TUTS.  Her most recent appearances include Cabaret, The Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls and Man of La Mancha.  She won an award as the Best Actress in a Musical from BroadwayWorld.com voters in 2013 for her performance in Sweeney Todd.

Steel Burkhardt stars as Tom and Patrick McRoberts stars as Michael.  Burdkardt’s stage experience includes the lead role in Hair on Broadway, London’s West End and the national tour. McRoberts has played on Broadway in Miss Saigon and Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story as well as the national tour of Miss Saigon.  Both also boast extensive regional theatre credits, having played at several theatres across the country.

The creative team consists of entirely Houston-based talent.  Heading the creative team are director Bruce Lumpkin and choreographer Michelle Gaudette.  A husband and wife team, Lumpkin and Gaudette have collaborated at TUTS for Elf, Man of La Mancha and Miss Saigon.  Lumpkin previously worked on several Broadway titles including Grand Hotel, My One and Only, Nine, Stepping Out, and The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. Additionally, Lumpkin co-directed Grand Hotel on London’s West End and served on the creative team for the national tours of Dr. Doolittle and Nine.  He received the Barrymore Award for Best Director and Best Musical for his revisionist look at Cabaret.  Gaudette has performed internationally throughout her career and toured nationally in Will Rogers Follies.  She also performed as a member of the Radio City Rockettes in New York City for nine years.

Leading the band will be musical director and conductor Jack Beetle.  Murder Ballad marks Beetle’s debut with TUTS.  A classically trained opera singer, he has performed in more than 40 productions in various regional theatres and will help bring this production’s pop rock score to life for audience members.

Additional creative team members include assistant director Marley Wisnoski, fight captain Jeff Wisnoski, lighting designer Christina Giannelli, sound designer Andrew Harper and set designer Laura Hawkes.

TUTS presents MURDER BALLAD which plays April 17th - 27th, 2014.  MURDER BALLAD tells the sultry story of passion's dark side, a love triangle gone wrong.  Presented at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts located at 800 Bagby, Houston Texas 77002.  Photo by Claire McAdams.