SAY GOODNIGHT GRACIE, VINCENT and More Among Theatre Lineup at 2014 Astra Arts Festival, 7/3-13

The multi-disciplinary Astra Arts Festival will present guests with three outstanding theatre performances at its inaugural event this July; "Say Goodnight Gracie," "Hard Travelin' with Woody," and "Vincent."

"Say Goodnight Gracie," written by Rupert Holmes and starring Alan Safier as show business legend George Burns, is a Tony-nominated Broadway play that invites you to spend an evening with this great American comedian, whose career spanned over 90 years. Alan Safier dons Mr. Burns' trademark cigar and owl-eye glasses to portray him to perfection and brings his fascinating story to life. Safier's acting career spans hundreds of TV and radio voice-overs and guest appearances on dozens of television series. "Say Goodnight Gracie" guarantees an evening of laughter and heart-warming singing and dancing.

Its author is Rupert Holmes, whose Broadway credits include the Tony Award-winning musical "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and the upcoming musical adaptation of Jerry Lewis's "The Nutty Professor." Mr. Holmes was also the creator and writer of the nostalgic Emmy Award-winning comedy series "Remember WENN."

Date - Sunday, July 6

Time - 2 p.m.
Location - William Inge Theatre, Independence Community College

Come join your friends and neighbors and hop a box car through the Dustbowl with Woody Guthrie. "Hard Travelin' with Woody" is sure to connect guests with the spirit, stories and songs of America's saint-of-the-workingman and poet-of-the-people. This critically acclaimed solo play features music and astonishing projections of Dustbowl images and Woody's artworks. Woody plays from a union meeting of striking mineworkers in Oklahoma who are on the verge of caving to vigilante violence. Writer and star Randy Noojin will deliver one of the delights of the Astra Arts Festival with his straight-forward, no-nonsense portrayal of singer, songwriter and activist Woody Guthrie.

Date - Monday, July 7
Time - 7:30 p.m.
Location - Independence High School Performing Arts Center

"Vincent," by Leonard Nimoy, is an exhilarating look into the mind of a misunderstood genius. A few days after the death of little-known painter Vincent Van Gogh, rumors are flying in Paris. Some say he was a penniless madman, a frequenter of prostitutes, a derelict and soon-to-be forgotten artist of trifling quality. Others denounce him as a wayward priest and unwelcome foreigner. Many whisper he took his own life in a moment of insanity. His brother Theo (performed by jean-Michel Richaud), Vincent's confidante and lifelong supporter, is enraged. In this breathtaking theatre performance, he strives to set the record straight.

Date - Tuesday, July 8
Time - 7:30 p.m.
Location - William Inge Theatre, Independence Community College

Ticket prices start at $20 for adults and $18 for students, seniors and active military. For tickets to any of these amazing theatre performances, visit www.astrafest.org/tickets. The Astra Arts Festival will be held from July 3 - 13, 2014, at varying times and locations. For a full schedule of events, visit www.astrafest.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/AstraSchedule.pdf.

For more information about Astra Arts Festival, visit www.AstraFest.org.