Pride Films and Plays' THE BOOK OF MERMAN to Transfer to the Apollo, 2/26-4/5

Pride Films and Plays announces the transfer of its world premiere production of The Book of Merman to a new six-week engagement at the Apollo Theater Studio, 2540 N. Lincoln, Chicago. The new musical comedy by Jeff Award-winning author Leo Schwartz has been playing to sellout crowds at Mary's Attic in Andersonville since its opening on January 17, 2015. The show's final performance at Mary's Attic will be February 15th, and following a one-weekend hiatus for the move, it will reopen at the Apollo on February 26 for a six-week run through April 5, 2015.

Press in invited to opening weekend performances Friday, February 27 or Saturday February 28 at 7:30 pm, or Sunday, March 1 at 3:30 PM. Showtimes at the Apollo will be 7:30 pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays; and 3:30 pm on Sundays. Tickets are $30 for all performances, with $5 discounts for seniors and students and are on sale through Ticketmaster and the Apollo box office (773-935-6100). Premium tickets with prime reserved seating for each performance are $35 (available through the Apollo Theatre Box Office only).

When two Mormons ring a doorbell marked E.M. in a small town, they have no idea that a certain Ethel will open the door. With some dazzling parody music and Schwartz's original songs, you will laugh throughout The Book of Merman and leave smiling, as it takes you beyond parody and into a sweet story of self-awareness and acceptance.

The works of Jeff Award Winner Leo Schwartz (Under A Rainbow Flag - Best New Work, 2103; renamed HONOR!) have been performed Off-Broadway, in Chicago, and in Europe. His musical, NAUGHTY! was the Director's Choice of the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Me and Capone - Or How I Died in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre was featured at the SONY search for New Musicals in Cardiff, Wales. His film scores and films have won awards in numerous festivals. He is Composer-In-Residence for the Chicago Clarinet Ensemble. Leo receives frequent commissions and makes his residence in Chicago, Illinois.

DETAILS:
The Book of Merman
Book, Music and Lyrics by Leo Schwartz
Directed by David Zak
Musical direction by Robert Ollis
featuring Libby Lane as Ethel Merman
Apollo Theater Studio, 2540 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago
Press Opening: February 27, 28 and March 1, 2015, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 3:30
General admission tickets $30 for Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Students and Seniors $25 per ticket.
Premium tickets with prime reserved seating for each performance are $35 (available through the Apollo Theatre Box Office only).
Tickets available through Ticketmaster and the Apollo Theater Box Office (773-935-6100).

Founded in 2010, Pride Films and Plays has received 10 Jeff Nominations, and 3 Jeff Awards for productions in our first two Jeff eligible seasons. The current season began with the Jeff Recommended Chicago premieres of Terrence McNally's Some Men, and Jeff Talbott's The Submission. Leo Schwartz's Jeff Recommended world premiere musical The Book of Merman is closely followed by the Chicago premiere of Topher Payne's dark comedy Angry Fags, which previews on February 22 in the Steppenwolf Theatre's Garage Rep, opening March 7 through April 26. In addition, our script and screenplay development programs continue throughout the year at Center on Halsted, including Gay Play Weekend (May 15 to 17), Women's Words (September 11 to 13) featuring plays and screenplays written by women with lesbian characters or themes, and Gay Film Weekend (November 13 to 15) featuring LGBT screenplays and screenings. PFP's TransFest, a program of trans-centric performers, is slated for May 3 at Links Hall. And our Queer Bits Film Festival dates for 2015 will soon be announced.
For more information, visit www.pridefilmsandplays.com.

Pictured: Sam Button-Harrison, Dan Gold, Libby Lane

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