42ND STREET Opens Tonight at Ocean State Theatre

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), currently celebrating its first full season in its new state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick is proud to present the tap-dance extravaganza, 42nd Street from tonight, April 23 - May 18.

Based on the 1933 movie musical of the same name, this timeless, inspiring story focuses on a naive young chorus girl named Peggy Sawyer, who is plucked out of the chorus to save the show when leading lady, Dorothy Brock breaks her ankle. This classic backstage story celebrates the hard work, talent and love of those involved in Broadway shows. Winner of the 1980 Tony Award for "Best New Musical" and the 2001 Tony Award for "Best Revival of a Musical," this family-friendly musical features a hit parade of songs including "Lullaby of Broadway," "We're in the Money," "Shuffle Off to Buffalo" and the spectacular title number. 42nd Street is Broadway razzle-dazzle at its finest!

Producing Artistic Director Amiee Turner, who made her Broadway debut as Phyllis in the original Broadway production of 42nd Street, returns to the director's chair after directing this season's productions of LES MISERABLES, Lombardi, and The Diary of Anne Frank. She will be joined by Musical Director Jay Atwood, who returns to Rhode Island after ten years in Las Vegas, where he served as Assistant Conductor for Disney's The Lion King. The cast includes Russell Garrett of Boston, who appeared with Amiee Turner in the original Broadway production of 42nd Street. Mr. Garrett, who directed and choreographed OSTC productions of The Full Monty, Hairspray, 9 To 5, and last summer's Legally Blonde, is making his OSTC stage debut in the role of Julian Marsh. Lauren DeFilippo of Texas, Gerrianne Genga of East Greenwich and Brandon Haagenson of New York are all making their OSTC debuts in the roles of Peggy Sawyer, Dorothy Brock and Billy Lawlor respectively. Dennis Setteducati, most recently seen in the National Tour of Elf and Katie Clark of Medford, Massachusetts, will be making their OSTC debuts in the roles of the writing team, Maggie and Bert. Other local performers include Rachel Abbate of Norfolk, Massachusetts, Alexis Berlinger of Cumberland, Kelsie Bejcha of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, Kristen Kilduff Fernandez of West Warwick, Lauren Gemelli of Norwell, Massachusetts, Kevin Patrick Martin of Cumberland, John Ricci of Pawtucket, Desirée Justin of Dighton, Massachusetts, Daniel Larson of Smithfield, Tom Lavallee of Providence, Devin Marchany of Cranston, Marissa Silva of Woonsocket, and Hannah Spacone from Providence.

42nd Street will be presented at Ocean State Theatre from April 23 - May 18. Previews are scheduled for Wednesday, April 23 at 7:30 pm and Thursday, April 24 at 2:00 and 7:30 pm. All other performances will be held Wednesday (except April 30 & May 14), Thursday (except May 15), Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm, with matinees on Thursdays (except May 15), Saturdays (except May 10) and Sundays at 2:00 pm. There is also a special added matinee on Wednesday, May 7 at 2:00 pm. Conducting Conversations Live!, a free post-show discussion hosted by WCRI's Mike Maino, will follow the 2pm performance on Sunday, April 27. The new post show Piano Bar Series, will continue with "Celebrating Broadway," a celebration of classics, standards and Broadway favorites, and will be held following Friday and Saturday evening performances (beginning at approximately 10:15 pm) in the theatre's lobby on May 2, 3, 9 and 10.

The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. Tickets are $39 for preview performances and $39-$54 for all other performances. Discount rates for groups of 20 or more are available by calling (401) 921-1777 x112. $30 "Rush" tickets are available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain on the day of the performance. Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Friday from 12 noon - 6:00 pm, Saturdays from 12 noon - 4:00 pm, and from 12 noon until curtain time on performance days. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800.

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC) is a professional not-for-profit regional theatre whose mission is to preserve and pass on the tradition of live, professional theatre - including the American musical - and to pursue avenues of enrichment and education for the benefit of the state of Rhode Island and the surrounding region through the theatre arts. OSTC, which re-opened and ran the historic Theatre By The Sea in Matunuck, RI from 2007-2012 and began producing shows in Warwick, RI in 2012, is an IRS designated not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation.