For Immediate Release

Onstage in Theatre Too at Theatre Three: Woody Guthrie’s American Song

The 2009/2010 Season begins in Theatre Too with a curtain raiser musical, Woody Gurthie’s American Song with songs and writings by Woody Guthrie, conceived and adapted by Peter Glazer. Woody Guthrie’s American Song begins on Friday, June 19, 2009 and will close on Sunday, July 26, 2009. Please note the schedule of performances for preview weekend and the first weekend have been recently altered. Times and details listed below under “Performance Times”. Mixing Woody Guthrie’s own words, writings, and music, Woody Guthrie’s American Song details the life and experiences of Woody Guthrie. As an ensemble cast plays his music, Woody Guthrie’s story of exploring the United States during The Great Depression unfolds with vivid recollections of The Dust Bowl, traveling by train, hobo camps, dreamy California, and the hope for a steady job and a permanent home. The story changes as Guthrie travels to the East Coast with his music changing to reflect the anxiety of an impending war. Woody Guthrie’s American Song is a musical version of Woody Guthrie’s love affair with America. About The Playwrights: Woody Guthrie and Peter Glazer Woody Guthrie: Woodrow Wilson Guthrie was born July 14, 1912 in Okemah, Oklahoma when this part of America was still considered American Indian territory. His father, Charlie, played in cowboy bands and ran a trading post. When Woody was still in high school, his father's business failed, his younger sister died when a coal stove exploded, and his mother was committed to a state insane asylum. Woody left home at age 14 when his father returned to his native Texas. During the 1920s and 1930s Guthrie traveled America looking for work. He arrived in Pampa, Texas, where his father's half-brother taught him to play the guitar. He played locally before marrying his first wife, Marjorie, and moved to California. At first he worked as a painter by day and a singer by night. He often put his own words to the music of popular folk songs. For most of his working life he was able to write one or two songs a day. He got a regular spot on KFVD in Los Angeles, but got divorced and moved to Mexico a few years later. When the Depression hit in the late 1930s, he rode the freight trains, eventually ending up in New York. He met other folk song performers, including Pete Seeger, who joined him in concerts. His first chance to record came when music collector Alan Lomax invited him to Washington, D.C. to record for the Library of Congress' Archive of Folk Songs. The results produced twelve albums. During World War II Guthrie served first in the Merchant Marines and then the Army. He kept singing and writing songs throughout his military service. At the end of the war Guthrie married for the second time. Marjorie, who had been a dancer with the Martha Graham troupe in New York City, was the mother of several of his children, including Arlo, who is noted for his album/movie "Alice's Restaurant." He formed the Almanac Singers with Seeger, Lee Hays, and Millard Lampell. They appeared in clubs and on radio stations throughout the Northeast. During the 1940s they covered the country and were especially noted for appearing at meetings helping workers form unions. Guthrie's hit singles for Folkway Records included "The Ballad of Pretty Boy Floyd," "Hobo's Lullaby," "Billy the Kid," and "Sharecropper's Song." One of his most popular songs, “This Land is Your Land”, was written in 1940 in response to Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America” which Guthrie disliked intensely. In the 1960s his career was cut short by Huntington's chorea, a degenerative muscle disease that eventually caused his death on October 3, 1967. Among his visitors during his illness was Bob Dylan, who vowed to follow Guthrie's legacy and keep his memory alive. Arlo Guthrie followed in his father's footsteps and became a renowned folk singer. In 1976 Guthrie's autobiography, "Bound for Glory," was made into a movie with David Carradine playing Guthrie. In 1988 Columbia Records released "Folkways: A Vision Shared-A Tribute to Woody Guthrie." Woody Guthrie was able to make music that appealed to the common man. His folk music appealed to country music audiences unlike that of any other folk performer. He was the inspiration for a generation of folk singers, such as Bob Dylan, who dominated the music scene in the 1980s. Peter Glazer: Dr. Glazer is currently an associate professor at University of California, Berkeley’s Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies. Professional director and playwright whose plays, adaptations, collaborations and directing projects include Woody Guthrie's American Song (Bay Area Drama Critics award winner at Berkeley Rep and San Jose Rep; Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations Off-Broadway at Melting Pot Theater Co.; Joseph Jefferson Award winner at Northlight Theater in Chicago), O'Carolan's Farewell to Music (Delaware Theater Co.), Michael, Margaret, Pat & Kate (Marin Theater Co., Victory Gardens Theater), Heart of Spain and Foe (Northwestern University), My Fair Lady (American Musical Theater of San Jose), Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love (Industrial Strength Co. at the Magic Theater). Member of Actors' Equity Association, member and past Executive Board member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, and Governing Board member of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives About Theatre Three: Theatre Three was founded in 1961 by Norma Young, Jac Alder, Esther Ragland, and Robert Dracup with a clear mission: Theatre Three seeks to illuminate the human experience with exemplary, intimate theatrical productions while nurturing authors, regional artists and audiences. About Theatre Three’s production of Woody Guthrie’s American Song: Bruce R. Coleman will direct. Woody Guthrie’s American Song ensemble cast features Sherry Etzel, Christina Harpine, Doug Jackson, Natalie King, Arianna Movassagh, Alexander Ross, Daniel Svoboda, and Willy Welch. A Note about Production Photos: Photos from Woody Guthrie’s American Song may be found online in Theatre Three’s Press Room at http://www.theatre3dallas.com on January 6, 2009. The Official Opening: Official Opening Night is Monday, June 22, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. All press please R.S.V.P to Kimberly Richard at 214-871-3300, option #2 or kimberly@theatre3dallas.com. Performance Times: Preview Performances: Please note schedule change: a Sunday evening performance has been added to the preview weekend. Friday, June 19 at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, June 20 at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, June 21 at 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Week One Performances: Please note schedule change: There will be no Thursday evening performance (June 25, 2009) for this weekend. Friday, June 26 at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, June 27 at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, June 28 at 2:30 p.m. Regular Performances: Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., & Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Ticket Prices: Previews: $20 & $30 (June 19 – June 22, 2009) Regular Run: $25 & $30 (June 26 – July 26, 2009) Tickets may be purchased by calling Theatre Three’s box office at 214-871-3300, option #1. Tickets may be requested online at www.theatre3dallas.com

For Further Information Contact: 2800 Routh Street, Suite 168, Dallas, Texas 75201 214-871-3300 fax: 214-871-3139 admin@theatre3dallas.com www.theatre3dallas.com