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Sunday, May 18, 2008

My latest show

OLD FRIENDS: Old friends band together to save their home away from home, the weathered old saloon called The Lucky Star. A world premiere musical running May 14 - June 8, 2008 at Phoenix Theatre. 602.254.2151 or phoenixtheatre.com. Tickets range from $38-$48.

LUCKY STAR - World Premiere Stakes Claim on Phoenix Theatre Mainstage
Phoenix, AZ (May 5, 2008) --- Lucky Star, a world premiere musical, will take the stage with a heapin’ helpin’ of boot-tapping contemporary country music on May 14, 2008 and it will close the Phoenix Theatre Mainstage season on June 8, 2008. Lucky Star is based on a story by Michael Barnard, Phoenix Theatre Producing Artistic Director.
Few know that Michael Barnard is a native of Arizona, but when Lucky Star makes its world premiere in mid-May, it will be apparent that Barnard has a love affair with not only musicals, but also with the history of the rugged southwest he calls home.
Lucky Star began its journey as a Phoenix Theatre New Works Festival production several years ago. The book is by Jason Milligan, music is by Bret Simmons and lyrics are by Carolyn Gardner, all of whom will be front row when their musical opens in Phoenix. Milligan, Simmons and Gardner all have impressive credentials. Simmons has arranged, produced and directed music for Sony Records, MGM Television, Universal Television, ESPN, Disney Entertainment Productions, Walt Disney Records, The Speed Network, NBC-Universal, Barter Music, Famous Music Corp., and EMI Music Publishing among many others. Gardner has scripted hundreds of pieces for Disney Studios while Milligan counts 36 published plays among the highlights of his career.Barnard and his creative production team and acting company will be sure to have you stompin’ your feet and kickin’ your heels as Lucky Star unfolds. The story follows Duke (played by Gordon Goodman) and his gang including Natalie Ellis (just back from a run in New York), Tracy Lore and Michael Sample, as they try to save their weathered old saloon and home away from home, the Lucky Star.
With featured songs such as Cowboy Up, For the Rest of Forever, and Old Friends, the music will lift your spirits and according to Barnard, will speak to your heart.
Supporting cast members include Rob Allocca, as Miguel; Walter Belcer, as Rodney; Dion Johnson, as Brendon and Scott Withers, as Hank. Alan Ruch will musically direct.
Phoenix Theatre closed its previous season with the world premiere, smash-hit Dream a Little Dream – The Nearly True Story of The Mamas and The Papas which went onto a record breaking gross for the 87 year old theatre.
Lucky Star runs May 14 – June 8. Tickets are $38 - $48 each. US Airways is the Season Host Sponsor, American Express is the Production Sponsor and the season Musical Sponsor is the Phoenix Theatre Guild.
Tickets can be purchased through the box office at 602/254-2151 or on the website at http://www.phoenixtheatre.com/
Phoenix Theatre is one of the longest running theatres in the country at 87 years old and is a not-for-profit, professional corporation that offers a full range of theatrical programming; Mainstage subscription series of musicals, comedies and dramas; the 27-year-old Cookie Company Theatre for young audiences and families; the annual New Works Festival; and curricular and extra-curricular educational programs through PT Connections. 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.
Phoenix Theatre is located at 100 East McDowell Road, just east of The Phoenix Art Museum at Central and McDowell.