For Immediate Release	Press Info.: James Breen (805) 965-5400 x103 jbreen@ensembletheatre.com www.ensembletheatre.com Box Office (805) 965-5400 Sept 15, 2009

Ensemble Theatre Company kicks off its 30th Anniversary Season with
Gunmetal Blues
A Witty Film Noir Musical

(Santa Barbara, CA)  Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara opens its 30th Anniversary Season with the clever hit musical, Gunmetal Blues. This funny and jazzy musical of lost love and too much bourbon, with book by Scott Wentworth and music and lyrics by Craig Bohmler & Marion Adler, opens October 1 and plays through October 25, 2009. Opening night is October 3.

Set in an airport lounge, Gunmetal Blues tells a multi-layered story of down-and-out private detective Sam Galahad, who has been hired to unravel a murder mystery. A mysterious femme fatale has been seen leaving the penthouse of the victim, multimillionaire Adrian Wasp. Narrating the story and hosting the evening is lounge singer Buddy Toupee, a shady character who knows more than he lets on. With echoes of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, Peter Lorre and Robert Mitchum, Bogie and Bacall, Gunmetal Blues is a loving but twisted homage to the great film noir classics.  In a review of the show, The New York Times said the music in Gunmetal Blues “echoes the moody grandeur of the 40’s film noir soundtracks.”

“Anniversary celebrations are often marked by fun and nostalgia,” said Executive Artistic Director Jonathan Fox. “We are opening our 30th Anniversary Season with a show that has both those elements.”

 “You've got the detective, the blonde and every other noir archetype you can think of wrapped up in a murder mystery,” says director Risa Brainin. “I expect audiences will find this very funny and entertaining. My challenge, along with the designers and actors, is to find that balance between tribute, satire and humor.” Ms. Brainin has worked at numerous prestigious theatres throughout the country, including Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Kansas City Repertory, Indiana Repertory Theatre, and the Guthrie Theater. She is currently Associate Professor of Drama at University of California Santa Barbara.

Playing the hard-drinking, smooth-talking detective Sam Galahad, Chris Halsted is a graduate of Stanford University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He has spent the last two years involved in the Los Angeles Opera’s Ring Cycle. This summer he directed a new Commedia adaptation of Pinocchio at California State University Northridge. In addition to his considerable credit in musical theatre throughout southern California, he has had recurring and guest starring roles on network television, including: CSI:NY, Still Standing,  Strong Medicine, The Drew Carey Show, Mind of Mencia, Beverly Hills 90210, and Murder She Wrote.

Playing the part of Buddy Toupee is John Massey.  Most recently, Mr. Massey returned to Southern California after touring the country as everybody’s favorite TV dad, Howard Cunningham (Mr. C) in Happy Days - A New Musical. In addition to his 25 years of regional credits as a performer, he is also an accomplished director, musical director, pianist and conductor. He has staged and conducted over 75 productions, including Sweeney Todd, Quilters, The Secret Garden, Chess, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Little Night Music and Beehive and Ruthless! 

Playing the femme fatale – and several other roles – is JJ Rodgers. She has appeared in numerous productions throughout southern California, including most recently Laguna Playhouse’s West Coast premiere of Leaving Iowa and the world premiere musical Ginger and Me. Her television credits include 2 ½ Men, 3rd Rock from the Sun, The Hank Azaria Show, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Michael Richards Show, Caroline in the City, and Arrest and Trial.

The production’s music director is Santa Barbara’s David Potter, who has conducted, music directed and played in over 230 productions around the region.

The Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara was founded in 1979 and is housed at the intimate Alhecama Theatre located in the historic Presidio District in downtown Santa Barbara at 914 Santa Barbara Street., Under the leadership of Executive Artistic Director Jonathan Fox, ETC is Santa Barbara's longest running, award-winning professional resident theatre company celebrating its 30th Anniversary season. The 2009-10 Season continues with Trying by Joanna McClelland Glass (Dec. 3­ to Dec. 27, 2009), Souvenir by Stephen Temperley (Feb. 4 to Feb. 28, 2010), The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams (April 8 to May 2, 2010), and Loot by Joe Orton  (June 3 to June 27, 2010).

Performances run Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 and 7:00 pm. Single tickets for Gunmetal Blues range from $29.00 to $48.00. Discounts available for seniors and students. Subscriptions, single tickets and group tickets are available through the Ensemble Theatre Box Office at (805) 965-5400 or online at www.ensembletheatre.com.

###

---

Calendar Listing — STAGE

Production:
Gunmetal Blues, book by Scott Wentworth and music and lyrics by Craig Bohmler & Marion Adler

Dates:
Thursday, October 1, through Sunday, October 25, 2009
Opening Night Saturday, October 3, at 8:00 pm

Schedule:
Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm.
and Sundays at 2:00 & 7:00 pm.
(no evening show Sunday, October 4, 2009)

Producer:
Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC) of Santa Barbara.
Jonathan Fox, Executive Artistic Director

Director:
Risa Brainin

Where:
Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara
at the Alhecama Theatre
914 Santa Barbara Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Admission:
$29.00 – $48.00. Discounts are available to seniors, students and groups of 10 or more.

Tickets:
For reservations and information call the Ensemble
Box Office at (805) 965-5400. VISA/MC.
Box office hours are: Performance days 1:00 pm. to curtain,
non-performance days 1:00 pm. to 5:00 pm. Group Sales: (805) 965-5400.

Description:

Gunmetal Blues is a funny and jazzy musical of lost love and too much bourbon. A loving but twisted homage to the great film noir classics, complete with a mysterious blonde femme fatale and a hard-drinking, smooth-talking detective.

###