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High-resolution downloadable images of The Rat Pack is Back, The Pirates of Penzance, and Three Girls and Their Buddy are available on Wolf Trap’s Web site: http://www.wolftrap.org/Media_and_Newsroom/Photos_for_Publication.aspx

Contact: Graham Binder, Manager, Public Relations
(703) 255-1917 or grahamb@wolftrap.org

Vienna, VA—Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts eases into its 2009 summer season with a trip back in time to the era of Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr., a journey to the unruly land of pirates, and an evening with a super group of Americana singer/songwriters. In a tribute to the legendary personas of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop and Dean Martin, Wolf Trap presents its debut of THE RAT PACK IS BACK! on Thursday May 28, followed by two nights of the classic Gilbert and Sullivan musical, The Pirates of Penzance on Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30. Folk/Americana icons Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, and Shawn Colvin are joined by guitarist Buddy Miller for a May 31 stop on their Three Girls & Their Buddy tour.

THE RAT PACK IS BACK!
Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 8 p.m.
$25 lawn; $40 in-house

Best known on the west coast for their residency at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, THE RAT PACK IS BACK! experience makes its Wolf Trap debut, transporting its audience back in time to the swinging Vegas days of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, and Dean Martin.

THE RAT PACK IS BACK! show begins as the voice of God (actually a recording of the late Buddy Hackett) urges Frank, Sammy, Joey, and Dean to go back and do it “just one more time.” What ensues is an uncanny recreation of one of the Rat Pack’s raucous, antic-filled performances, featuring Bishop’s hilarious comedy, and performances of standards including Sinatra’s “You Make Me Feel So Young,” “A Foggy Day,” Martin’s “That’s Amoré,” and Davis Jr.’s “Mr. Bojangles.” Backing the singers is a 12-piece live orchestra performing period-perfect orchestrations.

An extraordinary cast featuring four of the industry’s finest talents in performance and celebrity portrayal make up the Wolf Trap cast in Brian Duprey (appearing as Frank Sinatra,) Kenny Jones (appearing as Sammy Davis Jr.,) Johnny Edwards (appearing as Dean Martin) and Sandy Hackett (appearing as Joey Bishop)

The Pirates of Penzance
Friday, May 29, 2009 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 8 p.m.
$8 - $48

Patrons are invited to lose themselves in this magical, rollicking romp over the rocky coast of Cornwall as Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance returns to Wolf Trap for a highly anticipated two-night run. Produced by the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players (NYGASP,) this expertly performed interpretation—directed and conducted by Albert Bergeret with choreography by Bill Fabris—has been hailed by the New York Times as “exquisitely inventive...effervescent and beautifully crafted.” This highly engaging operetta is reputed as one of the most beloved pieces of musical theatre in the English-speaking world, with household-name musical numbers as “For I am a Pirate King,” and “I am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General.”

The actors and musicians who comprise the NYGASP have delighted audiences since 1974, and are viewed as leading interpreters of the G&S canon. Under the dynamic leadership of Artistic Director Albert Bergeret, hailed as “the leading custodian of the G&S classics” by New York magazine, NYGASP has created its own specialized niche, blending a contemporary vitality with a traditional respect for this repertory.

An hour prior to Friday and Saturday’s performance, attendees will have the opportunity to experience a Pre-Performance Preview on the Old Farmhouse Lawn for a lecture and demonstration from Albert Bergeret, founder and artistic director for the NY Gilbert & Sullivan Players, that offers insight and interpretation of the evening’s attraction. More information can be found on Wolf Trap’s Pre-Performance Preview Series by accessing this link.

Three Girls and Their Buddy
Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin with Buddy Miller
Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 8:00 p.m.
$22 lawn; $42 in-house

Appearing for the first time together on Wolf Trap’s Filene Center stage, Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin, and Buddy Miller join forces for a night of graceful songs and stories from their memorable careers. Frequently appearing on each other’s albums, the four artists are connected by their love of country and folk music and have been producing commercially viable and profoundly influential songs for a number of decades. As longtime friends and collaborators, this is sure to be a memorable Wolf Trap evening.

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Tickets can be purchased by calling 1 (877) WOLFTRAP; or online at www.wolftrap.org. For more information, call Wolf Trap at (703) 255-1868.

Wolf Trap is metro accessible! Our environmentally friendly Wolf Trap Express Bus travels from the West Falls Church metro stop every 20 minutes starting two hours prior to show time. For more information, please visit, http://www.wolftrap.org/Plan_Your_Visit/Access_by_Metro.aspx