Press Information about Backwards in High Heels!

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release - February 17, 2008

Backwards in High Heels
An enchanted evening of the Ginger Musical!
Kansas City Premiere – March 6 thru April 19, 2009

Kansas City, MO – Backwards in High Heels dances through the extraordinary life of Ginger Rogers. The evening starts with young Ginger realizing her destiny as she taps her heart out to the tune “Tame These Feet.” We follow Ginger’s life, including her glorious Oscar-winning moment. The evening glides and swirls through such memorable standards as “Fascinating Rhythm,” “Change Partners,” “Embraceable You,” “A Fine Romance” and “We’re in the Money.” It’s a wonderful tribute and evening of music and dance. Backwards in High Heels runs March 6 through April 19, 2009.

The AHT production of Backwards in High Heels stars Vanessa Sonon as Ginger Rogers. She comes to AHT from the Broadway cast of Spamalot. Other Broadway credits include 42nd Street (Peggy Sawyer u/s-ensemble). Regional shows include LA cast of White Christmas (Judy u/s-enemble), On the Town (Ivy Smith), and BABY (Pam).

Sean Montgomery stars as Man #1. Regional credits include Oklahoma! (Atlanta TOTS), Show Boat (Gateway Playhouse), Les Miserables, The Pajama Game, Hello, Dolly! (MUNY), Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty (La Comedia), Big Tent, Last Starfighter (NYMF).

Erik Floor stars as Fred Astaire and Man #2. Regional credits include Singin’ in the Rain, The Producers, The Will Rogers Follies, Crazy Love, Pal Joey, Sugar, Dames at Sea, West Side Story, Urban Cowboy and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Chance W. Blakeley stars as Man #3. Chance just finished working in New York with the Little Orchestra Society at Lincoln Center on the Victor Herbert operetta Babes in Toy Land. Other credits include working Summer Stock with Lyric Theatre, City Rep., Light Opera of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Musical Theatre, Opera Performing Arts and Casa Manana. His performances include Urine Town, Forum, The Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado, Fiddler on the Roof and The Gift.

Licia Watson stars as Lela. Credits include The Nerd and Menopause The Musical (AHT), Hank Williams: Lost Highway (KC Rep), A New Brain (Eubank Productions), Barefoot in the Park (Great Plains Theatre), Our Town and Book of Days (staged readings for Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre), A Man of No Importance (MET) and Radio Gals (AHT and, most recently, the Chestnut Fine Arts Center).

Larissa L. Klinger stars as Woman #3. She has a BA in Music Education and a minor in Theatre from MidAmerica Nazarene University. Credits include 42nd Street, Gypsy, 1776, Nunsense, The Robber Bridegroom, Once Upon a Mattress, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Singing in the Rain, and West Side Story.

Nathanael Card stars in the Ensemble and serves as an understudy. He was last seen on the Coterie stage in And Then They Came For Me. Mr. Card is a BFA graduate of Stephens College of the Performing Arts.

Backwards in High Heels was conceived and developed by Lynnette Barkley and Christopher McGovern. Book/Original Songs & Arrangements are by Mr. McGovern as well. The production is directed by Jeremy Benton. His credits for direction and choreography include the Broadway production and national tour of 42nd Street. Film credits include The Producers. Regional productions include Mame and White Christmas. World/American Premieres include Ken Ludwig's An American In Paris, Ace: The New Musical, The Witches of Eastwick, Lonestar Love, and Stormy Weather.

Scenic design is by Jeremy Doucette, set construction is by Alex Perry, and Bill Christie and Jan Kohl are serving as stage managers. Finally, sound design is provided by Roger Stoddard, with lighting by Shane Rowse.

To purchase tickets, call 816-842-9999, visit the box office in Crown Center, or view us online at www.ahtkc.com. Groups of 12 or more may call 816-842-0202 for reservations (group discounts available).

Tuesday through Thursday evening performances begin at 7:30pm. Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 8:00pm. Sunday matinee performances begin at 2:00pm. There are also select Sunday evening performances, as well as select Wednesday matinees. Select Saturday matinees begin at 2:00pm & select Saturday twilight performances begin at 4:00pm.

Visit http://www.ahtkc.com/ for a complete schedule. Tickets have an attached coupon for discounts at several Crown Center restaurants on the date of the performance. Parking is inside, secure and free with theatre validation. Handicapped seating and assistive listening devices are available.