Chenango River Theatre to Stage HEROES, 8/22-9/14

Good theatre is almost always about great casting. CRT's production of Heroes, the 2006 Sir Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in London, will feature three actors who are all well known to Binghamton area audiences for their lauded performances in plays at many of the area theatres and across the country.

Three old guys sitting around talking. How interesting can that possibly be? Based on the reviews around the country from the many theatres now producing the show, it's a great night of theatre.

The year is 1959. Three aging World War I veterans find themselves residing together in a military retirement home in the French countryside. They pass the time on their favorite isolated terrace - gossiping, joking, and generally irritating one another. Looking out to the cemetery beyond, the trio dream of their freedom. Our three heroes (along with a statue of a dog - somehow their fourth companion?) set into motion a courageous and adventurous escape plan to make their escape once and for all. What will their final destination be? The local village? A rendezvous with a young French lass? Or perhaps just to the top of the hill? Heroes combines hysterical wit with the poignancy of the three veterans approaching their final journey together.

Bill Gorman is perhaps the greater Binghamton area's best-known actor, having worked for decades in the area at multiple theatres, along with his work across the country in regional theatres. Bernie Sheredy has appeared at regional theaters across the country, and in the National Broadway Tour of in La Cage Aux Folles starring George Hamilton. He appeared with Ben Stiller in a scene they improvised-the YOU-CAN'T-SAY-BOMB-ON-AN-AIRPLANE exchange between Norm the Interrogator and Gaylord Focker-in the feature film Meet the Parents. Jim Wicker, based in Florida and North Carolina, has appeared in 6 of CRT's 8 seasons, with roles ranging from The Foreigner to Yankee Tavern.

Performances run August 22 through Sept. 14, Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., plus Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. at Chenango River Theatre, 991 State Highway 12, Greene NY (15-20 minutes from Binghamton). Opening night features free appetizers and wine, both pre-show and at intermission. The fastest way to make reservations is by email: tickets@chenangorivertheatre.org.

Individual tickets are $20 Thursday, $22 Friday, $23 Saturday and $21 Sunday. All performances start on time - late seating is not available. The box office opens one half hour before curtain. The 24-Hour Reservation Line accepts reservations at any time at 607-656-8499 (TIXX). Tickets may be charged to MasterCard, Visa, AMEX or Discover. The 2014 season is sponsored by Empire Toyota of Oneonta. The Raymond Corporation, along with Jim & Debbie Dyal, are co-producing this production of Heroes. Chenango River Theatre is located at 991 State Highway 12, Greene NY (3 miles south of Greene)Mailing Address: PO Box 584, Greene, NY 13778. Box Office: 607 656-8499 (TIXX).

Chenango River Theatre's intimate, air-conditioned 99 seat theatre is at 991 State Highway 12, about 3 miles south of Greene, NY. CRT is the greater Binghamton area's only professional non-profit theatre company under annual contract with Actors' Equity Association, the national association for professional actors and stage managers in the United States - the same actors you see on television, in film and at major theatres across the country. Visit www.chenangorivertheatre.org for a complete schedule and more information.