Gunn Theatre Program to Present "Head Over Heels: The Musical"

Head Over Heels was conceived by Jeff Whitty, who wrote the original book adapted by James Magruder. The musical is based on “The Arcadia,”  written at the end of the 16th century by Sir Philip Sidney, and features iconic music and lyrics by The Go-Go’s from the 1980s. 

“The Go-Go’s made history as the first, and to date only, all-female band that both wrote their own songs and played their own instruments to ever top the Billboard charts. Their 1981 debut album, Beauty and the Beat, was #1 on the charts for six consecutive weeks and it remains one of the most successful debut albums of all time,” noted Broadway Licensing, which describes Head Over Heels as a “hilarious, exuberant celebration of love.” 

“A mash-up of posh and punk, Head Over Heels is an unpredictable, Elizabethan romp about a royal family that must prevent an oracle's prophecy of doom,” producers said when the musical made its Broadway debut in 2018. “In order to save their beloved kingdom, the family embarks on an extravagant journey wrought with mistaken identities, jealous lovers … scandal and self-discovery, where everything (and everyone) is not quite what it seems.”

The Gunn Theatre Program cast includes: Erin Whitney ‘24 as Gynecia, Colin Hall ‘24 as Basilius, Audrey Richards ‘23 as Pamela, Sofia Panzer ‘25 as Philoclea, Siena Taylor ‘23 as Mopsa, Ezekiel Hatcher ‘26 as Musidorus, Daisy Moriarty ‘25 as Dametus, and Taylor Sall ‘25 and Stella Zhu ’25 as Pythio.

The ensemble cast includes: Henry Abbate ‘25, Blake Baumgartner ‘26, Logan Bell ‘25, Georgie Charette ‘23, Holli Hay ‘23, Shannon McCormack ‘25, Grace McManus ‘23, Sisy Pei ‘23, Maddie Reed ‘23, Sonia Romanenko ‘24, Mabel Rude ‘25, Joe Shaker ‘24, Sophie Smart ‘26, and Chris Wang ’23.

The student design team includes: Katherine Aguirre-Felipe ’26, Thea Howe ’23, Katherine Johnson ’25, Joshua Ly ’23, Polly Ross ’26, Maisie Samuels ‘23, Gracie Stutt ’23, Aria Trotta ’23, Chensu Wang ‘26, and Anya Zigmont ’26.

Head Over Heels is directed by Kent Burnham, Director of Theatre Arts, with Sarah Fay, Music Director, and Kelsey Brush, Choreographer. The creative team includes: Terry Hawley P’08, costume design, Al Chiappetta, lighting design, Greg Fisher, sound design, Kent Burnham, scenic design, and Tracy Liz Miller, intimacy coordinator. The pit band features Fay on keyboards, Gary Orlofsky, guitar, Jackson Pryor-Bennett, bass, and Mike Marble, drums.