Madeline Brewer to Lead Warner Theatre's LIBERTY World Premiere; Full Cast Announced

LIBERTY: A MONUMENTAL NEW MUSICAL, a new musical that tells the stirring and spectacular story of United States immigration through the eyes of a young European immigrant, will be presented in an exclusive, fully-staged professional production at the Warner Theatre in advance of its New York premiere. Performances begin June 30, 2012.

The production marks the first time the Warner Theatre has developed and premiered a new musical in advance of a commercial New York run. LIBERTY is directed by acclaimed New Yorkstage director Igor Goldin, Drama Desk-nominated director of YANK! and Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The role of LIBERTY will be played by Madeline Brewer, a recent graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. “I am thrilled to be here for the world premiere and so excited to be originating the role of Liberty at the Warner Theater”.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for local audiences to see a professional production before it heads to New York,” said Warner Executive Director John Bonanni. “Our community of actors and volunteers are excited to inaugurate the Warner’s new professional development program, serving as an incubator for a commercial run in New York.”

The production includes many actors who have performed with the Warner Stage Company. Among them are: Lynn Beard, Bif Carrington, Brian Dann, Jamal Ford-Bey, Stephanie Haring, Mary Johnson, Vincent McCoy, James McKirdy, MEric Martin, Timmy Perry and Maureen Pollard.

LIBERTY, with book and lyrics by Dana Leslie Goldstein and music by Jon Goldstein, tells the story of a young immigrant who arrives from France in 1884 amid anti-immigrant fervor. With powerful political forces working against her, she is befriended by fellow immigrants from all corners of the world.Liberty’s compelling and sometimes uncertain journey leads her to becoming the symbol of all immigrants, winning over the people of the United Statesand taking her rightful place in New York Harbor. Featuring an entirely original score, LIBERTY is being produced by special arrangement with Theresa Wozunk.

LIBERTY was previously presented as a developmental workshop as part of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Immigrant Heritage Week and has been invited to perform at the grand re-opening of the crown of the Statue of Liberty and during the official celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty.

Performances of LIBERTY will be held on Saturday, June 30 at 8pm, Sunday, July 1 at 3pm, Thursday, July 5 at 8pm, Friday, July 6 at 8pm, Saturday, July 7 at 2pm, Thursday, July 12 at 8pm, and Sunday, July 14 at 2pm and 8pm. The July 1 performance will feature an Opening Night Red Carpet prior to the performance.

Tickets ($25, $30, $40 VIP Gold Circle) are currently on sale. For tickets, call the Warner Theatre box office at (860) 489-7180 or visit WarnerTheatre.org. A study guide for parents and educators is available and can be downloaded here.

Built by Warner Brothers Studios and opened in 1931 as a movie palace (1,772 seats). Damaged extensively in a flood, the Warner was slated for demolition in the early 1980s until the non-profit Northwest Connecticut Association for the Arts (NCAA) was founded and purchased the theatre. The Warner reopened as a performing arts center in 1983, and restoration of the main lobbies and auditorium was completed in November 2002. In 2008, the new 50,000 square foot Carole and Ray Neag Performing Arts Center, which houses a 300 seat Studio Theatre, 200 seat restaurant and expansive school for the arts, was completed. Today, the Warner is in operation year-round with more than 160 performances and 100,000 patrons passing through its doors each season. Over 10,000 students, pre K-adult, participate in arts education programs and classes. Together, with the support of the community, the Warner has raised close to $17 million to revitalize its facilities. NCAA's mission is to preserve the Warner Theatre as an historic landmark, enhance its reputation as a center of artistic excellence and a focal point of community involvement, and satisfy the diverse cultural needs of the region.