BLOCK 5 To Be Re-staged In Youngston In January 2010

"Block 5," the fact based account of a horrifying incident at the Mauthausen Concentration Camp during World War II, that won 10 Marquee Awards in 2005, will be re-staged in January of 2010. J&B Production Arts Services will produce the new production, in association with the Victorian Players as a Special Event at the Mahoning Avenue theatre in Youngstown, Ohio. J.E. Ballantyne, Jr., author and director of "Block 5," said that the show is being reprised for a number of reasons. "First and foremost, the show is being done because it is a very important show for everyone to see.

It makes a very important statement about the Holocaust and the type of treatment that was handed out by the Nazis against scores of people that they deemed to be ?undesirable.?" He went on to say that this type of treatment continues today, although it may not be in as blatant terms.

Secondly, Ballantyne said that there have been constant requests for the show to be done again since it had its premiere production in May of 2005 at the Oakland Center for the Arts. And lastly, Ballantyne said that there has been interest from people in influential quarters who may be interested in taking the show to another level. Who these people are was not readily available since he did not supply that information.He went on to say that several members of the original cast will return to reprise the roles that won them tremendous critical acclaim.

Some roles have been re-cast with different actors but the overall strength of the company has been maintained since the cohesive nature of the show is so important. A production of "Block 5" was attempted a little over a year ago but never got off the ground. The reason for this, according to Ballantyne, was that casting of two roles and key financial support from the community both fell through at a critical time. It was best to postpone until another time than to risk losing the quality that the production demands.

This production will be presented as a Special Event at, the home of the Victorian Players on Mahoning Avenue in Youngstown, and will open on Friday, January 15, 2010 and will run for three weekends.

The show will then move on to the Main Street Theatre in Columbiana, Ohio for an additional weekend from February 5-7,. Additional information can also be obtained by visiting www.jandbproductionarts.com, www.block5revival.com or by calling 330-799-6176

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