Press Releases

David Weitzer Makes His Algonquin Debut As Frank Butler; Production Opens October 24 for Grand-Reopening with New Seats!

EVENT INFORMATION
What:
Irving Berlin's "Annie Get Your Gun"

Who:
Algonquin Arts Theatre

Dates & Times:
Friday, October 24, 8 p.m.
Saturday, October 25 8 p.m.
Sunday, October 26, 3 p.m.
Thursday, October 30, 8 p.m.
Saturday, November 1, 2 p.m.
Saturday, November 1, 8 p.m.
Sunday, November 2, 3 p.m.

Location:
Algonquin Arts Theatre
173 Main Street, Manasquan, N.J., 08736

Tickets:
Adults: $36 / $29
Seniors: $33 / $26
Students: $27 / $20
Group rates available for 12 or more. Individual tickets subject to $2 per ticket processing fee.

To Purchase or for Information:
732-528-9211 or algonquinarts.org

Headshots:
Carter Calvert:
http://www.algonquinarts.org/cc/press/CarterCalvert_CourtesyCarterCalvert.jpg
David Weitzer:
http://www.algonquinarts.org/cc/press/DavidWeitzer_CMYK.jpg

MANASQUAN, N.J. (October 6, 2014) � Broadway's Carter Calvert makes a triumphant return to Algonquin Arts Theatre to star as Annie Oakley in Irving Berlin's "Annie Get Your Gun" from October 24 to November 2 to kick off the 2014-15 Broadway Series presented by Manasquan Savings Bank.

Calvert, who has mesmerized Manasquan audiences as Patsy Cline and Eva Peron, will star opposite veteran actor David Weitzer who plays the iconic role of Annie's beau, Frank Butler. The show's memorable score includes "I Got the Sun in the Morning," "Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)" and the performers' theme song "There's No Business Like Show Business."

"For the grand re-opening with our new seats we wanted a blockbuster production, and our fantastic cast, orchestra and set for �Annie Get Your Gun' fits that bill," said Algonquin Arts Theatre executive director William Whitefield. "We're thrilled to introduce David Weitzer to play the leading man opposite the darling Carter Calvert."

Calvert is known at the Algonquin as the title roles in "Evita," and "Always ... Patsy Cline" when she starred opposite Sally Struthers. She is best known for originating her role in the Tony nominated "It Ain't Nothin' But The Blues" on Broadway, the European tour of "Smokey Joe's Cafe," Grizabella in the Broadway National Tour of "Cats" and "Always ... Patsy Cline" productions in theatres across the country.

Weitzer performed for audiences around the globe during an international tour of "Phantom of the Opera" and off-Broadway in "The Awesome 80's Prom." His musical theatre credits include Jean Valjean in "Les Miserables," Sweeney Todd in "Sweeney Todd," Jekyll and Hyde in "Jekyll & Hyde" and Beast in "Disney's Beauty and the Beast." Weitzer's concert appearances include Neil Berg's "100 Years of Broadway."

The cast includes many other familiar faces from Algonquin productions including Kevin Walsh, who most recently played Colonel Pickering in "My Fair Lady," as Wild West showman Buffalo Bill and Eric McDonough, the Wizard in "The Wizard of Oz," as Sitting Bull.

Featured performers include Jessica O'Brien as Dolly Tate, Emily Latshaw as Winnie Tate, Connor Sheridan as Tommy Keeler, Anthony Greco as Charlie Davenport and Jack Rosmarin as Pawnee Bill. Jake Heilos, Julia Lupi, Nicole Curnan and Bella DiDomenico star as Annie's younger siblings.

The talented ensemble includes Terrence Berry, Olivia Coniglio, Marissa DeVeau, Courtney Elliot, Brendan Flanagan, John Gekle Jr., Melissa Hunt, Erin McGowan, Jeffrey O'Neill, Michael Olender, Caity Radice, Christina Rak-Samson, Robert Rasczyk, Skylyr VanDerveer, Kathleen Stehle Pearlberg, Tracy Williams and Jo Wymer.

"Annie Get Your Gun" is produced by William Whitefield and Jan Topoleski with direction by Gina Lupi.

Individual tickets start at $29 for adults, $26 for seniors and $20 for students and are on sale now at algonquinarts.org, by phone at 732-528-9211 and from the Algonquin Box Office at 173 Main Street in Manasquan. The Box Office is open 12-6 p.m. weekdays and 12-4 on Saturdays. All tickets are subject to a $2 processing fee.

The production opens on Friday, October 24 at 8 p.m. and evening performances continue on Saturday, October 25 at 8 p.m., Thursday, October 30 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, November 1 at 8 p.m. Matinees will be held at 3 p.m. on Sundays, October 26 and November 2, and at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 1. There will be no performance on October 31 for "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" film to play on Halloween.

From a story by Dorothy and Herbert Fields, and featuring the music and lyrics of one of America's great composers, Berlin, "Annie Get Your Gun" debuted on Broadway in 1946 with the backing of the production team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Star Ethel Merman played Annie Oakley opposite Ray Middleton as Frank Butler in the original production, and Merman returned for the 1966 revival on Broadway.

In 1999 the show returned to Broadway with an original cast of Bernadette Peters as Annie and Tom Wopat as Frank as a tour de force winning four Tony Awards. Country Music Hall of Famer Reba McEntire, Susan Lucci ("All My Children") and Cheryl Ladd ("Charlie's Angels") all played the role of Annie before the production closed after 1,045 performances. Revisions to the show made by Peter Stone for the 1999 revival will be included in this Algonquin production.

ABOUT ALGONQUIN ARTS THEATRE
Algonquin Arts Theatre (AAT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1992 with the mission to provide cultural enhancement and arts education to all audiences at the Jersey Shore through high-quality performances and programs in theatre, music, film and dance. The end goal is to foster appreciation of the arts and promote lifelong learning, particularly among underserved audiences including the economically disadvantaged, senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.

Algonquin Arts Theatre's programs are made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; by funds from the Paul F. Zito, M.D. Educational Foundation, by Simon Kaufman, Esq. & Maria Zito-Kaufman, and by Manasquan Savings Bank.