Daily Pioneer News

(From left to right) Ryan Bartscher, Jay Cullen and Jason Slattery are all performing in UW-Platteville's Heartland Festival productions this summer for the first time.

PLATTEVILLE - Three new actors have joined the Heartland Festival this year at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Jason Slattery, Ryan Bartscher and Jay Cullen all came to the festival after auditioning at the Midwest Theater Auditions in St. Louis, Mo.

Slattery is a junior music theater major at Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music in Cleveland, Ohio. His background includes regional theater at Cleveland's Playhouse Square and a national tour of "The Sound of Music," in which he played the role of Friedrich von Trapp. He plays the role of Timothy O'Reilly in "Wake Me When I'm Dead," the role of the Man (actually multiple roles) in "I Love You, You're Perfect ... Now Change," and the role of the brother and the baker in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," which opens July 11.

He says he chose the Heartland Festival because of the variety of roles he was offered. In addition to performing in multiple productions, he plays several different parts within "I Love You," which is a musical revue of the mating and dating game and has been very warmly received by audiences since it opened June 20.

"I've been wanting to do this show for a long time. Each new character I become is totally different - with a new scene and a new song. It's very challenging and so much fun to do," he said.

Bartscher is a junior musical theater major at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. In his hometown theater, he played such roles as Cornelius in "Hello Dolly," Lion in "The Wiz," and Jesus in "Godspell." He performs the role of Sean O'Brien in "Wake Me When I'm Dead," the role of Toad in "Frog and Toad," and the brother and butler in "Joseph."

One of the most enjoyable experiences for Bartscher, he said, was working with the cast and crew to bring the story of "Frog and Toad" to life.

"The set is perfect and the orchestra for this production is wonderful. I didn't know what to expect from the audience, so it's been phenomenal to watch the kids sit mesmerized through the whole show. It's like we are stepping out of the pages of a storybook," he said.

Cullen is also a student at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and is pursuing a degree in acting. His credits include Lefou in "Beauty and the Beast," Leading Player in "Pippin," Max in "Lend Me a Tenor," and Bobby Child in "Crazy for You." He performs the role of Father Patrick O'Rourke in "Wake Me When I'm Dead," Frog in "Frog and Toad," and the brother and the pharoh in "Joseph."

Cullen said it is difficult to pick a "favorite" part as all three shows are unique and offer something special for the audience.

" 'Joseph,' obviously, is the 'big' show and I know people are going to love it. The set alone is worth the price of admission. But 'Frog and Toad' is also very special. The way the crew has worked to duplicate the storybook feel is awesome. And of course, 'Wake Me,' offers people an interactive chance to solve a murder mystery, so that's been very fun as well," he said. Cullen said that he has also enjoyed his stay in Platteville. "I love Chicago and plan to make my career there, but it's been nice to bike around here and get this breath of fresh air," he said.

Evening performances of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be held on July 11, 17, 20, 22, 24 and 31. Matinees, beginning at 2 p.m., will be held on July 12, 19 and 27; and Aug. 3.

Ticket prices are $17 for adults or $9 for children under 18 and UWP students with I.D. All opening night performances include a post-show reception sponsored by Platteville Dairy Queen.

Anyone interested in learning more about this or other Heartland Festival shows 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 Performing and Visual Arts, Programs and Facilities, (608) 342-1298, hassigj@uwplatt.edu Written by: Evelyn Martens, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, martense@uwplatt.edu