[NEohioPAL]Porthouse Theatre opens season with GODSPELL June 10 - 26

[EFTIHIA A TSENGAS]

Porthouse Theatre Opens 2004 Season in June=20
with Inspirational Musical, Godspell


Porthouse Theatre, the outdoor, professional summer theatre located on=20
the grounds of Blossom Music Center, announces its 2004 season.  The=20
season, which begins in early June, will include Godspell, A Streetcar=20
Named Desire, and Guys & Dolls.
Igniting the Porthouse season June 10 - 26 is Godspell, one of the=20
biggest off-Broadway and Broadway successes of all time. A modern,=20
contemporary rock opera, Godspell utilizes music, whimsy and slapstick=20
to tell a story of the building of a community and the breaking down of=20
barriers.  The uplifting, inspirational show focuses on tolerance,=20
forgiveness, community and celebration. The show, which is not built on=20
a traditional plot, utilizes movement, improvisation and vaudeville=20
along with a wide variety of musical styles to tell the parables found=20
in the Book of Matthew.=20
=93The show premiered off Broadway 30 years ago when the country was in=20
the throes of war and needed a message of community, love and=20
tolerance,=94 said Terri Kent, director of the production. =93It seems only=
=20
fitting to revive it during our current difficult times.=94

Godspell features the sparkling, seminal score by Stephen Schwartz,=20
known for his hit musicals, Pippin, Children of Eden and his recently=20
Tony nominated show, Wicked.  Schwartz won two Academy Awards for his=20
song =93Color of the Wind=94 for Disney=92s =93Pocahontas=94 and has also w=
ritten=20
lyrics for =93The Hunchback of Notre Dame=94 and =93The Prince of Egypt.=94=
  =20
Godspell boasts a string of recognizable songs led by the international=20
hit, =93Day By Day.=94=20

 =93Godspell is a powerful reminder of the joys of friendship and=20
community.  It=92s an oasis of sincerity in a cynical world,=94 said Kent. =
=20
=93My hope and intention in directing this piece is that people will=20
leave celebrating our differences rather than focusing on them as a=20
means of separation.=94

Opening night of Godspell is Friday, June 11 and includes a free=20
champagne reception and an opportunity to meet and greet the cast. =20
Curtain times are 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday and 2:00 p.m.=20
on Sunday.   Season subscriptions are now available and range from $27=20
- $51.  Single tickets will go on sale May 24, 2004 and range from $17=20
- $23.  For more information call the Porthouse Theatre box office at=20
330-929-4416 or 1-800-304-2363 or visit www.porthousetheatre.com. =20
Group rates are available for parties of 10 or more.

Porthouse Theatre, founded in 1971, is the premier summer theatre in=20
Northeast Ohio.  Set on the grounds of Blossom Music Center, 1145=20
Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, Porthouse offers audiences the=20
finest in professional summer theatre.  The comfortable 500-seat,=20
outdoor, covered pavilion theater is located next to the Cuyahoga=20
Valley National Park and on the grounds of Blossom Music Center. =20
Audience members are encouraged to arrive early to picnic on the=20
grounds, or guests can reserve space in the Thornbury picnic pavilion=20
for a minimal charge.  Box dinners are available for order 24-hours=20
prior to the show and a concession stand provides refreshments for=20
purchase.

Porthouse Theatre is a cultural service of Kent State University and is=20
a member of the Akron Area Arts Alliance.  Porthouse Theatre=92s programs=
=20
and activities are made possible in part by funding from the Ohio Arts=20
Council.  Porthouse Theatre is sponsored in party by WKSU, 89.7 FM. =20
Eric Mull Photography is the official photographer of Porthouse Theatre.

=09=09=09=09=09###

CAST

W. James Koeth (Jesus)* of Aurora, OH
Matt Lillo (Herb)* of New York, NY
Colleen Longshaw (Robin)* of New York, NY
Ryan Bergeron (Lamar) of Lakewood, OH
Jd. Bowman (Ensemble) of Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Lauren Champlin+ (Joanne) of Cincinnati, OH
Andrew Cruse (Jeffrey) of Allentown, PA
Haven Eaves+ (Ensemble) of Kent, OH
Sandra Emerick (Sonia) of Twinsburg, OH
Joshua C. Gordon (John the Baptist/Judas) of Newark, OH
Ben Klainer (Ensemble) of Uniontown, OH
Laura Miller+ (Ensemble) of Akron, OH
Emily Pote (Gilmer) of Old Lyme, CT
Joshua Lee Poole (Ensemble) of Berea, OH
Jessica Eve Rubin (Peggy) of Kent, OH
Tessa Waldheger +(Ensemble) of Ann Arbor, MI


+ Members of Porthouse Theatre=92s Young Professional Company
* Member of the Actors=92 Equity Association










-------------------------
Effie A. Tsengas
PR/Marketing Director
School of Theatre & Dance
330-672-0113
etsengas at kent.edu