Brighton High School Musical Theater first in Michigan to perform "Nice Work If You Can Get It"

On the heels of selling out multiple performances of each of its last five productions, Brighton High School’s Musical Theater program will be the first theatre troupe of any kind in Michigan to perform the spectacular Tony Award winning new musical “Nice Work If You Can Get It” at the Brighton Center for the Performing Arts, March 20-29, 2015. Gorgeous songs, brilliant costumes, snappy dancing, and some of the magical staging audiences have come to expect from a Brighton High School musical will undoubtedly captivate viewers in this hilarious, romantic, musical comedy.

It’s the Roaring Twenties and a cast of outrageous characters gather in New York to celebrate the wedding of wealthy playboy Jimmy Winter. But things don’t go as planned when the playboy meets Billie Bendix, a bubbly and feisty bootlegger who melts his heart. This brand-new musical features a treasure trove of George and Ira Gershwin’s most beloved, instantly recognizable tunes set in a fresh and funny song-and-dance spectacular in the best, classic, American musical comedy tradition. Launched on Broadway in 2012, starring film and stage legend Matthew Broderick and Tony winner Kelli O’Hara, and including a cast full of some of Broadway’s best loved character actors, “Nice Work If You Can Get It” received ten Tony Award nominations and won two Tonys. The book for the show is inspired by the stories of P. G. Wodehouse and Guy Bolton. Written by Tony winner Joe DiPietro (Memphis), it won the Drama Desk award for “Outstanding Book of a Musical” in 2012.

Along with the seven performances of “Nice Work If You Can Get It”, Brighton Musical is again offering a special Red Carpet Gala on the production’s first Saturday, March 21st. Gala tickets include a memorable walk down the red carpet. Previous year’s red carpet strolls have featured cast members, press interviews, and special pre-show photographs. Purchase of a Gala ticket also includes special reserved seating, an exclusive intermission reception featuring custom refreshments, a unique post-show, meet-&-greet and behind-the-scenes tour with members of the cast, and a post-performance soiree with the directors and producers at Downtown Main Martini Bar & Grill in Brighton. Tickets are very limited for the Red Carpet Gala and are just $40. Regular-priced seating will also be available.

As a special added bonus this year, Brighton High School Musical Theater will offer a free discussion of the works of George and Ira Gershwin following the Sunday, March 22nd performance. Mark Clague, a professor of musicology and director of research at the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance, is perhaps the world’s leading authority on the music of George & Ira Gershwin. In conjunction with the first performances of “Nice Work If You Can Get It” in Michigan, Professor Clague has graciously consented to speak with Brighton Musical’s audience, using musical examples from the show and helping our audience and guests learn more about George and Ira Gershwin’s life and songs. This discussion is free and open to the public. (Tickets for the show performance that precedes the lecture are not free!)

Please join over a hundred on and off-stage cast members in Michigan’s first production of this exciting new show! Public reviews of previous shows frequently include the phrase, “These are high school kids?!” Tickets for all performances are on sale now via the Brighton Musical website: http://www.brightonmusical.com. Reserved seats are $16 for adults, $14 for students. Tickets are $1 more at the door pending availability. Red Carpet Gala Tickets (March 21st) are $40.

“Nice Work If You Can Get It” is a wholesome theatrical experience very much intended to remind the audience of the glitz and glamour of an old movie musical. As it is a musical set during Prohibition, the show has some drinking and light adult references, though less than any PG movie would include. If your child sits attentively through musicals on DVD, he or she is likely to enjoy seeing the extravagant lights, sets and costumes in person. Due to the length of the show, children under 4 will not be admitted.

“Nice Work If You Can Get It” is presented by special arrangement with TAMS-WITMARK MUSIC LIBRARY, INC. 560 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022 ; All authorized performance materials are supplied by TAMS-WITMARK MUSIC LIBRARY, INC.

Music & Lyrics by George & Ira Gershwin, Book by Joe DiPietro, Inspired by material by P. G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton

The show includes over 100 talented on and off-stage cast members from Brighton High School and is directed by Michelle Holowicki & Phil Johnson; with production leadership, stage direction and choreography by Michelle Holowicki, musical direction by Phil Johnson, acting direction by Jennifer Yanchula, technical direction, sound and lighting design by Josh Holowicki, and production management by Eric Guerin.

Performance Dates and Times

March 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28 @ 7:30 pm (Red Carpet Gala option March 21st)March 22 and 29 @ 4:30 pm (U of M Professor Mark Clague discussion March 22nd)

Links:

Brighton High School Musical Theater: http://brightonmusical.com

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nice_Work_If_You_Can_Get_It_%28musical%29

Mark Clague: http://www.music.umich.edu/faculty_staff/bio.php?u=claguem

Gershwin Initiative at U-M SMTD: http://www.music.umich.edu/ami/gershwin/