IN THE HEIGHTS and ANTIGONE Set for GTA's 2015 February Festival of Theatre, Beginning Today

The Gainesville Theatre Alliance began the new year in a flurry of building, rehearsing, singing and movement workshops that leave muscles aching as they prepare for their annual February Festival of Theatre. This year's Festival offers poignant stories from different times; "IN THE HEIGHTS" (opening February 10) is a 2008 Best Musical Tony winning musical that tells the story of modern day immigrants, while "ANTIGONE" (opening February 13) is an ancient Greek tragedy, told in classic verse but layered with modern dance movement that drives home its timeless and tragic story.

The Gainesville Theatre Alliance is a nationally acclaimed collaboration of the University of North Georgia, Brenau University, theatre professionals and the North Georgia community.

"IN THE HEIGHTS" is the story of a tightknit community at the north end of Manhattan centering on Usnavi, a bodega owner who pines for the gorgeous girl next door and dreams of winning the lottery and escaping to the shores of his native Dominican Republic. Meanwhile, Nina, a childhood friend of Usnavi's, has returned to the neighborhood from her first year at college with surprising news. With a gripping story and incredible music and dance, "IN THE HEIGHTS" is a groundbreaking 21st century musical and the next chapter in the classic American story.

"IN THE HEIGHTS", which features a highly contemporary score performed by a live orchestra, will perform February 10-21 in Brenau University's Hosch Theatre in the John S. Burd Center, 429 Academy St., Gainesville. Patrons can get a peek behind-the-scenes with the FREE stage tour on Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 6:00pm. There will also be a special preview performance at 7:30pm, on Monday, Feb. 9, with discounted tickets at just $10, and a FREE reception in the lobby following the Opening Night performance on Feb. 10, catered by 2Dog.

In "ANTIGONE", the curse placed on Oedipus lingers and haunts in this new and brilliant translation of Sophocles' classic drama. The daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta, Antigone is an unconventional heroine who pits her beliefs against the King of Thebes in a bloody test of wills that leaves few unharmed. Emotions fly as she challenges the king for the right to bury her own brother. Determined but doomed, Antigone must show her inner strength to preserve her family's honor.

"ANTIGONE", which features progressive choreography and design, will be performed February 13-21 be in the University of North Georgia's Ed Cabell Theatre in the Continuing Education/Performing Arts Building, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood, GA. Patrons can get a peek behind-the-scenes with the FREE stage tour on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 6:00pm. There will also be a preview performance with $10 discounted tickets at 7:30pm, on Thursday, Feb. 12, as well as a FREE Opening Night reception catered by Avocados in the lobby following the Feb. 13 performance.

Tickets for "IN THE HEIGHTS" are $22-$24 for adults, $20-22 for seniors and $12-$14 for students and tickets to "ANTIGONE" are $18-$20 for adults, $16-18 for seniors and $12-$14 for students, depending on seat location. Select your own seats online at www.gainesvilleTHEATREalliance.org or by calling the Box Office at 678.717.3624, Monday - Friday from 10am to 4pm. MasterCard, Visa and Discover are accepted.

GTA's February Festival of Theatre:

January 27 - FREE Stage Tour of GTA's IN THE HEIGHTS, 6:00pm, Hosch Theatre, Brenau University, 500 Centennial Circle, Gainesville

January 29 - FREE Stage Tour of GTA's ANTIGONE, 6:00pm, Ed Cabell Theatre, University of North Georgia, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood, GA 30566.

February 9- PREVIEW performance of IN THE HEIGHTS, 7:30pm, Hosch Theatre. Tickets just $10!

February 10 - OPENING NIGHT performance of IN THE HEIGHTS, 7:30pm, Hosch Theatre FREE Opening Night Reception after the performance, catered by 2Dog

February 12- PREVIEW performance of ANTIGONE, 7:30pm, Ed Cabell Theatre. Tickets just $10!

February 13 - OPENING NIGHT performance of ANTIGONE, 7:30pm, Ed Cabell Theatre. FREE Opening Night Reception after the performance, catered by Avocados.

Pictured: Minneapolis based choreographer, Carl Flink (left), has been pressing the cast of GTA's production "Antigone" to push the boundaries of movement and athleticism to tell the show's classic tale of honor and tragedy. Flink is head of Black Label Movement, an outside-the-box dance and movement company that has collaborated on several TED talks and has the tagline, "We Do Our Own Stunts."