Town Hall Theater Presents the World Premiere of MY OHIO, 5/6-9

Town Hall Theater presents the World Premiere of the musical comedy, MY OHIO, for five performances - May 6th thru 9th. Writer Dana Yeaton is an award-winning Vermont playwright, as well as the recipient of the "New Voice in American Theatre" award.

Yeaton's work is familiar to Vermont audiences through productions of Mad River Rising, The Big Random, and perhaps most prominently his stage adaptation of Chris Bohjalian's novel, Midwives, all produced by Vermont Stage. But this is Yeaton's first foray into the world of musical theatre, and he's relishing the challenge. "Music gets under the defenses," Yeaton says when describing his reasons for this new approach. "You think you're too smart and cynical to be moved by something on stage, but five minutes into a musical someone is singing and you're a puddle of emotion."

Like many theatrical works, MY OHIO is a play about personal relationships. Yeaton has taken this trope further, by including issues of political and spiritual relationships. Originally given the subtitle "A Red State/Blue State Duet," MY OHIO tells the story of Bonnie, an evangelical kindergarten teacher living in a small town in Ohio. When she injures her neck, she goes to see Neil, a gay atheist chiropractor newly transplanted from Brooklyn. He heals her, which she initially appreciates, but then she fears that her pain was her most direct connection with God, and she asks Neil to put her back the way she was. He naturally refuses, and there begins their struggle to understand each other, which ultimately leads to a deep connection between the two.

"At its heart, it's a love story," Says Mark Nash, Vermont Stage's Artistic Director. "It's about two people who couldn't be more different learning to accept, and ultimately embrace, each other's differences."

MY OHIO stars VSC newcomers Mathew Carlson and Trisha Rapier, both of New York City.  Lisa Rothe directs, Travis Sullivan is musical director, and Peter Schmitz choreographs. Set design is by Jeff Modereger, costumes designed by Catherine Vigne and lighting design is by John Forbes.

MY OHIO plays Town Hall Theater, Middlebury from May 6-9 with performances Thursday-Saturday at 8 pm, and Saturday & Sunday at 2 pm.  Opening night includes a Gala Reception.  Tickets, $24/$12 students, are available through the THT Box Office at www.townhalltheater.org, 802 382-9222, or in person Monday-Friday noon-5 pm.