FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 12, 2007
Contact: Emma F. Caro
Public Relations Director
513-345-2242, ext. 232

CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK CELEBRATES FIVE BROADWAY GENIUSES IN
THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS (THE MUSICAL!), NOVEMBER 3 – DECEMBER 23

(CINCINNATI) – The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park continues its Thompson Shelterhouse Theatre season with a deft and daffy send-up of Broadway musicals that packs five shows into one, THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS (THE MUSICAL!). The show begins previews November 3 and continues through December 23.

The show features one simple plot. A young woman can't pay her rent. Menaced by a cruel landlord, her only hope lies with a dashing young suitor she believes will ride to her rescue and with a helpful older friend who offers her wisdom and advice along the way.

This story plays out and is then rewritten in a total of five different scenarios, each one penned in the style of the most famous Broadway composers and lyricists of all time: Rodgers and Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Kander and Ebb, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jerry Herman.
 
The Rodgers and Hammerstein segment, “Corn!” features not only an Oklahoma! - inspired dream ballet but also a Sound of Music Mother Abby figure. “A Little Complex” takes on the artistic works of Stephen Sondheim and is set in an apartment complex overseen by a tortured artist intent on slashing the throats of residents and using them to create his conceptual pieces. In “Dear Abby,” Jerry Herman’s penchant for showy star vehicles and life-affirming themes is served up with aplomb, while “Aspects of Junita” sends up the showiness and hype of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s best-loved spectacles. Finally, “Speakeasy” recreates the jazzy, boozy, sexy world inhabited most frequently by Kander and Ebb.

THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS  (THE MUSICAL! was created by the writing team of librettist Joanne Bogart and composer Eric Rockwell. For the THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS  (THE MUSICAL!) they were honored with a 2005 Drama League Award for Best Musical and 2004 Drama Desk Award nominations for Best Musical, Best Music and Best Lyrics. In addition, they received a 2004 Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Best Musical. The show ran Off-Broadway for 583 performances and also was performed in London’s West End.

The cast for THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS (THE MUSICAL!) includes co-creator Joanne Bogart as Abby, Kristin Maloney as June, Brent Schindele as Big Willy and Rich Silverstein as Jitter (and musical director).

THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS (THE MUSICAL!) is directed and choreographed by the show’s original director, Pamela Hunt, who also has directed six Playhouse productions, including Crowns (2005), The Honky Tonk Angels (2002), and Beehive (2001,1994), among others.  Other members of the production team include James Morgan (scenic designer), John Carver Sullivan (costume designer), Mary Jo Dondlinger (lighting director) and David Gotwald (sound designer). The stage manager is Suann Pollock.

Tickets to THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS (THE MUSICAL!) are on sale now. Prices range from $48.50 - $58.50 depending on day and seat location. All tickets are $42.50 for the preview performances on Saturday, November 3 at 8 p.m., Sunday, November 4 at 7 p.m., Tuesday, November 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m. The official opening night is Thursday, November 8 at 8 p.m.

Any unreserved tickets are half-price every day when purchased between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of the show (for performances Tuesday through Saturday) and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available.

For tickets to THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS (THE MUSICAL!) or for more information, call the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 or toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208. Call 513/345-2248 for TDD accessibility. For single tickets purchased by telephone through the Playhouse box office there is a $3 convenience fee per call. Tickets also can be purchased on the Playhouse web site at www.cincyplay.com.

Artists fly to and from Cincinnati on Delta Connection Comair, the Playhouse’s official airline. The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to the Fine Arts Fund.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

The Playhouse also receives funding from the City of Cincinnati.

Special Performances

Meet the Artists
These free programs allow audiences to interact with cast members and others associated with the production following the show.

2 p.m. Sunday, November 11
2 p.m. Sunday, November 18
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 21
8 p.m. Thursday, November 29

Dining Options

Karlo's Bistro at the Playhouse offers full-service dining prior to most evening performances. Dinners include salad, entrée and dessert. Reservations are required by noon on the day of the show. The price is $25, which does not include gratuity. Karlo's Casual Fare offers busy theatre patrons an alternative light, quick bite prior to the show. Options include salads, sandwiches, soups, pasta and desserts. No reservations are required.

Sponsors

Production Sponsor:
Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc. and Western & Southern Financial Fund

Fine Arts Fund Partner:
Duke Energy and The Kroger Company

The 2007-2008 Shelterhouse Theatre Series is presented by
Heidelberg Distributing Co.

The Shelterhouse Season Design Sponsor is
The Sheakley Group of Companies

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