New musical based on Clyde Edgerton novel "Killer Diller" to premiere August 21, 2003 in Chapel Hill, NC

Ride Again Productions is proud to present Killer Diller, a new musical adapted, written, and directed by Paul Ferguson (Good Ol Girls, The Devils Dream), based on the novel by Clyde Edgerton (Raney, Walking Across Egypt, The Floatplane Notebooks, Redeye, Where Trouble Sleeps, and the upcoming Lunch at the Piccadilly). The musical, featuring traditional blues and gospel and new songs by Clyde Edgerton, Turner Walston, and Billy McCormick, will premiere August 21 in Studio Six Theatre, Swain Hall, UNC-Chapel Hill and run through September 14.

August, 2003 -- Ride Again Productions is proud to present Killer Diller, a new musical adapted, written, and directed by Paul Ferguson (Good Ol Girls, The Devils Dream), based on the novel by Clyde Edgerton (Raney, Walking Across Egypt, The Floatplane Notebooks, Redeye, Where Trouble Sleeps, and the upcoming Lunch at the Piccadilly). The musical, featuring traditional blues and gospel and new songs by Clyde Edgerton, Turner Walston, and Billy McCormick, will premiere August 21 in Studio Six Theatre, Swain Hall, UNC-Chapel Hill and run through September 14. A one-hour workshop version of Killer Diller was presented at the 2002 North Carolina Literary Festival; revisions and additions were made, and the musical is now a full two acts with well over a dozen songs, a cast of nine talented actor/singers, and a five-person band.

Killer Diller focuses on Wesley Benfield, the wayward youth from Clyde Edgertons novel Walking Across Egypt. Hes 24 now, and hes in trouble again. He's in a "non-profit" halfway house; he's in love with Phoebe, a girl at the Christian weight-loss center down the street; and he wants to preach his own brand of gospel by singing the blues. Songs of chastity or the Song of Solomon? The music or the ministry? And how does his grandmaw get those lumps in her creamed potatoes? Themes of unconventional love, religion, race, and the search for truth are slyly addressed as audiences enjoy hot music, laugh-out-loud comedy, sexy talk, and enough references to home cooking to make your mouth water. Youll meet Wesleys fellow halfway house residents" Ben, Shanita, Vernon, and Sherri Gold as they form a gospel/blues band and perform such songs as Jesus Dropped the Charges," Killer Diller Blues," and a lively version of This Little Light of Mine." Their specialty is mixing it up," and Killer Diller does that, too. Wesley is discovering that there are no easy answers, and sometimes the best thing to do is ask more questions and come up with your own way.

Music is a big part of Killer Diller, and this show delivers it. A five-person band led by songwriter Billy McCormick includes keyboards, bass (stand-up and electric), guitars, dobro, and drums. Vocal direction and arrangements are by acclaimed composer and vocal coach Glenn Mehrbach, who has worked with hundreds of cabaret performers in Los Angeles, New York, and the Triangle, including Keith David, Amanda McBroom, Molly Shannon, and Megan Mullaly. Songwriter Turner Walston (voted Best Local Musician To Have A Crush On" by The Independent magazine readers) also plays guitar in the band.

The cast includes local favorites John McGrew, SaRAH! Kocz, Sharlene Thomas, Charles Streeter, Vince Eisenson, and Wade Dansby 3, as well as former Triangle residents Ericka Ross and Kimberly Wood (who returned from Atlanta and Los Angeles, respectively, to do the show). The show is produced by Andrea Powell Ferguson, an accomplished film, television, and stage actress who has served as Ride Agains producer and general manager since the company was formed in 1996 to produce Shall We Gather at the River, the soundtrack to husband Pauls adaptation of Lee Smiths novel The Devils Dream. Since then, the company has produced stage adaptations of works by Southern writers (Good Ol Girls, Wordsong) and performance events all over the Southeast and in New York City. The show is associate produced by the UNC-CH Department of Communication Studies and The Feder Companies, LLC, a private investment banking firm in New York City.

Killer Diller will kick off with an opening night gala on August 21, including wine and hors doeuvres after the show with Clyde Edgerton, Paul Ferguson, Turner Walston, Billy McCormick, and the cast and band. In addition, Algonquin Books will make Edgertons new book, Lunch at the Piccadilly, available to attendees -- before it is released to the public.

Tickets are available online at www.rideagain.org or by calling High Sierra Tickets at (866) 463-8659. Tickets may also be purchased at the door one hour prior to performances. Prices are $12.00 for adults on Thursdays at 8:00 PM and Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00 PM; $15.00 for adults on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM. Students with ID will be admitted to all shows for $10.00, with $5.00 student rush tickets available 10 minutes before each performance. High Sierra Tickets will donate a portion of their profits to a local youth arts organization.