SUNSET BOULEVARD Opens at MSMT Tonight, July 18

Maine State Music Theatre presents its third production of the 2012 season, SUNSET BOULEVARD. A grand musical adaptation of the Billy Wilder film with a lush, Tony Award–winning score from Andrew Lloyd Webber and a Tony Award–winning book by Don Black and Christopher Hampton, this elegant production is a haunting glimpse into the power of self-deception. Running at the Pickard Theater in Brunswick from tonight, July 18th to August 4th, tickets are an affordable $36 to $59 and can be purchased by calling the box office at (207) 725-8769 or by visiting www.msmt.org.

SUNSET BOULEVARD weaves a magnificent tale of faded glory and unfulfilled ambition. Silent movie star, Norma Desmond, longs for a return to the big screen, having been discarded by tinsel town with the advent of 'talkies.' Her glamour has faded in all but her mind. When she meets a handsome, younger, struggling Hollywood screen-writer, Joe Gillis, she sees her chance to return to glory. Their subsequent passionate and volatile relationship leads to an unforeseen and dramatic conclusion.

MSMT's production stars Denise Whelan as Norma Desmond. Whelan portrayed the role with rave reviews at Fulton Theatre in Lancaster, PA in March of 2012 and is making her MSMT debut in SUNSET BOULEVARD. Whelan is a familiar face among theater-goers within Philadelphia's rich arts community. She performs regularly at the Fulton as well as Walnut Street Theatre and she recently played Velma Von Tussle in the musical Hairspray.

MSMT veteran Gregg Goodbrod takes on the roll of struggling screen-writer, Joe Gillis. Goodbrod has performed many memorable roles at MSMT over the past six years including Jesus of Nazareth in Jesus Christ Superstar and Ethan in The Full Monty. Goodbrod's resume also includes the original cast recording of Broadway's Thoroughly Modern Millie and the national touring company of Dolly Parton's 9 to 5.

Other MSMT veterans in this exciting cast include Charis Leos, Chuck Ragsdale, Curt Dale Clark and Brian Michael Hoffman. All received great acclaim in MSMT's production of Legally Blonde. David Girolmo returns to MSMT in the role of Max Von Mayerling, Norma Desmond's loyal butler and chauffer. Girolmo became an instant favorite last summer as Oliver Warbucks in MSMT's Annie.

Legally Blonde cast mates, Lauren Blackman and Courtney Romano, also carry over into the SUNSET BOULEVARD ensemble. Blackman plays Betty, a young movie studio employee that becomes another love interest of Joe's. Also joining the cast is Broadway veteran Bill Nabel playing the iconic role of famous movie director, Cecil B. DeMille. And finally, Theo Lencicki makes his MSMT debut. Lencicki was a member of the touring companies of Hairspray and A Chorus Line.

MSMT's production is directed and choreographed by the multi-talented Marc Robin. Robin has directed and choreographed many shows at MSMT including CATS, Annie and The Producers. Robin also serves as the Artistic Director at the Fulton Theatre.

Musical direction is helmed by MSMT's Edward Reichert. Reichert has been with MSMT for 21 seasons as music director and also serves on the staff of the University of Southern Maine's musical theatre program.

Audiences can expect a production that is not only beautiful to listen to, but also a stunning visual display. Sets by designer Robert Kovach are elegant and stately. Costumes by designer Kurt Alger are gorgeous, reminding audiences of a bygone era of classic Hollywood. Lighting and sound are designed by MSMT vets, Colin Whitely and Nick Cyr.

Maine State Music Theatre continues its tradition of Pay-What-You-Can pricing for both the matinee and evening performances of SUNSET BOULEVARD on Friday, July 20th. On that day, patrons who walk up in person to MSMT's box office at the Pickard Theater, located at 1 Bath Road in Brunswick, can pay whatever their budgets will allow for any remaining, unsold seats to SUNSET BOULEVARD. The box office opens at 10:00 a.m. It is important to note that this offer is not valid on previously purchased tickets or with any other discount offers and is subject to availability. The Pay-What-You-Can on July 20th is sponsored by SymQuest. For questions about MSMT's Pay-What-You-Can program, contact the box office at (207) 725-8769.

Pictured: Denise Whelan as Norma Desmond and Gregg Goodbrod as Joe Gillis. Photo by Annie Rose.

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