A captivating, critically acclaimed musical from London’s West End based on the beloved French film Amélie comes to Horizon Theatre, October 4 – November 10.
Amélie is a shy and imaginative young woman living in Paris. With a heart as big as her city, Amelie secretly improvises small but surprising acts of kindness that bring joy to those around her. But when a chance at love comes her way, Amélie realizes that to find happiness she’ll have to risk everything and say what’s in her heart. Audiences are invited to join Amélie as she discovers the extraordinary in the ordinary, touching hearts and inspiring dreams along the way in this enchanting new musical.
"Audiences worldwide fell in love with Amélie as a movie, and now it’s been adapted into a delightful, quirky, romantic and funny musical. We were in Paris for the Olympics this summer, and now we are bringing Paris to life on the Horizon stage this fall. It’s a story about finding beauty in the small moments and understanding that even the smallest gestures can have a significant impact on the world," said Horizon Theatre Co-Artistic/Producing Director Lisa Adler. "We're excited to share this magical tale and its message of hope, love and the power of human connection with our audience. And we’re thrilled that it will be led by the team that created our hit musical last season, Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812.”
Horizon’s production of Amélie will see many returning cast and creative team members from last season’s smash-hit Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, which was recently nominated for 15 Suzi Bass Awards and is set to return for another run later this season. Director and Horizon Artistic Associate Heidi McKerley returns to the helm as director of Amélie. In addition to Great Comet, Heidi has directed more than 35 Horizon projects over the past three decades to great acclaim. Other returning creative team members include Scenic Designers Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay, Music Director Holt McCarley, Assistant Music Director Bethany Irby, and Costume Designer Carrie Giglio. Returning Great Comet cast members include Anna Dvorak (Sonia) in the lead role of Amélie, joined by Daniel Burns (Pierre), Jordan Patrick (Anatole), Jeff McKerley (The Prince), Skyler Brown (Balaga), Eric Nabeth (Ensemble/Accordion), Miro Gomez (Ensemble/Cello) and Eden Mew (Ensemble) who all play supporting roles in Amelie, with most once again doubling on musical instruments.
Amélie playwright Craig Lucas is an acclaimed American playwright, screenwriter and director known for his diverse body of work that includes the Tony Award-nominated play Prelude to a Kiss and the film Longtime Companion.Amélie found its greatest success in London, where it charmed audiences and critics alike with its imaginative staging, enchanting score and a heartfelt portrayal of its titular character. The London production, praised for its innovative and intimate approach, won three Olivier Awards in 2020, including Best New Musical, solidifying its place as a modern theatrical gem.
Amélie tells the story of Amélie (Anna Dvorak, Horizon’s Great Comet), an extraordinary young French woman who lives quietly in the world, but loudly in her mind. After surviving a childhood with two neurotic parents who did not know how to show her their love, Raphael (Marcus Hopkins-Turner, Horizon’s Support Group for Men) and Amandine (Bethany Irby, Aurora Theatre’s Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), and only a goldfish—Fluffy for company, Amélie heads off to Paris on her own. She approaches her journey in the big city with joy, making friends with nearly everyone she meets. As a waitress at a café in Montmartre she has a quiet, happy life, spending time with her three co-workers: Suzanne (Chelcy Cutwright, Steel Magnolias, Springer Opera House), the café's owner and a past circus performer; Georgette (Jennifer Alice Acker, Horizon’s The Game, Roe, Freaky Friday), a hypochondriac; and Gina (Jessica Miesel, Fox TV’s The Resident, Aurora’s Hands on A Hard Body), who obsessively rereads love letters from her late husband. Some of Amélie's quirky customers include Joseph (Daniel Burns, Horizon’s Great Comet), a tough-on-the-outside customer who’s in love with Gina; Hipolito (Cameron Smith, Aurora Theatre’s Christmas Canteen), a poet; and Philomene (Kylie Dickinson), an airline hostess. When Amélie finds a child’s box of treasures in the floorboard of her house, she becomes determined to return it to its owner. With help from Dufayel (Jeff McKerley), a shut-in artist who’s obsessed with painting the same scene over and over, she returns it to Bretodeau (Marcus Hopkins-Turner, playing dual roles) who lived in her home as a child. After seeing the joy it brings him, Amélie resolves to do good for those around her in small, anonymous ways. But when Amélie meets young Nino (Jordan Patrick, Horizon’s Great Comet), she takes the biggest risk of her life – learning to love on her own. The cast of charming characters– both real and imaginary– who play a part in Amélie’s journey also includes the Gnome (Eric Nabeth Horizon’s Great Comet), Elton John (Miro Gomez, Horizon’s Great Comet) and Collignon (Skyler Brown, Horizon’s Great Comet), the local grocer
PERFORMANCES:
Friday, Oct. 4 at 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m.
Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday at 5 p.m., running through Nov. 10.
TICKETS:
Seating is general admission with a reserved seating section for subscribers. General admission tickets start at $40 on Wednesdays and Thursdays and $45 for all weekend performances. Prices rise as performances fill up, so patrons are encouraged to order early for the best prices and availability. Full-time students under 25 can get $20 tickets with valid student ID by calling the box office or at the door if tickets are available. There is limited accessible seating for those needing mobility accommodation, and it must be reserved by phone.
For tickets and more information, visit horizontheatre.com or call the Box Office at 404.584.7450.
CREATIVE TEAM
Director/Choreographer Heidi McKerley
Asst. Director Jeff McKerley
Music Director/Accompanist Holt McCarley
Asst. Music Director Bethany Irby
Horizon Co-Artistic/Producing Director Lisa Adler
Set Designers Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay
Lighting Designer Rachael N. Blackwell
Costume Designer Carrie Giglio
Props Master Victoria Nation
Dialect Coach Carolyn Cook
Stage Manager Ashley Raper
Asst. Stage Manager Parris Sarter
CAST
Amelie Anna Dvorak
Amandine/Ensemble Musician Bethany Irby
Georgette/Ensemble Jennifer Alice Acker
Gina/Ensemble Jessica Miesel
Suzanne/Collignon's Mom Chelcy Cutwright
Raphael/Bretodeau Marcus Hopkins-Turner
Nino/Ensemble Jordan Patrick
Dufayel/Fluffy/Ensemble/Asst. Dir. Jeff McKerley
Lucien/Hipolito/Ensemble Cameron Smith
Joseph/Ensemble/Musician Daniel Burns
Collignon/Ensemble/Musician Skyler Brown
Gnome/Blind Beggar/Ensemble/Musician Eric Nabeth
Elton John/ Ensemble/Musician Miro Gomez
Philomene/ Ensemble/Musician Kylie Dickinson
Apprentice/Ensemble/ Young Amelie Puppeteer Eden Mew
Harpist Cambria Russell
Horizon Theatre Company:
We connects people, inspires hope, and promotes positive change through the stories of our times for our diverse audiences. Now in our 40th season, we produce professional area and world premieres of smart, funny, and provocative contemporary plays. We also develop the next generation of diverse artists and audiences for theatre.
Major funding is provided by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, Fulton County Board of Commissioners, Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund, the Imlay Foundation and The Shubert Foundation. This program is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. GCA also receives support from its partner agency - the National Endowment for the Arts. Horizon is made possible by our thousands of patrons, and the passionate support of hundreds of individual donors, large and small.
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