Daren A. Herbert, Kevin McNulty, Krystin Pellerin and More Star in FLOYD COLLINS Vancouver Premiere at PSP, Now thru 3/30

Patrick Street Productions (PSP) and Talk is Free Theatre present the Vancouver premiere of the bold and brilliant Floyd Collins at the newly opened York Theatre on Commercial Drive, today, March 11-30, 2014. Based on the haunting true story of an American explorer and entrepreneur, this riveting musical is composed by Adam Guettel, who also wrote PSP's 2011 award-winning hit, The Light in the Piazza. Directed by PSP Co-Artistic Producer Peter Jorgensen, Floyd Collins features a star-studded cast including Arctic Air's Kevin McNulty and Republic of Doyle's Krystin Pellerin, led by the dynamic Bermuda-born Daren A. Herbert in the title role.

"For me, this is a play about two kinds of glory: an old variety that is about divinity and legacy, and a contemporary one synonymous with celebrity and fame," says Jorgensen. "It was his pursuit of the old type of glory that drove Floyd Collins to crawl deep beneath the earth, hoping for a discovery that would make his legacy immortal. In a cruel twist of fate however, he became an early example of the later kind, igniting a short-lived media circus as he lay trapped 100 feet underground."

The musical's narrative is based on real-life events that played out in Kentucky in February 1925. Floyd Collins is a 37 year-old cave explorer who becomes trapped while navigating an underground network he hopes to develop into a tourist attraction. Pinned beneath the ground, his family and fellow cavers begin a rescue attempt. When it becomes clear that his extraction will not be easy, these efforts escalate and intensify, while a mob of reporters gathers above ground, initiating one of America's first nation-wide media frenzies.

Floyd Collins' music and lyrics are by Adam Guettel and its book is by Tina Landau. Its musical style draws from bluegrass and Americana, while integrating sophisticated elements akin to the compositions of Bartok and Stravinsky. Though the musical premiered Off-Broadway in 1996, Patrick Street Productions' staging constitutes the first time the landmark work will play on a Vancouver stage.

"We have wanted to stage Floyd Collins in Vancouver for many years; we hear the future of musical theatre in Adam Guettel's nuanced and evocative score," says Katey Wright, Co- Artistic Producer at PSP. "The production is especially resonant this year, however, because we open our season with a Rodgers & Hammerstein revue. Guettel is actually the grandson to Richard Rodgers, and this generational link between the shows - one celebrating a golden age, the other looking forward - is deeply meaningful to us."

The title role in Floyd Collins will be played by Bermuda-born triple threat Daren A. Herbert, most recently seen in Vancouver as Curtis in the Arts Club's Dreamgirls. The powerhouse performer will be joined by CBC TV stars Kevin McNulty (Arctic Air) and Krystin Pellerin (Republic of Doyle), and by a retinue of local and national musical theatre talent including David Adams, Nathan Carroll, Graham Coffeng, Michael Culp, Jay Davis, Michael Torontow, Kris Truelsen, Andrew Wade, Ashley Wright, and Katey Wright.

The ensemble will be accompanied by a live six piece band all giving voice to Guettel's exquisite score.

Floyd Collins is directed by Peter Jorgensen, with musical direction from Jonathan Monro and assistant direction by Chris Allan. Sets and props are designed by Amir Ofek, costumes by Barbara Clayden, lighting by Jeff Harrison, and sound by Bradley Danyluk.

Floyd Collins is a co-production with Talk is Free Theatre.

In the Community:

Patrick Street Productions will present a variety of events in lead-up to Floyd Collins, offering audiences a variety of ways to access and gain deeper appreciation for this work:

An Intimate Evening with Adam Guettel: Feb. 21, 2014 at 8pm at the Arts Club Revue Stage
In this rare, up-close appearance, the Tony Award-winning composer will discuss his career, work and creative process while sharing songs from upcoming musicals as well as favourites from Floyd Collins and The Light in the Piazza. Tickets are $40 at vancouvertix.com. For additional details on a post-concert reception and master classes with Adam Guettel visit patrickstreetproductions.com.

Philosophers' Cafe?: From Theists to Atheists: A Look at Who's Really in the Foxhole
Feb. 24, 2014 at 7:30pm at Cafe? Calabria, Commercial Drive
An informal public discussion explores faith and fear in relation to the aphorism 'there are no atheists in a foxhole' in relation to themes present in Floyd Collins. Free Event. Info at sfu.ca.

The Entrepreneurial Artist: Feb. 26 at 7pm at VPL's Central Library
PSP Co-Artistic Producers Peter Jorgensen and Katey Wright discuss their extensive careers as performers and creators, sharing lessons on how artists must increasingly adopt an entrepreneurial spirit to enjoy industry success. Free event. Info at vpl.ca.

Patrick Street Productions was founded in 2007 by Artistic Producers Peter Jorgensen and Katey Wright with a simple mandate: to offer great productions of great plays and musicals to Metro Vancouver, with an emphasis on contemporary musicals that have not yet been professionally produced in the region.

The company has produced four critic and audience acclaimed musicals to date: Into the Woods (2008), The Full Monty (2009), Bat Boy: The Musical (2010), and The Light in the Piazza (2011), the last of which earned four Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards, including Outstanding Production.

Floyd Collins will run March 11 - 30, 2014 Tues - Sat at 8pm Sun at 2pm. Previews: March 11 & 12 at 8pm Opening Night: March 13 at 8pm From $19. All performances play the York Theatre, 639 Commercial Drive @ Georgia Vancouver, BC V5L 3W3. Online at tickets.thecultch.com; By Phone at 604.251.1363.

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