For the fifth production in their 39th annual season, Cortland Repertory Theatre will present the Central New York premiere of the modern comedy/drama "Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks" by Richard Alfieri. This two-person play made its world premiere at the Geffen Playhouse in California and starred acting legend Uta Hagen and "Fraiser" television star David Hyde Pierce. It later opened on Broadway in October of 2003 starring Broadway actress and singer Polly Bergen and Mark Hamill, who is best known for playing Luke Skywalker in the "Star Wars" trilogy. CRT's production will feature Producing Artistic Director Kerby Thompson, and Mary Poindexter Williams who made her CRT debut in last season's "I Hate Hamlet". Thompson has previously appeared on the CRT stage in "Moonlight and Magnolias" for which he won the 2006 Syracuse Area Live Theatre Award for Actor of the Season, as well as in the musicals "The Music Man", "Anything Goes" and "The World Goes Round". Bill Kincaid returns to direct, adding to his previous credits of two SALT Award nominated plays, "Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde", and "A Few Good Men", as well as many previous CRT productions including "Almost Maine", "How The Other Half Loves" and "Bedroom Farce".
Performances of CRT's "Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks" will run from August 18 - 28 with evening performances at 7:30. Matinees are available on August 20, 22 and 25 at 2:00 PM. Tickets may be purchased by calling 800-427-6160 or in person at the CRT Box Office at 37 Franklin Street in Cortland. Tickets are also available for sale 24 hours a day through the CRT website at www.cortlandrep.org.
While light-hearted and funny, the show does contain adult language and situations, and is rated "PG" by CRT administration.
"Six Dance Lessons..." is the story of two mismatched personalities who find common ground and form an unlikely friendship over the course of six weekly dance lessons. Lily Harrison is an aging but feisty woman married to a Southern Baptist minister, living in St. Petersburg, Florida. To combat her loneliness, she decides to hire a dance instructor to teach her social dancing. However, she gets more than she bargains for when Michael Minetti sweeps into her luxury condo. Michael is a middle-aged, sarcastic and flamboyantly gay former Broadway dancer, and brings his own emotional baggage with him. Initial antagonism between these two partners gives way to a surprising compatibility as they swing, tango, foxtrot and cha-cha during the lessons. Secrets are unexpectedly revealed until a humorous and unbreakable bond of friendship is formed between the two.
"This play fits in our ‘new show' slot of our season, but it's also a heart-warming story that everyone can relate to on some level." says Thompson. "It's a touching lesson of how people from two different worlds can grow to understand each other and in the end, come to realize that our differences are what make us compatible."
Kris Valentine will stage manage her third show of the summer, assisted by Kate Wilson. Design staff includes returning Scenic Designer Brian Howard, whose last work was seen in CRT's "Leading Ladies". Costume Designer Jimmy Johansmeyer, Lighting Designer Shawn Boyle, Props Designer Sam Sheehan and Sound Designer Dave Huber will all continue their work following up from "Brigadoon". Patrick McGovern serves as Technical Director.
CRT continues the tradition of "Friday Night Talk Backs" at which a Q & A session with the actors, designers and crew take place after every Friday evening performance. Tickets are also on sale for the final show in CRT's season, the New York State professional premiere of the musical comedy "The Andrews Brothers" from September 1 - 11. See CRT's website for more details at www.cortlandrep.org.
