Wednesday, June 9, 2004

Erin Burns to perform in ‘The Fantasticks’ LaGrange Opera Theater to present musical theater classic Newnan native Erin Burns headlines the cast of performers as Luisa in an upcoming production of “The Fantasticks,” to be presented June 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 by the LaGrange Opera Theater (LOT). A member of the Lafayette Society for Performing Arts, the production will be held at Price Theater in LaGrange, announced Anne Duraski, Artistic Director and LOT Founder. Other performers include Chris Bouchard of Atlanta, Loren Pinkerman, Jeff Sargent, Jim Short and Wes Martin of LaGrange, and Derrick Jackson and Rachel Hoogacker of Columbus. Burns recently graduated from Columbus State University with a BA in voice. While in Columbus she played the role of Luisa in The Fantasticks at the Springer Opera House. Other roles and production include: OKLAHOMA! (Laurey), The Sound of Music (Brigitta), Jekyll and Hyde, Peter Pan and South Pacific. She is a former Miss Columbus State and competed in the 2001 Miss Georgia Pageant. She opened for country singer Tracy Lawrence at the Columbus Civic Center this past May. Dr. Michael Marcades, Director of Choral Activities at Columbus State University, is making his first appearance with LOT as Musical Director and Dr. Stephen Earl Edwards, LaGrange College professor of Theater Arts, returns as Stage Director, after having directed the very successful “Pirates of Penzance” three years ago. The Fantasticks is the longest running musical theater production in history with a “Who’s Who” of performers during its historic run. It opened 44 years ago in a small 150 seat theater in New York with an original cast that included Jerry Orbach. It continues to play today after more than 15,000 performances. Other performers in the show have included Liza Minnelli, John Davidson, Bert Convy, Bert Lahr, Stanley Holloway, Ricardo Montalban, David Cryer, Richard Chamberlain, John Carradine, Elliott Gould, Murray Abraham and Robert Goulet. All performances will be at 8 p.m. at Price Theater on the campus of LaGrange College. Tickets are $15 each ($10 for seniors and students in advance) and can be purchased at LSPA Center, 210 Bull St. Additional information is available by calling LSPA at 706-882-9909. Credit card sales also are available.