Oregon Musical Theatre Festival opens with 3 summer shows in July & August
And “high tea” with Cinderella, too!
News Release 08-005-D For more information: Release date: 7/03/08 Bentley Gilbert For immediate release (541) 440-7747 http://www.umpqua.edu/
Winchester— The Oregon Musical Theatre Festival at Umpqua Community College will launch its inaugural season with three summer musicals, in repertoire, on three stages at the College’s Winchester, Oregon, campus near Roseburg.
Three different plays showing simultaneously is an extension of the College’s highly-acclaimed and long-term summer musical theatre productions.
Beginning Thursday, July 24, the Oregon Musical Theatre Festival at UCC will show “Cinderella,” the timeless and magical fairy tale of the glass slipper in the Jacoby Auditorium; “The Fantasticks,” the longest running musical on the planet in the more intimate setting of Centerstage Theatre, and “The Last Five Years,” an innovative and contemporary love story, staged on the College’s new outdoor Swanson Amphitheatre stage. The three shows run for 23 performances over two weeks, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday through August 4. Two musicals, “The Fantasticks” and “Cinderella,” have 2 pm matinees Saturday and Sunday as well. Evening performances are 7:30 on the indoor stages, and 8 pm in the Swanson.
Reserved seating tickets may be purchased online at oregonmtf.com for $15 and $20, by phoning 541.440.7726 or from While Away Books in Roseburg.
“The Douglas County community, both theatre folks and the general public, has been tremendously supportive of us,” said UCC theatre instructor and OMTF artistic director Dean Remick. “With the Oregon Musical Theatre Festival, we are not only adding to our summer musical theatre schedule, but we will be able to offer workshops for high school drama teachers across the state, academic courses by instructors in our theatre, music, English departments at the College and other events throughout the year.”
This summer, for example, the College is offering a course called “Introduction to Theatre,” taught by UCC humanities instructor Kathleen Walton. It’s a three week, three credit course beginning Monday, July 14, and is an overview of theatre history, dramatic literature and theatre production using the three musicals as its focus. With an emphasis on live performance, it will provide a fresh, exciting look at theatre as an art and its role in American culture. The course will meet on Mondays and Wednesday from July 14-30, from 5 to 8 pm. For more information, contact Kathleen Walton at 440-4644.
As “Cinderella” is a classic fairy tale for the whole family, the Oregon Musical Theatre Festival has events for the young and the not so young when UCC’s Jacoby Auditorium will be transformed this summer into the enchanted fairy-tale land of Rodgers and Hammerstein. This musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale is the jewel of the Oregon Musical Theatre Festival’s inaugural season. Don’t miss these special events:
CINDERELLA HIGH TEA. 1 pm, Saturday, July 19. Children and adults alike will enjoy a storybook “tea” at Tolly’s Restaurant in Oakland. The menu includes scones with strawberry preserves and clotted cream, chicken hazelnut sandwiches, cucumber dill finger sandwiches, assorted mini quiche, Dijon shrimp deviled egg, peanut butter and jelly finger sandwiches, chef’s assortment of desserts and, of course, tea. $15.99 for children under 12 years; $20 adults. Reservations are required. Phone 541.459.3796 or visit Tolly’s website at www.tollys-restaurant.com and click on “Events at Tolly’s Turkey Hall.”
CHILDREN’S DRESS-UP PARADE. July 24, 25, 26, 27 & 31, August 1, 2 & 3. At these performances, children are invited to come dressed up as Cinderella, Prince Charming, the Fairy Godmother or just come dressed up in “fancy” clothes. At intermission, names will be drawn of all dressed-up children and five lucky ones will win a glass slipper on a pillow.
POST PERFORMANCE PHOTO WITH CINDERELLA. July 24, 25, 26, 27 & 31, August 1, 2 & 3. Immediately following these shows, children are invited to come up on stage and have their photo taken with Cinderella. Parents, please bring your own camera. Please note: NO photography of any kind is permitted DURING the show.
SENIOR SPECIAL COMPLIMENTARY RIDE. At selected performances, seniors are to board their retirement residence vans to enjoy a ride to the show and back. Reservations are required at each retirement residence facility. Guests must purchase their own “Cinderella” tickets.
Umpqua Community College is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
Umpqua Community College, PO Box 967, Roseburg Oregon 97470 Phone: (541)440-4600.