|
MEDIA CONTACT: Stacia Smith
561/297-2971; ssmith@fau.edu
Downloadable photos available at www.fau.edu/celebration.
Festival Repertory Theater 2003
Broadway Star John Herrera to Join Students and Faculty
For FAU's Summer Festival Repertory Theater
BOCA RATON, FL (May 14, 2003) - Broadway star John Herrera will collaborate with students and faculty for the staging of the World War II musical comedy "South Pacific" and the British comedy of bad manners "Hay Fever" in Florida Atlantic University's annual summer Festival Repertory, which runs Friday, June 21 through Sunday, July 20 in Boca Raton. Professional actor David Mann, visiting assistant professor at FAU, will also star in both shows.
"A major goal of FAU's Festival Repertory Theatre is to provide students with the opportunity to work with very talented, seasoned professionals," said FAU's Department of Theatre Chair and "Hay Fever" Director Jean-Louis Baldet. "This allows the students to experience the demands and successes of real-world, professional theatre and gives them the opportunity to gain experience to further their careers."
John Herrera most recently appeared on Broadway in "Man of La Mancha,"
understudying Don Quixote. He also created the role of Neville in "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," and for this role was nominated for both the Tony and Outer Critic's Circle Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. Other Broadway credits include Roger Sherman in the Roundabout Theater's revival of "1776," Che in "Evita" opposite Patti LuPone, and Father Alvito in the musical version of "Shogun."
Herrera's other Broadway appearances include "Grease," "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and the Lincoln Center revival of "Camelot," with Richard Burton. National tours include the role of the Russian chess champion Anatoly in "Chess"
(Jackie Gleason Theater), for which he received a Carbonell Award, Enjolras
in "Les Miserables," Father Dominic in the American premiere of "Martin Guerre,"
Marvin in "Falsettos," and he sang the title song in Andrew Lloyd Webber's
"Music of the Night."
- more -
David Mann began his professional work as an actor in South Florida. He played the title role in the production of "Hamlet" at the New Theatre in Coral Gables, Florida. He was also part of the cast in "Smithereens," "The Weir," "Electra," and "Far East" at the New Theatre. Mann performed in "The Blue Room" at the Gablestage and portrayed Beethoven for the Florida Philharmonic's "Beethoven on the Beach."
Nationally, Mann has worked with such companies as The Old Globe in San Diego, Pasadena Playhouse, Philadelphia Area Repertory Theatre, American Music Theatre Festival and others. He has been teaching in the graduate and undergraduate programs at FAU for the past two years.
Other FAU faculty and staff involved in the production include FAU Associate Professor Richard Gamble, who will direct "South Pacific," FAU's Director of Instrumental Studies and Professor of Music George Sparks, who will develop all the music for "South Pacific" and Equity production stage manager Paul Sargent. Noted designer and FAU Associate Professor Den Kopani is the scenic design coordinator for the Repertory will oversee set design for both shows.
Clarence Brooks will direct choreography for "South Pacific." Brooks teaches ballet, modern, jazz and musical theater at the Middle School of the Arts, an arts magnet program in West Palm Beach, Florida. He has performed with more than 50 American ballet, modern, jazz and opera companies and toured all over the U.S., parts of Europe and Asia.
The plays will take place in the Schmidt Performing Arts Center on FAU's Boca Raton campus. Ticket prices are $15 for one show and $25 for both. Group rates are available for parties of 20 or more. For ticket information, call 561/297-3737. For information about the shows, call 561/297-3810. FAU's Boca Raton campus is located at 777 Glades Road, ½ mile east of I-95. Follow signs to "Theatres and Galleries."
- FAU -
| 
