Theatre Lab Musical Theatre Institute for Teens Presents PACIFIC OVERTURES This Weekend

The Theatre Lab's award-winning Musical Theatre Institute for Teens is back once again this summer, and kicks off with a work from one of the giants of American musical theatre. Pacific Overtures (music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by John Weidman, additional material by Hugh Wheeler) opens tonight, July 9.

Full of acting, singing and storytelling challenges, Stephen Sondheim's Pacific Overtures is a wide-ranging exploration of Japan's introduction to western civilization, told in multiple styles, from Kabuki theatre to modern realism. The tale ranges from Commodore Matthew Perry's arrival in Japan in 1853, through times of war, to more contemporary times as Japan welcomes titans of Western business.

Pacific Overtures is directed by Theatre Lab co-executive directors Deb Gottesman and Buzz Mauro. It is the first of two musicals that are part of the Musical Theatre Institute for Teens summer camp (the second session will feature a production of Cabaret in August). The Institute - along with its sister program, the Summer Acting Institute for Teens - provides a four-week intensive training program for teens ages 13-19, and the chance for students to work with some of the area's top theatre professionals as they rehearse and perform a full production. The goal is to challenge young artists while providing a supportive and caring environment in which to develop.

Pacific Overtures runs for one weekend, July 9-11, with performances at 7:30 pm each night and one matinee July 11 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students.*

* - The July 10 performance is a benefit for our annual Send a Kid to Drama Camp campaign, to benefit youth scholarships. Tickets for that evening are $40 and include a reception after the show.

The Theatre Lab is located at 733 8th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001. Information and tickets can be found online at www.theatrelab.org or by calling (202) 824-0449.