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Closer Than Ever Dessert Theatre at WTA’s Gateway

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WTA’s Gateway presents Closer Than Ever as its first dessert theatre musical revue on Thursday, February 2 thru Sunday, February 5.  The Thursday-Saturday performances are at 7:30 pm and the Sunday matinee is at 2:30.

Closer Than Ever is a musical revue in two acts, with words by Richard Maltby, Jr. and music by David Shire. The revue contains no dialogue, and has been described as a “bookless book musical”. This revue began its life at the Williamstown Theatre Festival during the Summer of 1989. It came to New York the following Fall, opening in previews on 17 October 1989, and officially opening on 6 November 1989 at the off-Broadway Cherry Lane Theatre, where it ran for 312 performances.

Closer Than Ever features 24 self-contained songs which deal with such diverse topics as security, aging, mid-life crisis, second marriages, working couples, and unrequited love. Maltby and Shire based many of the songs on real-life experiences of their friends, or stories told to them. The revue won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical.

Hank Fitzgerald conceived the idea to present the musical revue at WTA’s Gateway.  The intimacy and excellent acoustics, making WTA’s Gateway an ideal space for a small musical like Closer Than Ever.  He convinced Elizabeth Brandon, Nancy Houseknecht, and Jeff Ryman to join him in the four-person show.

Supporting the singers is a small ensemble of musicians including Richard Adams, Sam Brown, Tyler Birch, John Hoy, and Brad Rinaldo.

Tickets are $20 including dessert and coffee. A cash bar is available. Seating is limited.  Call WTA’s box office, 540-943-9999 for reservations.

Contributors

Contributors

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