Kressley Joins Ogunquit Playhouse's THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, Runs 6/9-26

Emmy-winning television star, celebrity stylist, author and fashion designer, Carson Kressley is about to make his theatrical debut at the Ogunquit Playhouse, alongside twice-Emmy nominated actress Georgia Engel, in the multi-Tony Award winning musical, The Drowsy Chaperone on stage June 9 through June 26. Kressley is cast as the "Man in Chair," an obsessive fan of old musicals who imagines performers coming to life in his shabby apartment whenever he plays one of his favorite cast recordings. Throughout the show the musical bursts to life as the Man in Chair continuously brings the audience in and out of the fantasy.

Kressley is probably best known for his Emmy Award winning work on the breakout Bravo network hit, "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" as well as for hosting the critically acclaimed and Lifetime's highest rated reality show, "How to Look Good Naked."

When casting this role Executive Artistic Director, Bradford Kenney was looking for the perfect person to provide the show with the right upbeat narration, who while as an outsider of the goings on of Broadway shows, revels in the fun and frivolity as much as the cast themselves; "Who better than one of the country's most charming performers? He not only has the personality, but the warmth and whimsical presence to bring this wonder character to life, providing the framework of the entire show. Carson fit the bill perfectly."
Starring with Carson is Georgia Engel, reprising the role of Mrs. Tottendale, the role she created for the original Broadway production. Georgia is best known to audiences as Georgette Baxter from the "Mary Tyler Moore Show," for which she received two Emmy nominations. Georgia launched her theatrical career playing Minnie Fay in Hello Dolly with Ethel Merman and has gone on to a very successful Broadway and Television career. In addition to "MTM" she starred in four more television series, most notably as Shirley Burleigh in the ABC comedy, "Coach."

Helming the Ogunquit production as Director is Casey Hushion who worked under Casey Nicholaw on the original Broadway creative team member. Among her many Broadway and national credits, she is the Assistant Director of In The Heights, winner of 4 Tony Awards including Best Musical, for both the Broadway and the National Tour. Casey is currently the Associate Director of the Broadway workshop of Elf and recently worked as Associate Director of the new musical Minsky's at the Ahmanson Theatre. She is also currently the Artistic Director of the North Carolina Theatre.

The Drowsy Chaperone is on stage June 9 through June 26. The season continues with The Sound of Music, June 30 through July 24; Sunset Boulevard, July 28 through August 14; Monty Python's Spamalot, August 18 through September 11; Chicago, wraps up The Playhouse season, September 15 through October 24 featuring Sally Struthers in the roll of Matron "Mama" Morton.

The Ogunquit Playhouse is America's Foremost Summer Theatre producing the finest Broadway musicals each season, with performances Tuesday through Sunday, from June 9 to October 24, 2010. Main Stage tickets prices range from $49-$67 per show. Gift Certificates and Season Subscriptions are also on sale now. For a complete list of show times, pricing and more information about the season, visit our website www.ogunquitplayhouse.org. Tickets on-line or through the box office at 207-646-5511.

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