Press Releases

Carter Calvert & David Weitzer Star; Production Opens October 24 with Seven Performances Before Closing on Nov. 2

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 21, 2014) - Patrons will take Algonquin Arts Theatre's new seats for the first time this Friday, October 24, as Broadway's Carter Calvert and David Weitzer star in "Annie Get Your Gun."

Calvert, who has mesmerized Manasquan audiences as Patsy Cline and Eva Peron, will star opposite 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."

After the Grand Re-Opening on Friday at 8 p.m., 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.

Individual tickets remain for all performances and start at $29 for adults, $26 for seniors and $20 for students and are on sale 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.

"Annie Get Your Gun" is the first of six titles as part of the Algonquin's 2014-15 Broadway Series presented by Manasquan Savings Bank. Upcoming productions include "The 1940s Radio Hour," "The Glass Menagerie," "A Life in the Theatre," "South Pacific" and "Shrek The Musical." Algonquin Arts Theatre will produce all titles except "A Life in the Theatre," which is produced by Philadelphia's famed Walnut Street Theatre. The complete Algonquin calendar is available online at algonquinarts.org.

The new seating was funded by the generous contributions of individuals and organizations around the community to the theatre's Take A Seat Campaign. A recognition plate will be attached to each sponsored seat with a custom inscription created by each donor.

The original seats were removed in early September, and the aisle ends and arms were shipped to Irwin's factory in Grand Rapids, Mich., for refurbishing. The aisle ends, which were formerly all black, have been carefully painted maroon with gold detail highlighting the original art deco design. The wooden arm rests were also refinished before they were installed.

New seats bottoms, seat backs, floor anchors and standards � the part of the chairs that hold the pieces together � were all installed. Some of the new seats are specially designed to be removed to provide positions for wheelchairs, and four aisle seats include arms that fold up to allow easier access to the seat. Patrons will also notice new carpet, fresh paint and improved lighting around the theatre as part of the project.

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.