Park Square Theatre presents 'Words to Live By...Ira Gershwin and the Great American Songbook'
MEDIA CONTACT
Connie Shaver, 612.308.5785
Meet Ira Gershwin, the Man Behind the Lyrics You Love
St. Paul, Minn., October 13, 2013 Park Square brings a dash of Gershwin to the holiday entertainment season with Words ByIra Gershwin and the Great American Songbook, November 29 December 29, 2013. This new work by Joseph Vasss is a song-filled reminiscence that explores the creative life and unforgettable lyrics of Ira Gershwin. Vasss The Soul of Gershwinabout the life and musical influences of Iras brother George Gershwinset attendance records in 2011 and earned Vass an Ivey Award for exceptional music direction.
This new play with music (lots of music!) is about the creative process. Ive been captivated by Iras lyrics since I was a teenager playing my piano through a library book full of Gershwin songs, says Vass. Ira Gershwin could write glibly or wittily or movingly when called on. But sung to his brothers music, even Ira Gershwins most outwardly conversational song lyrics can hit with the impact of poetry. In addition to beloved songs that were brotherly collaborations of Iras lyrics and Georges music are wonderful songs that Ira wrote with composers Harold Arlen, Vernon Duke, Jerome Kern and Kurt Weill.
Audiences will walk away falling in love with the quiet character that is Ira Gershwin, agrees Artistic Director Richard Cook. Especially as played by Ari Hauptman! Jennifer Grimm, T. Mychael Rambo and Vass band bring on the music in an elegant environment painted with copies of Iras actual handwritten lyrics. Songs from Love Is Here to Stay to Fascinating Rhythm frame insights and tales about the private and understated life of Ira contrasted with the colorful life of his brother George.
David Ellenstein, Artistic Director of North Coast Rep in San Diego, who worked with Vass on the world premiere at North Coast Rep last year, will direct the production. This show has been a labor of love, and I really look forward to approaching this second production with the extraordinary artists Park Square hires in this community, says Ellenstein. I cant wait to be in the rehearsal hall, bathed in this amazing music, day in and day out. Cook admits that it is rare for the Saint Paul company to hire out-of-state artists. We are doing more and more second productions, explains Cook. World premieres get all the glory, but a show at this stage is still in development. I wanted to have David stay in the process, but put up the work with our artists and in front of this towns truly great audiences to take it to its next level.
Words byIra Gershwin production team includes Michael Hoover (Scenic Designer), Merrily Murray-Walsh (Costume Designer), Michael P. Kittel (Lighting Designer), and C. Andrew Mayer (Sound Design) . Wayne Hendricks is stage manager.
Performance Schedule: Previews begin November 29 and run through December 5. Friday, December 6 is Opening Night, and the run continues through December 29. Show times are 7:30 p.m. except for Sunday performances, which begin at 2 p.m. Saturday shows offer a 2 p.m. matinee and 7:30 p.m. evening performance. All performances are in the companys intimate 348-seat theater in Saint Pauls historic Hamm Building, 20 W. Seventh Place.
Ticket prices: Previews: $25 and $35. Regular Run: $38 and $58. Discounts are available for seniors, those under age 30, and groups. Tickets are on sale at the Park Square box office, 20 W. Seventh Place, or by phone: 651.291.7005, (12 noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday), or online at www.parksquaretheatre.org.
CALENDAR INFORMATION
Words byIra Gershwin
Book by Joseph Vass; Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Directed by David Ellenstein, featuring Ari Hauptman, T. Mychael Rambo, and Jennifer Grimm
Midwest Premiere
Previews: Nov 29-Dec 5, 2013
Regular Run: Dec 6-29, 2013
A song-filled reminiscence that explores the creative life and unforgettable lyrics of Ira Gershwin. From Our Love Is Here to Stay to Fascinating Rhythm and I Cant Get Started, songs and tales frame this glimpse into the more private and understated life of Ira, often overshadowed by his flamboyant brother George. Joseph Vass, whose Ivey-award winning Soul of Gershwin show packed houses in 2011, has created another play with music to explore the creative process and showcase Iras collaborations with Harold Arlen, Jerome Kern, Vernon Duke, Kurt Weilland brother George!
Tickets: Previews: $25/ $35. Regular Run: $38/$58
PARK SQUARE THEATRE, 20 W. Seventh Place, Saint Paul
Box office: 651-291-7005 or www.parksquaretheatre.org
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Nov |
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29 P 7:30pm $25 |
30 P 2:00pm 7:30pm $25 |
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Dec 1 P 2:00pm $25 |
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3 P 7:30pm $25 |
4 P/D 7:30pm $25 |
5 P 7:30pm $25 |
6 O/AD 7:30pm $38 & $58 |
7 2:00pm 7:30pm $38 & $58 |
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8 2:00pm $38 & $58 |
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11 7:30pm $38 & $58 |
12 7:30pm $38 & $58 |
13 7:30pm $38 & $58 |
14 2:00pm 7:30pm $38 & $58 |
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15 2:00pm $38 & $58 |
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18 7:30pm $38 & $58 |
19 7:30pm $38 & $58 |
20 7:30pm $38 & $58 |
21 2:00pm 7:30pm $38 & $58 |
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22 2:00pm $38 & $58 |
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26 7:30pm $38 & $58 |
27 7:30pm $38 & $58 |
28 2:00pm 7:30pm $38 & $58 |
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29 2:00pm $38 & $58 |
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P: Preview O: Opening AD: Audio Description D: Post-show Discussion C: Open Captioning
NEXT ON PARK SQUARES STAGE:
THE SCHOOL FOR LIES
By David Ives
Directed by Amy Rummenie
Midwest Premiere
Previews: Jan 10-16, 2014
Regular Run: Jan 17-Feb 2, 2014
Molieres wit meets its match in this saucy new adaptation of The Misanthrope by Tony Award-nominee David Ives. Underneath the classic façade of pretense and satire beats the heart of a true love story. This deliciously off-color script fills a 17th-century romantic spoof with contemporary slang and characters you find yourself rooting for.
PARK SQUARE THEATRE. 20 W. Seventh Place, Saint Paul. Box office: 651.291.7005. www.parksquaretheatre.org
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