Photo Flash: RUTHLESS! at the Beck Centre

Beck Center for the Arts proudly opens its 2016-2017 theater season with the campy cult musical Ruthless! September 16 through October 16, 2016 in the Mackey Theater. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are now on sale. Buy early and save with promo code: PIPPI to receive $5 off each adult/senior ticket purchased by September 15. This production contains strong language and content.

Ruthless! is an Off-Broadway sensation featuring book and lyrics by Joel Paley and music by Marvin Laird. The winner of "Best Off-Broadway Musical" from the Outer Critics Circle, this story stars Tina Denmark-the greatest song-and-dance sensation to ever hit the third grade. When her school holds auditions for Pippi in Tahiti, Tina proves she will do anything to play the lead...anything! This outrageous production spoofs musicals such as Gypsy and Mame, as well as classic films including The Bad Seed and All About Eve. EvenThe New York Times agrees, "the fun comes from the sheer brazenness."

Beck Center's former artistic director, William Roudebush, returns to direct this hilarious musical for the new theater season. "Ruthless! isGypsy on steroids. It is an unforgiving satirical romp through every show business cliché including backstage back stabbing and self-involved shameless self-promotion," remarked Roudebush. "How could I not want to direct this musical?"

With musical direction by Larry Goodpaster and choreography by Martín Céspedes, Ruthless! features Calista Zajac as Tina Denmark, and Lindsey Mitchell as ultimate stage mother Judy Denmark. They are joined by Matthew Wright as Sylvia St. Croix, Kate Michalski as Miss Thorn, Carla Petroski as Lita Encore, and Brittni Shambaugh Addison as Louise Lerman/Eve Allabout. Equity actors Mitchell and Wright appear courtesy of the Actors' Equity Association (AEA), the union of actors and stage managers.

Tickets are $31 for adults, $27 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 on Thursday, September 15 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 Ruthless! is presented through special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. It is generously sponsored the residents of Cuyahoga County through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture and the Ohio Arts Council.

CAST

Sylvia St. Croix - Matthew Wright*

Judy Denmark, Ginger DelMarco - Lindsey Mitchell*

Tina Denmark - Calista Zajac

Miss Thorn - Kate Leigh Michalski+

Louise/Eve - Brittni Shambaugh Addison

Lita Encore - Carla Petroski

*Actor appears courtesy of the Actors' Equity Association (AEA)

+Denotes Equity Membership Candidate

PRODUCTION STAFF

Artistic Director - Scott Spence

Director - William Roudebush**

Musical Director - Larry Goodpaster

Choreographer - Martín Céspedes**

Stage Manager - Jamie R. Benetto

Assistant Stage Managers - David Munnell

Technical Director, Scenic Designer - Aaron Benson

Lighting Designer - Marcus Dana

Costume Designer - Aimee Kluiber

Sound Designer - Carlton Guc

Sound Board Operator - Angie Hayes

Carpenter - Gabriel Jimenez, Joe Virgo

Follow Spots - Joy DeMarco, Ed Dragony, Mary Kahelin, Anna Verbiak

Wardrobe & Makeup Supervisor - Nan Golz

**Member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers

ORCHESTRA

Conductor - Larry Goodpaster

Keyboards - Larry Goodpaster, Bryan Bird, Melissa Rusu

Photo Credit: Kathy Sandham

September 16 - October 16, 2016

8 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays

3 p.m. Sundays

Mackey Theater

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