Anastasia Barzee and Tony Sheldon Star in VICTOR/VICTORIA at TUTS, Beginning Tonight

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) presents the disguise surprise musical comedy production of Victor/Victoria tonight, September 16 - 28 at The Hobby Center's Sarofim Hall.

Written by acclaimed film director Blake Edwards (Breakfast At Tiffany's, The Pink Panther) with music by Henry Mancini (Days of Wine and Roses, Peter Gunn), Victor/Victoria is a nod to "classic Broadway" while humorously giving a funny look at the nature of love, gender perceptions and the battle of the sexes. From the electrifying excitement of "Le Jazz Hot" to the contemplative "Crazy World," from the humor of "Chicago, Illinois" to the touching "Almost a Love Song," this truly classic musical has it all!

TUTS' production of Victor/Victoria stars Anastasia Barzee as Victoria Grant, an out-of-work singer whose life changes when she meets the flamboyant Toddy, played by Tony-nominated actor Tony Sheldon. With his help, she becomes "Victor", an overnight singing sensation in the nightclubs of Paris. However, success becomes hilariously complicated when she meets the love of her life, King Marchan, a macho Chicago gangster played by Joey Sorge. Adding her two cents to the couple's troubles is Marchan's ex-girlfriend, the ditzy Norma Cassidy, played by Angel Reda. Michael Brian Dunn appears as Henri Labisse, the owner of Club Chez Lui, Jimmy Kieffer appears as Squash, King Marchand's bodyguard and Ron Wisniski appears as Andre Cassell, the most successful talent agent in all of Paris.

Ensemble members include Brandon Bieber, Laura Cable, Courtney Chilton, Erin Chupinsky, Bernard Dotson, Rob Flebbe, Laura Henning, Kinsland Howell, Logan Keslar, Charis Leos, Leisa Mather, Ian Parmenter, Robbie Roby, Lucas Thompson and John Williford.

Leading the creative team is director and choreographer Richard Stafford, whose work was last seen at TUTS when he directed Camelot. Joining Stafford on the creative team is musical director and conductor Thom Culcasi, sound designer Kit Bond and lighting designer Richard Winkler.

TUTS offers several special events in conjunction with the show to make for an unforgettable musical experience:

• Victor/Victoria Sundance Film Screening - Monday, Sept. 8 at 7 PM
• VIP Package - Wednesday, Sept. 17
• OUT@TUTS post-show cast party: Thursday, Sept. 18

Tickets (starting at only $25) are available:

• Online at TUTS.com
• Phone at (713) 558-TUTS (8887), outside the Houston area at (888) 558-3882
• In person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, (800 Bagby), Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Saturday - Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Special offers are available for groups of 10 or more by calling (713) 558-8888 or via email at groupsales@tuts.com.

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is Houston's acclaimed nonprofit musical theatre company whose mission is to enrich life through the experience of quality musical theatre and to positively impact lives beyond the stage through innovative education and community engagement programs. TUTS performs annually in Sarofim Hall and Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center and at Miller Outdoor Theatre. TUTS was the first theatrical organization in Houston to perform free to the public when it was founded in 1968 at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park and is the only Houston arts organization that has performed there free to the public every year since the theatre opened. Founded by Frank M. Young and currently under the direction of President and CEO John C. Breckenridge and Artistic Director Bruce Lumpkin, TUTS has produced more than 300 musicals including many local, national and world. Through its membership in the Independent Presenters Network, TUTS regularly helps mount shows on Broadway which eventually show locally to Houston audiences.

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