Ivoryton Playhouse to Present Connecticut Premiere of TENDERLY: THE ROSEMARY CLOONEY MUSICAL

Based on the life of Rosemary Clooney, American's favorite girl singer comes to life on stage in this exhilarating and inspiring musical biography. Tenderly is not a typical "juke-box musical." It offers a fresh, remarkably personal, and poignant picture of the woman whose unparalleled talent and unbridled personality made her a legend. With her signature songs woven in and out, we learn both the story of her successes on film, radio, and TV, as well as her struggles in her personal life.

"I'd call myself a sweet singer with a big band sensibility," Rosemary once wrote. She came to prominence in the early 1950s with the novelty hit "Come On-a My House", which was followed by other pop numbers such as "Mambo Italiano", "Tenderly", "Half as Much", "Hey There" and "This Ole House." Clooney's career languished in the 1960s, partly due to problems related to depression and drug addiction, but revived in 1977, when her "White Christmas" co-star Bing Crosby asked her to appear with him at a show marking his 50th anniversary in show business. She continued recording until her death in 2002.

This production was developed and premiered by The Human Race Theatre Company and produced at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Michael Marotta* will be revisiting the role of the Doctor that he helped develop and Kim Rachelle Harris* will be making her debut as Rosemary Clooney. The production is directed by Brian Feehan, musical directed by Dan Brandl, set design by William Stark, lighting design by Marcus Abbott and costumes by Rebecca Welles.

Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical opens at the Ivoryton Playhouse on October 26th and runs through November 13th, 2016. Performance times are Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Evening performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm.

Tickets are $50 for adults; $45 for seniors; $22 for students and $17 for children and are available by calling The Playhouse box office at 860-767-7318 or by visiting our website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org (Group rates are available by calling the box office for information.) The Playhouse is located at 103 Main Street in Ivoryton.

Photo by Anne Hudson

Pictured - Michael Marotta and Kim Rachelle Harris