Pat Sajak to Star in THE ODD COUPLE at CRT; Terrence Mann to Lead DON QUIXOTE

Connecticut Repertory Theatre's popular Nutmeg Summer Series will feature two award-winning Broadway musicals, Man of La Mancha and Pirates of Penzance, and Neil Simon's The Odd Couple starring Pat Sajak and Joe Moore. Tickets are available as a subscription or as single tickets by calling 860-486-2113 and visiting www.crt.uconnn.edu.

The season will kick-off with the five-time Tony Award-winning musical, Man of La Mancha. Broadway legend and last season's Henry Higgins, Terrence Mann returns to play the unforgettable Don Quixote. Mr. Mann originated the roles of Rum Tum Tugger in Cats, Javert in Les Miserables, and the Beast in Disney's Beauty and the Beast on Broadway. Mr. Mann will be leading a spectacular cast, which also includes last summer's audience favorite Richard Ruiz who played Alfred Dooliitle in last summer's My Fair Lady and Alix Paige who played Eliza, also in My Fair Lady.

The Odd Couple will star Wheel of Fortune's Pat Sajak as Felix Unger and veteran news anchor and featured actor in the original Hawaii Five-0, Joe Moore as Oscar Madison. Mr. Sajak and Mr. Moore will be joined on stage with a marvelous group of Broadway veteran comic actors including Patrick Kerr as Vinnie. Mr. Kerr is probably best known for his recurring role as Noel Shempsky on TV's Frasier and appearances on Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld. He has appeared as Zazu in Disney's The Lion King for the past three years. Murray Rubinstein will play Murray the Cop. Mr. Rubinstein is a veteran of Neil Simon's work including the Broadway National tour of Lost In Yonkers as Uncle Louie and Stanley in Broadway Bound. He has appeared in 25 prime time series including Frasier, Law and Order, Family Law, American Dreams, and Home Improvement. The Pigeon sisters will be played by Liz Larsen (Gwendolyn) and Kathleen McNenny (Cecily). Mrs. McNenny is currently appearing in Death of a Salesman on Broadway with Philip Seymour Hoffman. She has also appeared on Broadway in The Constant Wife, After the Fall, and A Few Good Men. She has appeared in Connecticut at Westport Playhouse, Long Wharf Theatre and Yale Rep. Her TV credits include Royal Pains and New Amsterdam and her film credits include Morning Glory, Music and Lyrics, Lover Boy and School of Rock. Ms. Larsen was nominated for a Tony Award for her role in The Most Happy Fella. Her other Broadway credits include Hairspray, Rocky Horror Show, Annie, Damn Yankees and Fiddler on the Roof.

CRT welcomes back master comedian Steve Hayes who played Horton the Elephant in last summer's production of Seussical the Musical. This summer Mr. Hayes will play the Modern Major General in Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance. Mr. Hayes is the winner of the Backstage Bistro Award for Comedy Performer of the Year, and three-time winner of the MAC Award for Outstanding Comedian. Liz Larsen, as Ruth, will join Mr. Hayes onstage.

PERFORMANCE AND TICKET INFORMATION

Evening performances start at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Matinee performances start at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Subscription package options range from $30 to $93. Single ticket prices range from $10 to $45.

All performances will be in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre on the UConn campus, Storrs. The Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre is located on the campus of the University of Connecticut in Storrs. The venue offers air-conditioned comfort and convenient free parking in Lot 9 and paid parking in the North Garage.

Subscribers also have the option of pre-purchasing dinner at the Nathan Hale Inn and ice cream dessert at the UConn Dairy Bar with their subscription packages. Please call 860.486.2113 for tickets and additional information. Please call the box office or visit www.crt.uconn.edu for specific show dates and times because performance schedules vary and are subject to change.

CRT's Season Sponsor is SI Financial Advisors, the trust and wealth management division of Savings Institute Bank. Community Partners for the Nutmeg Summer Series include Hamilton Sundstrand, the Nathan Hale Inn, XL Color, the Mansfield Community Center and the UConn Dairy Bar.