Broadway veterans and local Las Vegas professionals lead the cast of the Nevada Conservatory Theatre's (NCT) premiere of the new musical "ACE" Aug. 22 and 23 at 1 p.m. at the Judy Bayley Theatre.
Tina Walsh takes leave from her role as Madame Giry in the international touring company of "The Phantom of the Opera" to appear as Ruth, whose letters help tell a story spanning three generations. Playing Young Ruth is Niki Scalera, who has performed in several Broadway productions, including "Hairspray" and "Disney's Tarzan".
UNLV graduate student Sam Cordes takes on the demanding lead role of Danny Lucas -- a character who only leaves the stage for one short scene. Devin Archer, who recently appeared in "Mamma Mia!" at the Tropicana Hotel and the national tour, and who currently is starring in the title role in "Tarzan" in Los Angeles, will play the title character Ace. Also leading the cast are Nicole Kaplan as Elizabeth ("Steve Wynn's Showstoppers", ABC's "General Hospital") and Joseph DeBenedetto as John Robert ("Les Miserables").
"I am ecstatic to have the opportunity to work with Richard and this amazing cast of professionals on a promising new work like ACE," said Cordes. "I am forever grateful to the program at UNLV for giving me the chance to be challenged and make connections with artists in the theatre I might never have made on my own. This is the kind of relationship between theatre and academia that should exist everywhere."
The supporting cast is comprised of some of the most accomplished performers in Las Vegas, as well as UNLV students. The cast includes Bruce Ewing (The Phat Pack, "Phantom -- The Las Vegas Spectacular", "Forever Plaid"); Jeff Leibow (the original Las Vegas Nick Massi in "Jersey Boys"); Nikka Wahl ("Jersey Boys", "The Wedding Singer"); Lisa Louise Orchard ("Jubilee!"); Brian Miller ("Spelling Bee"' "Urinetown", "Venus in Fur"); Greg Kata ("50 Shades - the Musical Parody", "Mamma Mia!"); Jesse Bourque ("Spelling Bee", "As You Like It", "The 80's Show"); Rochelle Collins ("Ka" by Cirque Du Soleil); Sydney Peca Story ("Spelling Bee", "Grease"); and Gary Easton ("Mary Poppins", "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang").
"ACE" features a score by Richard Oberacker, currently the conductor for "KA" by Cirque Du Soleil at the MGM Grand, with a book and lyrics by Oberacker and Robert Taylor. Taylor is a violinist who has played extensively in Las Vegas productions, including "Disney's THE LION KING" and "Steve Wynn's Showstoppers".
Renowned Director David H. Bell will travel from Chicago to stage the event, taking inspiration from the legendary "ENCORES" and "New York Philharmonic Presents". Brackley Frayer, NCT Executive Director, will design the lighting. Christopher V. Edwards, NCT Artistic Director, will oversee the production.
Set in 1964, "ACE" follows the journey of a young man returning home to discover the truth about his mother's hidden past. Uncovering a saga spanning three generations of ace fighter pilots through two World Wars, this original musical soars with the trials and triumphs of a family in search of true heroism.
Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at the UNLV Box Office, by phone at (702) 895-ARTS (2787) or online at UNLV.edu/nct. Proceeds from the production will benefit NCT.
About Nevada Conservator Theatre
The Nevada Conservatory Theatre is celebrating 10 years of being the professional theatre training program of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. NCT is committed to bringing to Las Vegas the highest quality theatre by featuring professional artists and advanced students recruited from around the country. With a mission to entertain, but also to provoke and inspire, NCT is proud to be part of Southern Nevada and UNLV.
Additional Cast Information
Tina Walsh has played Madame Giry in the Las Vegas Company of "Phantom of the Opera" and originated the role of Donna Sheridan in the original Las Vegas cast of "Mamma Mia". Walsh is taking leave from her role as Madame Giry in the international touring company of "The Phantom of the Opera" to create the role of Ruth in "ACE".
Niki Scalera creates the role of Young Ruth and brings to the NCT stage her extensive Broadway experience from "Hairspray", "Disney's Tarzan" and Neil Simon's "Jake's Women." Scalera has appeared in several NCT productions as well as the Las Vegas Strip production of "We Will Rock You."
Sam Cordes is a third year Master of Fine Arts student and actor at UNLV. Starring as Danny Lucas in "ACE", Cordes also has performed in NCT's productions of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee", "As You Like It" and "Grease."
Devin Archer is creating the title role of Ace in the musical. He is currently appearing in the return engagement of "Mamma Mia!" at the Tropicana Hotel. His theatre credits include the "Mamma Mia!" national tour, "Tarzan" with 3D Theatricals in Los Angeles, "Les Miserables" with MT West Los Angeles, and numerous other professional productions across the country.
Nicole Kaplan creates the role of Elizabeth while also starring in "Steve Wynn's Showstoppers". Kaplan has toured extensively as a soloist with symphony orchestras across the country with Grammy-winning conductors Lucas Richman and Marvin Hamlisch.
Joseph DeBenedetto joins "ACE" in the role of John Robert. DeBenedetto has been touring internationally as a soloist with Disney and the Tokyo Philharmonic Neverland Orchestra, Orchestra Japan, Metropolitan Festival Orchestra in Singaport and the Taipei Philharmonic. DeBenedetto recently released his new album "In The Making" featuring the song "In These Skies" from "ACE."
