Findlay, Ohio, June 12, 2002 — “Return to Americana” is the theme for SummerStock 2002 at The University of Findlay July 10-28.
After taking a one-year hiatus due to the renovation of the John and Hester Powell Grimm Theatre, SummerStock 2002 will feature three shows – “Forever Plaid,” “Born Yesterday” and “The Will Rogers Follies.”
“Forever Plaid,” written and originally directed and choreographed by Stuart Ross with musical continuity supervision and arrangements by James Raitt, will be performed July 10-13 at 8 p.m. and July 14 at 6 p.m. The show is the story of four unlikely heroes whose dreams of musical glory come true when they miraculously return to earth. The group was snuffed out in a collision with a school bus of eager teens on their way to see the Beatles’ debut on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. Now, these nerdy crooners with angelic voices come back to do the show they never got to do in life.
Garson Kanin’s “Born Yesterday” will be staged July 17-20 at 8 p.m. and July 21 at 6 p.m. In this show, the vulgar, egotistic junkman Harry Brock has come to a swanky hotel in Washington to make crooked deals with government bigwigs. He is accompanied by a charming but dumb ex-chorus girl, Billie, whose lack of social graces embarrasses even Harry. Reporter Paul Verrall, who has been investigating political skullduggery and is interested in Brock’s activities, agrees to educate Billie. Through the process, she learns about history and politics and realizes who Harry really is.
“The Will Rodgers Follies,” with music composed and arranged by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and book by Peter Stone, will be performed July 24-26 at 8 p.m., July 27 at 2 and 8 p.m. and July 28 at 6 p.m. Winner of six Tony Awards, this is the breezy, stylish and heavenly musical biography of one of America’s most beloved citizens, the gum-chewing, rope-twirling, Oklahoma-born humorist, humanitarian and folk hero.
Scott Hayes is serving as artistic director of this year’s SummerStock. Technical director and set designer is Jerry Deall, with Matthew Stimmel serving as assistant technical director. Francie Deall is the box office manager, with Kristi Funk serving as her assistant. Sound designer is Jeff Dean, lighting designer is Russel Drapkin and music director is Daryl Wolfram. J. Ladd is hair stylist and designer, and Kathy Newell is costume designer. Ailene King is choreographer. Master electrician is Brandon Mills, with Kerri Williams and Jessica Willis serving as carpenters. Willis is also a scenic artist and assistant set designer. Aikuko Nakajimi is assistant set designer. Steven Snyder is director, and Chelsea Riggs and Joey Wilson are assistant directors and stage managers. Debbie Hollington is in charge of props and set dressing.
Actors for the shows include Allison Espoito, Nick Farco, Rob Jessup, Ailene King, G. Scott Kaufman, Evan Lubeck, Vicki McClurkin, Ralph Reeds and Steven Snyder. Serving as interns are Kurt Aller, Matthew Dennis, Joanie Dodds, Josh Hilborn, Caitlin Newell, Ikuko Ono and Hope Wells. Becky Dennis, Elaine Hullihen, Elizabeth Orley and Lisa Scherger are apprentices.
Tickets are available by calling the Box Office at 419-434-5335. The Box Office is open daily from noon to 6 p.m. beginning June 15.
