Trisha Rapier, Kathryn Boswell & More to Lead Human Race's PLAY IT BY HEART; Run Extended Through 7/6

The Human Race Theatre Company has announced the cast of its upcoming production of Play It by Heart, with music by David Spangler and Jerry Taylor, lyrics by David Spangler, Jerry Taylor and R.T. Robinson, and book by Brian Yorkey. The Preview performance is June 12, with Opening Night on June 13. The company has added six performances to the original run, which will now end on July 6. All performances are at The Loft Theatre at 126 North Main Street in downtown Dayton.

The 10-member cast includes Trisha Rapier as Jeannine, Kathryn Boswell as Jamie Lynn, Sharva Maynard as Naomi, Paul Blankenship as Billy, Scott Stoney as Buck, George Psomas as Naji, Tim Lile as Lyle, Christine Brunner as Debbie, J.J. Tiemeyer as Robbie and Cooper Taggard as Man 1.

Musical Director Nils-Petter Ankarblom plays the keyboard and leads band members Mark Becknell on percussion, Jay Brunner on guitar, Cameron Cochran on pedal steel guitar, Joel Greenberg on mandolin and Laura Hazelbaker on fiddle.

The regional premiere is directed by Kevin Moore. Nils-Petter Ankarblom is the music director and Jay Brunner is the assistant music director. Set design is by Adam Koch, costume design by Christine Peitzmeier, lighting design by John Rensel and sound design by Brian Retterer. Choreography is by Megan Wean.

It's the passing of the torch in a country music dynasty as superstar Jeannine Jasper's long career draws to a close. The changing world of the music industry is about to thrust her little sister, Jamie Lynn, into the spotlight. When an old flame comes calling, Jeannine envisions a quiet life offstage, but Jamie Lynn's wild ways may cut short her time on top. Stage mother Naomi tries to keep control of her daughters until a scandalous secret comes to light and threatens to tear them apart. A musical about heartbreak and healing, this regional premiere comes alive with an exciting original score filled with new songs from the Nashville Sound to New Country by David Spangler, Jerry Taylor and R.T. Robinson and a book by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Brian Yorkey (If/Then, Next to Normal).

Tickets for the preview performance of Play It by Heart on June 12 are $25 - $40. For all performances June 13 - July 6, tickets are $25 ­- $50, depending on availability, seating location and the day of the week desired. Student tickets are half price with valid ID. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more.

All performances are at the Metropolitan Art Center's Loft Theatre, located at 126 North Main Street in downtown Dayton, Ohio.

Tickets and performance information on Play It by Heart are available at www.humanracetheatre.org or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630, and at the Schuster Center box office.

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