Friday, Sep 23, 2016
Just in time for the 2016 elections, Rider University Musical Theatre will present George and Ira Gershwin’s Pulitzer Prize-winning satire on presidential politics Of Thee I Sing Wednesday, Sept. 28, through Sunday, Oct. 2, in the Yvonne Theater on the campus of Rider University in Lawrenceville. The preview performance is on Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 7:30 p.m., and performances are Thursday, Sept. 29, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 30, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 1, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 2, at 2 p.m. Nathan Hurwitz is the director and musical director.
This all-American political satire has a book by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind. It focuses on the election campaign and Presidency of John P. Wintergreen, whose party, lacking a viable platform, runs on love, promising that if elected he will marry the partner chosen for him at an Atlantic City beauty pageant. When he falls for Mary Turner, a campaign secretary who bakes a mean corn muffin, instead of Diana Deveraux, known as the fairest flower of the South and winner of the pageant, trouble begins! This concert-style production features a cast of 70 performers and an onstage orchestra. It seems that presidential elections and national politics haven’t changed much in the 75 years since this show first hit the boards!
Nathan Hurwitz has studied acting with Stella Adler, directing with Jack Garfein and conducting with Lehman Engel. His third book, A Singer’s Guide to the Literature of the American Musical Theatre, has just been published by Routledge. He has not only performed, but has also delivered academic papers around the world. His Broadway credits include Blood Brothers, Dream, and The Phantom of the Opera. At Rider he has served as director or musical director of A Little Night Music, Catch Me If You Can, Lucky Stiff, Nine, and many others.
Based in Rider’s Westminster College of the Arts, Rider’s Musical Theatre productions feature students enrolled in the University’s highly regarded Musical Theatre program, as well as other talented students selected by audition. Graduates of the program are appearing on Broadway, in national touring productions and in major regional theaters. Its productions offer the community the opportunity to see aspiring actors in the early stages of their careers.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors. They can be purchased at the door, through the box office at 609-896-7775 or online at www.rider.edu/arts. General admission preview tickets are $9 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are only available at the door.