Small-time boxer Rocky Balboa gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot to go from loan shark enforcer to heavyweight titleholder, but does this ultimate underdog have what it takes? Based on the MGM/United Artists Academy Award-winning motion picture of the same name, ROCKY features new musical numbers, along with favorites including “Eye of the Tiger” and “Gonna Fly Now.” ROCKY, the Musical is a beautiful love story, and a heart-stopping, knock-out theatrical experience for everyone brave enough to follow their dreams.
Rocky’s grit and determination exemplifies Philadelphia and its people, and the deep connection between Rocky and Philadelphia has been acknowledged by Sylvester Stallone, who created the classic fighter and co-wrote the book for this new iteration of Rocky’s story. “It’s a city that really was built for this kind of character… gritty yet historical, it’s just that kind of tough place,” said Stallone.
The Walnut’s all-new production will feature a cast of over 23 and a live orchestra and has been updated for Philadelphia from the 2012 premier in Germany and the subsequent Broadway production in 2014. Rocky, the Musical has a book by Thomas Meehan and Sylvester Stallone, and was adapted from Stallone’s screenplay. Adding to the classic music is a new score created by Tony Award-winning writer Lynn Ahrens with music by Tony and Grammy Award Winner Stephen Flaherty.
Award-winning Choreographer and Director Richard Stafford returns to the Walnut for his 17th production. His previous Walnut credits include directing and choreographing Beehive – The 60’s Musical, Legally Blonde, Mamma Mia!, Sister Act, Memphis, Curtains, Cats, and more, as well as choreographing La Vie en Blue, Evita, and La Cage Aux Folles. On Broadway, Stafford was choreographer for In My Life (Music Box Theatre), associate choreographer for Aspects of Love, and dance supervisor for Cats. In New York, he also worked as director and choreographer for Los Elementos (2017) and Pygmalion (2018) at New York City Opera. His work has been seen at regional theatres across the country including North Carolina Theatre, North Shore Music Theatre, Sacramento Music Circus, Westchester Broadway Theatre, and more. Chris Burcheri returns for his third season as the Walnut’s music director. During the 2021-2022 season, Burcheri took the podium as music director for Beehive, The Little Mermaid, and Always…Patsy Cline.
Making his Walnut Street Theatre debut as the South Philly small time boxer, Rocky Balboa, is Matthew Amira. Amira’s theatre credits include Jersey Boys: (Ogunquit Playhouse, Fulton Theatre, Maine State Music Theatre as Nick Massi. Broadway National Tour: Beautiful - The Carole King Musical (Donnie, Nick/Low Righteous Brother), Dirty Dancing (Robbie Gould). South Philly native Gianna Yanelli makes her return to the Walnut, where she made her professional debut in Fiddler on the Roof, this time playing Adrian Pennino. Yanelli’s theatre credits include Mean Girls on Broadway (Ensemble/Janis) and Mystic Pizza (Jojo). Her TV credits include Law and Order: SVU, SNL, and Seth Myers. She is an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan. Playing the role of the 1975 heavyweight boxing world champion, Apollo Creed, is Walnut veteran Nichalas L. Parker, a former Walnut Street Theatre acting apprentice. Parker’s WST credits include Shrek The Musical, Civil War Voices, A Funny Thing Happened…, and more. Walnut regular Bill Van Horn will play the former bantamweight fighter turned trainer Mickey Goldmill. Van Horn’s recent WST appearances include The Adventure of the Speckled Band, The Little Mermaid, and A Woman of No Importance along with directing Civil War Voices, The Curious Incident…, and The Glass Menagerie. Playing his 37th role at the Walnut is self-described “Philly Boy” Fran Prisco as Adrian’s brother Paulie. Prisco’s Walnut credits include The Best Man, Shrek, and Young Frankenstein.
