THEATRE + COMEDY

Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) and Miller Outdoor Theatre present 42nd Street.

The tap-happy Tony® Award winning spectacle of 42nd Street marks Theatre Under The Stars' (TUTS) 42nd summer of free performances at Miller Outdoor Theatre. 42nd Street brings the grand-scale dance numbers of 1930s Broadway to Miller Outdoor Theatre (100 Concert Drive) every evening July 9 - 14, 2009 at 8:15 p.m.

Set on Broadway during the Great Depression, 42nd Street is the classic backstage tale of aspiring actress and small-town girl, Peggy Sawyer, who finds love and success on the Great White Way. Cast as a chorus girl, Peggy finds herself replacing the star of the show on opening night.

The director urges her, "You're going out there a youngster. But you've got to come back a STAR!"

Full of thrilling, grand-scale tap numbers and over the top dance routines, 42nd Street features music by Harry Warren, lyrics by Al Dubin and book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble. It's based on the Warner Bros. film of the same name and the novel by Bradford Ropes. The 1980 musical includes "Lullaby of Broadway," "We're in the Money," "Shuffle Off to Buffalo" and the title song "42nd Street".

"It's wonderful to see a show like this; a show that really satisfies my craving for the spectacular kind of tap numbers prevalent in old Broadway," says Frank Young, Founder of Theatre Under The Stars. "Anyone who's ever felt nostalgic for classic Broadway, or just had a dream to be on the big stage will love this show," says Young.

Actress, Loretta Swit will play the role of prima donna Dorothy Brock. Though she's no stranger to the stage, Swit is best-known for her two-time Emmy-winning portrayal of Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on M*A*S*H. Swit was also seen on Broadway in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Returning to the TUTS Stage as Billy Lawlor is Humphreys School of Musical Theatre alum, Austin Miller. Miller recently starred as Adam in the Broadway bound Trip of Love and headlined the First National Tour of Hairspray as Link Larkin. Miller's TV credits include NBC's "Grease: You're The One That I Want". He also appeared in Disney's When You Wish, TUTS' last free summer musical at Miller Outdoor Theatre.

Starring as Peggy Sawyer is Shannon M. O'Bryan. Shannon has performed Peggy on Broadway all over America and abroad. In the role of director Julian Marsh, is Steve Blanchard. Blanchard's Broadway credits include Beauty and the Beast, Camelot, The Three Musketeers, and A Christmas Carol. On the TUTS 09-10 season, Blanchard will star opposite Melissa Gilbert in the national tour of Little House On The Prairie.

Also appearing in the cast are Tony Lawson as Pat Denning, Denise Nolin as Maggie Jones, James Young as Bert Barry, David Titus as Abner Dillon and Sarah Strimel as Anytime Annie. Ensemble features Robert J. Abdoo, Andrew Black , Adam Brozowski , Jason Michael Butler , Abby Church, Veronica Diperna, Lisa Guignard , Sarah Marie Hicks , Rashaan James, II , Kolina Janneck , Scott Leiendecker , Christian Mansfield , Janelle Neal , Candice Pennefather , Tripp Pettigrew , Chuck Rea , Ariel Reid, Krista Saab, Geo Seery , Samantha Shafer , Stephanie Van Duynhoven , and Correy West.

42nd Street will be directed and choreographed by Norb Joerder, whose work can be seen from Broadway to regional theaters across America, European and International productions. He reunited Robert Goulet and Camelot for a critically acclaimed revival on Broadway and a record breaking National tour. He also staged the Richard Harris International Camelot that toured Australia and Europe. In New York, he has directed and choreographed revivals of 42nd Street with Jerry Orbach and Tammy Grimes, La Cage Aux Folles with Gene Barry and Lee Roy Reams, and Gypsy with Lainie Kazan.  Joerder previously worked with Theatre Under The Stars as director of the 1990 production of Camelot.

John Visser, Music Director for this production of 42nd Street, conducted The National Tour revivals of South Pacific, Camelot, Man of La Mancha, and the 30TH Anniversary Tour of The Fantastiks starring Robert Goulet. Other National Tours include Anything Goes with Mitzi Gaynor, Guys and Dolls with Maurice Hines and five productions of Camelot with Richard Harris including the Theatre Under The Stars production.

For more information on 42nd Street, call (713) 558-TUTS (8887) or visit Theatre Under The Stars on the web at www.tuts.com  or Miller Outdoor Theatre on the web at www.milleroutdoortheatre.com . Free tickets for the covered seats are available on the day of performance between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Miller Theatre Box Office. Any tickets remaining will be given out one hour before curtain.

Produced by Theatre Under The Stars. Miller Outdoor Theatre, where performances are always free, has entertained and delighted several generations of Houstonians. Pack a picnic basket, a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the performance from the hill, or sit in the brand new seats under the canopy.

For information on maps, parking, etc., please consult the "Plan Your Visit" section of the Miller Outdoor Theatre Web site www.milleroutdoortheatre.com  or call (281)373-3386.