The Cultural Heritage Association of Nicosia presents the delightful musical comedy Gentlemen prefer blondes ,by Joseph Fields and Anita Loos. The show starts on Monday 26th of September at Pattichion Municipal Amphitheatre in Larnaca, then on Wednesday 28th of Semptember at Municipal Garden Theatre in Limassol, and finally on Friday 30th of September and Saturday 1st of October at Makarios III Amphitheatre at Strovolos.

About The Play
Gentlemen prefer blondes is a 1950s fast-paced musical comedy. One of the most influential musicals of the 20th century, it has left an indelible mark on the particular genre in America. The original homonymous story was written in 1925 in the form of a novel by Anita Loos and stroke a chord with the American public. In 1940, Loos worked with Joseph Fields to adapt the novel into spoken dialogue for a musical. Masterfully directed by John C. Wilson with music by Jule Styne, the play premiered at the Ziegfeld Theatre in Broadway on December 8, 1949 and ran for 740 performances until September 15, 1951.

The play’s success on Broadway prompted a film version directed by Howard Hawks and starring Jane Russel and Marilyn Monroe. The movie was a huge commercial success and still ranks among the most popular comedies worldwide.

Since then, this musical has been exerting influence on musical theatre with stage productions across Europe and the United States. Now, this highly acclaimed play, legitimately considered as legendary, is brought to Cypriot theatre-goers in the context of the KYPRIA 2011 International Festival.

Gentlemen prefer blondes recounts the story of Lorelei, a young blonde who knows what to set her mind on and how to get it, especially when it comes to men. Together with her friend Dorothy, Lorelei sails to France, where she hopes to marry the wealthy Gus Esmond. Despite the objections of Gus’ father, Lorelei won’t take no for an answer: in the end, not only does she marry Gus but while doing so elicits a diamond tiara from a married man. Through several comi-tragic situations, portrayed through singing and dancing, the two friends manage to set on fire the entire male population aboard the ship that takes them from America to France.

Today's Production

Since its 1997 foundation by a group of men and women engaged in Art, Theatre and Dance, the Cultural Heritage Association of Nicosia has been diffusing their love for the country’s cultural events. The Association opens up opportunities for young talents, promotes Cypriot artists through their participation in local productions as well as co-productions abroad and brings together established artists, working in Cyprus or other countries, with their young Cypriot colleagues.Today, guided by our expectations, dreams and targets in the hope that culture will eventually flourish, we are still on our way to Ithaca. Drawing on the support of our patrons we have overcome hurdles and difficulties and carved our name across the island’s cultural path. Our work appeals especially to young people as it ranges between musical theatre performances and presentations of important productions, dancers and singers from abroad – not least of which the

Mediterranean Festival of Traditional Dances that takes place in Larnaka and other significant conferences. As is well known, two years ago we got a taste of the recipe for success when The Producers left their mark on the country’s theatrical endeavors. This year, aiming once again for a production of international standards and aspiring to the public’s warm response, we have chosen to work with the leading musical theatre director in Greece, Mr. Vassilis Myrianthopoulos.

Production Credits
Directed by: Vassilis Myrianthopoulos
Choreography by: Elia Ioannidou
Set by: Charis Kafkarides
Costumes by: Rea Olympiou
Make-up by: Litsa Ioannidou
Orchestrated by: Nicholas Dimas
Lyrics by: Andreas Hadjipanayiotou
Teaching of songs and choral arrangements: Katerina Christophidou
Assistant Choreographer: Ntinos Christodoulides

Cast:
Dimos Beke, Elia Ioannidou, Lefteris Salomides, Christiana Larkou, Antonis Lapethiotis, Diomedes Koufteros, Mariella Savvidou, Niki Dragoume, Manos Galanes, Iacovos Chatzivassilis and 8 year-old Stavros Nicolaou.
Also: Baritone Marios Andreou, Soprano Irena Avraamidou and ACT STUDIO’s 12-member opera group and 16-member professional dance group with 10 year-old Paris Efstratiou.

Performance
Monday 26 September, Pattichion Municipal Amphitheatre , Larnaca
Wednesday 28 September, Municipal Garden Theatre , Limassol
Friday 30 September, Makarios III Amphitheatre , Strovolos
Saturday 1 October, Makarios III Amphitheatre , Strovolos

Tickets Presale Spots:

• Nicosia: Cinema Pallas, Tel.: 22410181
(Working Hours: Until 12/8: Monday – Friday: 16:00 – 20:00. All the cashier will be close from 15/8 until 21/8.From 22/8 until the end of the festival the cashier will work from : Monday – Friday: 16:00 – 20:00 and Saturday 10:00 – 13:00)

• Limassol: Municipal Garden Theatre , Tel.: 25343341
(Working Hours: Until 12/8: Monday – Friday: 16:00 – 19:00. All the cashier will be close from 15/8 until 21/8. From 22/8 until the end of the festival the cashier will work from : Monday – Friday: 16:00 – 19:00 and Saturday 10:00 – 13:00)

• Larnaca: Municipal Amphitheatre, Tel.: 24665794
(Working Hours: Until 12/8: Monday – Friday: 10:00 – 13:00 & 16:00 – 18:00. All the cashier will be close from 15/8 until 20/8.From 22/8 until the end of the festival the cashier will work from : Monday – Friday: 10:00 – 13:00 & 16:00 – 18:00 amd Saturday: 10:00 – 13:00)

• Pafos: Citizen Service Centers, Tel.: 80008181
(Working Hours: Monday – Friday: 07:30 – 14:30)

Internet www.cyprus-tickets.com , Tel.: 70009303

Information:  77777181

Ticket Price:
€10 (retired, soldiers και childrens)
€15