Phoenix Theatre Opens Season with an Unbeatable Musical
Phoenix, AZ (June 27, 2008) --- Phoenix Theatre will open the 2008/2009 season
with Unbeatable, a bold new musical celebrating life, laughter and the courage to
live every moment. Unbeatable opens August 6, 2008 and runs through August 24,
2008.
Based on the journals of a real-life cancer survivor, Unbeatable is sly and wickedly
funny, keeping a light touch as it tells a triumphant story over one of the personal terrors
of our time – breast cancer.
“Unbeatable is a rare musical with heart, wit and a very timely message,” says Producing
Artistic Director Michael Barnard. “It has been a life altering experience for me to work
on it and to those who have seen it.”
Conceived by Laurie Frey and developed by Michael Barnard, Frey shares her personal
pain and triumph through the character of Tracy, our heroine. Tracy is the can-do, get-itdone
woman to her boss, her mother, her friends and her husband. But it all comes to a
screeching halt when the results of her recent exam are in. The story follows what
Tracy’s diagnosis does to her relationships and her outlook as she is forced to reevaluate
her priorities and examines just what it means to care, and be cared for. Unbeatable takes
the audience on the trial of Tracy’s life in a wildly theatrical ride of human fear and faith.
Unbeatable was featured during the 2006 Phoenix Theatre New Work’s Festival. The
world premiere musical is being co-produced by Phoenix Theatre, Stages Repertory
Theatre and Pink Ribbons Project. After the Phoenix run concludes, the show will head
to Stages Repertory Theatre in Houston before opening off-Broadway at New World
Stages in New York on October 10, 2008.
Kristy Cates stars as Tracy Boyd. Cates was a part of the original Broadway cast of
Wicked originating many of the memorable ensemble roles as well as going on to play
Elphaba on the National Tour. Cates most recently was seen at Carnegie Hall in the
ensemble of Jerry Springer the Opera. She will share the Unbeatable stage with John
Ashley Brown, who plays her husband, Brad. Brown is a favorite on the Phoenix Theatre
stage having played Denny Doherty in Dream A Little Dream as well as roles in The Full
Monty and Smokey Joe’s Café.
Gracing the stage as Tracy’s mother is Janet Carroll. Carroll has worked in film,
television and stage, most recently seen as Aunt March in the Broadway musical, Little
Women. Her stage career includes leading roles in Mame, Gypsy, Hello Dolly!, Guys &
Dolls, Showboat, South Pacific, Pajama Game, Damn Yankees, West Side Story, Kismet,
On A Clear Day, Carousel, The Sound Of Music, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Peter
Pan, The Boyfriend, Annie Get Your Gun, My Fair Lady, and Funny Girl. Television and
film roles are numerous ranging from her start as Tom Cruises’ mother in Risky Business
to regular appearances in Brothers and Sisters, Scrubs and many others.
Completing the cast include Walter Belcher (Franklin), Kathy Conery (Ruthie/Dr.
Louise), Charity Dawson (Natalie/Dr. Osmand), Natalie Ellis (the prosecuting attorney),
Dion Johnson (pastor), Maria-Christina Oliveras (Ally) and Brian Runbeck (Steven/Dr.
Anderson).
“We are thrilled to be opening our season with a new show that will move, entertain and
enlighten our audience,” says Michael Barnard. “Unbeatable is one of those rare
theatrical experiences that you won’t soon forget.”
The creative team includes Michael Barnard, director and choreographer, Alan Ruch,
music director, Robert Kovach, scenic designer, Mike Eddy, lighting designer, Katie
McNamara, props and dressing designer, Connie Furr, costume designer and Dave
Temby, sound designer. Production Manager is Mike Eddy and Tiffany Dressler is stage
manager. Mark Reynolds is technical director and Nick Dressler provides lighting and
sound supervisor. The book is by Eric Coble and music and lyrics by Todd Schroeder
and Kevin Fisher.
Single tickets are $20, $38 and $48. Season subscription packages are now available
starting at just $98 for the season by contacting the Phoenix Theatre box office at
602/254-2151 or on-line at www.PhoenixTheatre.com.
Through a partnership with Susan G. Komen Phoenix, Phoenix Theatre will offer a $10
discount through the run of the play to self-identified breast cancer survivors. Phoenix
Theatre will also have a pink box for donations to Susan G. Komen available in its lobby
through the course of the run.
Phoenix Theatre is a not-for-profit corporation that offers a full range of theatrical
programming currently in its 88th consecutive, producing year: Mainstage subscription
series of musicals, comedies and dramas; the 28-year-old Cookie Company Theatre for
young audiences and families; the annual New Works Festival; and curricular and extracurricular
educational programs. It is a member of Theatre Communications Group, the
national organization of professional theatres, employs members of the Actor’s Equity
Association, and is supported in part by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, the
Arizona Commission on the Arts, and hundreds of individual, corporate, and foundation
donors. It is located at 100 East McDowell Road, just east of The Phoenix Art Museum at
Central and McDowell.
