The Long Center Announces Summer Stock Austin

Steal away for a fun-filled summer of musical theatre! Now entering its 14th season, there isn't any other program in the country quite like the Long Center's own SUMMER STOCK AUSTIN.

From performing to designing and building sets, this one-of-a kind education program gives students the real-world experience of putting on a full professional theatrical production themselves. Over the course of the summer, the students selected work side-by-side with university faculty as well as theatre professionals from Austin and around the country to help prepare them for a career in the performing arts.

This season the company will present a summer of scams and heists with productions of the classic musical comedies THE MUSIC MAN and DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, and new play ROB1N, a modern-day re-telling of popular fairy tale Robin Hood with a female lead. Performances will take place July 20 - August 11 in the Rollins Theater at the Long Center. Tickets go on sale tomorrow Tuesday, June 5 at 10 a.m. at www.thelongcenter.org or by calling (512) 474.LONG (5664). Tickets start at $33 - $38 for THE MUSIC MAN and DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, and start at $18 for ROB1N. Season packages are available online.

THE MUSIC MAN

July 20 - August 11

Director & Choreographer Ginger Morris

Book, Music & Lyrics Meredith Willson

The Meredith Willson classic THE MUSIC MAN follows con man Harold Hill as he swindles the Midwestern town of River City into believing he is a band leader. He sells instruments and uniforms to the children of the town, promising to train them and form a band. But he didn't count on meeting Marian the Librarian, hearing "Till There Was You" and finding the love of a good woman and a gaggle of youngsters to tender his fast-talking, sham artist heart. Enjoy this delightful piece of Americana that includes such memorable songs as "Ya Got Trouble," "Pick-a-Little" and "Seventy-Six Trombones."

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS

August 1 - 11

Director Dustin Gooch

Choreographer Kristie Copeland

Book Jeffrey Lane

Music & Lyrics David Yazbek

Based on the popular 1988 film starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS tells the story of Lawrence Jameson and Freddy Benson, two con men who decide to work together after a chance meeting on a train. They attempt to swindle a small town in the French Riviera, but soon discover only one can succeed. They agree that the first of them to swindle $50,000 from the young heiress, Christine Colgate, can remain in town. The other must leave. Nominated for 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score, this show is filled with hijinks and hilarity that will keep the audience guessing until the very end.

ROB1N

A new musical for family audiences! JULY 24 - AUGUST 11

Director & Musical Director Allen Robertson

Choreographer Sara Burke

Book Allen Robertson and Damon Brown

Music & Lyrics Allen Robertson

From the brilliant minds of Allen Robertson and Damon Brown, comes the premiere of another exciting, family-friendly musical. ROB1N is a modern-day re-imagining of legendary hero Robin Hood. Like the famous character, this Robin is the world's greatest thief with a soft spot for anyone facing injustice-and she's putting together a crew to pull off a risky $20 million heist that could change her community forever. But it turns out that robbing from the rich to give to the poor makes the rich a little upset. And being hunted by a corrupt Sheriff with a psychotic streak can really put a damper on a girl's social calendar. Welcome to a world where car chases, sword fights and the craziest of cons can always use a hip soundtrack. Where a girl in a green hoodie will change the world.

Tickets are available this Tuesday, June 5 at 10 a.m. at TheLongCenter.org or by calling (512) 474.LONG (5664). Also available at the Long Center's 3M Box Office located at 701 West Riverside Drive at South First Street. For groups of 10 and more, please call 512-457-5161 or groupsales@thelongcenter.org.

Since July 2005, college and high school students from across Texas meet to mount several productions with professionals from Austin and around the country in a one-of-a-kind experience. They work as a traditional "stock" company; each member performs, designs, builds, and assists on various aspects of theatrical productions. Similar programs charge high school students tuition-Summer Stock Austin not only offers the experience to all participants free of charge, but many of the college students receive a stipend and also work as mentors through the process. The company is led by a host of professionals with experience ranging from Austin to Broadway. Through this work, college students begin making invaluable connections as they embark on their professional careers. High school students will have a similarly unique experience as they gain firsthand knowledge of working in a professional setting.

Summer Stock Austin's philosophy is to create an environment of shared learning by incorporating high school students, college students, and professionals in a fast-paced production series where everyone involved shares in the responsibility of creating high-quality theatre.

Past Summer Stock Austin Productions: The Addams Family, Carnival, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Guys & Dolls, Into the Woods, Tortoise & Hare, Footloose, Much Ado About Nothing, West Side Story, Rumors, The Stinky Cheeseman and Other Stoopid Tales, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Assassins, Oklahoma, Bat Boy, Jack and the Beanstalk, Sweeney Todd, Little Shop of Horrors, Cabaret, Sweet Charity, A Year with Frog and Toad, The Producers, Urinetown, Legally Blonde, Chess, Pippin, Swing!, The Bremen Town Musicians, Chicago, and Stone Soup.

Come and join us for the "Theatre-For-All" Day Camp hosted by Austin's own award-winning theatre company, Summer Stock Austin. This special day of theatre will include a performance of this year's ROB1N; a backstage tour and meet-and-greet with the cast; theatre games, improvisation workshop, and much more! Plus, all children will learn an original song with choreography from the show to be performed at the end of your camp experience! For ages five to twelve.

The Long Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is an iconic, world-class performing arts center located in the heart of downtown and serves more than 450,000 individuals annually. As Austin's Front Row, the Long Center is home to the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin Opera and Ballet Austin, and was "built by the community, for the community." By providing an impressive and diverse array of programming, The Long Center offers Austinites a place to experience remarkable entertainment and live arts together.

For additional information and ticket details, please visit TheLongCenter.org or call (512) 474-LONG (5664). For more info about the Long Center, please visit www.thelongcenter.org.

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