The Cuckoo’s Theater Project has announced the cast and creative team of the first show of its fifth season, MOBY DICK! THE MUSICAL by Robert Longden and Hereward Kaye, directed by company member Donald Kolakowski.

The cast includes Peter Ruger (Headmistress/Ahab), Allison Ristaino (Ishmael), Alexandra Cross (Esta), Kelsey Skomer (Starbuck), Samie Jo Johnson (Stubb/Gardiner), Thomas Tong (Dagoo/Elijah/Coffin), Marc James (Pip/Mapple), and Tina-Kim Nguyen (Tashtego/Flask/Mary).

Pictured: Cast of MOBY DICK. Photo courtesy of The Cuckoo’s Theater Project. 

The production team includes Charlie Mann (Music Director), company member Melissa Golden (Assistant Director), staff member Shannon Melick (Set and Props Design), company member Rocco Renda (Costume Design), company member Michael Joseph (Lighting Design), company member Oriana Dentici (Sound Design/Stage Manager), and Amy Skrodzki (Assistant Stage Manager).

The girls of St. Godley’s School are in trouble! Money for the school has run out, and the place will have to close. Leave it to these resourceful girls and their unflappable headmistress to come up with a plan to keep the school afloat. Using whatever they can find at hand, the girls mount an original production as a fundraiser: a musical version of “Moby Dick,” featuring their headmistress in the coveted role of Captain Ahab.

MOBY DICK! THE MUSICAL runs October 29th – December 1st at The Heartland Studio, 7016 N Glenwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60626. To learn more visit thecuckoostheaterproject.com.