PR2017 Jan 20

January 20, 2017

Contacts:

Adam Miller, Managing Director

205.391.2925/amiller@sheltonstate.edu

Harley Sabbagh, Media Contact

205.391.2277/hsabbagh@sheltonstate.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THEATRE TUSCALOOSA TO PRESENT ALABAMA ORIGINAL COMEDY

TUSCALOOSA, AL – Theatre Tuscaloosa will present the Alabama original comedy The Real Queen of Hearts Ain’t Even Pretty February 10-19, 2017, in the Bean-Brown Theatre on the Martin Campus of Shelton State Community College (9500 Old Greensboro Rd.).

In this witty southern comedy set in 1976, all the "popular" girls dream of winning the crown at the Queen of Hearts beauty pageant in small-town Alabama. Original cast member Drew Baker directs this 35th anniversary production by critically-acclaimed Alabama playwright Brad Bailey.

Megan Hill, a University of Alabama student from Kennesaw, Georgia, is studying musical theatre and business. “This show is an amazing combination of humor and heart, and I can't wait to bring these characters to life.”

"I am thrilled to be a part of this production,” says Baker. “We made many wonderful memories when we premiered the play in 1982. To now get the opportunity to direct this production is a dream come true."

To commemorate the 35th anniversary of this production, a pre-show discussion with playwright Brad Bailey and director Drew Baker will be presented Thursday, February 16, 2017, at 6:15 p.m. in the Alabama Power Recital Hall. Seating is general admission and will be done on a first come, first served basis. Admission to the pre-show discussion is free; however, seating is limited.

The cast of The Real Queen of Hearts Ain’t Even Pretty includes Theatre Tuscaloosa newcomers Katharina Fox (Paula), Megan Hill (Liz), and Grace Robbins (Cass) as well as returning performer Emily McGuire (Sherri Lee).

"I'm so excited to be back on the Bean-Brown stage,” says McGuire, who was last seen in Mel Brooks’ The Producers last summer. McGuire is currently a senior at Northridge High School and plans to study theatre at UA in the fall.

Grace Robbins, a homeschool student from Selma, AL, is making her debut with Theatre Tuscaloosa; however, she has worked with Drew Baker on several other occasions.

“I have been in eleven previous shows,” says Robbins, “but my favorite aspect of this show is the intimacy of a small production team. I am grateful for the opportunities that community theatre provides, and I encourage everyone to audition for a show: you'll have a blast!”

The production team includes Drew Baker, director; Richard Dunham, lighting and sound designer; Ashlyn Lambert, stage manager; and Jeanette Waterman, costume designer.

“Working with the talented actors and crew of this production has opened my eyes to how lucky we are to have such a phenomenal theatre company in our midst,” says Fox, a UA student majoring in theatre and German.

Theatre Tuscaloosa’s 2016-17 Season: Share the Dream is presented in cooperation with Shelton State Community College and is supported by the City of Tuscaloosa, Mercedes-Benz, WVUA23, and Townsquare Media. The Real Queen of Hearts Ain’t Even Pretty is supported by UA Early College.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturday, February 11. Matinee performances will be at 2:00 p.m. on Sundays; Wednesday, February 15; and Saturday, February 18. A pay-what-you-can final dress rehearsal will be presented on Thursday, February 9 at 7:30 p.m., all proceeds of which will benefit the Charlie Dennis Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and members of the military, and $12 for students and children. Special rates are available in advance for groups of ten or more.

More details are available at www.theatretusc.com or by calling 205.391.2277.

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Theatre Tuscaloosa is a 501c3 not-for-profit community theatre located on the Martin Campus of Shelton State Community College. Theatre Tuscaloosa has been enriching the greater Tuscaloosa community since 1971 through quality theatrical productions and educational outreach.