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Two-time Tony nominee sets local performance

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By Eric Robinette, Staff Writer Updated 8:50 PM Wednesday, August 12, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — Two-time Tony nominee Christine Andreas will perform in Middletown at a special fundraiser Aug. 15 for Middletown Lyric Theatre.

Andreas received her Tony nominations for a revival of “Oklahoma” and for the show “On Your Toes,” according to her official Web site. Other notable credits include “The Scarlet Pimpernel,” “My Fair Lady” and, most recently, the national tour of the musical “The Light in the Piazza.”

She’s also an acquaintance of Charley Shafor, the managing artistic director of Middletown Lyric Theatre.

“We worked together a couple of times in my past life in professional theater,” said Shafor. He and Andreas met at a regional theater company in New Jersey in the early 1990s. She was working on the play “Sarah and Abraham,” for which Shafor was working as a scenic artist.

Eventually, Shafor came to know her, as well as composer Martin Silvestri and writer Joel Higgins. Silvestri is also Andreas’ husband and accompanist.

“We’ve kind of kept our connections and stuff, and I thought now would be a good opportunity to bring something like this to town,” said Shafor, who asked Andreas directly if she’d be willing to come to Middletown.

“If you can’t ask your friends to do stuff, who can you ask?” Shafor said.

“Her voice is so enchanting. She just takes you away to the moment of that song ... she has a sultriness to her voice that is so unique and beautiful,” Shafor said.

The show will be at Dave Finkelman Auditorium. There are two ticket options. Individual, general admission tickets cost $25. There also is a “patron ticket” package costing $150 per couple that includes two reserved seats, complimentary refreshments, and being listed among the sponsors.

Tickets available at www.middletownlyric.org; or by calling (513) 425-7140.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.