In today's tough economy, it's not difficult to find relatively new businesses struggling. But as Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy approaches their fifth season, things are starting to "heat up" and people are talking.
Young blood is running this shop but there's no lack of experience here. Broadway star and Raleigh local, Lauren Kennedy (Spamalot, Les Misérables, Sunset Boulevard) has taken over as the company's Producing Artistic Director with husband Tony Award® nominated actor Alan Campbell (Sunset Boulevard, Contact) acting as Managing Director. Also on staff will be Raleigh local professional actors Adam Twiss, who will act as Associate Artistic Director, Andrea Schulz Twiss as Associate Managing Director and Hilary Russo, who has been the company's Publicity and Media Relations Director since their first season.
"The wonderful thing about our staff this year is that we are all professional actors, and have all performed at one time or another in shows with Hot Summer Nights", says Kennedy, who added "we are very connected to this theatre and have a real desire to see it thrive."
The Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy 2009 Season opens on June 17th and runs through September 20th with each of the first three shows enjoying a ten-day performance run. Drift will have seven performances.
The 2009 lineup includes:
Sylvia (June 17-28) directed by by Tony Award® Nominee Alan Campbell
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (July 8-July 19) directed by Tito Hernandez
The Turn of the Screw (July 29-August 9) directed by Adam Twiss
Drift (Sept 12-Sept 20) A New Musical by Jeremy Schonfeld & directed by Lauren Kennedy
"This season we have decided to produce four shows instead of our normal six. This way we can provide a more "recession friendly" season and keep the costs down for our sponsors and supporters", says Kennedy.
Drift will be a special engagement produced by Hot Summer Nights at the Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre at Barton College in Wilson, NC. Barton is the company's sister theatre and coincidentally where Adam Twiss resides as Assistant Professor of Theatre.
"Barton College couldn't be happier about the upcoming Hot Summer Nights season", says Twiss, who continued, "We consider it an honor to host the premiere of Drift as an inaugural production in our outstanding new facility."
All performances run Wednesday-Saturday at 8PM. Sunday matinees are at 3PM. Tickets range from $22.00 (general admission) to $18.00 (senior adults or military & students with valid ID). Season tickets are $60.00 (not including Drift). Tickets are now on sale now through OvationTix by calling 866-811-4111 or online on the Hot Summer Nights' website: www.hotsummernightsatthekennedy.org.
