OTX Opens Inaugural Season with SPIRIT OF THE TRAIL

The newly formed Orchard Theatre of Texas (OTX) is proud to present the World Premiere of Spirit of the Trail, a musical celebration of the heart and soul of the legendary Chisholm Trail, whose 150th anniversary is being celebrated this year in cities throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. Spirit of the Trail will open on Thursday June 1 at the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Museum. Beginning June 8, the show will start a 5-week run at the Cowboy Hall of Fame and Museum in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, where it will play Thursdays through Sundays through July 9.

Directed by Jim Covault, Artistic Director and Executive Producer of Orchard Theater of Texas, Spirit of the Trail combines songs from stage and screen, classic hits from the country harts, and exciting new music written by up and coming local talent. Audiences can expect to hear songs by composers ranging from Foster & Dunn to Toby Keith to Cole Porter and Irving Berlin, as well as newcomers Chris Curtis, and Stephen Beatty ("Un Chien") and local favorites Chris Curtis and Walk Wilkins. Covault, who was Artistic Director at Stage West, where he also acted and designed sets, has directed over 100 plays ranging from King Lear to Cabaret.

Conceived by OTX Producer and Co-Founder Richard J. Allen, this "western cabaret" also incorporates inspiring real-life tales of the trail and the brave men and women who rode it. Allen is an Emmy winning television writer (including As the World Turns, Days of Our Lives) whose locally produced plays include Starbright & Vine and Seducing Sally.

The seasoned cast of actor-singers, includes DFW favorites Gigi Cervantes, Amber Flores, Michael Isaac, Jim Johnson and Kristal Seid. Choreography is by Suzi McLaughlin and Jay Adkins is the Musical Director and Arranger.

Orchard Theatre's unique vision is centered on the concept of "pop-up" theatre. Rather than presenting its work on traditional theatrical stages, OTX will present a variety of plays - from originals to classics, with subjects ranging from the personal to the political - in a myriad of exciting settings. Just as Spirit of the Trail will be right at home in the Stock Show and Stockyard homes of the Cowgirl and Cowboy Halls of Fame, future productions will

take place in equally unique venues, each suitable to the play being presented. OTX will announce its first full season (2017-2018) during the run of Spirit of the Trail.

Spirit of the Trail will preview Thursday June 1 and Friday June 2 at 7:30pm at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, with an Opening Night Reception hosted by the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau following the Saturday June 3 performance at 7:30pm. After a 3:00 Sunday matinee on June 4, Spirit of the Trail moves to the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame where it will play Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm from Thursday June 8 until Sunday July 9. Attendees at the Cowboy Hall of Fame will have access to the museum and exhibits before the show and during intermission.

Tickets prices are $33 for evening performances and $28 for matinees. Preview performances are $15 per ticket. Students pay $15 for tickets to any performance of Spirit of the Trail. Seniors pay $28 for evening performances and $23 for matinees.

Reservations and information about Group Discounts are available through the Box Office at 817-575-7984 or on the website at www.orchardtheatre.org.

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