CHARLIE CHAPLIN

Limelight, the new musical based on the life story of Charlie Chaplin, opens at La Jolla Playhouse tonight for a run through 17 October. The show has music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis, with a book by Curtis and Broadway veteran Thomas Meehan, whose successes include Annie, Hairspray and The Producers.

Limelight advertises itself as a captivating close-up on the man who changed motion pictures forever. Charlie Chaplin came to America an unknown and left amidst scandals and controversy. In between, he became one of the best-loved and most famous entertainers in the world. From the gritty streets and smoky music halls of London to movie screens across the globe, the show goes behind the camera to show how a comic genius found soaring success and later fell from grace. Chaplin is played by Robert McClure, with Ashley Brown taking the role of his wife, Oona.

The principle cast is rounded out by LJ Benet as Young Sydney, Jenn Colella as Hedda Hopper, Eddie Korbich as Karno, Brooke Sunny Moriber as Mildred, Ron Orbach as Mr. Chaplin, Roland Rusinek as Alf, Jake Schwenke as Young Charlie/Jackie and Matthew Scott as Sydney. The ensemble features Aaron Acosta, Courtney Corey, Matthew Patrick Davis, Justin Michael Duval, Sara Edwards, Ben Liebert, Alyssa Marie, Jennifer Noble, Kürt Norby, Carly Nykanen, Jessica Reiner-Harris and Kirsten Scott.

The production has been directed by Warren Carlyle and Michael Unger, with Carlyle also have staged the choreography. More information can be found at the La Jolla Playhouse website.