Actors Theatre of Louisville Adds Performance to GIRLFRIEND, 2/17

Audiences and critics are in love with Girlfriend and in response, Actors Theatre of Louisville will be adding an additional performance at 2.30 p.m.on Sunday, February 17. Tickets to the performance are now on sale by calling 502-584-1205 or visiting ActorsTheatre.org. Featuring music and lyrics by Matthew Sweet and a book by Todd Almond, this irresistible rock musical, directed by Obie Award winner Les Waters, has been charming Louisville with its heartwarming boy-meets-boy love story.

Actors Theatre is also offering $20 tickets to audience members who would like to return to see the performance for a second time. Simply call the Box Office at 502-584-1205; tell them that you have seen Girlfriend and once your original purchase has been verified, you can purchase additional tickets for just $20.

Girlfriend premiered in 2010 under the direction of Les Waters at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Actors Theatre is the first theatre to fully produce the musical since its premiere. A concert version of Girlfriend was staged at Joe's Pub in New York in 2012.

Nebraska, the 1990s. Two teenage boys-one a social outcast, the other the quintessential jock-explore a relationship during a summer of self-discovery between high school graduation and the rest of their lives. Set to irresistible songs from Matthew Sweet's landmark pop album of the same name, this rock musical gives voice to those of us who grew up in small towns, those of us who didn't quite fit in and learned we were somehow different, and anybody who remembers the terror and thrill of first love.

Girlfriend stars two talented young actors,Ryder Bach as Will and Curt Hansen as Mike, both making their Actors Theatre debuts. They are joined live onstage by Musical Director Julie Wolf as she leads a rocking four-piece band featuring top musicians Jyn Yates (drums),Kelly Richey (guitar) and Sara Lee (bass).

The design team includes Obie award-winning designer David Zinn (Sets and Costumes),Mark Barton (Lighting Designer), Jake Rodriguez (Sound Designer) and renowned San Francisco choreographer Joe Goode (choreography).

Now in its 49th season, Actors Theatre of Louisville, the State Theatre of Kentucky, has emerged as one of America's most consistently innovative professional theatre companies. For almost 40 years, it has been a major force in revitalizing American playwriting. Its annual Humana Festival of New American Plays is recognized as the premier event of its kind and draws producers, journalists, critics, playwrights and theatre lovers from around the world for a marathon of new works. More than 350 plays from Actors Theatre have been published, making them available to producers and readers, and creating a significant addition to the nation's dramatic literature. Actors Theatre's programming includes a broad range of classical and contemporary work, presenting more than 500 performances each season. The company performs annually to nearly 200,000 people and is the recipient of the most prestigious awards bestowed on a regional theatre: a special Tony Award for Distinguished Achievement, the James N. Vaughan Memorial Award for Exceptional Achievement and Contribution to the Development of Professional Theatre, and the Margo Jones Award for the Encouragement of New Plays. Actors Theatre's international appearances include performances in 29 cities in 15 foreign countries. Currently, there are 40 books of plays and criticism from Actors Theatre in publication and circulation.

For more information, go to www.actorstheatre.org.