Sunday, February 1, 2009

"Marry Me a Little" by Stephen Sondheim: March 10-21 2009



GroundWorks Theatre announces its first musical production, the Nashville premiere of Stephen Sondheim's "Marry Me a Little." A joint production with the Boiler Room Theatre, "Marry Me a Little" is a collection of Sondheim originals which shapes the story of a young man and young woman who are neighbors and possibly soulmates, but who have never met.

Craig Lucas and Norman Rene', who wrote and directed "Reckless" and "Prelude to a Kiss," respectively, created "Marry Me a Little" using songs that Stephen Sondheim had written for other shows. Through the 18 songs, we see an evening in the lives of the two lonely singles, as they reveal their work, lives, dreams, and heartaches, all while oblivious to the proximity of the other. The songs were originally created for some of Sondheim's most famous works, including "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," "Company," "Follies," and "A Little Night Music." Several were cut on the road, several were re-written and appeared in other forms. Lucas, himself a multiple Tony- and Drama Desk Award nominee, conceived the format for the show while working with Sondheim as a chorus member in the original Broadway production of "Sweeney Todd."

Mike Baum and Megan Murphy will play the two tenants. They are longtime favorites of the Boiler Room Theatre, having appeared in the last year in "Plaid Tidings / Nuncrackers," "Damn Yankees," and "Assassins." Megan Murphy directed the GroundWorks premiere of "The Pillowman," and has appeared onstage in GWT's "Tape," "Blackbird," and "Enchanted April."

Darkhorse veterans Brian T. Hill and Jack E. Chambers take directing duties. Brian is the Executive Director of ACT 1, and has over 20 years of music directing experience in Nashville, including work with ACT 1, Circle Players, and Actors' Playhouse. Most recently, he directed the ACT 1 production of "Miss Gulch Returns." Jack just completed a revival production of Lee Blessing's "Chesapeake" for GroundWorks, and has also appeared in the GWT productions of "Tape," "Blackbird," "Closer," and "The Pillowman."

This production is the 2nd joint production between GroundWorks Theatre and the Boiler Room Theatre, and will play for one week in each venue -- March 10-15 at the Boiler Room in the Factory at Franklin, and March 17-21 at the Darkhorse Theater.

IMPORTANT: Ticket prices and show times vary by venue!

Boiler Room Theatre: March 10-15 (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 8pm; Sunday 2pm). All tickets $15. For tickets, visit www.boilerroomtheatre.com or call 615.794.7744.

Darkhorse Theater: March 17-21 (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 7:30pm). All tickets $15, except for Tuesday $10. For tickets, visit www.groundworkstheatre.com or call 615.262.5485.

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