OCT's Young Professionals Company presents JASPER IN DEADLAND

17-year-old Jasper is struggling to make sense of his life. He's failing classes, was kicked off the swim team, and his family life is rough. When his best friend, Agnes, suddenly disappears, he discovers that she's been taken to the mysterious underworld of Deadland. He sets off on a mythological escapade to bring her back. Will he make it through this treacherous world filled with demons, gods, and monsters in time to bring Agnes back from the dead? Or will he be doomed to stay in Deadland forever?

Jasper in Deadland will kick off the 2017-2018 Young Professional season at Oregon Children's Theatre this fall. The Young Professionals will produce three shows at OCT's YP Studio, as well as other public performances throughout the season.

Loosely based on the myth Orpheus & Eurydice, Jasper in Deadland features a thrilling pop-rock score composed by Ryan Scott Oliver. The show premiered at the Los Angeles Festival of New Musicals in 2011 and has been produced at the West End Theatre in New York City and the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle. During its run at the West End Theatre, Entertainment Weekly described Jasper as "an electrifying surge of theatrical energy that has the potential to wake up New York from its deep creative sleep."

Like all OCT Young Professional shows, Jasper in Deadland was selected by the Young Professionals and is a show they are very excited and passionate about. It will be a unique production for the nine-person YP cast, many of whom will play multiple roles and sing challenging Broadway music. "This show is deceptively challenging - the music was written for experienced Broadway singers, and the characters require actors to go all-out without inhibition," said Jasper Director Dani Baldwin. "While these demands can be tough for any actors, let alone teens, this talented cast and crew will rise to the challenge and bring forward their best performances. I'm excited to begin the journey with this amazing group!"

The cast features Brendan Long as Jasper, Morgan Demetre as Gretchen, Tirza Meuljic as Eurydice and Hathaway, Clayton Lukens as Virgil and Little Lu, David VanDyke as Mr. Lethe, Xavier Warner as Loki and Ammut, Kai Tomizawa as Abigail and Hel, Audrey Lipsey as Persephone and Lethe Girl, and Ella Carson as Beatrice and Irma.

The creative team includes: Dani Baldwin (Director), Jeffrey Childs (Musical Director), Don Crossley (Production Coordinator), Mark LaPierre (Lighting Designer) Gordon Romei (Sound Designer), Aran S. Graham (Set/Props Designer) YP Alumni Sydney Dufka (Costume Designer), Kate Petralia (YP Stage Manager), Isaac Sten (YP Assistant Stage Manager), Madeleine Adriance and Isaac Ellingson (YP House Managers), and Stella Coomes (YP Costume Assistant).

About the Young Professionals Company

The Young Professionals Company is comprised of dedicated theater students ages 14-18 who have been selected to participate in a year-long mentoring program where they receive advanced training through exposure to a wide range of college-level workshops and professional development. Each season, the company presents three shows and other public events. The Young Professionals Company is dedicated to building a supportive community of theater peers, providing them with resources, information, and professional on-the-job experience.

About Oregon Children's Theatre

Founded in 1988, Oregon Children's Theatre has served well over two million children, teachers, and families. Its mission is to create exceptional theater experiences that transform lives. OCT is Oregon's largest non-profit professional children's theater company and a resident company of Portland'5 Centers for the Arts. Performances are held weekdays for school audiences and on weekends for family audiences. OCT serves more than 120,000 children of all ages each year. OCT offers numerous school services including study guides, teacher professional development opportunities, in-school workshops, and an extensive outreach program. In partnership with Kaiser Permanente, the Educational Theatre Program provides free touring productions that promote healthy living. OCT's year round Acting Academy offers theater classes for children ages 3-18 and Young Professionals Company.

Jasper in Deadland is sponsored by Josie Mendoza and Hugh Mackworth. Funding for Oregon Children's Theatre's 2017-2018 season is provided in part by the Shubert Foundation, the Regional Arts & Culture Council, and Work for Art. Oregon Children's Theatre receives support from the Oregon Arts Commission, a state agency funded by the State of Oregon and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Jasper in Deadland is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. Book by Hunter Foster and Ryan Scott Oliver. Music by Ryan Scott Oliver.

Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 at the door. $8 for groups of 8+ with code YPGROUP1718. Box Office: www.octc.org/jasper-in-deadland. On the web: www.octc.org

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