Festival Stage’s Oil City Symphony Plays Hanesbrands Theatre 1/27-2/19

Festival Stage of Winston-Salem continues its second season with a revival of the Off-Broadway hit musical "Oil City Symphony," playing Jan. 27-Feb. 19 at the Hanesbrands Theatre in downtown Winston-Salem.

For "Oil City Symphony," the theatre has been transformed into a high school gymnasium, where four graduates of the 1960s have reunited to give a concert in honor of their beloved former teacher. The now middle-aged amateur musicians, whose combined talents "represent 127 years of total studying time," take the audience on a tour of every musical genre from classical piano to Top 40 to rock.

"Oil City Symphony" ran for 626 performances at the Circle in the Square Theatre Downtown from 1987-1989, winning the Drama Desk Award for Best Ensemble and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical. It was written by Mike Craver, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk and Mary Murfitt.

Festival Stage's production features two of the four original cast members and co-creators: Mary Murfitt, who also directs, and Mike Craver, composer/performer in last season's Festival Stage hit "Lunch at the Piccadilly." The cast also includes Randy Glass and Molly Wasserman, who have performed with Murfitt and Craver in several productions of "Oil City Symphony."

"I am really thrilled that Festival Stage can revive this unique and popular show with four of its veteran performers, not to mention two of its creators and original cast members," says Festival Stage's Resident Director Steve Umberger. "It's not every day we have the opportunity to produce an off-Broadway hit that's become a cult classic, with its original stars."

Preview performances run Jan. 27 through Feb. 1 before the play's official opening night performances on Thursday, Feb. 2. Other special opportunities include the Visiting Playwright Series discussion with Murfitt and Craver at 1:15 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 27; pre-show talks with cast members and artistic staff at 1:15 p.m. before each Sunday matinée; post-show talkbacks following each 8 p.m. performance; and Thursday matinées. For a complete schedule, visit www.festivalstage.org.

Ticket prices range from $10-$37, with special reduced pricing for previews, final dress rehearsal and Thursday matinées. For the first time, VIP Balcony Seating is available, including two tickets at a private table and one bottle of wine.

Tickets may be purchased at the Hanesbrands Theatre Box Office (209 N. Spruce Street, Winston-Salem, 27101) from noon-6 p.m. Monday-Friday or online at www.hanesbrandstheatre.org. For group tickets, email sales@festivalstage.org or call 336-841-2273.

Festival Stage of Winston-Salem second season opened in October with the Southern-fried comedy "The Exact Center of the Universe," and concludes with the farce "Hatchetman" in May. For more information on Winston-Salem's professional theatre, visit www.festivalstage.org.

Festival Stage of Winston-Salem receives support from The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.

ABOUT THE CAST
Mike Craver (Mike, Composer and Lyricist) has Off-Broadway acting and writing credits including "Oil City Symphony", "Radio Gals," "Wilder," "Smoke on the Mountain," Sam Shepard's "A Lie of the Mind" and "Diamond Studs." He composed music for "Smoke on the Mountain" and "Lunch at the Piccadilly," performed last season at Festival Stage. A resident of Lexington, N.C., Craver earned the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle for "Oil City Symphony" and Los Angeles Ovation & Dramalogue for "Radio Gals." A former Red Clay Rambler, Craver has recorded three solo albums: Fishing for Amour, Wagoner's Lad and Shining Down.

Randy Glass (Mark) appeared in "Les Misérables" and "A Tale of Two Cities" on Broadway, and in the national tour of "Les Misérables." Regional credits include: "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change;" "My Own Song;" "Annie;" "Mame;" "My Fair Lady;" "Kismet;" "Sisters of Swing;" "Pump Boys and Dinettes;" and "Fiddler on the Roof." Concert appearances include the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, The Mantovani Orchestra and The Memphis Symphony Ball. Recording projects include Walt Disney, Paramount, Warner Brothers, Bally's of Las Vegas and Universal Studios.

Mary Murfitt (Mary, Director and Co-Author) is making her Festival Stage debut in "Oil City Symphony," having received a Theatre World Award and a Drama Desk Award for her work as an actor in the original Off-Broadway show. Since then she has directed (and performed in) numerous productions of "Oil City Symphony" across the country. Murfitt is also the creator and composer/lyricist of "Cowgirls" and originated the role of Mary Lou in the Off-Broadway production. "Cowgirls" was nominated for Best Off-Broadway musical by the Outer Critics' Circle and Murfitt was honored for her work by the New York Drama League. Other writing credits include: "Petticoat Rules" (book and lyrics); "Eight is Enough" (music and lyrics); and "Looking for Home" (book/music/lyrics).

Molly Wassermann (Debbie) has appeared on Broadway in "Showboat;" at the Metropolitan Opera House in Twyla Tharp's ballet "Everlast" for American Ballet Theatre; and Off-Broadway in Wendy Wasserstein's "Miami" and Cole Porter's "Nymph Errant." Regionally, she has starred in "Annie Get Your Gun," "Hot 'N Cole" and "Oil City Symphony." Wasserman plays piano and drums, and has been in two rock bands: the Smith Wade Group and One-Handed Molly.

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