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<P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt"><FONT size=2>One
of the greatest stories of all time turns into one of the most beloved musicals
of all time, as the imprisoned Cervantes spins the tale of Don Quixote and his
quest in </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt"><FONT size=2><STRONG>Straw
Hat Theatre’s first production of the summer, </STRONG></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt"><FONT size=2><STRONG>“Man
of La Mancha.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><?xml:namespace
prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
/><o:p></o:p></STRONG></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><FONT size=2><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt">This
winner of five Tony Awards </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">will be
performed </SPAN></FONT><FONT size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><STRONG>June 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, and
27.</STRONG><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><STRONG>All Straw Hat
Theatre shows begin at 8 p.m.</STRONG> </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Straw Hat Theatre is located at
the Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 West 13th Street, Ashtabula. On site
parking is free.</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>Written by Dale Wasserman with
music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion, "Man of La Mancha" tells a
classic story that is filled with soaring music, romance, fantasy and heartfelt
gallantry.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>"The story of Don Quixote is
framed by scenes in a prison during the Spanish Inquisition, where Miguel de
Cervantes -- the author of the story -- awaits judgment,” says director Douglas
Anderson of Ashtabula. “Because of this dual story, every actor had to
play two roles. And every one of them, whether stage veterans or utter
newcomers, has worked hard to differentiate their
roles.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><FONT size=2><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"The cast has been a sheer joy
to work with. In Bob Godfrey's mighty baritone, we have one of the truly great
voices in Northeast Ohio singing the role of ‘Don Quixote.’ Lydia Weeden,
who only last summer made her Arts Center debut, brings fire and vulnerability
to the role of ‘Aldonza.’ And Curtiss Barron, a perennial Arts Center
favorite, was born to play ‘Sancho Panza.’"</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>The Straw Hat actors are accompanied by
a live orchestra playing a gorgeous musical score which includes such
show-stopping numbers as "The Impossible Dream," "Dulcinea," "What Do You Want
of Me?" "Little Bird, Little Bird," and many more.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>“Tessa White has provided us with some
delightful choreography that fits the understated world of the show,” Anderson
says, “while Clay Nielsen's fight choreography is so suspenseful and hilarious
that it will have you either on the edge of your seat or in stitches -- and
probably both. Phil Mullet has designed a set that perfectly evokes the gritty,
inescapable reality of Cervantes' world. And the costumes, by Melissa
Nielsen, subtly show the fine line between fantasy and
reality."<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>Advance tickets can be purchased by
calling the Arts Center at (440) 964-3396. Those purchasing advance tickets will
receive a $2 per ticket off of the regular, box office ticket prices.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Advance tickets are $12 patron seating,
$10 Adults, $9 Seniors/Students.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Reservations can no longer be made without
pre-payment.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>Walk-ins are welcome to any “Man of La
Mancha” performance if seating is available.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Walk-in tickets are $14 for patron
seating, $12 Adults and $11 Seniors/Students.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>An even bigger savings can be had by
theater-goers who purchase a season subscription.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Each subscription offers three
discounted admissions to any Straw Hat show this season.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>All three admissions can be used at one
time or one admission can be used at each of the three productions.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Subscription prices are $33 patron
seating, $27 adults, and $24 seniors/students.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Arts Center members will receive an
additional discount. Subscriptions will be on sale through June
15th.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt"><FONT
size=2>The Ashtabula Arts Center is funded in part by the Ohio Arts
Council.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt"><FONT
size=2> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><FONT size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt">###</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Pamela Hammond<BR>Public Relations/Marketing
Coordinator<BR>Ashtabula Arts Center<BR>Phone/Fax: 440.964.3396<BR></FONT><A
href="mailto:aac@ashartscenter.org"><FONT face=Arial
size=2>aac@ashartscenter.org</FONT></A></DIV></BODY></HTML>