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The uproariously funny off-Broadway musical, Miss Gulch Returns!, written by Fred Barton, opens the fourth season of Asheville Community Theatre’s intimate venue, 35below. Described as "bawdy, brassy and funny as can be" by the Boston Globe and “deliciously, wickedly funny” by Backstage, Miss Gulch Returns! is the perfect musical for those who have felt unlucky in love, who like a cold drink at the end of a long day, or who appreciate shrewish ladies who steal dogs. Miss Gulch Returns! runs through Saturday, October 29 with performances Thursday – Saturday nights at 8:00 pm at 35below, the black box theatre downstairs at Asheville Community Theatre.
Miss Gulch Returns! is a musical combining subtle references, double entendres, and the wisdom of Miss Almira Gulch, the bike-riding, Toto-stealing, nasty neighbor to Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. The show began as a five-minute cabaret turn; Fred Barton premiered the full show in January 1984, winning a 1985 Back Stage Bistro Award (Musical Comedy Performance). Miss Gulch's song "Pour Me A Man" is a cabaret standard and is being sung on three continents. The show has received award-winning, critically-acclaimed productions in regional theatres, and was presented as a newly revised 20th Anniversary production in New York in 2004.
Accomplished actor Michael Cheek tackles this one-man show with the impeccable comedic timing, and vocal range necessary to make Miss Gulch Returns! a seamless production. Last seen on the 35below stage as “Otto” in the 2003 production of The Food Chain, Cheek has been seen as the title role in Sweeney Todd at HART. He performed in The Rocky Horror Show with Highland Repertory Theatre & Asheville Arts Center, as well as with the North Carolina Stage Company’s Catalyst Series and the Oxymorons Improv Troupe. Performances of Miss Gulch Returns! run Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 8 pm October 14-30 at 35below beneath Asheville Community Theatre, 35 E. Walnut Street, downtown Asheville. Miss Gulch Returns! is recommended for mature audiences only. Though the title references a character from The Wizard of Oz, this is not a show for children. All tickets are $10. The Box Office opens on Monday, September 26th for the public. Box office hours are noon - 4 pm, Monday-Friday. For more information please call 828-254-1320. AT A GLANCE WHAT: Miss Gulch Returns!, a musical by Fred Barton WHO: Directed by Eric Mills & Jeff Neese; Musical Direction by Ruth Johnson; Starring Michael Cheek WHERE: 35below at Asheville Community Theatre, 35 E. Walnut St, Asheville, NC WHEN: October 6-29, Thursday-Saturday nights, 8 pm
TICKETS: $10 all performances,
(Images provided by Asheville Community Theatre.)
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“Miss Gulch Returns! is wonderfully funny,” says co-director Eric Mills, “The intricate lyrics are hysterical.” Co-director Jeff Neese adds, “We saw a production of Miss Gulch Returns! in Indianapolis, and knew that it would be perfect for the adventurous Asheville audience.” Musical direction is by Ruth Johnson.
