Music Theatre Louisville Kicks Off The 2009 Summer Season

Music Theatre Louisville (MTL) is rolling out the 2009 summer season at The Kentucky Center's Bomhard Theater! We may have a new home, but one thing hasn't changed...the quality, the affordability, and the fun! This summer, MTL is presenting 3 Tony award winning Broadway productions, Mame, Singin' In the Rain, and Hairspray!

Mame, June 26-28, June 30-July 3, 7:30 p.m.; Matinee, June 28, 2:00 p.m.

Made famous by leading lady Dame Angela Lansbury, Mame is the over-the-top musical from Broadway legend Jerry Herman (Hello Dolly!, La Cage Aux Folles), recently honored at the 2009 Tony Awards! In this irresistibly zany world, Mame feasts on the banquet of life. But after losing everything in the stock market crash, this high-living Manhattan bohemian must learn how to "coax the blues right out of a horn". As Mame struggles to keep her "live, live, live" philosophy alive, she learns that through any hardship, life will go on. Featuring such hits as "If He Walked Into My Life," "We Need a Little Christmas," and the title song "Mame," this joyful old-time Broadway classic sets the standard for silver-lined clouds and happy endings. Directed by the Jewish Community Center's Cultural Arts Director John Leffert, this production stars veteran actors Melissa Combs, Gayle King, Ernie Adams, and C. Kevin Swansey.

Singin' In the Rain, July 10-12, 14-19, 7:30 p.m.; Matinee, July 12 & 18, 2:00 p.m.

Its 1920s Hollywood and the film studios are in stiff competition to release the first "talkie." Studio exec R.F. Simpson has no choice but to convert the new silent film of Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont to a "talkie" but there's only one problem...Lina Lamont's grating voice. In a pickle, Simpson cleverly dubs over Lina's voice with newcomer Kathy Seldon; but on opening night, the crowd begs Lina to sing! Complete with an onstage rainstorm, this production with hilarious situations, snappy dialogue and an unbelievable score including "Singin' In The Rain", "Make ‘Em Laugh", and "All I Do is Dream of You", is the perfect light hearted celebration of the golden ages of musicals! This production is directed by Jon Huffman, who carries a well rounded resume including recurring roles in television series (Days Of Our Lives, Designing Women, General Hospital), dozens of feature films, including Lolita (with Jeremy Irons), The Tempest (with Peter Fonda), and Timepiece (with James Earl Jones), as well as a host of stage productions here in Louisville.

Hairspray, July 31-August 2, August 4-9, 7:30 p.m.; Matinee, August 2 & 8, 2:00 p.m.

Welcome to 1962 Baltimore - the '50s are out and change is in the air. Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion--to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance program, "The Corny Collins Show" and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can a trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her 'do? Only in Hairspray! Featuring the tony award winning numbers, "You Can't Stop the Beat", "Good Morning Baltimore", and "Welcome to the 60's". Winner of 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, this production features an extremely talented cast of young actors, including leads Sydney Magers who played the lead at the International Thespian Festival, and her co-star, Youth Performing Arts School grad Chad Broskey, who recently has returned to Louisville after spending time in Los Angeles, where he appeared on such TV shows as Misguided, Scrubs, and several other TV shows and films.

Season Subscriptions are still available for $75 for Adults, $60 for Students (11-college) and Seniors (60+), and $30 for Children (0-10). Subscriptions included paid parking for all performances as well as complimentary ticket exchange and special offers. To purchase, call 502.498.2436.

Single Tickets are on sale through The Kentucky Center. Tickets are $25 for Adults, $20 for Students (11-college) and Seniors (60+), and $10 for Children (0-10). To purchase, call 502.584.7777, order in person at the box office, or online at www.kentuckycenter.org.

Music Theatre Louisville is dedicated to producing, presenting, and developing quality, diverse and affordable entertainment and to training and mentoring local youth in the arts. Learn more at www.MusicTheatreLouisville.com or by calling 502.498.2436.