Lara Hayhurst and Robert Ierardi to Lead Witty Political Comedy BORN YESTERDAY at Ocean State Theatre

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), currently celebrating its fifth season in its comfortable stadium-style theatre in Warwick will present Garson Kanin's witty political comedy, Born Yesterday. This classic Pygmalion story, with furnishings provided by OSTC's "Partner in Design," Ethan Allen, will run at Ocean State Theatre from January 25 - February 12.

Born Yesterday, which enjoyed one of the longest Broadway runs in history, was written in 1946 and has never been more relevant. This character-driven comedy focuses on the vulgar, egotistic, and very wealthy junkman, Harry Brock, who has come to a swanky hotel in Washington to make crooked deals with government big-wigs. He has brought his showgirl mistress, the charming, but dumb, ex-chorus girl, Billie Dawn. Embarrassed by Billie's lack of education and social graces, Harry hires a tutor, journalist Paul Verrall, to broaden her education and bring her up to speed. Blossoming under Paul's encouragement, Billie turns out to be much smarter than anybody realized. Suddenly Billie awakens to the corruption of American government and becomes aware of all the possibilities the power of knowledge offers. While this not-so-honest businessman is busy bribing congress this not-so-dumb-blonde is about to capitalize on capitalism!

Directed by Producing Artistic Director Amiee Turner, the cast includes New York actors Lara Hayhurst and Robert Ierardi, who will be portraying the roles of Billie Dawn and Harry Brock. Ms. Hayhurst, who worked on the Broadway productions of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill starring Audra McDonald and You Can't Take It with You starring James Earl Jones, will be making her OSTC debut. Mr. Ierardi returns to OSTC having portrayed Vince Lombardi in Lombardi and Michael Novak in God of Carnage. He will be appearing in the new Marvel/Netflix series, "Iron Fist," which premieres in March.

Michael Jennings Mahoney of Providence, who earned his MFA from Brown/Trinity Rep, is making his OSTC debut in the role of Paul and Sean McGuirk of Warwick, who appeared in OSTC productions of Race and Hairspray, will be playing the role of Ed Devery. Greg LoBuono of Boston, who recently appeared with OSTC in productions of Billy Elliot: The Musical, Avenue Q, and Damn Yankees, returns in the role of Eddie Brock and Warwick's Brian Mulvey, who has appeared in OSTC productions of Into the Woods, My Fair Lady and Guys and Dolls, will play Hedges. Local author, actress, playwright, storyteller and voice talent, Cynthia Killavey of Portsmouth will be making her OSTC debut as Mrs. Hedges and Alison Russo of Pawtucket, who has appeared with OSTC in Anything Goes, The Addams Family, Gypsy, and Meet Me in St. Louis, will play Helen. Michael Puppi of Narragansett, will be making his OSTC debut in the roles of the Hotel Manager and Bootblack and Matthew Gorgone of Cranston, who made his OSTC debut earlier this season in Billy Elliot: The Musical returns as both the Bellhop and the Barber.

Born Yesterday will be presented at Ocean State Theatre from January 25 - February 12. Previews are scheduled for Wednesday, January 25 at 7:30 pm and Thursday, January 26 at 2:00 and 7:30 pm. All other performances will be held Wednesday (except February 1), Thursday (except February 9), Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm, with matinees on Thursdays (except February 9), Saturdays at 2:00 pm (except January 28 & February 4) and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Conducting Conversations Live!, a free post-show discussion hosted by WCRI's Mike Maino, will follow the 2pm performance on Sunday, January 29.

The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. Tickets are $34 for preview performances, $34-$49 for all other performances except Thrifty Thursday (February 9) when all tickets are priced at a $10 discount ($24-$39). $25 "Rush" tickets are available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain on the day of the performance. Additional discounted rates may be available for groups of 10 or more by calling (401) 921-1777 x112. Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Friday from 12 noon - 6:00 pm, Saturdays from 12 noon - 4:00 pm, and from 12 noon until curtain time on performance days. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800.

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC) is a professional not-for-profit regional theatre whose mission is to preserve and pass on the tradition of live, professional theatre - including the American musical - and to pursue avenues of enrichment and education for the benefit of the state of Rhode Island and the surrounding region through the theatre arts. OSTC, which re-opened and ran the historic Theatre By The Sea in Matunuck, RI from 2007-2012 and began producing shows in Warwick, RI in 2012, is an IRS designated not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation.

To post a comment, you must register and login.