Photo Flash: HIGH FIDELITY Premieres At Route 66 Theatre Company 8/17

HIGH FIDELITY is based on the 2000 film starring John Cusack. Originally a 1995 British novel by Nick Hornby, HIGH FIDELITY has become a cult classic around the world. The show features music by recent Tony Award winner Tom Kitt, Lyrics by Amanda Green and a book written by Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire.

HIGH FIDELITY follows Rob, the thirty-something owner of Championship Vinyl, a beloved Chicago record store. When his current relationship with girlfriend Laura goes south, Rob enlists the help of his two quirky clerks to expound on the intricacies of life and music while revisiting his former relationships to find out where he went wrong.

Route 66 Theatre Company presents a "Flight of the Conchords" approach to the show, featuring the talents of Michael Mahler as "Dick" and Jonathan Wagner as "Barry" who will double as an onstage band with Derek Hasenstab (as T.M.P.M.I.T.W) and Jim Barclay on the drums. HIGH FIDELITY also stars Jeff Award-winning actor and Route 66 Theatre Company Artistic Director Stef Tovar as Rob. AJ Productions, Inc at Pipers Alley Theater provides patrons with an intimate bar atmosphere and pre-show dinner to enjoy this Chicago premiere event.

Directed and choreographed by Peter Amster and with co-musical direction by Michael Mahler and Diana Lawrence, HIGH FIDELITY features an all-star cast of Equity and non- Equity talent with Dana Tretta as Liz, Tricia Small as Laura, Michael Weber as Ian, Christin Boulette as Marie LaSalle/Sarah Kendrew, Blair Robertson as Alison Ashworth/Anna, Katie Jeep as Jackie Allen, Maggie Chambers as Charlie Nicholson, Kelli Maier as Penny Hardwick/Backup Singer and Kevin Crowley and Ian Paul Custer as Mohawk Guy and Futon Guy, respectively. With Brianna Borger, Tuckie White and Josh Rowe.

Angie Weber Miller heads the design team responsible for the transformation of the space with scenic design and Jenny Pinson the properties design, Jesse Klug and Mac Vaughey are co-lighting designers and Toy Delorio is the sound designer. Ricky Lurie is the costume designer, Marty Higginbotham and Bobby Richards is the projections designer and the stage manager is Cori Kabat.

Founded in February of 2008, Route 66 Theatre Company produces theatre that knowingly encounters risk and embraces the American spirit of exploration. Committed to their home base in Chicago where the historic Route 66 began and collaborating with their artists in Los Angeles, Route 66 connects cultural divides by giving life to the vibrant stories that link America together.

Route 66 Theatre Company's previous productions include the Jeff Award Recommended ON AN AVERAGE DAY by John Kolvenbach and THE K OF D: AN URBAND LEGEND by Laura Schellhardt--both Chicago premieres. And the world premiere of Jenniffer Weigel's I'M SPIRITUAL, DAMMIT! based on her book, STAY TUNED.

Previews for HIGH FIDELITY will be Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Preview tickets are $25. Press opening is

Monday, August 17 at 7 p.m. Regular schedule is Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets range in price from $29.50-$39.50. Pre-show dinner is available and drinks are available for purchase during the show. For tickets or more information visit www.hifichicago.com or call the box office at (312) 664-8844.

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