Helm returns to Heartland Festival in many roles

PLATTEVILLE - Paul Helm is returning for his fourth summer to the Heartland Festival at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. On stage, he performs multiple roles in "Frog and Toad," and "I Love You, You're Perfect ... Now Change," as well as the roles of director, musical director and choreographer of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," this year's musical extravaganza.

According to John Hassig, executive director of the Heartland Festival, Helm has played an important role in the festival's success.

"Paul is a huge asset to the festival. Not only is he a key player onstage, he is becoming a powerful force behind the scenes. He is the first actor I hired five years ago when I took the executive director position with Heartland. The fact that he keeps coming back means a lot to me. His growth has been nothing short of amazing to watch. I admire his talent and value him as a brilliant performer, visionary director and good friend," said Hassig.

Though he is becoming a veteran, Helm said he finds each new season invigorating and educational.

"As an actor, I've learned so much from both Vivienne Elborne and Ann Farrelly, and each year, I'm working with professionals and learning more about my craft. The actors here, even the volunteers, have their hearts in their work, and you can tell they are enjoying themselves," he said. Elborne directs "I Love You, You're Perfect ... Now Change," and Farrelly, directs the storybook come-to-life tale of "Frog and Toad."

The task of directing both the acting and musical numbers might have seemed daunting to anyone, since the story of "Joseph" and his coat of many colors is told entirely though musical narration. Joseph is a boy blessed with prophetic dreams, and his father's favorite son. When he is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt, he endures a series of adventures in which his spirit and humanity are continually challenged.

"Joseph is about two things: dreaming and storytelling," explained Helm. "Joseph is a dreamer, both revered and hated for his interpretation of dreams. Such is the case today as dreamers are often outcasts. They see things, they understand things, but many times the world is not ready to hear what a dreamer has to say."

Helm has performed widely in the region since first becoming a professional actor in 1999. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he has performed, directed and music-directed regionally with the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, First Stage Children's Theater, Skylight Opera Theatre, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Circa 21' Dinner Playhouse, and the Florentine Opera Company.

"I am so grateful to the Heartland Festival. It's been absolutely wonderful working with such a fantastic team of highly-skilled actors and designers. I got my first directing break here, so I will always be thankful for John Hassig and UWP," he said. Helm directed the 2007 production of "Seussical."

His other Heartland Festival Production credits include the roles of Oscar Madison in "The Odd Couple," L.M. in "Pump Boys and Dinettes," Tin Man in "The Wizard of Oz," and Seymour in "Little Shop of Horrors."

Following this summer's festival, Helm will perform in the world premiere of "Sometimes A Song: The Music of Dan Fogelberg" with American Folklore Theatre in Door County, and return to Milwaukee to appear in Harry Connick Jr's "The Happy Elf" with First Stage Children's Theater, directed by Tony-Award winning Broadway director John Rando. Helm is also being considered for national tours of "The Wizard of Oz" and "Sweeney Todd."

The Heartland Festival runs through Aug. 3. Anyone interested in learning more about the Heartland Festival may call the University Box Office at (608) 342-1298 or visit the Heartland website at www.uwplatt.edu/arts/heartland. The University Box Office is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located on the ground floor of the newly renovated Ullsvik Hall at the intersection of Hickory and Main streets. The CFA Box Office location opens one and a half hours before scheduled performances. Tickets are also available online 24/7 at http://tickets.uwplatt.edu.

Contact: John Hassig, Executive Director of the Heartland Festival(608) 342-1298, hassigj@uwplatt.edu Written by: Evelyn Martens, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, martense@uwplatt.edu