Street Theatre Company to Present DOGFIGHT

Street Theatre Company, continuing to meet its goal to stage Nashville premieres, opens its second show of the 2015 season with the Off-Broadway musical DOGFIGHT. The show originally opened in New York in 2012 and, after receiving rave reviews and numerous awards, made its way to the London stage in 2014. Following its incredible success, regional theaters in both the United States and Europe will be mounting productions of DOGFIGHT this year.

Written by talented young writers Ben Pasek, Justin Paul, and Peter Duchan, the hauntingly beautiful DOGFIGHT won the Lucille Lortell award for Best Musical. Set in the 1960s at the start of the Vietnam War, DOGFIGHT takes audiences on a romantic and heartbreaking theatrical journey. On the eve of their deployment, three young Marines set out for one final boys' night of debauchery, partying, and maybe a little trouble. But when Corporal Eddie Birdlace meets Rose, an awkward and idealistic waitress he enlists to win a cruel bet with his fellow recruits, she rewrites the rules of the game and teaches him the power of love and compassion. Studded with breathtakingly beautiful songs, an unexpected love affair, and genuine soul, it's no wonder this charming musical continues to wow audiences and critics alike.

Cathy Street, Artistic Director and Founder of Street Theatre Company, will direct the Award-winning musical, which runs June 5-21 at Street Theatre's new East Nashville location. "As always, the story and the music are what compelled me to add it to our season," says Street. "The show deals with so many things: judgments about people based on appearance, cruelty and innocence, the Vietnam War and the soldiers who fought it, and the repercussions when they came home." DOGFIGHT stars Belmont graduate Jens Jacobson as Eddie Birdlace and new Nashvillian Audrey Johnson as Rose.

The Nashville premiere of DOGFIGHT promises to be something that sticks with audiences long after they leave the theater, as so many of Street Theatre Company's past performances have done. With all pay-what-you-can prices and Street's new location in Nashville's hippest neighborhood, DOGFIGHT also promises to be a show that will swiftly sell out!

DOGFIGHT runs June 5-21 at Street Theatre Company's new location in East Nashville, Bailey Middle School. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 5pm. Tickets are available by visiting www.streettheatrecompany.org or by calling (615) 554-7414 and prices are pay-what-you-can. The show is rated R for adult language/content. STC is supported in part by the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Metro Nashville Arts Commission.

PHOTO BY: Andrew Smith