Hartford Mayor Praises HIGH's Kathleen Turner

On behalf of the City of Hartford, Mayor Pedro Segarra joined a nationwide chorus of praise following the news that two-time Golden Globe® winner, Academy Award® and Tony Award® nominee Kathleen Turner will return to Broadway this spring in Hartford-born playwright Matthew Lombardo's HIGH, directed by Rob Ruggiero.

HIGH had its world premiere in July 2010 at TheaterWorks in Hartford, Connecticut, followed by productions at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.
In his comments Mayor Segarra stated: "I am overwhelmingly proud that this marvelous piece of theater by a Hartford-born playwright, staged by a Hartford director, and which had its world premiere in Hartford at TheaterWorks, will now be seen on Broadway. It shows that Hartford truly is an arts leader to have cultivated this exceptional quality work."

The Mayor went on to say, "When I attended HIGH in Hartford, I just knew it would make it to the Great White Way. I am thrilled that the talents of so many from our community have come together to produce this extraordinary play."

Playwright Matthew Lombardo added: "Growing up, my parents exposed me to virtually all of the arts in Hartford, so my love for the cultural life of this city goes way back. Now that I am creating art on my own, it's natural that my first stop to debut new work would be Hartford - it allows me the opportunity to creatively give back all that I have so richly received."

Steve Campo, TheaterWorks' Founder and Executive Director, stated: "Thanks, in part, to the profound responsiveness of audiences in Hartford, and subsequently in Cincinnati and St. Louis, the Broadway production of HIGH promises to be an immensely rich and dimensional experience. My hope is that all those in Hartford for whom HIGH was so deeply resonant will take advantage of the opportunity to see this stunning play on Broadway."

Kate Bolduc, CEO of the Greater Hartford Arts Council, helped negotiate the complex cost and benefit sharing arrangement involving TheaterWorks, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, and lead commercial producer Leonard Soloway.

"This was a delightful opportunity for me to bring the Greater Hartford Arts Council's business acumen into a challenging negotiation," said Ms. Bolduc. "I was pleased to assist in delivering this world premiere to Hartford and I'm excited that now the rest of the world will get to see this striking drama."

The Broadway cast of HIGH includes Kathleen Turner as "Sister Jamison Connelly", Tony Award® nominee Stephen Kunken as "Father Michael Delpapp" and Evan Jonigkeit, making his Broadway debut as "Cody Randall".

The design team for HIGH includes Tony Award® winners David Gallo (Sets) and Jess Goldstein (Costumes), John Lasiter (Lights) and Vincent Olivieri (Sound and Original Compositions).

HIGH explores the universal themes of truth, forgiveness, redemption and human fallibility. When Sister Jamison Connolly (Turner) agrees to sponsor a 19 year-old drug user in an effort to help him combat his addiction, her own faith is ultimately tested. Struggling between the knowledge she possesses as a rehabilitation counselor and a woman of religious conviction, she begins to question her belief in miracles and whether people can find the courage to change.

Kathleen Turner returns to Broadway following her Tony Award® nominated performance as "Martha" in the 2005 Tony Award® winning revival of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

TICKETS:
Tickets will be available beginning Monday, January 24 online at Telecharge.com or by phone at (212) 239-6200. The Booth Theatre Box Office (222 W. 45th St.) will open on Friday, March 4th. Ticket prices range from $61.50 - $111.50 with a special preview price of $61.50 - $91.50 for performances March 25 through April 18, 2011.

A $26.50 ticket will be reserved for the first row for all performances, for audience members ages 17-21. Interested ticket buyers can purchase these seats at the Booth Theatre Box Office only, the day of the performance. There is a limit of two tickets per person.

HIGH contains mature themes, strong language, and nudity. A parent or guardian will be required to accompany audience members under age 17.

SCHEDULE:
HIGH will play Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8:00 PM; Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2:00 PM and Sunday matinee at 3:00 PM.
www.highonbroadway.com

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