Chance Theater Opens BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON Bloody Andrew Jackson Tonight

Chance Theater presents the third show of its 15th Anniversary Season - the hilarious and irreverent emo rock musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson by Alex Timbers, with music and lyrics by Michael Friedman, and directed by Kari Hayter. Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson opens tonight, July 12 and continues through August 4 at Chance Theater.

Part history, part rock concert, and part SNL sketch comedy satire, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson reimagines and reinvents the life of "Old Hickory" from childhood to maverick president. We are reconfiguring our theater into a grungy Wild West tavern for this fiery musical, and it features many of the artists from last season's hit musical West Side Story. This hard-rocking and hilarious new show follows our seventh Commander-In-Chief as he kicks British butt, shafts the Indians, and smacks down the Spaniards, all in the name of these United States. You'll never view the game of politics the same again.

"Why do this show now? Because, at its heart, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson is a play about a society battling to be heard, and about the 'voices' of the people (THEN and NOW) that are constantly struggling between resisting its leader and believing in its leader," explains director Kari Hayter. "Andrew Jackson was a saint to some and an enemy to others because he symbolized a moment in history where democracy found its voice... and it was a voice that simultaneously confused, inspired and challenged the people. America today shares a similar political climate to that of Jackson's. Bloody entertainingly explores the roots of democracy with a fresh, youthful voice and helps us to ask the question: What is democracy and does it work?"

"A wildly exhilarating theatrical ride. [Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson] forges its own blazingly original artistic identity, pulsating with wit, melody, energy, and dazzling theatricality." - Backstage

"What Mr. Timbers and Mr. Friedman are examining is a fierce emotionalism in American politics that transcends party lines and has existed for centuries. Idealism, resentment, a short attention span, a fear of being perpetually misunderstood and a ravenous sense of entitlement are mixed together here in one big, gawky, sexually charged package: America, the eternal teenager. And who better to lead this restless, appetite-driven creature than a red-blooded rock star?" - The New York Times

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson had its world premiere at Kirk Douglas Theatre in 2008. The following year, the production moved to The Public Theater. In 2010, it returned to the Public once again, extended three times, and became the second highest-grossing show in the downtown institution's history (A Chorus Line is the record holder). Bloody then transferred to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on Broadway on September 20, 2010. The show won a Lucille Lortel Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award, and a Broadway.com Award for Best Musical. Timbers won a Drama Desk Award for Best Book of a Musical and was nominated for a Tony Award for his book, as well as an Outer Critics Circle Award for his direction.

Alex Timbers is a two-time Tony-nominated writer and director and the recipient of Lucille Lortel, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards, as well as two OBIE Awards. His Broadway directing credits include Peter and the Starcatcher for which he was nominated for a 2012 Tony Award, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson which he also wrote the dialogue for and was nominated for a 2011 Tony Award, and The Pee-Wee Herman Show which was filmed for HBO and was nominated for a 2011 Emmy Award. Timbers is Artistic Director of the New York-based company Les Freres Corbusier.

Michael Friedman is an American composer and lyricist. He is a founding Associate Artist of The Civilians and an Artistic Associate at New York Theatre Workshop. He received a 2007 Obie Award for sustained excellence. His musical Saved earned him a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Best Musical.

Kari Hayter is a professional director and educator who has been teaching and directing in the LA/Orange County area for the past fifteen years. Kari majored in Acting, Musical Theatre, and Theatre Education and earned a Bachelor's Degree, a Teaching Credential in English/Drama, Master's Degree in Education, and MFA in Directing. Kari has extensive experience as a professional director working on musicals, plays, adaptations and new works. In addition to directing, Kari has also worked as an assistant director and dramaturg for both the Chance (for last season's LADCC Award-winning revival of West Side Story) and South Coast Repertory. Some of Kari's favorite projects include The Diary of Anne Frank (Cal State Fullerton), the one-man show adaptation of Judevine (Vine Theatre, San Diego), Urinetown (Walnut Hill, Boston), A Streetcar Named Desire (Cal State Fullerton), and the award-winning production of 365 Days, a historical account of medics and their patients during Vietnam.

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson features Choreography by resident artist Kelly Todd, Music Direction by Robyn Wallace, Scenic Design by resident artist Christopher Scott Murillo, Lighting Design by Steve Giltner, Sound Design by Dave Mickey, Costume Design byCarin Jacobs, and Fight Choreography by resident artist David McCormick.

The cast of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson features Keaton Williams, Robert Wallace, Zachary Storey, James McHale, Gary Fields, Nick Adorno, Kyle Cooper, Gasper Gray, Ashley Arlene Nelson, resident artist Alex Bueno, Chelsea Baldree, Alyssa Harris, Dannielle Green and Janelle Kester.

Executive Producers for Chance Theater's production of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson are Scott and Georgia Well. They are joined by Associate Executive Producers, Larry and Sophie Cripe.

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