Hangar Theatre Announces the World Premiere of DEGAGE

The Hangar Theatre will present the world premiere of Mimi Quillin's play Dégagé (disengage) from July 20 until July 29, 2017. Blending jazz, ballet, and musical theatre dance styles with popular music, Dégagé (disengage) follows the story of The Dancer as she becomes the artist-in-residence in a hospice. Inspired by the patients and their unique stories, The Dancer comes to terms with her own artistry and humanity. Dégagé (disengage) will be directed by the Hangar's Artistic Director Michael Barakiva and choreographed by the playwright, Mimi Quillin. Join the cast, crew, and Hangar staff on opening night, Friday, July 20th at 8pm at the Hangar Theatre, located at 801 Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca, NY 14850 in Cass Park.

Dégagé (disengage) is the first world premiere on the Hangar stage since 2011. Hangar's artistic director, Michael Barakiva, is "thrilled to present this never-before-seen work, fresh off the vine." Barakiva will be directing this piece alongside playwright and choreographer, Mimi Quillin (you might have seen the work of this dynamic duo in Hangar's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Form earlier this season). Quillin has been dancing since age five and has worked alongside some of Broadway's greatest choreographers including Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. As a dancer and an actress, she has been seen on Broadway in the revival of Sweet Charity, Ragtime and Ain't Broadway Grand. The Hangar is delighted that Mimi will be bringing her expertise to this production.

The play is inspired in part by Mimi's personal experiences. Having worked as an artist in residence at a hospice, the journal entries she kept about her experiences and the patients she met provided a launching point for this piece. A trio of dancers portrays the Dancer, her mother, and numerous patients throughout the course of the play.In the principal role of The Dancer, making her Hangar Theatre debut, is Wendy Waring. A seasoned dancer and actress, Waring has appeared in several Broadway shows and touring productions including Crazy for You, The Producers, and The Will Rogers Follies. Joining Waring and playing all the ensemble roles are Stacy Todd Holt and Jose Useche. Holt also makes his Hangar Theatre debut in Dégagé (disengage). Among Broadway credits such as Big, The Producers, The Drowsy Chaperone, Elf, Rocky, and Something Rotten Holt has also served as associate choreographer for both Susan Stroman and Casey Nicholaw. Useche is a recent graduate of Ithaca College's Theatre Arts program, and was most recently seen there as Leonardo in Blood Wedding. Useche was last seen at the Hangar as a member of the 2015 Hangar Lab Company where he was seen in the KIDDSTUFF productions of Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, and The Trojan Women as part of the Hangar Wedge series.

Take your theatrical experience to the next level, enjoy free programming before and after our Mainstage performances. Join us for a pre-show discussion at our Prologue 45 minutes before every Mainstage performance. Post-show discussions happen every Tuesday at our Tuesday Talkbacks featuring an interactive discussion between the audience and the cast and crew of the production. Tickets start at $22 and can be purchased online at www.HangarTheatre.org, by phone at (607) 273-ARTS (2787), or in person Hangar Theatre Box Office at the theatre (Mon-Sat between 12pm and 6pm) and one hour before curtain time. Hangar Theatre is located at 801 Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca, NY 14850.

The Hangar Theatre is committed to making theatre accessible to the entire community though its Pay What You Can (PWYC) program. Patrons may pay what they can afford to see a show at the first Saturday matinee performance of each Mainstage production. A limited number of tickets are available for PWYC thanks to the generosity of our Mainstage PWYC sponsor Schlather, Stumbar, Parks & Salk, LLP.

Hangar Theatre gratefully acknowledges 2017 Partners in Flight sponsorship from CFCU Community Credit Union and Cayuga Radio Group. Associate sponsorship for Dégagé (disengage)is provided by the Margaret Shackell-Dowell 50 for 50 Fund. Margaret Shackell, Hangar Theatre past president, turned 50 in March. To celebrate, she has challenged herself to raise $50,000 for charity, $50 at a time, 1,000 donors. The Hangar is the beneficiary of $10,000 of this fundraising. You can find more about it (and even join in and co-sponsor this show) at http://www.margarets50for50.com. The Hangar Theatreis dedicated to providing exceptional theatre experiences of high professional quality to enrich, enlighten, educate, and entertain the diverse audience in the Finger Lakes region and beyond. Strong educational and training programs are central parts of our commitment to the local and national artistic communities. Visit our website at www.HangarTheatre.org.

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