Emmy Winner and Tony Nominee Joshua Bergasse to Direct and Choreograph SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE at the Ordway

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts raised the curtain with a sneak peek of its 2019-2020 Broadway Series by announcing the all-new incarnation of the Grammy Award-winning, Tony Award-nominated, Broadway hit Smokey Joe's Café: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller.

Joshua Bergasse, who won the Emmy Award for his choreography on NBC's musical drama, "Smash," will direct and choreograph the Ordway's production by recreating the staging and choreography from the recent New York production. Bergasse's credits also include Broadway's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and On the Town as well as FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance." Bergasse will be in the Twin Cities December 19-21 for cast auditions.

Featuring 40 of the greatest songs of the past century including classics like "On Broadway," "Stand by Me," and "Jailhouse Rock," Smokey Joe's Café made history as Broadway's longest-running musical revue.

Rod Kaats, the Ordway's Producing Artistic Director calls this news an "exciting sneak peek into our 2019-2020 Broadway season," said Kaats. "The Ordway will be the only theater in the U.S. to have Bergasse's production on its stage this season."

Originally produced on Broadway in 1995, this fresh and contemporary production of Smokey Joe's Café pays homage to the legendary songwriting team, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.

During their partnership, which spanned 61 years, Leiber (d. 2011) and Stoller left their mark in music genres including pop, country, jazz, cabaret, rhythm and blues Stoller (d. 2011) and LeiberDuring their partnership, which spanned 61 years,and rock and roll. The duo was responsible for the Elvis Presley hits, "Loving You," "Hound Dog," along with "Jailhouse Rock." They were also responsible for the Coasters' hit songs such as "Searchin," "Yakety Yak" and Charlie Brown."

The Ordway's full slate of shows for the 2019-2020 Broadway Series will be announced in February 2019. Subscriptions will go on sale at that time at Ordway.org.

For over 30 years, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts has been telling stories through theatre and other live performances that celebrate the human experience. The Ordway, recognized as one of the country's leading not-for-profit performing arts centers, presents and produces a wide variety of performances throughout the year that encompass the finest in Broadway musicals, concerts, dance and vocal artists. The Ordway presents the annual Flint Hills Family Festival and serves over 62,000 children each year through its education programs. The performing arts center houses a 1,900-seat Music Theater, a 1,100-seat Concert Hall, two large rehearsal halls and magnificent lobbies. The Ordway is a proud member of the Arts Partnership, a collaboration comprising the Minnesota Opera, Ordway, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Schubert Club.