Beck Center and BW Music Theatre Open DOGFIGHT Tonight

Beck Center for the Arts is pleased to again partner with the Baldwin Wallace University Music Theatre program to present the heartbreaking and hauntingly beautiful Dogfight, tonight, February 6 through March 15, 2014 in the intimate Studio Theater. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are now on sale.

Based on the Warner Bros. film and the screenplay by Bob Comfort, this soulful musical takes audiences back to November 21, 1963. On the night before they ship off to Vietnam, a group of marines set out for one final boys' night of debauchery and place a cruel bet they call a "dogfight". One of the marines, Eddie Birdlace, meets an idealistic waitress, Rose, and invites her to the party. When she rewrites the rules of the game, Corp. Birdlace learns the power of compassion. The Associated Press called Dogfight, "Something special! Studded with impressive songs, and a genuine and charming soul."

Directed by Victoria Bussert, director of Music Theatre at Baldwin Wallace University, Dogfight features Colton Ryan as Eddie Birdlace and Keri René Fuller as Rose Fenny. They are joined by an ensemble of nine actors from BW's nationally recognized MT program. Dogfight also features professional actors Laura Perrotta and Jamie Keoth who appear courtesy of the Actors' Equity Association. With musical direction by David Pepin and choreography by Gregory Daniels, Dogfight features music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and book by Peter Duchan.

"I am so thrilled to present the regional premiere of Dogfight for our fourth Beck Center collaboration with Baldwin Wallace Music Theatre program," remarked Bussert. The collaboration has also brought highly-acclaimed productions of Spring Awakening, Next to Normal, and CARRIE the musical. "This is a very touching story with an exceptionally beautiful score. It is the perfect piece for college-age actors." Previous performers from this collaboration have recently gone to perform on Broadway and national television.

Tickets are $29 for adults, $26 for seniors (65 and older), and $12 for students with a valid I.D. A $3 service fee per ticket will be applied at time of purchase. Preview Night is on Thursday, February 5 is $10 with general admission seating. Group discounts are available for parties of four or more. Purchase tickets online at beckcenter.org or call Customer Service at 216.521.2540 x10. Beck Center for the Arts is located at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, just ten minutes west of downtown Cleveland. Free onsite parking is available.

This production of Dogfight is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI): www.mtishows.com. It is sponsored by the residents of Cuyahoga County through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, and the Ohio Arts Council.

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