[NEohioPAL]Brian Johnson returns to Porthouse Theatre

[emadden]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

BRIAN JOHNSON RETURNS TO PORTHOUSE THEATRE

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio =96 After amazing audiences last summer as Jim in Big 
River, Brian Johnson returns to Porthouse Theatre.  This summer Brian will be 
portraying Tonton in the first production of the season, Once On This Island.  
Brian will be returning to Porthouse again in August to be married on the set 
of Brigadoon.

=93=85Jim=92s quest for freedom, eloquently delivered by Johnson, whose powerful and 
moving duets with Tarr resonated into the dark night.=94  - Connie Bloom The 
Akron Beacon Journal

=93Johnson=92s superb performance is the production=92s ballast.=94  - Jacqueline 
Gerber The Plain Dealer

=93The majestic Brian Johnson camouflages his opera origins with a Jim of 
beguiling grace and innocence.=94 =96 Keith A. Joseph Cleveland Scene Magazine

=93He (Johnson) has a powerful voice that not only fills the Porthouse Theatre 
but probably carries over to the Blossom stage.=94  - David Ritchey  West Side 
Leader

=93The tale of a peasant girl who fell in love with a young grand homme.  A girl 
chosen by the gods for a magical fate.  The Story of Ti Moune!=94

Written by Lynn Ahrens with music by Stephen Flaherty, Once On This Island is 
a calypso-flavored legend that tells the story of Ti Moune, a poor peasant 
girl who falls in love with an upper class boy, after she saves his life.  At 
the center of the story are the island=92s four gods, whom have determined Ti 
Moune=92s destiny from the time she was an orphaned child.  The gods cause the 
lives of the young lovers to intersect and send Ti Moune on a fateful journey 
that tests the strength of her love over prejudice and even death.  Directed 
by Cleveland-Area director, Victoria Bussert, Once On This Island runs June 13 
=96 29 on the beautiful Porthouse grounds.  Performances are Tuesday =96 Saturday 
at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 330-672-2497 or 1-800-304-2363.  Ticket 
prices range from $10 - $20 with discounts available for students and seniors.
 Group tickets are currently available by calling 330-672-3884 or 
1-800-304-2363.  Groups consist of ten or more people and prices range from 
$10 to $20 depending on the size of the group and day of performance.

Porthouse Theatre was founded in 1971 and is one of only a few summer theaters 
in the area.  Set on the beautiful grounds of the Blossom Music Center, 
Porthouse offers audiences the finest in professional summer theater.   The 
comfortable 500-seat, outdoor, covered pavilion theater is located next to the 
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Cuyahoga Falls.  Audience members are 
encouraged to arrive early to picnic on the grounds or in our new picnic 
pavilion.  Picnic tables and the beautiful scenery are provided free of 
charge.  We can also pack you a picnic.  Order your boxed dinner with your 
tickets.  Experience professional, live theater, a wonderful picnic, and a 
little bit of magic all in one season.  =93The Stars Are Out & Magic Is Afoot!=94

Porthouse Theatre, the Akron-Cleveland area=92s professional summer theatre, is 
a cultural service of Kent State University.  Porthouse Theatre is a member of 
the Akron Area Arts Alliance and Porthouse Theatre=92s programs and activities 
are made possible in part by funding from the Ohio Arts Council.


Elisabeth Madden
Managing Director
emadden at kent.edu
330-672-0103 (Phone)
330-672-2889 (Fax)

Elisabeth Madden
Managing Director
School of Theatre & Dance
Porthouse Theatre
330-672-0103
emadden at kent.edu