FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 23, 2004
Contact: Christa Skiles
Public Relations Director
513-345-2242, ext. 232

IT’S A CELEBRATION TO CLOSE THE SEASON AT THE CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK WITH SING HALLELUJAH! MAY 15-JUNE 27

(CINCINNATI) – The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will close its 2003-2004 season with a celebrated homecoming and a celebration of gospel music as it presents Sing Hallelujah! Conceived by former Playhouse Artistic Director Worth Gardner and Donald Lawrence, Sing Hallelujah! features the return of the two men to Cincinnati, as the show’s director and musical director, respectively. The show runs in the Playhouse’s Thompson Shelterhouse Theatre beginning May 15 and continuing through June 27.

Sing Hallelujah! is an all-singing, all-dancing blend of more than 20 traditional hymns and contemporary gospel songs. It is a joyous, energetic, uplifting evening of pure entertainment and compelling spirituality. The idea for the show initiated with a workshop when Worth Gardner was artistic director for musical theatre at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. However, the show did not gain a full-fledged production until 1986 when, now the artistic director at the Playhouse, Mr. Gardner added it to the Playhouse’s season. An unqualified hit, Sing Hallelujah! returned to the Playhouse schedule again the next summer and then transferred later that year to off-Broadway’s Village Gate, where it was described by The New York Times as “engaging… a nonstop, high-powered celebration.”

Those who remember the original Playhouse productions of Sing Hallelujah! will be able to return to the show to enjoy a new theatrical experience. While several of the songs included in the musical’s prior incarnations will be revived — including “Running for Jesus,” “Good News,” “Right Now” and “Holdin’ On” — this production also will add some of Mr. Lawrence’s new, original music.

According to Mr. Gardner, the show’s emphasis on gospel music has a universal appeal. “This music tells you you are not alone. It is a restoration of faith — not just Christian faith, but all faith. I know this music will make me weep. Sophisticated as you think you are, you realize we belong to something else. It gives you a chance to walk the higher path,” he says.

Worth Gardner served as the artistic director at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park from 1984 to 1991. During his tenure at the Playhouse, he directed nearly 20 productions, including The Wizard of Oz, Treasure Island, The Rocky Horror Show, Candide, Tapestry, She Stoops to Conquer and Little Shop of Horrors. His other credits include The Joseph Papp Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Syracuse Stage, Asolo Theatre Festival and the O’Neill Playwrights Conference. From 1974 to 1984, he served as artistic director of musical theatre/opera at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. Mr. Gardner currently chairs the Auburn University Theatre Department in Alabama.

Donald Lawrence spent nearly 10 years working with multi-platinum artist Stephanie Mills and produced two of her albums. He also has produced the work of other gospel, pop and rhythm and blues artists including Mary J. Blige, Peabo Bryson and EnVogue. He served as vocal coach for EnVogue’s “Never Gonna Get It” tour and recently produced Mary J. Blige’s first gospel track “Ultimate Relationship” from her Love and Life album. Mr. Lawrence is the director of Tri-City Singers, one of Billboard’s top gospel groups of the 1990s, which received the Stellar Award and was nominated for a NAACP Image Award and Grammy Award. He holds a B.F.A. from University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music.

The ensemble of performers for Sing Hallelujah! includes Anitra Castleberry, Russell Hinton, Erica Bratton-McCollough, Candy West and DeWayne L. Woods. In addition to Mr. Gardner and Mr. Lawrence, the other members of the production team include set designer Joseph P. Tilford, costume designer Gordon DeVinney and lighting designer Kirk Bookman. The stage manager is Jenifer Morrow.

Tickets to Sing Hallelujah! are on sale now. Prices range from $41.50-$49.50, depending on day and seat location. All tickets are $34.50 for the preview performances at 9 p.m. Saturday, May 15, 7 p.m. Sunday, May 16, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 18 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 19. The official opening night performance is Thursday, May 20 at 8 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.

For tickets to Sing Hallelujah! 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 $2 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.