George Wendt Set to Star in HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY at Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, 9/18

Six-time Emmy nominee George Wendt, nationally recognized theater, television and movie actor, will appear as Pap in the upcoming production of "Hank Williams: Lost Highway," opening at The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse as part of the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival on Sept. 18 in Auburn, N.Y.

Wendt is best known as barfly Norm Peterson on the long-running television series "Cheers." He also has extensive theater experience, having starred in the Broadway and London production of "Art," the Broadway hits, "Hairspray," (Edna Turnblad) and "Elf" (Santa Claus) and most recently in the Broadway production of "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Mr. Wendt also appeared on the National Tour of "Twelve Angry Men."

Featuring a stellar cast of actor/musicians, "Hank Williams: Lost Highway" captures the highs and lows of one of country music's most significant artists. More than 30 of Williams' hit songs, including "Hey, Good Lookin'," "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," "Your Cheatin' Heart" and more, create a dynamic musical tapestry of a life rich with both talent and strife.

"Hank Williams: Lost Highway" will be directed by Hans Friedrichs, who holds numerous directing credits around the country.

Peter Oyloe stars as Hank Williams, reprising the role he played in Spring 2012 with the Filament Theatre Ensemble in Chicago.

Tickets are now available for "Hank Williams: Lost Highway" and all other Festival productions by calling the box office at (315) 255?1785 or by visiting www.fingerlakesmtf.com/tickets. For more information on the 2013 season, visit www.fingerlakesmtf.com.

Located in Auburn, N.Y., the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival is the largest musical theatre producing organization in New York State, outside of New York City. With three stages running concurrently, the festival provides exciting and diverse professional musical theatre entertainment. The main stage at The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse has been in existence for more than 30 years and presents hit Broadway spectacles, such as "Singin' in the Rain," "Legally Blonde: The Musical," "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," "CATS" and "Hank Williams Lost Highway." The MGR Downtown program at Auburn Public Theater presents newer and quirkier material such as "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" and the world premiere of "Neurosis: A New Musical." The third space, Theater Mack, is a cabaret-style environment, which features a new musical in development each week in a new-works series, known as "The PiTCH." The Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival works to provide top-notch entertainment to more than 60,000 patrons each summer and maintain a high regard in the theatre community.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos