PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 6/10/15

Contact: Andrew Rothman
From: Chagrin Valley Little Theatre

40 River Street
Chagrin Falls, OH 44122
Phone: 440-247-8955
E-mail: cvlt@cvlt.org
Website: www.cvlt.org

High-resolution press photos are available for download at www.CVLT.org/promo

Chagrin Valley Little Theatre presents BARNUM on the Main Stage July 17 – Aug. 15
Robust musical explores the man behind the legend with 13 performances

CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio - No one is sure if there really is a sucker born every minute, but most agree there was only one P.T. Barnum. The Chagrin Valley Little Theatre’s production of BARNUM explores the irrepressible imagination and dreams behind the man and his larger-than-life legend. The musical was created by composer Cy Coleman with lyricist Michael Stewart and playwright Mark Bramble. CVLT's production of BARNUM opens July 17 with 13 weekend performances through Aug. 15, including shows at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and three Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. on July 26, Aug. 2 and Aug. 9.

Before the formation of Barnum and Bailey’s Greatest Show on Earth, Phineas Taylor Barnum (Rob Albrecht) was already grooming to be one of the greatest showmen on Earth. BARNUM tells the story of how, despite the wishes of his wife "Chairy" (Beth Cubbison), P.T. Barnum pursues a life in the circus business. He tours with exotic attractions such as the "oldest woman alive" (Sally Morris), the tiniest man, known as Tom Thumb (Quinn Dawson), a bearded lady (Amanda Litherland), a blues singer (Elyse Mulvaney) and ringmaster (Tom Mulvaney).

As the story unfolds, Barnum finds his attentions straying toward the glamorous Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind (Alison Arko), and through the toe-tapping music of Tony Award winner Cy Coleman (City of Angels, Will Rogers Follies, Sweet Charity), audiences follow Barnum's passions both under and outside the big top. The play proceeds up to his collaboration with fellow circus owner James Anthony Bailey to form the organization that would be synonymous with "circus" from then on.

“We really wanted to create a circus atmosphere to give our audience the circus experience,” explains Director Michael Rogan. “It’s really two shows merged together, a circus and a musical. It’s the most complicated show I’ve done.”

Creating a circus atmosphere, CVLT's stage will soar with acrobats, stilt-walkers, jugglers, unicyclists (played by Drew Albrecht, Ella and Ricarda Harnischmacher of Hudson, Blake and Jillian Parhamovich of Solon) and clowns (Bennett Mulvaney of Aurora, Corey Hughes of Kent, Mim Goloboff of Mayfield Heights, and Joey Cayabyab of Parma). Kristen Johnson serves as Musical Director and Pamela LaForce is Choreographer. The show is produced by Julia Wolff and Stage Managed by Helen Rizi. Harold Crawford provides the colorful costumes.

Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights, but plan to arrive about 30 minutes early to take in the live side show featuring unicyclists and the bearded lady in front of the theater, located at 40 River Street in Chagrin Falls. Tickets are $20 for adults and $16 for seniors and students. Call the Box Office Monday through Saturday 1-6 p.m. at 440-247-8955 or visit the website at www.CVLT.org to purchase.

Subscriptions are also on sale for CVLT’s 86th Season, which includes three musicals and two comedies on the Main Stage (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Vanya, Sonya, Masha & Spike, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Calendar Girls and The Addams Family). The subscription cost for five shows is $66 for adults and $56 for seniors.

CVLT is generously funded by Cuyahoga County residents through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture and supported by the Ohio Arts Council. CVLT is a proud member of the American Association of Community Theatre.

Note: Primary cast members include Alison Arko of Mayfield Heights, Beth Cubbison of Cleveland Heights, Amanda Litherland of Cleveland Heights, Sally Morris of Hudson, Elyse Mulvaney of Aurora, Alex Marzullo of Hudson, Rob Albrecht of Aurora, Quinn Dawson, age 13 of Chagrin Falls, Tom Mulvaney of Aurora. Harvey Bernstein of South Euclid, Joey Cayabyab of Parma, Chris Herak of Richmond Heights, Mim Goloboff of Mayfield Heights, Genevieve Vince of Richfield, Corey Huges of Kent and Bennett Mulvaney, age 9 of Aurora and Tom Mulvaney play multiple roles.

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