Fulton Opera Premieres Musical Adventure

Treasure Island stands as one of the all-time greatest coming-of-age adventure stories in the history of literature. And now Lancaster's own Marc Robin and Curt Dale Clark have set this classic tale to music with over a dozen, brand-new original songs.

"The Fulton is honored to be able to stage the world premiere of this magnificent new show," says Fulton Artistic Director Michael D. Mitchell. "Marc and Curt have put together a truly wonderful stage adventure filled with action, humor and terrific songs."

Treasure Island: A Musical Adventure is the result of years of painstaking development at several theatres in Chicago and elsewhere. Its world premiere at the Fulton is being directed by Robin, who also wrote the music and collaborated on the book and lyrics with Clark. Robin has assembled a cast of outstanding performers from across the United States for this initial run of the completed show, including Tony Award nominee John Herrera as the blood thirsty culinary wizard, Long John Silver.

The play tells the story of fatherless Jim Hawkins, a restless boy chafing at the routine of daily life in his mother's boarding house. Then one day, one of his mother's boarders gives Jim a mysterious treasure map and, shortly thereafter, is murdered by a band of pirates. Under the supervision of Dr. Livesey, Jim sets sail to follow the map to its promised treasure. But before long, it becomes clear that the crew they've assembled is less trustworthy than they had imagined. What follows is an epic adventure tale of discovery, daring and double crosses, as Jim matches wits with Long John Silver, the leader of the mutinous crew.

Robin and Clark have effectively brought to life a rousing adventure filled with swashbuckling and swordplay choreographed by award-winning fight director, John Bellomo. The combination of action, suspense and humor is certain to entertain the entire family.

"What I particularly like about this production is that Marc and Curt have uncovered the humor that many people forget runs through the entire story," says Michael Mitchell. "It results in a show where audiences ride an exhilarating see-saw between laughter and edge-of-the-seat suspense."

In addition to Herrera, the cast of 19 men includes Rick Desloge and Dan Scott, who will be alternating nightly in the role of Jim Hawkins; playwright Curt Dale Clark as Dr. Livesey; Randall Frizado as Redruth; Charles Abbott as Pew and Ben Gunn; Dale Benson as Squire Trelawney; Dwelvan David as Billy Bones and Job Anderson; Christopher Dickerson as Tom Morgan; William Hartery as George Merry; Erik Hogan as Mr. McCladry and Akir; Joe Jackson as Mr. Joyce and Mr. Wolf; John-Charles Kelly as Capt. Smollett; Matthew Kernisky as Israel Hands and Jack Cash; Adam Levinskas as Abraham Grey; Zak Risinger as Mr. O'Brien and Slyker; Robert Rokicki as Mr. Alan and Rufus Davis; George Andrew Wolff as Mr. Arrow and Tobias Bridge; and Hal Yudof as Mr. Hunter.

The artistic team for Treasure Island is Musical Director Ron Barnett, Fight Choreographer John V. Bellomo, Set Designer Robert Klingelhoefer, Costume Designer Beth Dunkelberger, Lighting Designer Paul Black, Sound Designer David Temby, Props Designer Debra Dunlop, Hair/Make-Up Designer Anthony Lascoskie Jr., Orchestrator Ron Barnett, Musical Transcriptions by Patti Garwood, Assistant Musical Director Michael P. Hamilton, Stage Manager Nykol DeDrue and Assistant Stage Manager Djuana M. Strauch.

Performances run March 6 through 22, 2008, Wednesday through Sunday. Performance times are: 7:30 PM Wednesday and Thursday evenings, 8 PM Friday and Saturday evenings, 2 PM on Sundays and select Wednesdays and Saturdays. The 8 PM performance on Friday, March 7th will be interpreted in Spanish via headset. The 2 PM performance on Saturday, March 8th is a Pay-What-You-Want performance and will be ASL interpreted for deaf and hard of hearing patrons as well as audio described for blind audience members. Tickets range in price from $20 to $45, with discounts for children, full-time students, seniors, and groups of 15 or more. -- www.atthefulton.org