For Immediate Release: April 1, 2005
Media Contact: David Abers, Bristol Riverside Theatre, 215.785.6664

Bristol Riverside Theatre closes its 2004 – 2005 Season with the happiest musical this side of heaven Olympus On My Mind. The show runs from May 3 to May 22, 2005.

The New York Times said that Olympus On My Mind “Percolates with an old-fashioned sense of naughty musical comedy fun.” It is a jubilant, contemporary take on Greek mythology with a lighthearted look at cases of mistaken identity involving Greek gods and the mortals whose lives they disrupt with the added zaniness of a 2nd plot featuring backstage farce. This rollicking Off-Broadway comedy shows the transformation of Jupiter from a “wild and crazy god” into a deity of love and compassion. That's the show on-stage. Off-stage we see the antics of a theatre company trying to produce this play with a newly added chorus member, Delores, who is the new wife of the co-producer Murray the Furrier. Needless to say things don't always go smoothly and the “fur” flies – literally!

Leading man Gary Lynch will play Jupiter in this production. Gary is a two-time National Broadway Award nominee for his performance in Mamma Mia! He originated the role of Sam Carmichael for the North American Premiere of Mamma Mia! in Toronto, the U.S. Premiere in San Francisco and the 1st National Company. On Broadway, Gary performed the role of Inspector Javert in Les Miserables. His Off Broadway credits include; Destry Rides Again, Lux In Tenebris at Lincoln Center, Let It Ride at the Lambs Theatre, Lola with Lark Theatre Co. and the U.S. Tour of The Fantasticks as El Gallo. Another newcomer to BRT will be SuEllen Estey. SuEllen ha appeared on Broadway in Sweeny Todd, Barnum and State Fair. In addition she was Madame Giry in the Broadway International Company of Phantom of the Opera and has appeared in numerous regional theatres. SuEllen has also appeared on TV in both All My Children and As the World Turns.

BRT veteran Bethe B. Austin, who created the role of Delores in the original production, returns. Bethe most recently played Mrs. Claus in the Radio City Music Christmas Spectacular. In addition to appearing in the Broadway productions of Sly Fox, Onward Victoria and Noises Off, Bethe won the 1998 Barrymore Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for Texas Flyer at BRT. Joining Bethe will be another BRT veteran Kenneth Boys. Kenneth has been seen in numerous BRT productions including Communicating Doors, Hamlet and Blithe Spirit. Recently he appeared in the critically acclaimed production of Sarah, Plain and Tall at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre. In addition he appeared in such films as All That Jazz, The Fan, and Last Exit to Brooklyn and played Alvin Brown in the TV series The Young Riders. Two other returning BRT favorites are Christopher Kale Jones and Lynette Knapp. Christopher was featured in the Summer Musicale Series at BRT in 2002 and 2003. Chris has also appeared across the country in shows such as Miss Saigon, A Little Night Music, A Christmas Carol, and The Fantasticks. Lynette Knapp, a veteran of the Summer Musicale Series, has also appeared in several BRT mainstage shows including A Little Night Music, and Holiday.

Rounding out the cast are Bill Bartus, Michael Susko and Ernest Williams, Jr. playing the chorus of Tom, Dick and Horace. Bill's credits include Amos Hart in Chicago, and Abe in Jonestown as well as Some Like It Hot, Singing In The Rain, Fiddler on the Roof, Wonderful Town and 42nd Street. Area audiences know Michael for his performance in Evita here at BRT as well as Damn Yankees and Hello Dolly! at the Walnut Street Theatre. He has also appeared in Camelot with Robert Goulet and at such theatres as Radio City Music Hall, Goodspeed Opera House and PaperMill Playhouse. Ernest has been seen in the National Tours of Showboat, Porgy and Bess and Music of the Night as well as regional theatre productions of My One and Only, Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, Sweeny Todd and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Edward Keith Baker will also serve as Director and Musical Director for this production and will continues his longstanding collaboration with choreographer Sharon Halley. The remainder of the creative includes set designer Michael Allen, costume designer Linda Bee Stockton and Barrymore nominated lighting designer Charles S. Reece.

Special Event evenings and performances, as well as subscriber benefits, make now the best time to join the BRT family. Call the Box Office at 215-785-0100 for information on subscriptions, or visit us on the web at www.BRTstage.org.

For information regarding Bristol Riverside Theatre, this press release, or to arrange for interviews call David J. Abers at 215-785-6664.

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