Photo Flash: Underscore Theatre Presents TONYA AND NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA

Underscore Theatre Company, in association with Harborside Films, is pleased to present the Chicago premiere of TONYA AND NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA, a dark musical comedy based on the infamous 1990's Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan "knee whack" ice skating scandal. With book and lyrics by Elizabeth Searle, music by Michael Teoli, direction and choreography by Jon Martinez and musical direction by Aaron Benham, TONYA AND NANCY will play November 26 - December 30, 2016 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.theaterwit.org, in person at the Theater Wit Box Office or by calling (773) 975-8150.

TONYA AND NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA features 2016 Jeff Award-winning actresses Amanda Horvath (Murder Ballad) and Courtney Mack (Heathers: The Musical) in the title roles of Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan, respectively. The cast also includes Justin Adair, Caleb Baze, Vasily Deris, Tyler Symonè, Veronica Garza, Graham Hawley, Genevieve Perrino and Mari Uchida.

The Olympics, 1994. Then, as now, America is obsessed with celebrity scandals and the intense amount of pressure put on young athletes by society's "go for the gold at all costs" attitude. Tonya Harding, raised as "trailer trash," has hardly had the chance to dream past her father's pickup truck. Her advantage? Pure strength, athleticism and a passionate determination to escape her past. Nancy Kerrigan, on the other hand, has it all - a supportive family, an affluent background, beauty and effortless grace. Enter Tonya's no-account boyfriend Jeff Gillooly, who has a plan to "help" Tonya win. The nation is watching as Jeff's goons go after Nancy. What will happen when each skater has only three and a half minutes to be perfect?

Underscore Theatre's Chicago premiere production follows workshop productions at American Repertory Theater and the New York Musical Theatre Festival.

The production team includes: Jimmy Jagos (scenic design), Virginia Varland (costume designer), Maya Fein (lighting design), Robert Hornbostel (sound design), Adrian Abel Azevedo (associate director) and Joseph Kuchey (associate choreographer), Mike Sanow (technical director), David Trudeau (master electrician) Michael Starcher (stage manager) and Beth Weinstock (asst. stage manager).

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 4 pm. Please note: there will be added performances on Wednesday, December 14, 21 & 28 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, December 17 at 3 pm; there will not be performances on Saturday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) and Sunday, December 25 (Christmas Day).

Tickets: Previews: $12. Regular run: $22 - $30. Tickets are currently available at www.theaterwit.org, in person at the Theater Wit Box Office or by calling (773) 975-8150.

Photo credit: Evan Hanover

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