Dirty Business

An epic tale of deception and desire

Book and lyrics by Laurie Flanigan Hegge

Music & Arrangements by Robert Elhai

Directed by Ron Peluso

Musical Direction by Jake Endres

 

May 4–May 26, 2019

1939. It was said that no man could resist the charm and appeal of secret agent Betty Pack, and that no secret was safe when unsuspecting lovers whispered in her ear, lying helpless in her embrace. Born in Minneapolis, Betty was introduced by her parents to the Washington social scene. Immersed in the world of diplomatic intrigue as a teenager, she married Arthur Pack in 1930, a British diplomat twice her age, but their marriage quickly began to crumble. With fascism on the rise and Nazi appeasement gaining steam on both sides of the pond, Betty’s insatiable desire and fierce intellect would lead her into a series of secret encounters around the globe, and ultimately involve her in a relentless war against the Nazis—one lover at a time. An epic tale of the glamorous Betty Pack, the British spy mistress Vera Atkins, American code breaker Elizebeth Friedman, celebrated performer Josephine Baker and an army of Mutual Friends, all working in the shadows to resist the rising threat of the fifth column of the Third Reich and change the course of WWII. A passionate new musical that is filled with intrigue, deception and intelligence not to be missed.

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Act 1: 75 minutes

Act 2: 60 minutes

 

Cast

The Cast

  • Kendall Anne Thompson – Betty Pack
  • Jennifer Peden – Vera Atkins
  • Melanie Wehrmacher – Elizebeth Friedman
  • Timotha Lanae – Josephine Baker
  • Gary Briggle – Churchill/Ensemble
  • Jon Hegge – Arthur Pack/Chamberlain/Ensemble
  • Ryan Levin – Safe Cracker/Ensemble
  • Randy Schmeling – Gubby/Ensemble
  • Rodolfo Nieto – Carlos/Ensemble
  • Matt Riehle/Bob Beverage – Morgenthau/Ensemble
  • Bill Gilness – Stephenson

The Orchestra

  • Jake Endres – Music Director/Piano
  • David Burk – Guitar
  • Marilyn Parker – Reeds
  • Erick Schee – Drums
  • Shannon van der Reck – Bass

Creative team

The Creative Team

  • Ron Peluso – Director
  • Laurie Flanigan Hegge – Playwright/Lyricist
  • Robert Elhai – Composer/Arranger
  • Tinia Moulder – Choreographer
  • AnaSofia Villanueva – Artistic Associate
  • E. Amy Hill – Costume Designer
  • Kathy Maxwell – Lighting Designer
  • Kirby Moore – Properties Designer
  • Joel Sass – Scenic Designer
  • C Andrew Mayer – Sound Designer
  • Miko Simmons – Video Designer
  • Eva Gemlo – Intimacy Choreographer
  • Meggie Greivell – Assistant Director
  • Kate Sandvik – Dramaturg
  • Wayne Hendricks – Stage Manager
  • Lisa M. Smith – Assistant Stage Manager