MEDIA CONTACT: Polly Burks
561-297-2595, pburks@fau.edu
BOCA RATON (May 7, 2007) – The School of the Arts in Florida Atlantic University’s Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters has lots to offer in summer entertainment. The Department of Theatre’s 2007 Festival Repertory Theatre will include the action-packed comedy “Noises Off,” the musical comedy “Bye, Bye Birdie,” and a musical revue entitled “American Songbook: Irving Berlin.” The series, which opens Saturday, June 16 and closes Sunday, July 29, will take place in the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters on FAU’s Boca Raton campus, 777 Glades Road, with two bonus shows of the musical revue in the Maltz Auditorium on FAU’s Jupiter campus at 5353 Parkside Drive on Saturday, June 16 and Sunday, June 17. In addition to the theatre department’s offerings, the department of music will also present “American Songbook Revue: 1930-1965” from Friday, June 1 through Sunday, June 3 on the Boca Raton campus. A full schedule can be found and tickets can be purchased by visiting www.fauevents.com or by calling 800-564-9539. Ticket prices are $20 for one show with group and package prices available. Children 12 and under are $10.
There will also be a Festival Reception on Saturday, July 7 at 6 p.m. before the opening of “Bye, Bye Birdie.” Tickets are $45 for the reception and show and can be purchased by calling 800-564-9539.
“Noises Off,” written by Michael Frayn, is a classic door-slamming farce full of slapstick and physical comedy. The play gives us a look at the behind-the-scenes misfortunes of a repertory theatre company's production of “Nothing On.” New York Times critic Frank Rich wrote that "Noises Off is, was, and probably always will be the funniest play written in my lifetime." The play was later made into a movie starring Carol Burnett and Michael Caine. The play will be directed by Jean-Louis Baldet.
Bye, Bye Birdie, by Michael Stewart, Charles Strouse and Lee Adams, is an upbeat musical about teen-idol and Elvis-like singer Conrad Birdie, who has been drafted into the army. Birdie’s publicist Albert and his secretary Rose come up with the idea to have Conrad premier one last hit record before he is sent to the army. They plan to have him perform the song and give a last kiss to one lucky girl, Kim Macafee from Sweet Apple, Ohio, on the Ed Sullivan Show. When the big-city ways of Conrad and his crew meet up with Kim’s family, things start to get interesting. The director for this production is Tim Dial, with choreography by Clarence Brooks.
FAU’s summer repertory theatre is performed by Equity actors along with graduate students in the department of theatre. This year’s Equity actors are Kathryn Lee Johnston, Peter Haig and Bruce Linser. Johnston has appeared in several films including “City of Ghosts” and “Private Victories” and on television in “Spin City” and “Welcome to New York.” She has also appeared at the Caldwell Theatre, the New Theatre and other local venues. Haig appeared as FAU guest artist in “West Side Story” and “The Hollow.” He is a Carbonell Award winner and has been twice named “Best Actor” by New Times. He appeared on Broadway in “Dr. Cook’s Garden” and off-Broadway in “Mod-Donna” and “Othello.” Linser has performed locally at the Caldwell Theatre, GableStage, the Maltz Theatre and the New Theatre. He has also worked off-Broadway and has been in many national tours
Festival Rep 2007 is presented by Madelyn Savarick, Jim and Marta Batmasian, the FAU University Club, the Palm Beach County Cultural Council and Palm Beach County. For further information, call 561-297-2977.
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