MTC MainStage Presents '60s Musical Cocktail PETE 'N' KEELY 6/4-13

Music Theatre Of Connecticut's MainStage presents "Pete 'n' Keely," a rollicking musical comedy with Book by James Hindman, Original Music by Patrick Brady, Original Lyrics by Mark Waldrop, Patrick S. Brady and others. Join America's swingin' sweethearts, Pete and Keely, as they reunite for a live television special re-living their illustrious musical career on TV, in Las Vegas showrooms, and at the top of the hit parade. The show features great hits of The Rat Pack era, including "Lover," "Besame Mucho," "This Could Be the Start of Something Big," "Secret Love," "Fever," "Black Coffee" and many more. Performances are June 4-13, 2010  at the Music Theatre Of Connecticut Studio Theatre in Westport, CT.

MTC guests will become the studio audience of a 1968 television special as Pete and Keely sing a musical cavalcade of classic hits from their days of stardom decked out in eye popping costumes. In the style of other husband/wife star teams like Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Sonny and Cher and Lucy and Ricky, they also take "unscripted" swipes at each other that dredge up hilarious moments from their turbulent past. The original Off-Broadway production was a runaway hit with audiences and critics alike. The New York Observer said "'Pete 'n' Keely is the brightest, happiest, and most entertaining little show in town.", and Newsday called the show "A sequined, bell bottomed parade of escalating fabulousness!"
 
Each Music Theatre Of Connecticut MainStage "Pete 'n' Keely" performance will be followed by a "Swingin '60s" reception with the stars and creative team.

"Pete and Keely" stars Broadway veterans Kristin Huffman as Keely Stevens and Tony Lawson as Pete Bartels. Kristin recently appeared in the Tony award winning and Grammy nominated Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's musical "Company", in which she played the role of Sarah as well as flute, sax and piccolo. The production was filmed and aired on PBS's Great Performances and is available on DVD. Kristin has performed with numerous professional operas, theatres and symphonies around the US and in Europe; is a former Miss Ohio and Runner-up Miss America, has been a reporter/broadcaster for NBC and continues producing and hosting charity events for many non profits, She created "The Powerful Image Event" series to help teach non-profit organizations and businesses how to work together synergistically.  A voice and piano teacher for 15 years, Kristin taught at the Hartt School of Music/University of Hartford and currently teaches at Western Connecticut State University. 

Tony Lawson appeared on Broadway as Thenardier in "Les Miserables", toured the country as Gaston in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," as Joe Hardy in "Damn Yankees" with Dick Van Dyke, and zipped through Europe with the infamous Ken Hill's "Phantom of the Opera." He recently returned from the box office record-breaking "42nd Street" at the Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach FL. During the pre-Broadway run of "Lone Star Love" at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre, he understudied Randy Quaid, then rescued the role of Colonel Falstaff when Quaid became 'too ill' to perform. He held five different roles in the World Premiere of The Gershwin's "An American in Paris" at Houston's Alley Theatres well as numerous regional appearances at the Goodspeed Opera House, Paper Mill Playhouse, Alliance Theater, Cincinnati Playhouse and Vermont's Northern Stage.

"Pete 'n' Keely" is directed by Kevin Connors, MTC MainStage Executive Artistic Director and co-founder of Music Theatre Of Connecticut. Musical direction is by David Wolfson, scenic design by David Heuvelman, lighting design by Graham Kindred, and costume design by Diane Vanderkroef.

The production is generously sponsored by Shoff Darby Insurance and TD Bank.

Performances take place June 4-13, 2010, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 4pm & 8pm, Sundays at 3pm at Music Theatre Of Connecticut, 246 ColoniAl Green (Lower Level) in Westport, CT. Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for students and seniors, reservations are suggested. For reservations or more information, call Music Theatre Of Connecticut at 203.454.3883 or visit www.musictheatreofct.com.

ABOUT MUSIC Theatre OF CONNECTICUT
Music Theatre Of Connecticut  was founded in 1987 by Directors Kevin Connors and Jim Schilling. MTC's professional mainstage company has presented seasons of critically-acclaimed productions, including new works and buried treasures of the American musical theatre. Productions presented at MTC have been nominated for Best Musical of the Connecticut theatre season and several others have gone on to have successful productions in New York and at other regional houses. MTC is a 501(c)3 non-profit arts organization. For more information, visit www.musictheatreofct.com

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