Ann Arbor Musical Theater Works will present the musical Love Story January 5 – 15, 2017. The production is directed by Ron Baumanis, with music direction by Leah Fox.

Love Story has a cast of 9, and a keyboard and strings orchestra. It is based on the book by Erich Segal, with book and lyrics by Stephen Clark, and music and additional lyrics by Howard Goodall. The musical was originally produced at the Chichester Festival Theatre in the UK, and subsequently on the West End and UK tour.

Love Story tells of Oliver and Jenny – students attending Harvard and Radcliffe in the 60’s, They meet, fall in love, face obstacles to their relationship from their parents, and eventually learn to live their young adult lives, until a terminal illness intercedes and leads to a re-examination of what love truly means. Many will remember the Ali McGraw/Ryan O‘Neal movie, and will know to bring their tissues. The score by Goodall is lush and filled with ballads. The musical moves swiftly and is 80 minutes without an intermission.

The cast includes Colby Cesaro and Kevin Kaminski, as well as Jared Hoffert, Julia Hoffert, Jeff Steinhauer, Sarah Sweeter, Andrew Buckshaw, Lawrence Havelka, and Becca Nowak. Costumes are by Susan Pearlman, hair by Kimberly Elliott, set design by Ron Baumanis, and lighting by Jason Atwood.

Love Story will be presented at the CCC Stage, 1600 Pauline, Ann Arbor, January 5,6,7 and 12,13,14 at 8:00 pm, and January 8 and 15 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are available online at AnnArborMusicalTheaterWorks.com or by calling 734-546-5087. There are only 100 seats per performance.

The Thursday January 12th performance is a fundraiser for the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Pediatric Oncology Program. That performance will include a post-show talk about leukemia research by Dr Gregory Anthony Yanik and others from UM Medical Center, along with a silent auction and afterglow. Tickets are priced higher for that performance.