Photo Flash: Phoenix Theatre Presents The Zippers of Zoomerville

Brought back to the Phoenix after its World Premiere in May 2009, this gentle musical send-up of all things Indy 500 has been retooled and streamlined for this run. The show is also a spoof of all things Gilbert & Sullivan, which means crisp harmonies, witty lyrics and lots of tongue-in-cheek references to all the wonderful elements that come together to form Indy during the month of May. Sponsors for the show are Katrina Basile, Realtor, F.C. Tucker Co., Inc. and Indianapolis Power & Light Company.

Jack O'Hara is a Nashville (IN) based writer, musician, comedian, actor, and director. After graduating from Marian College, Jack O'Hara acted with Indiana University's graduate rep company from 1967 through 1969, and also with The Brown County Playhouse in 1968. He returned to Marian College, teaching theatre there for four years, acting from time to time, hosting a late night TV show, and doing commercial voice work. In 1971 he signed on as a copywriter/ broadcast producer for an Indianapolis advertising agency, eventually becoming its creative director, and then a partner. Meanwhile, he wrote for and performed with his brother Patrick and Gayle Steigerwald in The Nebulous Players, "a purported comedy troupe." In the recent past, two of O'Hara's pieces were performed in the 2010 production of A Very Phoenix Xmas 5: Regifted.

Tim Brickley is an Indianapolis composer-producer-performer described by the Indianapolis Star as a "local legend" in the Indy music scene. He is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and recording studio owner/engineer who composes/produces music for film, broadcast, theatre and other musical artists at his Hit City Recording facility; records and releases his own music (written with long-time songwriting partner David Rheins) with rock band The Bleeding Hearts; and is a jazz bandleader/vocalist with his Quintet and 16-piece Big Band. Brickley has worked with the Phoenix since 1986's Accidental Death of An Anarchist.

O'Hara describes The Zippers of Zoomerville, or 200 Laps and a Lass: a mini-mockeretta as: "Speed, greed and the dirty deed drive this musical spoof of fast-track fever, wherein an oval raceway rouses a circular city to revel ‘round its maypole. A rite-of-springish, Gilbert and Sullivanesque celebration of flat-out folly and full-throttle love, The Zippers of Zoomerville fancifully celebrates and gently spoofs the Circle City's love affair with the Indianapolis 500." Without giving too much away, this retooled production features two puppeteers and a never-before-seen puppet-sized staging of the big race.

Phoenix Producing Director Bryan Fonseca stated that until this remounting of The Zippers of Zoomerville, or 200 Laps and a Lass: a mini-mockeretta, the Phoenix has never chosen to bring back a production during its 28-year history. "The original production was such a hit during the month of May that when the idea was presented that the original could be streamlined and updated, we jumped at the chance to work with Jack and Tim on this entertaining project."

The production boasts four returning cast members and two new members who are making their Phoenix debut. Scot Greenwell returns to play John Hoosier Lordyboy, Jr. - The Rookie, along with Phebe Taylor as Happenstance Throttlehotter - The Lass; Mikayla Reed as Veneera Glossover - The Perennial Princess and, Michael Shelton as Rusty Nubbins - The Old Pro. New to the Phoenix but not new to the Indy theatre scene, Jolene Moffat portrays Speedlove Throttlehotter - The Queen Mother; and Trevor Fanning is Buck Upshotz - The Developer. The ensemble also portrays various reporters, announcers, and celebrities during the show.
Jack O'Hara is again directing the production; Tim Brickley is the musical director and accompanist; Laura Glover is the lighting designer; Rachel Lambert is the costume designer; and as part of the Phoenix Assistant Director Intern project, Butler student Amalia Howard is Assistant Director. .

Ticket Prices and Special Events

Thursday, April 28, 2011 is opening night and features Thirsty Thursday, a beer-tasting after the show sponsored by Flat 12 Bierwerks that will wet everyone's whistle for Phoenix Theatre's biggest fundraising event of the year, Brew-Ha-Ha which will be Saturday, June 25 this year. The Friday, April 29, 2011 performance of The Zippers of Zoomerville, or 200 Laps and a Lass: a mini-mockeretta will feature a Producer's Party celebration after the show with free appetizers from Agio restaurant. Several 500 Festival Princesses will attend.

All seating is general admission on a first-come, first-served basis and all Thursday tickets are $15, thanks to a grant by Duke Energy; Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances are $25. Performance times are: Thursdays at 7pm; Friday and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. Doors open ½ hour prior to curtain for seating. The Phoenix Pub, located inside the theatre, offers beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and bottled water, as well as treats, and all refreshments may be taken into the theatre and consumed during the performance.

For more information about any Phoenix productions or to purchase tickets, call the Phoenix Theatre box office at 317.635.7529. Tickets may also be purchased online. The theatre's website is www.phoenixtheatre.org.