Star Of Hairspray Live! And Teen Beach Movie To Head Up Tuts Holiday Production

Garrett Clayton to Star as the Prince in the Theatre Under The Stars and
Lythgoe Family Panto co-production of 
​SLEEPING BEAUTY AND HER WINTER KNIGHT

Houston, TX – Disney star, Garrett Clayton, will reprise his role in the Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) and Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) holiday production of SLEEPING BEAUTY AND HER WINTER KNIGHT. Clayton is perhaps best known for his breakout role in Disney’s Teen Beach Movie, “The Fosters” on ABC Family, and the recent NBC broadcast of Hairspray Live! alongside TUTS’ Humphreys School of Musical Theatre alumna Maddie Baillio. 

Joining Clayton will be Vonzell Solomon, who is reprising her role as the Good Fairy.  Solomon came into pop culture consciousness as the second runner up on the fourth season of “American Idol”, and has most recently been seen in the hit YouTube series Todrick starring fellow Idol Alum, Todrick Hall, as well as the Wizard of Oz themed film Straight Outta Oz

Houston audiences will have the opportunity to see Clayton and Solomon in person when the stars visit the city in August during Theatre District Open House on August 27th.  Attendees will get to hear what SLEEPING BEAUTY AND HER WINTER KNIGHT is all about and maybe even get a sneak peek at a performance from the show.

The production will be choreographed by renowned choreographer, Spencer Liff.  Liff is best known for his Emmy-nominated choreography work on the television show “So You Think You Can Dance”, and the history making Deaf West production of SPRING AWAKENING.  His other work includes “One Day at a Time” (Netflix), “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC), “How I Met Your Mother” (CBS) and numerous Broadway productions including the recent Lincoln Center revival of FALSETTOS, which was filmed and will be broadcast on PBS later this year. Musical arrangements for the production will be done by Michael Orland, who served as the Associate Musical Director, Arranger and Pianist on “American Idol” (FOX).

SLEEPING BEAUTY AND HER WINTER KNIGHT is written by Kris Lythgoe, with unique Houston customization to the script.  As a member of the family behind hit TV shows “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance”, Kris’ passion lies in the theatre, and in introducing the next generation to the art form.  His television credits include “So You Think You Can Dance” (FOX), “Who Are You” (FOX), “My Beautiful Game” (Fox Sports), “Opening Night” (Ovation), and “Soccer Superstar” (Nickelodeon).

His producing partner and co-founder of LFP, Becky Lythgoe, also serves as Casting Director and loves to bring stars from stage and screen together in their productions.  She is a graduate of The University of Michigan Musical Theatre program and spent time at RADA in London. Her TV credits include as a performer “How I Met Your Mother,” “House”, “All of Us.”, TV Hosting: “Stars in Danger” (Fox), “CD USA” (DirecTV) and as a producer “My Beautiful Game” (Fox Sports), “Opening Night” (Ovation), “G Word” (Discovery), and “Star! Weekly” (E!).  Most recently she was seen on the stage starring as “Winifred” in the famed Los Angeles theatre series for UMPO: Hocus Pocus.

Among their many theatrical credits are shows such as A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS, CINDERELLA CHRISTMAS, SLEEPING BEAUTY AND HER WINTER KNIGHT, ALADDIN AND HIS WINTER FISH, PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST A CHRISTMAS ROSE, FOOTLOOSE, and THE WEDDING SINGER.

Lythgoe Family Panto has produced American Panto in regional theaters across the country for the past 10 years, using these pop-culture-infused productions to introduce children to theatre, and to create a magical experience for the whole family.

Local auditions with Clayton, Liff, and Kris and Becky Lythgoe will be held in Houston later on in August.  More information about the auditions will be forthcoming.

As previously announced, Linda Goodrich, will be directing the production.  Goodrich is the Associate Professor of Musical Theatre at the University of Michigan, and has directed and choreographed numerous productions including BAT BOY and SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE at Theatreworks, tours of CABARET and SINGING IN THE RAIN, and COMPANY with Carol Burnett at Long Beach – CLO. Goodrich’s work was last seen on the TUTS stage with her direction of the 2016 production of MARY POPPINS.

SLEEPING BEAUTY AND HER WINTER KNIGHT tells the story of Princess Aurora who is cursed by an evil fairy, Carabosse, and of the handsome Prince who is on a quest to save his Sleeping Beauty before it’s too late. The classic fairy tale gets a modern update with a contemporary score featuring radio hits ranging from Blondie to Bruno Mars. Creating the ultimate holiday experience for the whole family, SLEEPING BEAUTY AND HER WINTER KNIGHT is filled with good-natured, wholesome humor for the adults, and nonstop fantasy and magic for kids of all ages!

This production of SLEEPING BEAUTY AND HER WINTER KNIGHT is possible in part thanks to the generous support of production sponsors, AccentureEnbridge, and the Four Seasons Hotel Houston.

Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital is the official healthcare partner of Theatre Under The Stars. United Airlines is the official airline partner of Theatre Under The Stars. KTRK ABC-13 is the official media partner of Theatre Under The Stars. TUTS is supported in part by the City of Houston through the Theater District and the Texas Commission on the Arts.