The Williamston Theatre Presents THE USUAL, 3/22-4/22

Mid-Michigan's award winning professional theatre company, Williamston Theatre, presents the World Premiere of The Usual: A Musical Love Story, Book and Lyrics by Alan Gordon and Music by Mark Sutton-Smith.  Tickets for this modern day musical love story are now on sale.

The Usual: A Musical Love Story begins with five Preview performances starting Thursday, March 22.  During the first four Previews audience members will have the opportunity to take part in the process of creating a show by participating in a talkback session with the director following each performance.  The Official Opening Night is Friday, March 30 with the show scheduled to run through Sunday, April 22.  Performances will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at eight o'clock and Sunday matinees at two o'clock with additional three o'clock matinees on Saturdays starting March 31.  Please note there will not be a performance on Sunday, April 8.

Take one lonely guy, add a shot of lonely girl and a dash of spunky bartender, blend and serve!  Two strangers, each unhappy with their love lives, have a chance encounter in a bar where "the usual" isn't usual at all.   Join Kip, Valerie and Sam as they navigate the treacherous waters of dating, romance and relationships.  This show does contain adult themes. 

The cast of The Usual: A Musical Love Story consists of Leslie Hull as Sam, Emily Sutton-Smith (The Smell of the Kill) as Valerie and Joseph Zettelmaier (Music From A Sparkling Planet) as Kip.   The Director is Williamston Theatre's Artistic Director Tony Caselli (The Dead Guy, This Wonderful Life) with Musical Direction by Jeffrey English (Five Course Love) and Choreography by Dana Brazil (Guys on Ice).  The production team includes Set Design by Daniel C. Walker (And The Creek Don't Rise, Oedipus), Lighting Design by Ryan Davies (Eleemosynary, An Infinite Ache), Costume Design by Holly Iler (And The Creek Don't Rise, Oedipus) and Prop Design by Lynn Lammers (The Smell of the Kill, An Infinite Ache).  The Stage Manager is Stefanie Din. 

Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can for Thursday, March 22.  Remaining Preview tickets are $15.00!  Starting Opening Night, tickets prices are $25.00 for Friday and Saturday evenings, $22.00 for Saturday and Sunday matinees and $20.00 for Thursday evenings.  Discounted rates are available for senior citizens (65 and older), students (with a valid student ID) and groups of 10 or more (booked at least 1 week in advance).  Tickets can be ordered by calling (517) 655-SHOW (7469), Tuesday – Friday from 12 – 6pm.

The Usual: A Musical Love Story is supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. 

The Williamston Theatre is a not-for-profit, professional live theatre company.  The theatre opened its doors in 2006 and has received a number of local awards including the 2008 Robert Busby Award for extraordinary overall contribution to theatre in the Greater Lansing Area. 

Williamston Theatre patrons will find parking on the street and in several municipal lots throughout the city.  The theatre is located in downtown Williamston (exit 117 off of I-96) just south of Grand River Avenue.  Additional information about the company and the rest of the shows in the 2011-2012 Season is available online at www.williamstontheatre.org or by calling (517) 655-SHOW (7469).