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(Sherman, TX, 2-28-12) The original show KURVES, THE MUSICAL premiers March 1, 2, 3, 2012 at 8:00 pm at the newly renovated Rialto Theater in Denison, Texas. Tickets are $10 adults and $5 students and available by calling the box office between 10-5:00 Weds-Sat at 903-465-SHOW.
Preview audiences and reviewers agree--"Punch lines come fast and furious in Steele and Shojai's challenging script that is matched perfectly with a cast that seems equally adept at tossing out jokes or belting out show tunes."
"We're blessed to have an amazing cast bring the script and songs to life," say the playwrights, Amy Shojai and Frank Steele. "The characters are hilarious, poignant, and real, and we're so proud of the production and thrilled to bring the first theatrical production to the historic Rialto Theater." They say the goal was to create a show for a talented ensemble cast that could be economically produced by professionals or high school, college, church or community theater groups. "The biggest challenge has been to both perform and direct at the same time, and we couldn't have done it without our incredible stage manager, Mickie Martin."
The play is set in Kurves, Texas and takes place early one morning when a group of misfits get locked inside a woman's gym. Despite failed attempts to find happiness they finally succeed, but in unexpected ways.
The cast consists of the mysterious cross-dressing Maxine (played by Steele) who owns the gym, and three friends who are regulars at the place. Mabel (played by Cheri Anderson) is the many-times-married director of a soup kitchen. Mousey poetry teacher Jane (played by Theresa Littlefield) wants to make an impression at her next high school reunion. And newlywed Ronnie (played by Leah Martin) is married the "town catch" but feels unworthy of his love.
Two small-time crooks try to rob the women. Boots (played by Joe Maglio) fancies himself a ladies man and tries his lines on everyone including Maxine. Fingers (played by Johnny Flowers) is a movie-quoting gentle soul who guards his treasure-filled Superman lunchbox. When TV personality Celia (played by Shojai) arrives, she discovers a decades-old betrayal.
The robbers break the key in the door, locking everyone inside. Tempers flare, romance blooms and secrets are confessed, just why has Maxine-Max dressed as a woman for 30 years? Only the arrival of Troy, the "town catch" (played by Craig Sturm) reveals the truth behind Max's secret life.
Full orchestration accompanies the songs, from the poignant THE PICTURE and CURVES title song to comic PITCHING WOO and SUCK IT UP, SWEETHEART rousing gospel number. KURVES is a musical comedy in two acts that features 12 songs in styles ranging from ballads to blues, jazz to gospel.
The Rialto is located at 426 W. Main Street, Denison, Texas (www.RialtoDenison.com). Tickets are $10 adults and $5 students and also available at the door, or call the box office between 10-5:00 Weds-Sat at 903-465-SHOW. Learn more about KURVES, the MUSICAL at www.AmyShojai.com/kurves
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