WST veteran Rebecca Robbins (Always…Patsy Cline, The Little Mermaid) is returning as Gloria. Audiences will recognize Jenny Lee Stern, who plays Angie, from her starring role in last season’s production of Always…Patsy Cline. Stern also originated the role of Joanne in the Broadway premiere of Rocky, the Musical. Karissa Harris (Beehive) makes her return to the Walnut stage as Joanne and in the ensemble. Jake Blouch, playing both Gazzo and Tom Crosetti, is back at the Walnut having last been seen in the Walnut’s production of Meteor Shower. Making this his 25th production at the Walnut is local actor Ben Dibble, who will be playing the roles of Newscaster Miles Jergens, and the Referee. Audiences will most recently recognize Dibble as Chef Louis in last season’s underwater hit, The Little Mermaid.
Dana Orange (The Little Mermaid, Shrek) is returning to the Walnut to play the roles of Mike and Apollo’s Manager. Mark Donaldson (The Little Mermaid, Shrek) returns as Dipper, First Cameraman, and as the Doctor. Kristyn Pope (Beehive – The ‘60s Musical, Legally Blonde) returns in the ensemble and will also be the show’s Associate Choreographer. Also returning to the Walnut are cast members Adam Mandala (The Little Mermaid), Sabrina Profitt (Saturday Night Fever), and Jesse Jones (The Little Mermaid) who will take the roles of Buddy, Shirley, and Bob Dunphy, respectively. Bonnie Kelly (The Little Mermaid, Beehive) and Scott Langdon (Blithe Spirit) are returning as ensemble members. Daniel Miller will take the role of Spider Rico in his WST debut, while also understudying the role of Rocky. Also making their debut in ensemble are Jarret Martin and Sierra Wilson.
Bringing boxing authenticity to this heart-stopping show is Boxing Consultant and Philadelphia native Maleek Jackson. Jackson is the founder of Northern Liberties’ Maleek Jackson Fitness Gym and the Azzim Dukes Initiative, an anti-gun violence and nonviolence program for inner-city and income-restricted Philadelphia kids. Scenic Designer Roman Tatarowicz (Blithe Spirit, The Best Man, A Woman of No Importance) makes his WST return to capture the authentic Philly feel. Tatarowicz will be joined by returning Lighting Designer Julie Duro (Grease) and Sound Designer Ed Chapman (The Little Mermaid, Shrek). Costume Designer Mary Folino (Beehive, Shrek, Young Frankenstein) will be giving the characters onstage the signature 70’s South Philly look.
ROCKY, the Musical runs at the Walnut October 4 through October 30, 2022. Open captioning will be available for the Sunday, October 23, 7pm performance, and ASL interpretation is available for the Thursday, October 13, 8pm performance. This production is sponsored by CBIZ, with support from Ivy Rehab, Faegre Drinker, Independence Blue Cross, and Pat’s King of Steaks. Media Sponsors are 6ABC, Metro Philadelphia, and Philadelphia Inquirer. For tickets and information, call 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787. Tickets are also available online 24/7 by visiting WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com.
JUST THE FACTS
WHAT: ROCKY, the Musical
Book by THOMAS MEEHAN and SYLVESTER STALLONE · Music by STEPHEN FLAHERTY · Lyrics by LYNN AHRENS · Based on the MGM/United Artists Motion Picture
WHEN: October 4 – October 30, 2022
PRESS NIGHT: Wednesday, October 12 at 7:00pm
WHERE: Walnut Street Theatre
825 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
TICKETS: Prices vary by performance and start at just $25
Premium Tickets available for $175 (includes a tax-deductible donation)
CURTAIN: Tuesday – Saturday evenings at 8pm (except Tuesday 10/25)
Sunday evenings (10/9, 10/16, 10/23) at 7pm
Wednesday matinee 10/26 at 2pm
Thursday matinees (10/20, 10/27) at 2pm
Saturday matinees (10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29) at 2pm
Sunday matinees (10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30) at 2pm
Open captioning will be available during the 7 pm performance on 10/23.
