Adam Guettel's Myths and Hyms to Play Ontario in March 2009

The Canadian Premiere of Adam Guettel's Myths and Hymns will replace the previously announced Rob Roy (In Concert) in Talk Is Free Theatre's (TIFT) current season. There will be a limited three- performance run at Gryphon Theatre in Barrie on March 25 and 26, 2009.

Originally produced in the U.S. by the Public Theater in 1998, Myths and Hymns interweaves stories from Greek mythology with lyrics from a 1886 Presbyterian hymnal. The resulting modern-day song cycle journeys from the spare classicism of 19th century New England Puritanism through romantic art song to Latin, gospel and R&B. The songs explore personal yet universal preoccupations: ambition, death, the breakdown of relationships and notions of heaven and hell. The songs range from electronic jazz and piano ballads to musical theatre.

Along with Myths and Hymns Adam Guettel's earlier works include Floyd Collins and Love's Fire, but he is best known for The Light in the Piazza, for which he won a Tony Award. Mr. Guettel's music was almost immediately characterized by its complexity and use of various strings.

Mr. Guettel is the son of Mary Rodgers and grandson of Pulitzer Prize winning musical theatre composer Richard Rodgers.

"I'm delighted to take this opportunity to present the Canadian premiere of this work by one of the most significant American contemporary musical theatre writers," says Artistic Producer, Arkady Spivak. "Mr. Guettel represents the future of musical theatre and I'm deeply honoured to produce his work."

Casting and creative team are soon to be announced.

There will be three performances of Myths and Hymns at Gryphon theatre in Barrie - one on Wednesday, March 25 at 8 p.m. and two on Thursday, March 26 at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. respectively. Single tickets are $32. Group and subscription rates are also available. Please contact the Box Office at (705) 792-1949, www.tift.ca.

Photo: Adam Guettel by Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.