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Media Relations

Brown County Playhouse season opener is sure to work you into a lather

Brown County Playhouse opens its 2008 season not with a bang, but with some fluff -- and fold. Suds: The Rocking 60's Musical Soap Opera is a bubbly ride chock full of frothy, fun and familiar songs woven into a tale of love, loss and laundry.

Suds runs June 12 through July 6 at the Brown County Playhouse in the heart of historic Nashville, Ind. Created by Melinda Gilb, Steve Gunderson, Will Roberson and Bryan Scott, it is the story of lovelorn laundress Cindy, who is planning her final spin cycle until guardian angels Marge and Dee Dee appear on the scene to help iron out her problems.

Tony nominated and Emmy Award-winning director and choreographer George Pinney takes the helm of this four-person musical melodrama. Under Pinney's direction, the zany characters belt tunes from the likes of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Aretha Franklin, Nancy Sinatra, Connie Francis, Otis Redding, James Brown and more. Pinney directed last season's Pump Boys and Dinettes, and he teaches musical theatre and stage movement in Indiana University's Department of Theatre and Drama as well as heading the new B.F.A. program in musical theatre.

Musical Director Ray Fellman returns to the Brown County Playhouse to give the hits we all know and love a fresh voice. Guest artist Brandon Cutrell joins the cast as Mr. Postman, Johnny Angel and a host of others. Cutrell, an Indiana native and frequent collaborator with Ray Fellman, who now lives and works in New York, was presented with both a MAC Award and a Bistro Award for Outstanding New Vocalist in 2005.

Pinney says of Cutrell: "Being a well established cabaret artist in New York City, Brandon is highly imaginative and accessible with a voice kissed by an angel."

Cindy and her angels are played by Alyson Bloom, Allison Moody and Lovelee Carroll. Moody recently finished her MFA in Acting at Indiana University; while Bloom and Carroll, both seniors, make their Brown County Playhouse debuts. Costumes are by Robbie Stanton, lighting by JoJo Percy and scenic design by Fred Duer; this team also collaborated with director Pinney on Pump Boys and Dinettes.

In the summer of 1949, Nashville businessman A. Jack Rogers and Indiana University Professor Lee Norvelle formed the not-for-profit Brown County Playhouse Inc. and began an exciting theatre tradition in the hills of southern Indiana. The Brown County Playhouse is the longest-running professional theatre in Indiana.

Ticket information

Suds: The Rocking 60's Musical Soap Opera plays June 12-14, 18-21, 25-28, and July 2, 3, and 5 at 8 p.m. and June 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 and July 5, 6 at 3 p.m. There will be a 7 p.m. show on July 4. Ticket prices are $20 for general admission and $12 for those 25 or younger. Coupon books of six tickets are available for purchase, and may be used in any combination for any of the four plays, for only $96 -- a savings of $24 off of regular ticket prices.

Ask the box office about a special opening night package -- see all four shows on opening night for only $60. Tickets are available in person at the Brown County Playhouse box office or the IU Auditorium box office, by phone through Ticketmaster at 812-333-9955, at Ticketmaster outlets, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Visit www.theatre.indiana.edu for more detailed information. For ticket information, please contact the IU Auditorium at 812-855-1103 or the Brown County Playhouse box office at 812-988-2123.

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