ASL will be available during the 8 pm performance on 10/13.
PHONE: 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787
WEBSITE: walnutstreettheatre.org or ticketmaster.com
PRODUCTION AND DESIGN STAFF
Director and Choreographer: RICHARD STAFFORD
Music and Vocal Director: CHRIS BURCHERI
Boxing Consultant: MALEEK JACKSON
Set Design: ROMAN TATAROWICZ
Costume Design: MARY FOLINO
Lighting Design: JULIE DURO
Sound Design: ED CHAPMAN
THE CAST
Rocky Balboa.....................................................................................................MATTHEW AMIRA*
Adrian Pennino.................................................................................................GIANNA YANELLI*
Apollo Creed......................................................................................................NICHALAS L. PARKER*
Mickey Goldmill.................................................................................................BILL VAN HORN*
Paulie Pennino..................................................................................................FRAN PRISCO*
Gloria..................................................................................................................REBECCA ROBBINS*
Joanne................................................................................................................KARISSA HARRIS*
Angie...................................................................................................................JENNY LEE STERN*
Gazzo/Tom Crosetti..........................................................................................JAKE BLOUCH*
Newscaster/Miles Jergens/Referee................................................................BEN DIBBLE*
Spider Rico.........................................................................................................DANIEL MILLER
Mike/Apollo’s Manager................................................................................... DANA ORANGE*
Dipper/First Cameraman/Doctor................................................................. MARK DONALDSON*
Buddy................................................................................................................ADAM MANDALA*
Shirley...............................................................................................................SABRINA PROFITT*
Bob Dunphy..................................................................................................... JESSE JONES*
ENSEMBLE
JAKE BLOUCH*, BEN DIBBLE*, MARK DONALDSON*, KARISSA HARRIS*, JESSE JONES*, BONNIE KELLY*, SCOTT LANGDON*, ADAM MANDALA*, JARRET MARTIN, DANIEL MILLER, DANA ORANGE*, KRISTYN POPE*, SABRINA PROFITT*, JENNY LEE STERN*, SIERRA WILSON
EXTRAS
DANTE BRATTELLI, JORDAN CHALL
UNDERSTUDIES
ROBERT CHARLES AVIGDOR (Ensemble/Dipper/First Cameraman/Doctor/Buddy), NEENA BOYLE (Gloria), DANTE BRATELLI (Ensemble), JORDAN CHALL (Ensemble/Spider Rico/Gazzo/Tom Crosetti), JOSEPH CARTAGENA JR. (Paulie), MAURICE ANDREW CHARLES (Apollo), SOPHIA DILEO (Adrian), BRIAN KEITH GRAZIANI (Ensemble/Newscaster/Miles Jergens/Referee), PETER HOEFLER (Extras), GREGORY HOLMES JR. (Ensemble/Mike/Apollo’s Manager/Bob Dunphy), DANIEL MILLER (Rocky), ANGELO RAGONESI (Mickey), RACHEL ROMEAN (Ensemble), ANDY SPINOSI (Rocky 2nd Cover), GRACE SZCZEPKOWSKI (Ensemble/Angie), FAYE TELEMACO-BEANE (Ensemble), NATASHA S. TRUITT (Ensemble/Joanne)
* Denotes membership in Actors' Equity Association, the professional union of Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
ABOUT THE WALNUT STREET THEATRE
Walnut Street Theatre is America’s Oldest Theatre and the most popular theatre company in Philadelphia. As a producer of live theatre, many of the artists on the stage, in the orchestra and behind the scenes are from the Philadelphia area. As a non-profit institution, the Walnut is recognized nationally for bringing affordable theatre and diverse stories to more subscribers than any other theatre company in the world. In addition to its five Mainstage productions, the Walnut’s education and outreach programs bring live theatre to over 125,000 students, teachers, parents, and kids every year.
825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107–5195 | 215-574-3550 VISIT US AT WalnutStreetTheatre.org
