[NEohioPAL]PORTHOUSE THEATRE OPENS SEASON OF THE HEART

[emadden]

PORTHOUSE THEATRE OPENS SEASON OF THE HEART WITH BROADWAY SENSATION, A CHORUS 
LINE

     Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio =96 Porthouse Theatre opens its Season of the Heart 
with one of the most exciting musicals in Broadway=92s history, A Chorus Line, 
June 13 through June 28.  Winner of nine Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize for 
Drama, A Chorus Line takes a poignant behind-the-scenes look at the struggles 
of 24 aspiring dancers while trying out for openings in the chorus-line of a 
forthcoming Broadway musical.  Directed by Victoria Bussert.

     The show is an audition =96 unique in its delivery, but not so much 
atypical from a dancers=92 real life experiences.  As Zack the 
Director/Choreographer puts candidates through interrogation about their 
lives, hopes, fears and fantasies, the audience will find themselves suffering 
with those eliminated, and rejoicing with the winners.  The character 
confessions, in words, song and dance, are so engaging because they are spoken 
by characters whose ordinary lives are going to be made extraordinary by the 
faithful execution of a series of complicated chorus-line routines.  
What will be most astounding is the realization that the real-life people of 
the cast observed by audience members is comprised of the very human beings 
depicted in  A Chorus Line.

     =93A Chorus Line brilliantly tells a compellingly true-to-life story 
through music and movement,=94 says Director, Victoria Bussert.   =93It perfectly 
depicts a certain innocence that performers had during the 70=92s.  It was the 
era when anyone had a chance at Broadway.  There was no =91working your way up=92.
 People from =91Smalltown, USA=92 arrived in New York City straight out of high 
school on a Greyhound bus and, with some ingenuity, got cast. Needless to say, 
things are different now, but it=92s fascinating to see but it's fascinating to 
see how it was,=94 says Bussert, who has been directing throughout the United 
States for twenty years and is currently artistic director of Cain Park.

     In addition to the talents of long-time director Bussert, Porthouse 
Theatre=92s A Chorus Line features the choreography of Broadway veteran, MaryAnn 
Black, who, not-so-coincidentally, performed in A Chorus Line as Maggie during 
its hey-day in the mid- 70=92s.  Black=92s choreography will be an adaptation to 
the original choreography by Michael Bennett.

    Tickets prices range from $15 - $22, depending on the day of the week.  
Special discounts are available for groups of 10 or more, seniors and 
students. Subscriptions to the entire =93Season of the Heart=94 are still 
available.  Subscriptions range in price from $24 to $45.  Reserve tickets by 
calling 1-800-304-2363 or 330-672-2497.  Performances are at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday 
through Saturday, and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

     Porthouse Theatre, founded in 1971, is the premier summer theatre in 
Northeast Ohio.  Set on the grounds of Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, 
Porthouse offers audiences the finest in professional summer theatre.  The 
comfortable 500-seat, outdoor, covered pavilion theater is located next to the 
Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  Audience members are encouraged to arrive 
early to picnic on the grounds, or guests can reserve space in the Thornbury 
picnic pavilion for a minimal charge.  Boxed dinners are also available for 
$9.  A full menu can be found at 
http//www.theatre.kent.edu/porthouse/Tickets/menu.htm .

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

            Follow Your Heart To Porthouse Theatre in 2003!
=09=09=09=09###

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