Phoenix, AZ (June 27, 2008) --- Phoenix Theatre will open the 2008/2009 season
with Unbeatable, a bold new musical celebrating life, laughter and the courage to
live every moment. Unbeatable opens August 6, 2008 and runs through August 24,
2008.
Based on the journals of a real-life cancer survivor, Unbeatable is sly and wickedly
funny, keeping a light touch as it tells a triumphant story over one of the personal terrors
of our time – breast cancer.
“Unbeatable is a rare musical with heart, wit and a very timely message,” says Producing
Artistic Director Michael Barnard. “It has been a life altering experience for me to work
on it and to those who have seen it.”
Conceived by Laurie Frey and developed by Michael Barnard, Frey shares her personal
pain and triumph through the character of Tracy, our heroine. Tracy is the can-do, get-itdone
woman to her boss, her mother, her friends and her husband. But it all comes to a
screeching halt when the results of her recent exam are in. The story follows what
Tracy’s diagnosis does to her relationships and her outlook as she is forced to reevaluate
her priorities and examines just what it means to care, and be cared for. Unbeatable takes
the audience on the trial of Tracy’s life in a wildly theatrical ride of human fear and faith.
Unbeatable was featured during the 2006 Phoenix Theatre New Work’s Festival. The
world premiere musical is being co-produced by Phoenix Theatre, Stages Repertory
Theatre and Pink Ribbons Project. After the Phoenix run concludes, the show will head
to Stages Repertory Theatre in Houston before opening off-Broadway at New World
Stages in New York on October 10, 2008.
Kristy Cates stars as Tracy Boyd. Cates was a part of the original Broadway cast of
Wicked originating many of the memorable ensemble roles as well as going on to play
Elphaba on the National Tour. Cates most recently was seen at Carnegie Hall in the
ensemble of Jerry Springer the Opera. She will share the Unbeatable stage with John
Ashley Brown, who plays her husband, Brad. Brown is a favorite on the Phoenix Theatre
stage having played Denny Doherty in Dream A Little Dream as well as roles in The Full
Monty and Smokey Joe’s Café.
Gracing the stage as Tracy’s mother is Janet Carroll. Carroll has worked in film,
television and stage, most recently seen as Aunt March in the Broadway musical, Little
Women. Her stage career includes leading roles in Mame, Gypsy, Hello Dolly!, Guys &
Dolls, Showboat, South Pacific, Pajama Game, Damn Yankees, West Side Story, Kismet,
On A Clear Day, Carousel, The Sound Of Music, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Peter
Pan, The Boyfriend, Annie Get Your Gun, My Fair Lady, and Funny Girl. Television and
film roles are numerous ranging from her start as Tom Cruises’ mother in Risky Business
to regular appearances in Brothers and Sisters, Scrubs and many others.
Completing the cast include Walter Belcher (Franklin), Kathy Conery (Ruthie/Dr.
Louise), Charity Dawson (Natalie/Dr. Osmand), Natalie Ellis (the prosecuting attorney),
Dion Johnson (pastor), Maria-Christina Oliveras (Ally) and Brian Runbeck (Steven/Dr.
Anderson).
“We are thrilled to be opening our season with a new show that will move, entertain and
enlighten our audience,” says Michael Barnard. “Unbeatable is one of those rare
theatrical experiences that you won’t soon forget.”
The creative team includes Michael Barnard, director and choreographer, Alan Ruch,
music director, Robert Kovach, scenic designer, Mike Eddy, lighting designer, Katie
McNamara, props and dressing designer, Connie Furr, costume designer and Dave
Temby, sound designer. Production Manager is Mike Eddy and Tiffany Dressler is stage
manager. Mark Reynolds is technical director and Nick Dressler provides lighting and
sound supervisor. The book is by Eric Coble and music and lyrics by Todd Schroeder
and Kevin Fisher.
Single tickets are $20, $38 and $48. Season subscription packages are now available
starting at just $98 for the season by contacting the Phoenix Theatre box office at
602/254-2151 or on-line at www.PhoenixTheatre.com.
Through a partnership with Susan G. Komen Phoenix, Phoenix Theatre will offer a $10
discount through the run of the play to self-identified breast cancer survivors. Phoenix
Theatre will also have a pink box for donations to Susan G. Komen available in its lobby
through the course of the run.
Phoenix Theatre is a not-for-profit corporation that offers a full range of theatrical
programming currently in its 88th consecutive, producing year: Mainstage subscription
series of musicals, comedies and dramas; the 28-year-old Cookie Company Theatre for
young audiences and families; the annual New Works Festival; and curricular and extracurricular
educational programs. It is a member of Theatre Communications Group, the
national organization of professional theatres, employs members of the Actor’s Equity
Association, and is supported in part by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, the
Arizona Commission on the Arts, and hundreds of individual, corporate, and foundation
donors. It is located at 100 East McDowell Road, just east of The Phoenix Art Museum at
Central and McDowell.
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