Olney's CAMELOT Closes January 17

Olney's luscious production of Camelot, described by The Washington Post as "compelling" and "resonant," has been extended for two weeks, to January 17, 2010. DC Theatre Scene calls Camelot "rip-roaring, ideal holiday entertainment."

Winner of four Tony Awards, the classic Lerner and Loewe musical Camelot follows the journey taken when unexpected passion and betrayal upend the world of an idealistic king, his beloved queen, and a virtuous knight.

Todd Alan Johnson and Aaron Ramey are making their Olney debuts as King Arthur and Sir Lancelot, respectively. Todd performed on Broadway in Aida, and in the National Tour of Les Miserables. Aaron's Broadway credits include Curtains, Young Frankenstein, and Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Camelot plays the Mainstage now through January 17. Tickets are $26 to $49, with discounts available to groups, seniors, military, and students. Call the Box Office at 301.924.3400 or visit olneytheatre.org for tickets. (Please see the attached "Fact Sheet" for more details.) Camelot is set in King Arthur's enchanted kingdom – a place where honor and chivalry reign, where "might for right" is the new creed and democracy flourishes. When Queen Guenevere falls in love with Sir Lancelot, this idyllic land is placed in jeopardy. The splendid score includes the romantic and haunting "If Ever I Would Leave You," the captivating "How to Handle a Woman," and the majestic title song "Camelot."

In 1942, Frederick Loewe approached Alan Jay Lerner at a club in New York with the idea of collaborating on a musical. The two went on to enjoy a creative partnership that lasted 18 years, resulting in such noteworthy shows as Brigadoon, Paint Your Wagon, My Fair Lady, and, of course, Camelot.

Camelot originally opened in 1960 at New York's Majestic Theatre and starred Julie Andrews as Guenevere, Richard Burton as King Arthur, and Robert Goulet as Sir Lancelot. It was hailed by critics as the most lavish spectacle ever seen on Broadway, winning four Tony Awards. It caught the imagination of the country and its youthful president, John F. Kennedy. The show became forever entwined with the American values of social equality and justice.

"In 1960, Camelot became synonymous with the brief 'shining moment' that was the Kennedy administration, and the comparison with our current administration has been duly noted by the press," say Director and Choreographer Stephen Nachamie. "In choosing the show and framing the storytelling, Artistic Director Jim Petosa and I discussed the relatively new Obama administration and the 'audacity of hope' in changing the world that exists. King Arthur's hopeful quest to create a new order of chivalry, to create a more common ground between the privileged knights and the people of Camelot, and to end wars by using 'might for right' instead of 'might for might' are still extremely relevant."

Joining Todd and Aaron as their Queen Guenevere is Patricia Hurley, who most recently performed at Olney as Wendy in Peter Pan. Other Olney credits include Doubt, Fiddler on the Roof, Cinderella, The Heiress, and 13 Rue de L'Amour. Bill Largess portrays Merlyn, Arthur's counsel, while Evan Casey plays his illegitimate son Mordred. Bill was most recently seen in 1776 at Olney. He is the founding member of the Washington Stage Guild and has been its artistic director since 2008. Evan has performed at Olney in Call of the Wild, Fiddler on the Roof, and Lend Me a Tenor.

The rest of the charmed cast of Camelot include Sharen Camille, James Chatham, Caitlin Diana
Doyle, Maria Egler, Jarid Faubel, William Goniprow, Carrie A. Johnson, Deborah Lubega, Don
Kenneth Mason, Thomas McNeal, Michael Nansel, Carl Randolph, Kirstin Riegler, Andrew
Sonntag, Ryan Speakman, and Kara-Tameika Watkins.

Stephen Nachamie returns to Olney for the first time since last season's production of 1776. Most recently, Stephen's work was seen at the New York Musical Theatre Festival. He directed Faith Prince in a presenation of Luck! at the York Theatre Company; Into the Woods for NYU's CAP21; and Seth Rudetsky in Torch Song Trilogy. The musical director is Christopher Youstra, whose most recent Olney production was Call of the Wild. Rounding out the creative team are Jeremy F. Foil (Scenic Designer), Charlie Morrison (Lighting Designer), Eric Propp (Costume Designer), Jarett C.

Pisani (Sound Designer), Nan Flanagan (Wig Designer), Lynn Watson (Dialect Coach), Casey
Kaleba (Fight Choreographer), and Renee E. Yancey (Stage Manager)

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