Contact: John Hassig, CFA Director of Performing and Visual Arts. (608)-342-1267 hassigj@uwplatt.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: John Hassig - Director of Performing & Visual Arts, Programs & Facilities 608-342-1267 or hassigj@uwplatt.edu

The Heartland Festival at the University of Wisconsin Platteville has announced the season lineup for the 2008 season. This year is the eighth outing for the annual Festival.

Opening the season will be a new kind of show for the Festival. 'Wake me When I'm Dead' is murder mystery where the audience members are attendees of an Irish wake for Uncle Sean O'Malley. Shocked as the O'Malley family is by Uncle Sean's sudden departure, they're determined to give him a send off as only an Irish family can. The mystery revolves around a mumbling within the clan that the death might not have been an accident. Rumors are flying about changes in the will and outrageous claims about the end of the rainbow. All the hilarious action of the play takes place between courses of dinner.

"I was looking for something to really offer a different experience for our audiences," says John Hassig Executive Director for the Festival and Director of Performing & Visual Arts, Programs & Facilities at UWP. "Our opening show, 'Wake me When I'm Dead' will definitely offer a unique and interactive dinner theatre experience." Performances begin June 13.

The second show will be the musical comedy 'I Love You, You're Perfect.Now Change'. This celebration of the dating game takes on the truths and myths behind that contemporary conundrum known as "the relationship." This hilarious show pays tribute to those who have loved and lost, to those who have fallen on their face at the portal of romance, to those who have dared to ask, "What are you doing Saturday night?" Performances begin June 20.

The characters of Arnold Lobel come alive in the musical 'A Year with Frog and Toad' beginning on June 27. This wonderful show remains true to the spirit of the original stories as it follows two great friends, the cheerful and popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad through four fun-filled seasons. A new show that is destined to become a classic, 'A Year with Frog and Toad' is inventive, exuberant and totally enchanting.

"We really wanted a very family friendly, all ages show to follow up Seussical, which was such a great success for us last season," said Hassig. "Frog & Toad are such a beloved series of books I think people of all ages will really enjoy seeing these characters come alive - and the music is just beautiful."

The final production of the season will be the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber masterpiece 'Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'. The Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to vibrant life in this delightful musical parable. 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, Joseph endures a series of adventures in which his spirit and humanity are continually challenged. Set to an engaging cornucopia of musical styles, from country-western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and rock 'n' roll, this Old Testament tale emerges both timely and timeless. The production opens on July 11.

Additionally, the Missoula Children's Theatre will return to the Festival for a production of 'Robinson Caruso'. MCT involves over 60 local children in their productions. Rehearsals will begin July 21 with performances on July 25 and 26. Registration information for MCT will be available on the Heartland website in February.

"I am very excited for this season of events. I have been attending many group travel shows around the Midwest to showcase our Festival to group travel planners. They have all been extremely positive about this season. If their excitement is any indication of audience response to this season, I am very hopeful for another season of great attendance" said Hassig. Attendance at these travel showcases to promote the Festival is part of a marketing project funded by a grant from the Brodbeck Theater Fund in the UWP Foundation.

The 2007 season marked the highest attendance yet for the Festival with nearly 6000 tickets sold. Involvement in productions also hit a high mark with 175 people on stage or behind the scenes.

Auditions for the productions will take place in Platteville on February 17 for adults and in March for children's roles.

For the most up to date information visit Heartland on the web at www.uwplatt.edu/arts/heartland.