First Stage Presents Family Rock Musical U: BUG: ME 2/18-3/13

First Stage presents a folk-rock musical for all ages in the regional premiere of U: BUG: ME. U: BUG: ME runs February 18 through March 13 at the Todd Wehr Theater in the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water Street in downtown Milwaukee. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Marcus Center Box Office at 929 N. Water Street, by phone at (414) 273-7206 or online at www.FirstStage.org.

Life isn't easy when you're a bug. Just ask Pico the Fly. He gets bullied by a horsefly; his caterpillar girlfriend's parents don't approve of her dating a fly, and when his best friend tells him to "shoo" - Pico decides it is time to leave the yard. With the help of Tavo and Olive - two hilarious cockroaches and a poisonous centipede Keno, Pico discovers a new attitude about friendship and love. His triumphant return will teach all species a lesson about what it means to be a friend. The "Ant-Hill Band" - comprised of cast members - provides live music to accompany the musical's alternately hilarious and touching, folk rock songs.

"While this is a great show for our younger audience members, teens have really responded to the music - and the issues of friendship and first relationships," said Jeff Frank, First Stage artistic director and director of this production. " It is genuinely a show that the entire family can, and should, share. The characters may be bugs, but their struggles are very human," continued Frank.

This production is the regional premiere of U: BUG: ME, an original folk rock musical by Jeremiah Clay Neal, an up and coming playwright and performance artist from Tempe, Ariz., whose original musical U: BUG: ME made its world premiere to positive reviews at the Coterie Theatre in Kansas City last spring.

"U: BUG: ME received tremendous praise to our sold-out audience when we presented it during our New Play Workshop in 2008," reflected Jeff Frank. "We anticipate the same success with audiences when it makes its premiere next month," continued Frank.

Director Jeff Frank has been First Stage's artistic director since February 2003. Previously he had served as education director/associate artistic director. Jeff is a native Wisconsinite who earned a BFA in theater from UW-Whitewater and went on to the University of Utah, earning an MFA in child drama. Over the past 13 seasons Jeff has directed many First Stage productions, including THE THIEF LORD, THE NEVERENDING STORY, SLEEPING BEAUTY, TOM SAWYER, THE HOBBIT, A MIDNIGHT CRY, PERSEUS BAYOU, A CHRISTMAS STORY and THE GIVER. Jeff currently serves on the Board of Directors for Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA)/USA, the national service organization promoting the power of professional theatre for young audiences.

Playwright Jeremiah Clay Neal is a performing artist originally from Las Vegas. After receiving a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, he became a teaching artist for Cirque du Monde. In 2006 his play SOMEWHERE ELSE was presented at the American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE) conference in Washington, D.C., and the International Art in Society Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland. BREAKING THE SILENCE, a play written for youth in recovery facilities, was produced by the Prism Theatre in Tempe, Ariz., and performed at the AATE conference in Vancouver in 2008. Neal received an MFA from Arizona State University in 2008. His adaptation of THE KID WHO RAN FOR PRESIDENT, a book by Dan Gutman, was produced at the Rainbow Company ‘Theatre in Las Vegas in 2008. In 2009, Neal founded Word of Mouth Tour Company in Tempe, and his original musical U: BUG: ME premiered at the Coterie Theatre in Kansas City, Mo., the same year. He also co-authored THE WATER DOG and (DIS)ORIENTATION.

The adult actor cast of U: BUG: ME includes Julia Black (as Queen Bee/Spider/Ensemble), Todd Denning (member of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers, as Keno), Chris Feiereisen (member of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers, as Packo/Ensemble), John Nicholson (as Ant Hill Band member), Rána Roman (member of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers, as Olive/Tera/Ensemble) and Chase Stoger (as Tavo/Dip/Ensemble).

Young performer roles are double-cast. The young performers in the "Buzz" cast of U: BUG: ME are Hailey Kapenga (as Ensemble) of Delafield; Caroline Fossum (as Eddie/Ensemble) of Grafton; Emily Ruzga (as Ensemble) of Nashotah; Zach Olson (as Pico) of New Berlin; Kelley Annesley (as Isabelle) and Kyle Conner (as Esteban) of Wauwatosa; Ariana Padovano (as Ensemble) of West Allis and Erin Bentley (as Ensemble 1) and Mary Elsa Henrichs (as Ensemble) of Whitefish Bay.

Young performers in the "Bumble" cast of U: BUG: ME are Kelly LeTart (as Ensemble) of Bayside; Alyssa Cuffie (as Ensemble) of Brown Deer; Amanda Desimowich (as Eddie/Ensemble) of Fredonia; John Giesige (as Esteban) of Greendale; Grace Bobber (as Ensemble) of Mequon; Avi Borouchoff (as Pico) and Erin Stapleton (as Isabelle) of Milwaukee; Gabriella Hamilton (as Ensemble) of South Milwaukee and Alison Velcheck (as Ensemble) of Waukesha.

The Artistic Staff for U: BUG: ME includes: Paul Helm (Music Director), Molly Rhode (Choreographer), Brandon Kirkham (Scenic and Costume Designer), Keith Parham (Lighting Designer), Joshua Horvath (Sound Designer), Melissa Wanke (Stage Manager, member of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers) and Charlotte King (Assistant Stage Manager).

Tickets for U: BUG: ME start at $11.50. Tickets may be purchased online at www.FirstStage.org or through the Marcus Center box office, in person at 929 N. Water Street in downtown Milwaukee or by phone (414) 273-7206 or toll free at (888) 612-3500. The number for TDD (for deaf and hard of hearing patrons) is (414) 273-3080.

Performance dates: U: BUG: ME opens Friday, February 18 at 7:00 p.m.

Other performances are held: Friday, February 18 at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, February 19 at 3:30 & 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, February 20 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, February 26 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Sunday, February 27 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 5 at 3:30 & 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, March 6 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 12 at 1:00 p.m.; Sunday, March 13 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.

Special events for U: BUG: ME

Friday, February 18 at 7:00 p.m.: Following the opening night performance, First Stage invites all patrons to attend the Opening Night Reception at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut Street, approximately one mile from the Marcus Center.

Patrons will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with the cast and crew of U: BUG: ME while enjoying refreshments, courtesy of First Stage.

Opening weekend: Friday, February 18 through Sunday, February 20: Immediately following our opening weekend performances, a drawing for a $20 gift certificate to Rainbow Booksellers will be held. Gift certificates may be redeemed for a book purchase at the First Stage merchandise counter in the lobby during the show, or at the Rainbow Booksellers location at 5704 West Vliet Street in Milwaukee. One winner at each performance will be selected.

First Stage Children's Theater is Milwaukee's premier, professional family theater. Founded in 1987, the mission of the company is to provide professional theater productions for young people and their families that engage, enlighten and entertain, Theater Academy training that fosters life skills through stage skills and dynamic in-school education programs that provide learning through theater. First Stage is a member of TYA/USA, the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, the Wisconsin Alliance for Arts Education and Americans for the Arts, as well as Theatre Wisconsin and Milwaukee Arts Partners, and is a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF).

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