Slipstream Presents RUTHLESS! The Musical

Talent. Where does it come from? Is it something passed down from generation to generation? Or is it something more?

Join Slipstream Theatre Initiative as they explore this idea with unabashed camp and chicanery in the "Stage Mother of All Musicals", better known as Ruthless! This is the first musical the daring company will produce, and it couldn't be a more fitting way to end their fourth season!

Meet Tina Denmark, an 8-year-old girl who aspires to be a Broadway star and will stop at nothing to get the lead role in the school play, "Pippi in Tahiti". Tina's mother lives the perfect suburban life and shuns those who go into show business because it is full of booze and heavy meals late at night. When a mysterious and oddly tall stranger knocks on the door, everything changes. Sylvia St. Croix is a talent agent who wants to take Tina all the way. When Tina doesn't get the role, she takes matters into her own hands. Absurdity and tongue-in-cheek musical comedy join forces to tell this story, and the result is a wild romp through the seedy world of showbiz and the drive to be the biggest star.

Slipstream newcomer Diana Turner plays the Bea-Arthur inspired Talent Agent, Sylvia St. Croix. Another Slipstream newcomer, Kim Alley, plays the 8-year-old version of Shirley Temple and Rhoda Penmark's (the Bad Seed) love child, Tina Denmark. Fan favorites Jackson Abohasira and Mandy Logsdon play the perky personal assistant Eve and the bitter theatre critic Lita Encore, respectively. Rachel Biber returns to the Slipstream stage in the pivotal role of 50s-inspired housewife Judy Denmark who becomes Tony-winning broadway star Ginger DelMarco. The cast is rounded off with an early founding member of Slipstream, Claire Jolliffe, as the washed-up actress turned third grade teacher, Ms. Myrna Thorne. Jay Smith serves as vocal director and WSU student Madelyn Sly is both the music director and accompanist. Costumes and direction by Bailey Boudreau with technical design by Slipstream's new Technical Director, Jackson Abohasira. Alanna Elling joins the company as its resident Stage Manager.

Ruthless! is a fun and refreshing musical, featuring a book and lyrics by Joel Paley with music by Marvin Laird. This production is the American Premiere of the newly revised version of Ruthless! It runs September 14th through October 7th. Friday and Saturday performances at 8:00 pm with Sunday shows at 7:00 pm. *Limited Seating* Come on over to Slipstream to lighten your load and laugh with these catty divas! Email InsideTheSlipstream@gmail.com, visit the website at www.slipstreamti.com, or call (313) 986-9156 to get your tickets!

Photo Credit: courtesy of Jan Cartwright Photography

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