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LYRIC STAGE PRESENTS THE WORLD PREMIERE
OF
THE LIVING END
February 11-26, 2005
Lyric Stage, Dallas County’s
only locally produced professional musical theater company,
presents the world premiere of THE LIVING END. Performances
are February 11-26, 2005 in the Irving Arts Center’s Dupree
Theater, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving, TX. Tickets are available
by calling the box office @ 972-252-2787 or by ordering online
at www.ci.irving.tx.us/arts.
 THE
LIVING END is four one act musicals compiled by Lyric Stage
Founding Producer Steven Jones. In August of 2001, Jones met
writer Annie Kessler at a showcase of songs from new musicals
at Lincoln Center. Kessler and her partners, Jeff Blumenkrantz
and Libby Saines, had written a one act musical, WOMAN WITH
POCKETBOOK, which Jones loved. But what do you do with a 25
minute musical? Fast forward three years. As he is putting together
Lyric Stage’s 2004-2005 season, Jones remembers WOMAN
WITH POCKTBOOK. He contacts Kessler who suggests some possible
companion pieces. PRECIOUS LITTLE JEWEL, THE RANSOM OF RED CHIEF
and THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JOE JEFFERSON BENJAMIN BLOW join WOMAN
WITH POCKETBOOK and THE LIVING END is born.
Annie Kessler and Libby Saines wrote the
book and lyrics to Jeff Blumenkrantz‘s music for WOMAN
WITH POCKETBOOK. Doris Platt arrives at the pearly gates, pocketbook
in hand. She took it everywhere with her in life...why should
this be any different? Unfortunately for Doris, worldly goods
are a no-no in heaven. Something's gotta give. But will that
something be Doris Platt? Deborah Brown is Doris, Jerry Russell
is her husband, Dave and Ada Lynn is her long suffering mother
Helen.
Composer Jeff Blumenkrantz again teamed with
lyricist Libby Saines for PRECIOUS LITTLE JEWEL. Adapted from
Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour," PRECIOUS LITTLE
JEWEL finds young Louise in turn-of-the-century New Orleans
as she learns of her husband's untimely death in a train crash.
How will she go on without him? What's left for her, now that
she can no longer be his "precious little jewel?"
Mary Gilbreath plays Louise and T.A. Taylor is her husband,
Albert.
Brad Alexander composed the music, Helen
Chayefsky wrote the lyrics and they collaborated on the book
for THE RANSOM OF RED CHIEF. In this updated musical adaptation
of the O. Henry story, a small-time crook finds that there may
indeed be something worse than owing money to the mob. It doesn’t
take long for the hapless criminal to realize that kidnapping
a spoiled, recalcitrant ten-year-old may not be the best solution
to his dilemma. Jerry Russell plays the crook with Jordan Graff
as the kid.
Andy Monroe created the delightful THE LIFE
AND TIMES OF JOE JEFFERSON BENJAMIN BLOW. In twelve minutes,
we see Joe’s entire life, from birth to death. Watch Joe
try to make sense of it all as his life goes hurtling by in
this zany, heartwarming musical. Brian Hathaway is Joe.
Connie Marie Brown, Jonathan McCurry and
Jennifer Pasion complete the cast. Dallas Theater League Leon
Rabin Award winning director Cheryl Denson directs and Rabin
Award winner Gary Okeson musical directs. Costumes are by Billie
Boston, lighting design is by Adam Lozuk and Wade Giampa designs
the set.
THE LIVING END previews Friday, February
11 @ 8:00 PM and opens Saturday, February 12 @ 8:00 PM. Performances
are Thursday through Saturday evenings @ 8:00 PM with matinees
on February 13, 20 and 26 @ 2:30 PM.
The Living End photo by Bill
Jauscha.
Read
Playbill Article on 'The Living End' |
