January 16, 2008
For Immediate Release
For an Interview:
David Tinney
(801) 863-9454
April Berlin
SCERA
745 S. State
Orem, Ut 84058
Work: (801) 225-2569 x 1011
Cell: (801) 369-0946
Work Email: april@scera.org
Home Email: aprilberlin@comcast.net
Home Phone: (801) 426-9482
The “Robber Bridegroom” is an 18th century Southern fairy tale, but unlike most other fairy tales it requires not only a good story but more unusual elements: Broadway’s only bluegrass musical score and a Greek chorus. These elements will combine for a wickedly playful piece of theatre when “Robber Bridegroom” plays at the SCERA Center for the Arts (745 South State, Orem) January 25- February 4. It’s co-produced with the Utah Valley State College Theatrical Arts Department and is directed by David Tinney, a UVSC theatre instructor, who calls it a “wonderful musical with great storytelling.”
Based on a Grimm’s fairy tale and adapted by great American writer Eudora Welty, “Robber Bridegroom” is a kind of southern folk tale set in Natchez, Mississippi, in the late 1700s. Based on the book by Alfred Uhry, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Driving Miss Daisy,” it features Jamie Lockhart, a gentleman robber who has two identities – one is a fussy dandy and the other a rascally robber. The story becomes a case of double mistaken identity combined with a battle of the sexes when the robber falls in love with Rosamund, the daughter of a rich plantation owner he is trying to rob. She can’t stand him as the dandy but loves him when he’s disguised as a baron. Throw in an evil stepmother intent on Rosamund’s demise, her pea-brained henchman and a hostile talking head-in-a-trunk, and“Robber Bridegroom” is a rollicking country romp
“We are thrilled to be at SCERA,” Tinney says. “UVSC wants to be involved with the community and SCERA is a wonderful place that encourages community and educational involvement. Besides, their Showhouse is a great space where it’s intimate enough that you can experience the play without feeing as if you are in a cavern.”
SCERA President & CEO echoes that sentiment. “Partnering with UVSC has been fantastic. Their drama department chooses theatre works that are very entertaining but different from the usual fare, and gives SCERA the opportunity to present our audiences with a great musical that may be new to them.”
Most of the cast are theater majors at UVSC. Jordan Cummings (American Fork) plays the robber. Rosamund, his love interest, is played by Katy Baxter (Orem). The wicked stepmother Salome is portrayed by Sara Preston (Kanab), and Wes Tolman (New Haven, MI) plays the planter, Clement Musgrove. Also performing will be UVSC’s Black Box Repertory Company. They comprise the bluegrass and Greek chorus and will do all the human voice sound effects.
“The show is unlike anything you have ever seen,” Tinney adds. “If you like country music, a good story and the real slice of rural America, this is a delightful play. Since its Broadway run, it has become a favorite regional theater piece, particularly in the South.”
The production will play Mondays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and reserved-seat tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children (age 3-11), students (w/ID), seniors (65+) and UVSC faculty and staff, and $6 for UVSC students. Tickets are available from 10am-6pm weekdays and Saturdays from 12Noon-6pm at SCERA Center, by calling (801) 225-ARTS, online at www.scera.org or at the door 30 minutes prior to each show.
"The Robber Bridegroom"
Books and Lyrics by Alfred Uhry
Music by Robert Waldman
Adapted from the novella by Eudora Welty
Directed by David Tinney
Dates: Jan 25-Feb 4
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: SCERA Center, Orem, UT
Tickets: $6 for UVSC students, $8 for other students, UVSC faculty/staff and seniors, $10 general admission.
Box Office: (801) 225-ARTS or www.scera.org
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