COLE PORTER'S YOU NEVER KNOW to Play Meadow Brook Theatre, 5/28-6/22

Hidden identities and high society collide to provide a spirited evening of song and dance and slamming doors in "Cole Porter's You Never Know." The Baron Rommer has the penthouse suite at the Hotel Ritz in Paris for the summer of 1929. The baron's butler's head has been turned by a lovely society woman, but at his station, he knows he doesn't stand a chance. If he were only a baron.... What could he do but trade identities with his boss? But that's only the first of the misunderstandings and mix-ups that will have you laughing.

"Cole Porter's You Never Know" plays at Meadow Brook Theatre on the campus of Oakland Univeristy from May 28 through June 22. It is based on the play "By Candlelight" by Siegfried Geyer, Karl Frakas and Robert Katscher and adapted by Rowland Leigh and Paul Lazarus.

"The Parisian society before the depression hit was such a ridiculously beautiful time for those lucky enough to be in high society," said Travis W. Walter, MBT artistic director. "Then you add songs like "Let's Misbehave" and "At Long Last Love" by Cole Porter, and I know our audiences will love this musical as our season closer."

The cast of "Cole Porter's You Never Know" includes Ron Williams as Baron Rommer and Mathew Schwartz as his butler, Gaston. Stephanie Wahl (Mme. Baltin), Brandi Knox (Ida Courtney), Sarah Parnicky(Maria) and Anthony Guest (Herr Baltin) round out the cast.

"Cole Porter's You Never Know" is directed by Travis W. Walter, with musical direction by Greg Kenna and choreography by John Sloan. Terry Carpenter is the stage manager, with set design by Kristen Gribbin, costumes by Corey Globke, lighting by Matthew J. Fick and sound by Mike Duncan.

Tickets range from $25 to $40 and are available by calling the Meadow Brook Theatre box office at 248-377-3300 or going online at www.ticketmaster.com. Student discounts are available at the box office. Groups of eight or more should call 248-370-3316 for group pricing.

This production of "Cole Porter's You Never Know" is made possible through the support of The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, The National Endowment for the Arts, Extended Stay Hotels and the Meadow Brook Theatre Guild.

Meadow Brook Theatre is located on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, MI. For additional information, visit www.mbtheatre.com. Meadow Brook Theatre is a nonprofit, cultural institution serving southeast Michigan for more than 45 years.

Pictured: Mathew Schwartz, Sarah Parnicky, Stephanie Wahl, and Ron Williams in Cole Porter's "You Never Know" at Meadow Brook Theatre. Photo by Rick Smith.

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