Island City Stage Presents World Premiere THE RADICALIZATION OF ROLFE

So long, farewell to The Sound of Music you thought you knew.

In similar fashion to the hit musical "Wicked", playwright Andrew Bergh's "The Radicalization of Rolfe" imagines the secret story of Rolfe from "The Sound of Music" and his activities when not pursuing Liesl Von Trapp. Intrigue pervades the Von Trapp household as the lives of Rolfe, the housekeeper Frau Schmidt, the butler Franz and Rolfe's "friend" Johan get swept into the dark forces perpetrated by Herr Zeller and the approaching Nazi anschluss.

"I was riveted just reading the brief description in the New York TImes", said Island City Stage Artistic Director, Andy Rogow when relating how he discovered the play buried in an article about workshop offerings at the New York Fringe Festival. "What I love about the play is that the humorous references to "The Sound of Music" don't overwhelm the dramatic tension that weaves together all of these minor characters from the musical. The plot creates several twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat and reflect the anxiety working class Austrians must have felt as the shadow of the Nazi takeover loomed nearby."

The production features South Florida veterans Jordon Armstrong, Sahid Pabon, Carol Caselle and Larry Buzzeo. Joining them to lend regional flavor to the proceedings will be guest artist Michael Kehr visiting from Frankfurt, Germany. Ardean Landuis will be handling double duty as both scenic and lighting designer. He is joined by Island City Stage resident designers and Carbonell Award winners Peter Lovello and David Hart who will provide costumes and sound respectively.

"The Radicalization of Rolfe" begins previews Mar. 29 and 30 at 8:00pm with a press and Carbonell opening on March 31 at 8:00pm. The production runs through April 29. Performances are Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 5:00pm at Island City Stage, 2304 N Dixie Hwy. Wilton Manors. For tickets and information go to islandcitystage.org or call the box office at 954-519-2533.

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