January 26–February 19
Hearts Are Wild
City Theatre will present the world premiere of the rock musical Hearts Are Wild from January 26 through February 19, 2006, on City Theatre’s 272-seat mainstage. Directed by City Theatre Artistic Director Tracy Brigden, Hearts Are Wild features original music and lyrics by George Griggs and book by Darrah Cloud, with a cast of four singer/actors and a three-piece band (electric guitar, bass and drums).
In Hearts Are Wild, Steve is an average guy with a wife (Sharon), a house, a job, and an obsession with Elvis. As the show begins, his ordinary life is rocked when a dream warns of a dangerous crossroads. Steve wakes to find a band in his bedroom, urging him to follow the music in his heart. How he goes from predictable boring husband to hunk of burnin’ love is the story told in this wild new musical.
With cameo appearances by a psychic hairdresser, a skater dude from Vassar and a Starbucks barista, Hearts Are Wild is smart and funny and parodies suburban preoccupations, office politics, and relationship dilemmas. At its center, though, this original rock musical is a valentine to the half-century of popular music that's been pounding strong since Elvis checked into the Heartbreak Hotel.
Steve and Sharon will be played by the real-life married couple Ben Evans and Julie Dingman Evans. Cast in the flashy multi-character role is Billy Hartung, whose credits include Footloose and Side Show on Broadway and the Academy Award-winning movie, Chicago. Also featured is Point Park University student Katie Allen.
The Hearts Are Wild band is Craig "Izzy" Arlet on guitar, Brian Stahurski on bass, and Tom Earley on drums.
The design team is Michael Olich (Scenic), Pei-Chi Su (Costumes), Andrew David Ostrowski (Lighting), and Keith Bates (Sound). Danny Herman is the Choreographer, Douglas Levine is the Music Director, Tommy Russo is the Music Arranger, Carlyn Aquiline is the Dramaturg, and Kellee Van Aken is the Assistant Director.
Hearts Are Wild was developed at City Theatre and workshopped at the theatre’s festival, Momentum 05: new plays at different stages.
Preview Week Performance Schedule
Thurs. & Fri. Jan. 26 & 27 at 8 pm
Sat. Jan. 28 at 5:30 pm
Sun. Jan. 29 & Tues. Jan. 31 at 7 pm
Press/Opening Night is Weds., Feb. 1 at 8 pm.
Regular Run Schedule
Tues. at 7 pm
Weds. thru Fri. at 8 pm
Sat. at 5:30 & 9 pm
Sun. at 2 pm plus Sun. Feb. 12 at 7 pm
Tickets
$15 to $40
Students and age 25 and younger can reserve $15 tickets in advance.
Senior rush (age 60 and older) begins at the Box Office two hours before showtime.
To buy tickets, call the Box Office at 412.431.CITY or click here to buy online.