Last modified: Wednesday, May 27, 2009
IU's Brown County Playhouse opens season with music of the 30s and 40s in 'All Night Strut'
WHAT:
The All Night Strut!, the summer season-opening musical from Indiana University's Department of Theatre and Drama at Brown County Playhouse in Nashville, Ind.
WHEN: Opens Thursday, June 11, at 8 p.m., with additional performances June 12 and 13, 17-20, 24-27; July 1-3 at 8 p.m.; a special July 4 show at 7 p.m.; and 3 p.m. matinee shows June 14, 20-21, 27-28 and July 5.
WHERE: Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren, Nashville, Ind.
TICKETS: $20 regular admission and $12 for children and students. Flex Vouchers, 4 ticket vouchers for the price of 3: $48-$60. For ticket information, group rates, or to order flex vouchers call the IU Auditorium at 812-855-1103 or Brown County Playhouse at 812-988-2123, or get details and buy online at www.theatre.indiana.edu.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2009
NASHVILLE, Ind. -- Indiana University's Brown County Playhouse season opens June 11, with The All Night Strut!, an energy-charged musical for all ages showcasing some of the most popular, upbeat songs from the 1930s and 1940s, including "Chattanooga-Choo-Choo," "In the Mood," "Operator," "A Fine Romance" and "Beat Me, Daddy, Eight to the Bar."
Mandy Striph, Lovlee Carroll, Russell E. Stout and William C. Angulo perform a dance in "All Night Strut!" at the Brown County Playhouse.
The All Night Strut! was conceived, and originally directed and choreographed by Fran Charnas with music and lyrics by legendary American songwriters including Frank Loesser, Cab Calloway, George and Ira Gershwin, Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker, among many others. The show is directed and choreographed for Brown County Playhouse by Emmy Award-winner George Pinney, an IU professor of theatre and drama and director of IU's Musical Theatre Program, with musical direction by Terry LaBolt, musical director of IU's Musical Theatre Program.
Pinney says he hopes the audience will "have a rollicking good time" and come away with a greater appreciation of the American Songbook. "Working with Terry LaBolt is the icing on the cake," said Pinney.
The ensemble of singers and dancers for The All Night Strut! has performed in shows throughout the 2008-2009 season at IU's Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center.
William C. Angulo, an IU senior BFA student in musical theater, is making his Brown County Playhouse debut, while Lovlee Carroll, an IU May 2009 BFA graduate in musical theater, was last seen at the Brown County Playhouse in Suds, the Musical. Both appeared in Oklahoma! and The Wild Party. Kerry Ipema previously appeared in Dead Man Walking and Oklahoma!, and makes her BCP debut along with Andrew Brewer, Trenton G. Hulen, Gina Ricci, Mandy Striph and Russell E. Stout. All of the actors are IU students or recent graduates.
John Kinzer, director of audience development for IU's Department of Theatre and Drama, says set designer Fred Duer, costume designer Robbie Stanton and lighting designer Sean Michael Smallman have created "a visual feast."
"There are songs of danger and of despair, heartbreak and homesickness, but also heroism and hope, love and romance, sweet sentiment, seduction -- and just plain fun," said Kinzer. "And the dancing! From smooth moves to swing to jumpin' jive, this show is full of sublime music that will never go out of style, dances that are as current as prime time television and unbeatable energy."
For more information, see www.indiana.edu/~thtr/bcplay.html.
