Garden Theatre to Kick Off 2016-17 Season with BONNIE & CLYDE

The Garden Theatre (160 W Plant St.) is proud to kick off its 2016-2017 Theatrical Season with the musicalBonnie & Clyde showing September 9 - October 2, 2016. The presenting sponsors of Bonnie & Clyde are Bob and Diana Duffy. Bonnie & Clyde is also sponsored by Toole's Ace Hardware.

Bonnie & Clyde is a musical based on the historical acts of the infamous duo who became romanticized by a nation during the most challenging of economic times. The fascination of Bonnie's and Clyde's exploits reached its zenith when, in 1933, undeveloped film found at one of their hideaways turned out to show the love story behind the violence. Public perception quickly changed when Clyde and his gang murdered two highway patrolmen on Easter Sunday, 1934.

Garden Theatre's Consulting Artistic Director, Rob Winn Anderson, will serve as director for this production, which kicks off the Garden's 2016-2017 Professional Theatrical Series.

"Most everyone knows the legend of this famous couple but many don't know their story," says Anderson. "This musical goes beyond the folklore to show where they came from and how they grew into the stuff of legends."

"Bonnie & Clyde is a musical for our time," continues Anderson. "It is a story where violence is thought of as a solution by those who invoke it. And it demonstrates the lengths that some people will go to to establish control over something they feel is out of their control."

The story has parallels to today's society as we deal with recurring acts of unspeakable violence. The Garden Theatre, in conjunction with Valencia College's Peace and Justice Institute, will offer talkbacks on this subject. Visit gardentheatre.org/plays for dates and times of talkbacks.

The 19-person professional cast of Bonnie & Clyde includes Tay Anderson* as Bonnie Parker (previous appearances on Garden Theatre stage include Alice Lost in Wonderland, Hairspray), Preston Ellis* as Clyde Barrow, Lauren Culver as Blanche Barrow, Jake Rura as Buck Barrow, David Kotary as Ted Hinton, Al Mauro as Sheriff Schmid, Kristy Heffelfinger as Cumie Barrow / Gov. Ferguson, Mark Hardin as Henry Barrow, Alyson Johnson as Emma Parker, AJ Garcia as Bob Alcorn, Kit Cleto (Hands on a Hardbody) as Preacher, Bob Brandenburg as Capt. Frank Hamer, Julie Snyder (Biloxi Blues, Alice Lost in Wonderland, Miracle on 34th St) as Eleanor, Vicky Campadonico (Singin' in the Rain) as Stella, Kelly Mauro as Trish, Domenic Servidio as Deputy Johnson, William Carleton IV as Bud, Sarah Isola as Young Bonnie, and Andre Torres as Young Clyde. *Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers, appearing under a special agreement with Actors' Equity Association

This musical, infused with blues, gospel and fiddle-filled rockabilly, was nominated for Outstanding New Broadway Musical and Outstanding New Score by the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and for Original Score at the 2012 Tony Awards.

Tickets are $33 for adults and $29 for seniors and students, with special pricing of $29 for adults and $25 for seniors and students for opening night andThursday performances. Showtimes are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. There will be one Industry Night performance onMonday, September 19 at 8pm with $15 tickets.

For tickets, visit gardentheatre.org or contact the Box Office at 407-877-GRDN (4736). Groups of 10 or more are eligible for discounts of up to 25% by contacting group sales manager Jana Goupil at 407-877-4736 x208.

This musical contains scenes with strong violence, death and loud shots fired from prop guns. Please take these themes into consideration when purchasing tickets.

Located in the heart of historic downtown Winter Garden on Plant Street, the Garden Theatre is a nonprofit organization committed to enriching, engaging and entertaining through creative experiences. The 299-seat theatre, which re-opened in 2008, is an historic, atmospheric, professional performing arts venue in a Mediterranean Revival style. The Garden Theatre hosts live plays, concerts, movies and more to the residents of and visitors to the city of Winter Garden. For tickets or additional information, contact the Garden Theatre Box Office at 407-877-GRDN (4736) or visit gardentheatre.org.