September 4, 2009 – ELM GROVE, WI - Sunset Playhouse, a place for SERIOUS FUN since 1960, is thrilled to announce their 50th Anniversary Season Opener AUNTIE MAME, by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee running from September 11-October 3, 2009 in the Furlan Auditorium, 800 Elm Grove Road (Honorary Sunset Playhouse Way), Elm Grove, WI 53122.
AUNTIE MAME first appeared at The Playhouse during the theater’s inaugural 1960 season. This witty thrill-ride of a play is the comic classic that inspired the musical MAME! When Patrick loses his father, it's not off to the orphanage for this young lad. His Auntie Mame welcomes him with open arms and introduces him to a life he never imagined, full of madcap parties, silly high jinks and unbelievable surprises. Love can be wild, love can be fun, and love knows no bounds when you've got someone like Auntie Mame on your side.
When Sunset Playhouse was founded in 1960 a young Elm Grove actress named Kay Knudsen appeared in the very first Playhouse production, THE TURN OF THE SCREW. Kay Knudsen Esposito has come a long way from her roots as an Elm Grove child actress, and returns to the Playhouse stage in this production of AUNTIE MAME as Vera Charles. Her 50-year ride is a cause for celebration for all audiences.
Taking on the title role in AUNTIE MAME is Playhouse regular and Milwaukee area veteran performer Mary C. DeBattista. The rest of the cast includes Inge Adams (Mother Burnside), Randall T. Anderson (Ito), Samuel Bauer (Young Patrick, Michael Dennis), Edward Carroll (Mr. Babcock, Uncle Moultrie), Deanna Chapman (Sally Cato MacDougal), Nick DeSiato (Mr. Loomis, Paper Hanger, Horse Groom), Robert Dunlop ( Adult Patrick, Osbert, Butler, Shopper), Cody Hagen (Emory MacDougal, Customer’s Son) Victoria Hudziak (Agnes Gooch, Customer, Aunt Euphemia), James Jonas (Mr. Claude Upson, Lithuanian Bishop, Shopper), Kris Knudsen (Radcliffe, Stage Manager, Shopper, Horse Groom), Marge Kurtz (Norah Muldoon), Philip Andrew Martin (Beauregard Burnside, Ralph Devine, Lord Dudley), Kaitlin McCarthy (Pegeen Ryan, Maid, Shopper), Ann Morrow (Mrs. Doris Upson, Cousin Fan, Customer), Mark Neufang (Brian O’Bannion) Gene Schuldt (Theatre Manager, Cousin Jeff, Dr. Fuchtwanger), David Scott (Lindsay Woolsey, Vet) Jennifer Vosters (Gloria Upson) and Lizzie Beaufort (Ensemble).
AUNTIE MAME is directed by Sunset Playhouse Artistic Director Mark Salentine. Dana D. Fralick is scenic designer, Marty Wallner is lighting designer, and Kathleen Smith is costume designer. The rest of the production staff for AUNTIE MAME includes:
Stage Managers - Jennifer Allen, Dick Katschke
Assistant Stage Managers - Tim Crowley, Amy Macali, Cindy Zauner
Technical Director - J. Michael Desper
Costume Assistant - Samantha Moyer
Hair Stylist/Wig Master - Anthony Mackie
Sound Designers - Jan Pritzl, Mark Salentine
Properties Mistresses - Cheryl Harvey, Mary Krauss
AUNTIE MAME will be performed in Sunset Playhouse’s Furlan Auditorium from September 11-October 3. Performance dates and times are as follows:
Friday, September 11 (8:00pm) Opening Night!
Saturday, September 12 (8:00pm)
Sunday, September 13 (2:00pm & 7:00pm)
Thursday, September 17 (7:30pm)
Friday, September 18 (8:00pm)
Saturday, September 19 (5:00 pm & 8:00pm)
Sunday, September 20 (2:00 pm)
Thursday, September 24 (7:30pm)
Friday, September 259 (8:00pm)
Saturday, September 26 (5:00pm & 8:00pm)
Sunday, September 27 (2:00pm)
Thursday, October 1 (7:30pm)
Friday, October 2 (8:00pm)
Saturday, October 3 (5:00pm & 8:00pm)
Plus, new this season, join us for Kroupa's Fish Fry Friday in our Studio Theater prior to our final Friday performance during the run of AUNTIE MAME! Elm Grove's own Kroupa's Family Cafe and Catering serves up a delicious fish fry for an affordable price, and The Playhouse finishes off your night with a super show! It's a great night of dining and entertainment that won't break the bank. (Call our Box Office at (262)782-4430 to reserve your spot for Fish Fry Friday today!)
Full-priced tickets for AUNTIE MAME are $18.00. Senior prices are $16.00. Students are $10.00. Group rates for 10 or more people are available. Rush tickets $10.00 one hour prior to the performance (based on availability). Tickets for the pre-show Kroupa's Fish Fry Friday dinner on October 2 are $10.00.
For more information or to order tickets by telephone, call the Box Office at (262)782-4430. Box Office hours are Tuesday through Friday 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. and Saturdays 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.. Tickets may also be ordered on-line at www.sunsetplayhouse.com.
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