FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 31, 2004
Contact: Christa Skiles
Public Relations Director
513-345-2242, ext. 232
CLASSIC AMERICAN COMEDY MISTER ROBERTS CONCLUDES
CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK’S MARX THEATRE SEASON,
APRIL 25-MAY 28
(CINCINNATI) — The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s
2003-2004 Marx Theatre season concludes with a classic American comedy
about sailors who become unlikely heroes in Thomas Heggen and Joshua
Logan’s Mister Roberts. The show begins previews on April
25 and continues through May 28.
In the Pacific seaways of World War II, Lieutenant Doug Roberts would do just
about anything to leave the U.S. Navy cargo ship on which he serves to join
the “real” action of the war. He finds little fulfillment simply
in delivering the most toothpaste and toilet paper of any boat in the Pacific.
But despite Mr. Roberts’ weekly requests for transfer, the ship’s
captain is intent on keeping him aboard the AK601, where he is a favorite with
the crew members and acts as a buffer between them and the captain’s
often dictatorial orders.
The crew battles the monotony and boredom of sea life by spying on the
female nurses who recently have been transferred to the nearby island hospital.
One day, Mr. Roberts receives news that they have been granted shore liberty
for the first time in more than a year. But just when everyone can taste
the upcoming freedom, the captain denies it. Mr. Roberts goes to plead
their case and ends up striking a bargain with the captain out of concern
for the crew. But the deal requires a personal sacrifice on the part of
Mr. Roberts, and he resigns himself to the loss of his dreams. That is,
until two surprising acts of defiance ultimately earn for him a well-deserved
hero’s place in history.
Mister Roberts won the 1948 Tony Award for Best
Play, running on Broadway for more than 1,000 performances over nearly
three years. In 1955, the play was immortalized in a film featuring Henry
Fonda (reprising his stage performance), Jack Lemmon, James Cagney and
William Powell. The story is partly autobiographical, based on the novel
of the same name by Thomas Heggen about his own experiences as a communications
officer on a Navy attack cargo ship in Okinawa Bay during World War II.
The show is directed by Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Edward Stern.
He says, “I love the simplicity of Mister Roberts. This is a
remarkable play which lets us recognize how heroism can be quiet in nature.”
The cast for Mister Roberts includes several actors who have appeared
in previous Playhouse productions, including Robert Elliott (Proof, God's
Man in Texas) as the Captain, Joneal Joplin (King Lear, A
Christmas Carol) as Doc, Greg McFadden (The Bible... Abridged, The
Mystery of Irma Vep) as Ensign Pulver, Gary McGurk (Inherit the Wind, Man
of La Mancha) as Dowdy, Mark Mineart (Much Ado About Nothing, A
Christmas Carol) as Mannion, Geoffrey Molloy (King O' The Moon)
as Dolan and Matthew F. Morgan (The Laramie Project, A Christmas
Carol) as Wiley. Making their Playhouse debuts are John Ahlin (Chief Johnson),
Bill Doyle (Lieutenant Roberts), Christopher Gottschalk (Gerhart), Jim Holdridge
(Insigna), André Marrero (Stefanowski), Cristin Mortenson (Lieutenant
Ann Girard) and Josh Renfree (Lindstrom). In addition, David Ian Dahlman, A.
Jackson Ford, John Graham, John Hashop, Keven Kaddi, Mike Mihm and Ryan Mills
will portray additional sailors, patrol officers and shore policemen.
Other members of the Mister Roberts production team include Paul Shortt
(set designer), Kristine Kearney (costume designer), Peter E. Sargent (lighting
designer) and Drew Fracher (fight director). The production stage manager is
Bruce E. Coyle and the stage manager is Andrea L. Shell.
Prices for Mister Roberts range from $32.50-$44.50, depending on day
and seat location. All tickets are $29.50 for the preview performances at 7:00
p.m. Sunday, April 25, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 27 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday,
April 28. The official opening night is Thursday, April 29 at 8:00 p.m. Any
unreserved tickets are half-price every day when purchased at the Playhouse
between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of the show (for performances Tuesday
through Saturday) and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print
programs and complete wheelchair access are available.
Tickets to Mister Roberts are on sale now. 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
$2 convenience fee per call. Tickets also can be purchased on the Playhouse
web site at www.cincyplay.com.
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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.
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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, May 2
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 5
2 p.m. Sunday, May 16
8 p.m. Thursday, May 20
Audio Described Performance
5 p.m. Saturday, May 1
Signed Performance
2 p.m. Sunday, May 2
Playhouse Perspectives
A free, pre-show lecture series featuring theatre artists and experts. Funding
provided by Roderick and Barbara Barr. Director Edward Stern and set designer
Paul Shortt are the featured speakers.
6 p.m. Sunday, May 9
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 at least 24 hours in advance. The price is $21. 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:
Performance Lexus and Lexus RiverCenter
Design Sponsor:
RiverPoint Capital Management
Lieutenant Doug Roberts Sponsor:
Neyer Construction Inc.
Fine Arts Fund Partner:
Convergys Corporation
The 2003-2004 Marx Theatre Series is presented by
The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation.
The Marx Season Design Sponsor is the
Cinergy Foundation.
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