BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO onstage thru 3/19 at Gaslight Dinner Theatre

Neil Sedaka's music is featured in Breaking Up is Hard to Do, now onstage through March 19 at the Gaslight Dinner Theatre at The Renaissance Center in Dickson, kicking off the theater's 2011 season with the Tennessee premiere of the musical revue.

Written by Ben H. Winters and Erik Jackson, Breaking Up is Hard to Do is set at a Catskill resort in 1960 where two friends from Brooklyn, Lois and Marge, are in search of good times and romance over one wild Labor Day weekend. Marge's fiancé has called off their wedding and best friend Lois is determined to cheer her up and get her back into dating. They head for the Catskills and Ester's Paradise Resort where they meet some very colorful characters. The comic tale of mistaken identity, friendship and love includes some of Neil Sedaka's classics, including "Where The Boys Are," "Sweet Sixteen," "Calendar Girl" and the chart-topping title song, "Breaking Up is Hard to Do."

"Despite the title of this musical, this is actually a wonderful story about love," says Pacer Harp, theatre director for The Renaissance Center. "Whether you know Neil Sedaka's music or not, this is a fun trip back in time to the innocent days of teenage angst, love and life. Baby Boomers will love it!"

The show opened to enthusiastic applause during the show's sold-out Valentine's weekendopening. Both Friday and Saturday evening performances and Tuesday and Thursday matinees continue through March 19.

The cast of Breaking Up is Hard to Do includes Gaslight favorites Tawny Frey (last seen in High School Musical), Bryan Wlas (last seen in Smoke On The Mountain Homecoming), Holland Taylor (last seen in A Chorus Line), Nathan Brown (last seen in Pump Boys And Dinettes), Greg Frey (last seen in Married Alive!) and Amy Scott (last seen in Shirley Valentine).

The Gaslight Dinner Theatre is an 80-seat theatre, offering professional productions with actors, many with national performance credits, chosen from regional audtions.

For evening performances, dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., with a 7:30 p.m. curtain. Lunch is served at noon for matinee performances, with a 1 p.m. curtain. The Gaslight Dinner Theatre is located at The Renaissance Center, 855 Highway 46 South, Dickson. Tickets are $37 for evening performances, $27 for matinees. Tickets included the show and meal.

For reservations, call (615) 740-5600 or (888) 700-2300. For more information, visit the company website at www.rcenter.org.

Pictured: Glen Frey, Holland Taylor, Nathan Brown, Amy Scott and Tawny Frey. Front: Bryan Wlas.

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