Press Release

gentlemen prefer blonds opens june 25

Date:  06/17/2009

COLDWATER, MI—

Great music, dance and comedy weave together into an infectious evening of entertainment as Tibbits Summer Theatre presents “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” opening Thursday, June 25, 2009.

The professional company comes together for the most traditional of the season’s offering. In it   

Lorelei Lee played by Tiffany Wiesand (Taylor, MI) sails to Paris with her pal Dorothy played by Alison Gritz (New York City).  She’s on her voyage without her fiancé Gus Esmond played by Ryan McDonald (Clay, NY), so Lorelei decides to gather as many diamonds as she can.  While Dorothy is supposed to keep Lorelei on the straight and narrow, Lorelei is determined to teach Dorothy how not to give her love away for free but gather as many trinkets as possible.  Among the men caught in Lorelei’s game are Lord Beekman played by Orion Silvertree (Marshall, MI), who sells her the tiara belonging to his wife played by Gloria Logan (Northville, MI). When Lorelei entices the “zipper king” Mr. Gage played by Lars Valdor Haglund (Farmington, MI) it adds to the comic entanglements because the Esmond’s think it’s an attempt to break up their button empire. Locals in the cast are Dawn Gallup from Bronson and J.R. Colbeck from Coldwater. The musical is directed by Kevin Halpin (Cortland, NY), with musical direction by Julie Kutosh (Nashville, TN).

The musical is filled with lively melodies including the title song, “I’m Just a Little Girl from Little Rock,” the popular jazz standard “Bye Bye Baby,” and “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.” Music for this production is by Jule Styne. “Gentlemen” is his second Broadway score. He is better known as author of such classics as “Gypsy,” “Peter Pan,” and “Bells Are Ringing.” Lyrics are by Leo Robin who is known for his great comic songs. The book was written by Joseph Fields and Anita Loos, author of the best selling novella.

This Broadway show opened in 1949 and was later adapted into a popular movie musical starring Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell with some changes to both the story and the script. It’s still a lively show that’s sure to please. “Gentlemen” runs June 25-27 and July 1-3.  Performances are at 8 pm with 2 pm matinees on June 25 and July 1.

Tibbits gratefully acknowledges the sponsorship support of Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher, P.C., attorneys at law.

Kicking off the evenings performance, the public is invited to a unique Chamber After Business Hours in the street in front of the theatre—a cooperative effort with the Angola and Branch Area Chambers of Commerce and sponsored by Tibbits, the Coldwater Downtown Business Association, the Downtown Development Authority and the A Grand Occasion. Admission is $5 for Chamber members and $10 for general public and includes hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, raffle, door prizes and a discount to the evening’s performance.

Immediately following the musical, attendees are also invited to the grand finale, the lighting ceremony of the cupola

Tickets are available on-line at www.Tibbits.org or by calling the box office 10-5 Monday through Friday at 517-278-6029. Tibbits Opera House is located at 14 S. Hanchett St., Coldwater, MI