MARRY ME A LITTLE Closes Out Cincinnati Playhouse Season, Previews 5/9

The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will close its Thompson ShelterhouseTheatre season with Stephen Sondheim's MARRY ME A LITTLE. This funny and touchingmusical revue begins public previews on May 9 and continues through June 14.

The show answers the question, "What do you do when you find yourself alone on aSaturday night in New York City?" The story follows two young people who live in the sameapartment building (he in 3E and she in 2E), but have never met. Both characters (who go unnamed throughout the show) would prefer to be doing something exciting with their weekend night, but instead are left unpacking groceries and reading the early edition of the Sunday NewYork Times to pass the time.

MARRY ME A LITTLE follows the two as they sing and fantasizeabout what their lives could be and come to terms with who they actually are. How the two characters spend their evenings alone - and how they feel about it - are relayed through 16 Sondheim numbers that were (thankfully) rescued.But it is so much more than just a revue. Although the two characters never meet duringthe course of the evening, their lives intersect and weave as the evening progresses. They even function as important roles in each other's dreams. 

The creation of MARRY ME A LITTLE is a fascinating story in itself. When Stephen Sondheim happened to mention the existence of some of his never-performed songs to chorus member Craig Lucas during a rehearsal for SWEENEY TODD , he probably never thought it would amount to anything.

Years after the interaction between the two, Lucas was commissioned to produce a musical revue for The Production Company. He reminded Sondheim of their conversation and asked his permission to include some of the composer's forgotten songs in theproduction. He agreed and, together, they chose the songs that turned into MARRY ME A LITTLE. The show originally ran at the Production Company from October to December 1980 and was directed by co-creator and developer Norman René. Craig Lucas played the lead male role in the production.

The songs featured in MARRY ME A LITTLE come from some of Sondheim's greatest successes, including A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM , FOLLIES , COMPANY and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC . In MARRY ME A LITTLE , these orphaned songs cometogether to form yet another Sondheim classic. Among the songs included is "Marry Me A Little," originally intended for COMPANY , which the Playhouse in the Park produced in 2006. The show transferred to Broadway where it received the Tony Award for Best Revival of aMusical.Other songs in the production include "Two Fairy Tales" ( A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC ), "All Things Bright and Beautiful" ( FOLLIES ), "Your Eyes Are Blue" ( A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM ) and "Happily Ever After" ( COMPANY ). Some of the songs (onedates back to 1954) were written for shows that never came to be; others were simply cut from the song lists. Directing (for the first time in the Shelterhouse Theatre) is Stafford Arima, who led both the musical productions of ACE and ALTAR BOYZ at the Playhouse.

Other members of the artistic team include Beowulf Boritt (Set Designer), Aaron Spivey (Lighting Designer), Gordon DeVinney(Costume Designer), Lynne Shankel (MusicDirector) and Andrea L. Shell (StageManager). Cincinnati native Sally Wilfert (Woman) and Benjamin Eakeley (Man) will bemaking their Playhouse debuts.

Prices for MARRY ME A LITTLE range from $51-$61, depending on day and seat location. All tickets are $45 for the preview performances at 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 9; 7 p.m. Sunday, May 10; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May12; and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 13.  The official opening night is Thursday, May 14 at 8 p.m. Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sundays.

Tickets to MARRY ME A LITTLE are on sale now. For more information, call the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 (toll-freein Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208) or visit www.cincyplay.com. Call 513/345-2248 for TDD accessibility.

The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available. The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to the Fine Arts Fund.

Special Performances Meet the ArtistsThese free programs allow audiences to interact with cast members and others associated with the production following the show.2 p.m. Sunday, May 172 p.m. Sunday, May 247:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 278 p.m. Thursday, June 4 Dining Options Karlo's Bistro at the Playhouse offers full-service dining prior to most evening performances. Dinnersinclude salad, entrée and dessert. Reservations are required by noon on the day of the show. The price is $25. Karlo's Casual Fare offers busy theatre patrons an alternative light, quick bite prior to the show.

Options include salads, sandwiches, soups,pasta and desserts. No reservations are required. Sponsors Production Sponsor: Fifth Third Bank This production honors the passionate life ofArlene Meyer Design Sponsor Duke EnergyArtist SponsorChris DaushThe 2008-2009 Thompson Shelterhouse Theatre series is presented by Heidelberg Distributing Co.The Shelterhouse Season Design Sponsor isLarry and Rhonda Sheakley Family Foundation

Artists fly to and from Cincinnati on Comair, the Playhouse's official airline.The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourageeconomic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the City of Cincinnati and The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation