FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2004

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119

DRAKE UNIVERSITY TO PRESENT "QUILTERS"

Drake University Theatre’s production of "Quilters," a musical nominated for six Tony Awards in 1985, will open Thursday, Feb. 26. "Quilters" uses music, story telling and dance to journey through births, deaths, fires and snowstorms, tragedy and the miracles of life during the nation's westward expansion.

Performances will start at 8 p.m. Feb. 26, 27 and 28 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 29, in the Performing Arts Hall in the Harmon Fine Arts Center, 25th Street and Carpenter Avenue.

Director Tony Humrichouser, assistant professor of theatre arts and an award-winning actor and director from Detroit, will discuss the play at a TalkAbout dinner prior to the Feb. 27 performance.

The TalkAbout, sponsored by Friends of Drake Arts and First Christian Church, will start at 6 p.m. at First Christian Church, 25th Street and University Avenue. The dinner includes oven-fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, cole slaw, corn bread and old-fashioned apple pie à la mode. Humrichouser will then discuss "Quilters" and the growing popularity of musical theater as a field of study at Drake and other theater programs around the country.

Reservations are required for the TalkAbout, which costs $17, including a ticket to the play. For reservations, call (515) 271-3700.

Tickets for the play are $7 for general admission and $4 for students and senior citizens. They are available at the Drake Fine Arts Box Office, (515) 271-3841.