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The Opposite of Sex Begins Performances August 9

By: Jul. 31, 2006
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The Williamstown Theatre Festival production of THE OPPOSITE OF SEX, the musical's East Coast premiere, begins August 9.

The musical features music and lyrics by Douglas J. Cohen with a book by Mr. Cohen and Robert Jess Roth.  It is based on the screenplay of the movie of the same title by Don Roos.   The musical premiered in San Francisco in 2004.   This is the musical's second production.   The production is directed by Mr. Roth.

Douglas J. Cohen's Off-Broadway writing credits include NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY (two Richard Rogers awards), THE GIG, CHILDREN'S LETTERS TO GOD, BARNSTORMER and BOOZY.  Robert Jess Roth directed BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, (Tony nomination), sixth-longest-running Broadway show and LESTAT. He also directed two of Alice Cooper's tours.

The cast includes Kerry Butler (Broadway: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, HAIRSPRAY, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and LES MISERABLES, Regional: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX), Gregg Edelman (Broadway: WONDERFUL TOWN, INTO THE WOODS, 1776, ANNA KARENINA and CITY OF ANGELS, 4 Tony nominations), David Burtka (Broadway: GYPSY, Regional: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX), Kaitlin Hopkins (Off-Broadway: GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL, BARE, and BAT BOY-THE MUSICAL) and Herndon Lackey (Broadway: PARADE, LES MISERABLES and THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD).  Completing the cast are members of the Festival's Non-Equity company, Ian Scott McGregor and Lance Rubin. 

Musical director is Lynne Shankel.  Costume design is by Sarah Laux.  Set design is by Derek McLane.  Lighting design is by Norm Schwab.  Sound design is by Nick Borisjuk.  Fight direction is by Rick Sordelet.  Stage Manager is B.J. Forman with assistants Kelly Beaulieu and John Ferry. 

The musical tells the story of DeDee Truitt who runs away from her troubled Louisiana home and moves in with Bill, her gay half-brother. Bill is a dedicated and caring English teacher in a small Indiana town. He has been left independently wealthy after his lover died and is trying to resurrect his life with a new boyfriend, Matt.

Lucia, Bill's best friend and late lover's sister, distrusts the newcomer and tries to protect Bill. Her suspicions are confirmed when Dedee immediately starts coming on to Matt.  Then, she announces she is pregnant, that Matt is the father, and disappears with him.  

Bill meanwhile is falsely accused of past sexual misconduct at school by one of Matt's ex-lovers, causing a scandal in their normally quiet town and forcing Bill and Lucia to go on a wild chase in search of Matt and Dedee, so that Bill can clear his name. 

Lessons of life and love are learned as they all confront and explore their own sexuality, learn to let go of their traditional beliefs and ultimately discover that what they really want is what Dedee calls the opposite of sex - lasting, committed and loving relationships.

Tickets are available at wtfestival.org, 413.597.3400, and the Festival Box Office. 

The production runs August 9-20.  Performances are Tuesdays – Fridays at 8:00, Saturdays at 8:30 , with matinees Thursdays at 3:00, Saturdays at 4:00 and Sundays at 2:00. 

Williamstown Theatre Festival performances are held at The '62 Center for Theatre and Dance of Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts.





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