The Arsht Center and the University of Miami Present GIRLS VS. BOYS, 11/1-18

Following last season's reinterpretation of Federico Garcia Lorca's classic The House of Bernarda Alba, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and the University of Miami's Department of Theatre Arts are partnering once again to present a fresh rock musical, GIRLS VS. BOYS, written by the creators of The Sparrow and Death and Harry Houdini – Chris Mathews, Jake Minton, Kevin O'Donnell and Nathan Allen of the renowned House Theatre of Chicago. Playing November 1 - 18, 2012 in the intimate Carnival Studio Theater (Ziff Ballet Opera House), GIRLS VS. BOYS is a captivating, dramatic story about the struggles of teen life set to a rocking, soul-bearing score. The musical is part of the Arsht Center's Theater Up Close series in the Carnival Studio Theater which features artistic collaborations from stellar local theater ensembles and nationally acclaimed theater companies.

Tickets to GIRLS VS. BOYS are $35*, and may be purchased through the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949-6722, or online at www.arshtcenter.org.

"This creative partnership between the Arsht Center and the University of Miami's Department of Theatre Arts fulfills the Arsht Center's mission to enlighten, educate and entertain, and most importantly, provides talented students with the exceptional opportunity to work alongside theater professionals on a world-class stage," said Scott Shiller, Executive Vice President of the Adrienne Arsht Center. "We're eager for South Florida audiences to experience this original production of Girls vs. Boys and rock out to its universal message surrounding the challenges and thrills of adolescent life."

GIRLS VS. BOYS is a relatable story of adolescence following 14 hot-blooded teenage students as they jumpstart their senior year in high school. In search of happiness and acceptance, Casey (Nick Ley), Sam (Samantha Drucker), Krueger (Luke Hamilton), Kate (Shannon Draper), George (Kyle Axman) and Lane (Rachel Lipman) navigate a gritty party world of alcohol, drugs and sex beginning at a house party the night before the first day of school. Drama at the party quickly skyrockets into a fierce musical in which its characters battle multiple insecurities, love triangles and unexpected betrayals.

GIRLS VS. BOYS is directed by JV Mercanti (Assistant Professor of UM's Department of Theatre Arts) whose credits include work as resident director on the national tour of Cabaret and Peter Pan 360.

The musical boasts original music and orchestrations by Kevin O'Donnell and Nathan Allen, with additional arrangements and musical direction by Greg Brown, who has worked on numerous acclaimed productions such as Broadway's Monty Python's Spamalot and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The musical's powerful score of throbbing rock, punk, and metal tunes perfectly embody the pain of teen angst and illuminate the storyline's high-stakes, life-or-death quest to find true love.

Now in its second season, the multi-faceted collaboration between the University of Miami's Department of Theatre Arts and the Adrienne Arsht Center continues to serve as a professional learning experience that offers the theater majors at the University an opportunity to work with seasoned professionals in creating a professional production. UM's talented student actors have been cast as the embattled teens. Also, students majoring in technical theater and design have worked side-by-side with the Adrienne Arsht Center/UM production and creative team to create a professional set, costumes and lighting design and assisting the production manager, stage manager and other key production staff members. In addition, members of the House Theatre of Chicago have mentored students as visiting artists to further explore and develop this exciting musical.

GIRLS VS. BOYS is produced by Henry Fonte, Producing Artistic Director of The Jerry Herman Ring Theatre and Chairman of the Department of Theatre Arts at The University of Miami, and Scott Shiller, Executive Vice President of the Adrienne Arsht Center. The musical's creative team also features other members of the University of Miami Department of Theatre Arts faculty including choreography by Christine Kellogg; costume design by Michiko K. Skinner; set design by K. April Soroko; and fight choreography by Lee Soroko. Sound design is led by Carbonell Award-winning designer Matt Corey, and lighting design is managed by Eric Haughen of Luminous Design Studios.

GIRLS VS. BOYS was first developed at the American Music Theatre Project Northwestern University, Theatre and Interpretation Center, July 2009. GIRLS VS. BOYS was further developed by the Adrienne Arsht Center and the University of Miami Department of Theatre Arts, November 2012. GIRLS VS. BOYS was originally developed and produced by The House Theatre of Chicago.

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