Audra McDonald and Will Swenson Set For Utah's Hale Center Theater Orem '110 IN THE SHADE'

Salt Lake City's Deseret News reports that four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald and Hair star and 2009 Tony Nominee Will Swenson are set to star in the Hale Center Theater Orem's production of 110 in the Shade. The production will be a fundraiser for the community theater and will run from June 28th to August 7th, 2010.

McDonald will be reprising her Tony-nominated role of Lizzie Curry, Swenson also appeared in the 2007 Roundabout production of 110 in the Shade. 110 in the Shade played 26 preview performances and 95 regular performances. Previews began on Friday, April 13th, 2007 and opened officially on Wednesday, May 9th, 2007. The limited engagement was extended two weeks until July 29th, 2007. 

"In the middle of a heat wave in 1930's Texas, when everyone is longing for rain, or a breeze, Lizzie Curry is on the verge of becoming a hopeless old maid. Her wit, intelligence and skills as a homemaker can't Make Up For the fact that she can't find true love. Even the town sheriff, for whom she harbors a secret yen, won't take a chance. However, when a charismatic rainmaker named Starbuck enters the town and her family's life, Lizzie's world is turned upside down," state press materials.

Hale Center Theater Orem was founded by the late Ruth Hale.

Will Swenson is part of the Hale family, and his brother, Cody, and Cody's wife, Anne, run HCTO.

Tickets will be available starting January 2010, for more information visit www.haletheater.org or call the box office at (801) 226-8600. To read the full Deseret News article on the production click here.

Photo of Will Swenson by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski