MY FAIR LADY Opens Tonight at Ocean State Theatre

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), has announced the opening of their third season in their new state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick. The company's 2014-15 season begins with Lerner and Loewe's stunning Broadway classic, My Fair Lady, which opens tonight, September 24.

Sponsored by Charland, Marciano & Company, CPAs, LLP, this classic musical was perhaps the most popular musical of the 1950s. Adapted from George Bernard Shaw's 1912 play Pygmalion, My Fair Lady tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a cockney flower peddler, who agrees to take speech lessons from the opinionated linguistics professor Henry Higgins in order to fulfill her dream of working in a flower shop. The original production ran for nearly seven years on Broadway, which made it the longest running show of its time. This timeless classic is one of the smartest books ever written for musical theatre and features an unforgettable score including such songs as "Wouldn't It Be Loverly," "The Rain in Spain," "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face," and "I Could Have Danced All Night."

Directed and choreographed by Producing Artistic Director Amiee Turner, with musical direction by Esther Zabinski, who music directed previous OSTC productions of Miracle on 34th Street and RENT, the cast includes Richard Costa, who has appeared in Broadway productions of Spamalot in Las Vegas, Cabaret, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and the stunning vocalist/actress, Jessica Wagner of New York. Mr. Costa and Ms. Wagner will be making their OSTC debuts in the roles of Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle. Todd Berkich, who has previously appeared with OSTC in 42nd Street, Lombardi, and How to Succeed...returns as Colonel Pickering and Woonsocket native, Peter Tedeschi, who is performing in his home state for the very first time, makes his OSTC debut in the role of Alfred P. Doolittle. Valerie Remillard Myette of North Kingstown, who appeared as Yenchna in Fools during the Inaugural Season, returns in the role of Mrs. Pearce, Roger Reed makes his OSTC debut in the role of Freddy Eynsford-Hill, and East Providence native, Melanie Souza, previously seen in OSTC's 9 to 5: The Musical, portrays the role of Mrs. Higgins. Other local performers include Nicole Calkins and David Groccia of North Providence, Taavon Gamble of Wakefield, Jade Genga of East Greenwich, Daniel Larson of Smithfield, Brian Mulvey of Warwick, Jonathan Olivera of Providence, Mackie Saylor of Pawtucket, Tobias Wilson of New London, Conn., and Marianna Wood of Lowell, Mass.

My Fair Lady will be presented at Ocean State Theatre from September 24 - October 19. Previews are scheduled for Wednesday, September 24 at 7:30 pm and Thursday, September 25 at 2:00 and 7:30 pm. All other performances will be held Wednesday (except October 1), Thursday (except October 16), Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm, with matinees on Thursdays (except October 9 & 16), Saturdays at 2:00 pm (except September 27) 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, September 28. This season's post show Piano Bar Series, will kick off with "I Could Have Sung All Night!" and will be held following Friday and Saturday evening performances in the theatre's lobby on October 3, 4, 10 and 11.

The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. Tickets are $39 for preview performances and $39-$54 for all other performances. Discount rates for groups of 20 or more are available by calling (401) 921-1777 x112. $30 "Rush" tickets are available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain on the day of the performance. 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.

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