Centaur Theatre to Present SideMart Theatrical Grocery's HAUNTED HILLBILLY, 5/8-6/3

Centaur Theatre will present SideMart Theatrical Grocery's award-winning production of Haunted Hillbilly. Based on Derek McCormack's novel of the same name, this "eerily funny, musical country romance" is written by Graham Cuthbertson and directed by Andrew Shaver.

A patchwork of humour and horror, fame and fortune, love and loss, Haunted Hillbilly promises audiences an unforgettable carnivalesque experience. "This production has all the makings of a cult classic. Set in the South, it's a gripping country-gothic tale complete with bats and vampires who, like the entertainment industry, can suck the blood out of its stars and wannabes," says Centaur's Artistic and Executive Director Roy Surette. Loosely based on the story of country music legend Hank Williams, Haunted Hillbilly exposes the underside of the music industry's sparkles and sequins through Hyram Woodside's (Matthew Raudsepp) tortured journey under the control of Nudie (Greg Kramer), a nefarious costume designer.

The gay, wheelchair-bound Svengali seeks to ride the country singer's coattails by eliminating his wife Audrey (Katie Swift), his subsequent love interest, Bobbi (Alexis Taylor), and other perceived obstacles. Nudie is aided by the malevolent Dr. Wertham (Kyle Gatehouse) in his quest to help Hyram unseat Erskine Mole (Daniel Brochu), his sleazy rival, as the king of country music. Playwright Graham Cuthbertson plays a slick, tonic peddler named Pastor Ray.

Roy Surette says the costumes and music created for the production share top billing with the actors. "Haunted Hillbilly's superb toe-tapping tunes were composed by the fabulous Juno-nominated, Matthew Barber, who just released a companion album aptly titled, Songs For The Haunted Hillbilly. He is accompanied by band members Joe Grass, JulIan Brown and Bucky Wheaton. SideMart also called on the talents of award-winning designer Susana Vera of Intimate Apparel fame. Her dazzling costumes run the gamut from country kitsch to rhinestone-studded glamour."
Supporting the galvanizing performances, engaging music and stunning costumes is a seasoned crew: Set and Lighting Designer/Production Manager Sarah Yaffe; Sound Designer/Technical Director Jesse Ash; Assistant Directors PatRick Costello and Trent Pardy; Stage Manager Sarah-Marie Langlois; Apprentice Stage Manager: Kristen 'Birdie' Gregor and Sound Mixer Brian Kenny.

For more information, visit http://centaurtheatre.com/.

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