Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Heartland Festival, UWP's summer arts festival, has announced its 2007 directing team and audition schedule. This season marks the seventh outing for the annual arts festival.

"I see an extraordinary good outlook for this season," reports John Hassig, executive director of the festival and performing and visual arts, Programs and Facilities at UWP. "It is an ambitious season for us with four productions, but I have great confidence in the talent in this region and the team of directors we have assembled."

The opening show in the 2007 season is "Greater Tuna." "Greater Tuna" is the hilarious comedy about Texas' third smallest town, where the Lion's Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies. The eclectic band of citizens that make up this town are portrayed by only two performers depicting all of the inhabitants of Tuna: men, women, children and animals. The show will be directed by returning director Vivienne Elborne. Audiences will remember her work on "Little Shop of Horrors," "Pump Boys and Dinettes" and "Nunsense" from past seasons. The performance opens on June 15.

"Nunsense II" could easily be subtitled "the rest of the story." The second show in the 2007 season is the sequel to the international hit musical "Nunsense." The show begins approximately six weeks after the first "benefit performance." The same sisters are back on stage at Mt. Saint Helen's School for a variety show "Thank You Program" for their supporters. The show is proceeding nicely until the telephone rings. It turns out that the Franciscans are on their way to claim Sister Mary Paul (who won the Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes at the end of "Nunsense") as one of their own. Elborne will do double duty as director of this performance as a sequel to her work on the 2005 Heartland Festival production of "Nunsense."

"I am thrilled to have Vivienne returning once again for another year with Heartland," noted Hassig. "She is an amazing leader and always finds the heart and soul of the show. The actors just love her and the audiences respond very well." "Nunsense II" opens on June 22.

Next up is the musical "Seussical." Based on the work of famed author Dr. Seuss, "Seussical" is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza. All of the favorite Dr. Seuss characters are brought to life on stage including Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, the Whos of Whoville and the Cat in the Hat. These classic, colorful tales are brought together by Jojo, a young boy and "thinker of strange and wonderful thinks."

"Seussical" will be directed by Milwaukee resident Paul Helm. Helm worked for the festival as an actor, musician and music director in the 2004 and 2006 seasons including roles as Tinman in "Wizard of Oz," Seymour in "Little Shop of Horrors" and a memorable turn as Gertrude (the invisible chicken) in "Belgians in Heaven." "Paul is one of those actors who really throws himself into his work," commented Hassig. "I am delighted that he is returning, though this time in the director's chair." "Seussical" opens on June 29.

The productions for 2007 conclude in the Richard and Helen Brodbeck Concert Hall with the beloved musical classic "The Sound of Music." When a postulant proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit, gradually captures the heart of the stern Captain, and they marry. Upon returning from their honeymoon, they discover that Austria has been invaded by the Nazis, who demand the Captain's immediate service in their Navy. The family's narrow escape over the mountains to Switzerland on the eve of World War II provides one of the most thrilling and inspirational finales ever presented in the theater. The motion picture version remains the most popular movie musical of all time. New UWP assistant professor of theater, David Schuler, will direct.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Schuler moved to Platteville from upstate New York and most recently taught in the theater program at Genesee Community College (N.Y.). Recently, he directed "The Fantasticks" at UWP and will be working on Harold Pinter's "Old Times" and co-directing David Ives' "All in the Timing" at UWP this spring. "Sound of Music" will open on July 6.

The festival will continue its repertory schedule with productions running on a rotating basis through July 29. Travelers have the option of spending a weekend in Platteville and being able to see four different performances in two days. To accommodate the additional show in the schedule, Tuesday and Sunday evening performances have been added. Wednesday matinees are also planned for groups.

Auditions for adult roles in all productions will be held at the CFA on Feb. 18 from 5 to 10 p.m. Interested performers can schedule an audition by calling (608) 342-1707 or sending an e-mail to cfa@uwplatt.edu. Complete audition details will be available on the Heartland website atwww.uwplatt.edu/arts/heartland. Auditions for children's roles in "Sound of Music" and "Seussical" will be on March 25 and 26. For the most up-to-date information, the Heartland Festival website is www.uwplatt.edu/arts/heartland

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