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***visit Wolf Trap’s Musical Theater web page throughout the summer for any potential updates or program changes***

Contact: Chris Guerre, (703) 255-4096 or chrisg@wolftrap.org
Graham Binder, (703) 255-1917 or grahamb@wolftrap.org

Vienna, VA—The 2009 summer musical theater schedule at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts features two widely popular film adaptations as well as two long-time favorites. Tony Award-winning 42nd Street debuts on the Filene Center stage with its high-powered choreography, Friday, July 17 through Sunday July 19. Immensely popular teen-hit, Disney’s High School Musical also makes its first Wolf Trap appearance, running Tuesday, September 1 through Sunday, September 6. The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players return to the Filene Center Friday and Saturday, May 29 & 30 with the popular The Pirates of Penzance; and Wolf Trap favorite, Riverdance, celebrates its 12th run at the Filene Center Friday, June 26 through Sunday, June 28.

Legendary Broadway producer David Merrick’s 42nd Street is an adaption of 1933 film of the same name about a chorus girl searching for love and Broadway fame. This long-running hit won Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Choreography for its 1980 Broadway production and Best Revival in 2001. The high-energy show features ingenious dance routines choreographed by Gower Champion and retains the films’ brilliant songs “You’re Getting to Be a Habit with Me,” “Shuffle Off to Buffalo,” “42nd Street,” and classics “We’re in the Money” and “Lullaby of Broadway.” Performances run Friday through Sunday, July 17-19 at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $20 to $70 depending on day, time, and seat location.

Adapted from the smash hit, made-for-TV film, Theater of the Stars’ production of Disney’s High School Musical features a new cast, live band on stage, all of the film’s catchy songs including “Start of Something New,” “What I’ve Been Looking For,” “Breaking Free,” and “We’re All in this Together,” as well as two new numbers. The widespread success of the 2006 Emmy Award-winning film made it the most successful Disney Channel Original Movie ever produced and the original soundtrack was the best selling album in the U.S for 2006. Performances run Tuesday through Sunday, September 1-6 at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, September 5 and 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $80 depending on day, time, and seat location.

The most popular operetta by Gilbert & Sullivan, The Pirates of Penzance returns to Wolf Trap with all its charm and the hit songs “Poor Wand’ring One” and “I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major-General.” Hailed for their skillful interpretation of the Gilbert & Sullivan canon, the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players have appeared at Wolf Trap annually since 1995. Performances are Friday and Saturday, May 29 and 30 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $8 to $48.

With Irish and world music, song, and dance, the electrifying Riverdance returns to the Filene Center for yet another commanding and exclusive area appearance. Since launching in 1995, Riverdance has taken the world by storm, emerging as one of the most popular and celebrated stage productions in history. The Chicago Tribune hails Riverdance as "an explosion of sight and sound that simply takes your breath away." Performances run Friday through Sunday, June 26-28 at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, June 27 and 28 at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $20 to $70.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 1(877) WOLFTRAP, online at www.wolftrap.org, or at the Wolf Trap Box Office. Arrangements may be made in advance for special-needs accessibility by calling (703) 255-1827. Groups of 20 or more should contact the Wolf Trap Group Sales Office at (703) 255-1851.

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