Published: May 16, 2008 10:33 am      

ACT II presents show May 22-24

ADA — ACT II presents a show that takes place in a Manhattan penthouse, but includes the stage of an abandoned theatre, an estate in Sweden, an island outside of Paris, a street off the Roman Forum, the woods of a fairy tale and a mythical town in the Southwest -- all performed by only five people thrown together at a party.

This Memorial Day week-end ACT II Community Theatre brings this unique, but familiar evening of Broadway hits, to Ada as the last show of its season - "Putting It Together."

This is a musical review with words and music by Stephen Sondheim, composer of numerous Broadway favorites like "Sweeney Todd" and "A Little Night Music."  Sondheim and Julia McKenzie devised the show and it is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI), New York.  All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

"Putting It Together" is a revue with a difference, a revue that tells a story, a show that covers one night and 40 years, a show that takes place today and also in 200 B.C., 1853, 1882, 1900, the 1950s, the 1970s, the 1980s and tonight.

The cast includes local actors Melody Baggech, Kevin Worden, Jomain McKenzie, Caitlin Gray and Phillip Berryhill. Alan Marshall directs the show with music direction by Rudy Lupinski.

Sondheim himself has devised this unique and inventive musical entertainment from his own work, which includes songs from every score he has ever written as well as some never heard before. His delight in devising unusual and entertaining crossword puzzles has here found an unexpected outlet in the way he has put together this extraordinary collection of brilliant songs into what has been described as the funniest show Sondheim never wrote… but now he has.

Performances will be at ECU’s Dorothy I. Summers Theatre at 8 p.m. May 22-24, and 2 p.m. May 24. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for students/seniors. For more information, phone 436-2282 or e-mail act2ada.yahoo.com.  Box office will open 30 minutes prior to performance.