Kennedy Directs NC Romance Romance; Cast Announced

Broadway star and Raleigh native Lauren Kennedy will make her directorial debut with Romance Romance, which will be presented from July 5th through 15th as the third production of Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy's 2007 season.

Kennedy, according to press materials, "has a successful career that includes the Broadway stage (Spamalot, Sunset Boulevard, Les Miserables). Now she's taking on a new challenge, directing her first musical, Romance Romance. What better place to kick off her directorial debut than at the theatre bearing her family's name."

"It seems appropriate, not only because my family has always been so supportive of my career, but they have been so supportive of the arts in this area," says Kennedy.

"The Tony Award-winning musical Romance Romance marks the third production of the Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy 2007 season. The show lets theatregoers explore the highs and lows of love in different times and places. From turn-of the century Vienna, audiences will meet two of society's elite. Both have set out in search of meaningful relationships by posing as paupers in 'The Little Comedy' (based on the short story by Austrian writer Arthur Schnitzler). When their charade is revealed, they discover what they were looking for was right in front of them the whole time. The second act, 'Summer Share,' is an updated take on Jules Renard's play, Pain de Menage. Summering in the Hamptons, two best friends contemplate marriage and monogamy, promising fidelity to their spouses even as they consider an affair with each other."

Romance Romance's cast includes: Brian Myers Cooper (Alfred/Sam), Stacey Harris (Josephine/Monica), Tatiana Guy (Her/Barb) and Michael Jones (Him/Lenny). Cooper was last seen in Raleigh in the National Tour of Miss Saigon. He also toured nationally with Oklahoma!. Harris, a Raleigh native, has appeared on Broadway (Bells Are Ringing) and in numerous National Tours (Show Boat, Cinderella, Dreamgirls). Guy, also from Raleigh, has been seen regionally in Footloose, The Wizard of Oz and Fiddler on the Roof. Jones worked regionally with Kennedy and her husband, Tony Award-nominated actor Alan Campbell in Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

The production will feature musical direction by McCrae Hardy, "a man who has been an institution to Raleigh musical theatre for over 25 years." Along with Kennedy and Hardy, the production team includes Tiffany Owle (Production Stage Manager), Curtis Jones (Technical Director/Set and Lighting Designer), Brian L. Hunt (Sound Designer), Caitlen Smith (Props Mistress) and Casey Watkins and Kristin Grieneisen (Costumes).

"Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy is a professional theatre company whose mission is to serve the citizens of Raleigh, Wake County and Eastern Carolina by 'keeping the lights on' and producing professional theatrical performances in the Kennedy Theatre at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts during the summer months. Hot Summer Nights goal is to produce great shows that are varied in type, attitude and scope and employ actor, stage crew and staff of all ages, races and creeds from North Carolina and Broadway. Hot Summer Nights will use our resources to nourish, celebrate and employ many theatrical groups, colleges, charities and citizens and support and assist the City of Raleigh with entertainment needs."

Romance Romance runs July 5th-July 15th. Due to the July 4th holiday, the show will open Thursday, July 5th. A performance on Tuesday, July 10th, has been added. Performances are July 5th-7th and July 10th-14th at 8 PM and Sunday July 8th and 15th at 3 PM. Theatre patrons are invited to enjoy beverages and desserts at intermission as guests of Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy and their generous sponsors. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster by calling 919-834-4000 or online at ticketmaster.com or by visiting the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts Box Office on Wilmington Street in Raleigh. Individual tickets are just $27.50. Sunday matinees and senior group rates are $20. For discount group rates or to schedule a talk back with the cast following a performance, please call 919-828-3726. For additional information, please visit the Theatre's website: www.hotsummernightsatthekennedy.org.

Photo - Lauren Kennedy