<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:dt="uuid:C2F41010-65B3-11d1-A29F-00AA00C14882" xmlns:b="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:publisher" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Rabbit Run Theater Opens its 2013 Season with <i>Steel Magnolias<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Rabbit Run Theater Goes to the Movies this summer as all of the theater’s productions this season are based on blockbuster movies. The summer opens with the humorous and deeply moving drama <i>Steel Magnolias.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Written by Robert Harling, <i>Steel Magnolias </i>takes place in Truvy’s Beauty Shop, the gathering place for everybody who is anybody in a small Louisiana town and tells the story of six women who handle life’s rougher edges with wisdom, strength and plenty of laughter!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The show is directed by Nancy Shimonek Brooks. Nancy is a veteran actor and director and is a familiar face at Rabbit Run having performed/directed in <i>The Mystery of Charles Dickens, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Doubt, a Parable, The Light in the Piazza </i>and many others.<i> </i>Brooks has a BFA in Acting and Directing from Kent State and has worked with Porthouse Theatre, The Ohio Performing Arts Company, LEAP Actors Co, and with community theaters across the Cleveland area. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>“This cast has really bonded”, said Brooks. “They genuinely like each other, which is a big plus in a show like this as that authenticity shows onstage and translates into their character relationships. They have really gelled into a unit and have come to depend on each other for dynamics and energy. The puzzle is truly incomplete without even one of them.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> The cast includes Maria Thomas Lister as M’Lynn and portraying her daughter, Shelby, is Mackenzie Possage. Beauty Shop owner Truvy is played by J. Sunshine Sprague with Colleen O’Leary playing beautician Annelle. Shop patrons, Clairee and Ouiser, are portrayed respectively by Ingrid Balstad and Linda Fundis. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <br><i>Steel Magnolias </i>opens Friday, May 31, and runs for two weekends only through June 8. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><br>The performance on Sunday, June 2, is the special event, “Steel Magnolias, Sweet Magnolias”, as Rabbit Run Theater partners with Lake Health. <span style='color:black'>The play focuses on a young woman who deals with the chronic pain and debilitating effects of kidney disease. Proceeds for the evening will be shared with Lake Health and their Palliative Care Program for clients suffering from chronic pain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p><strong><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black;font-weight:normal'>Part of the evening’s activities includes an on-site plant sale.</span></strong><strong><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> </span></strong><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> In addition to annuals and geraniums, sweet bay magnolias will be available for sale. Those who have visited the theater may be familiar with this fragrant magnolia that lines the theater’s courtyard. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><br>A representative from Lake Health will be on hand providing information for the Palliative Care Program. Patrons will also enjoy a performance of <i>Steel Magnolias </i>all for the regular ticket price<i>. <o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p><i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p><p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Tickets for all performances are available by calling the box office at 440-428-7092, Wednesday through Sunday, 3 to 7 p.m. or on line at <a href="http://www.rabbitrunonline.org">www.rabbitrunonline.org</a>. Tickets are $21/adult and $19/senior, student. For group packages and rates call 440-428-5913.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>All shows begin at 8 p.m. Rabbit Run Theater is located at 5648 W. Chapel Rd., Madison, and is one of the few remaining barn theaters in Ohio. Rabbit Run receives partial funding from the Ohio Arts Council. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><i><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> </span></i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>