MOSCOW — Idaho Repertory Theatre (IRT), the professional theatre in residence at University of Idaho, presents its first show of the summer season, the award-winning true musical “My 80-Year-Old Boyfriend,” July 7-9 in the Forge Theatre at 404 Sweet Avenue in Moscow.
Described by Art Fuse as “universally compelling” and “witty and humoring” by Talking Broadway, the show stars Broadway actress and U of I Master of Fine Arts theatre alumna Charissa Bertels in the lead role. Bertels shares a first-hand, funny, and heartwarming true story of her friendship with an older, wealthy man whom she met as a struggling actress in New York City.
Tickets cost $5-25 and are on sale now online. Shows are at 7:30 p.m., July 7-8, and 2:00 p.m. July 9.
Collaborating with theatre heavyweights Christian Duhamel (book and lyrics) originally from Kellogg, Idaho, and Ed Bell (music and lyrics), “My 80-Year-Old Boyfriend” premiered in 2017 at the Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Massachusetts and received rave reviews while touring.
Musicals have been an important part of every IRT season since its inception, said Robert Caisley, IRT’s producing artistic director and chair of the U of I Department of Theatre Arts.
“This one-woman show really packs a tremendous punch. Charissa’s performance is extraordinary. Moscow audiences are in for a treat,” Caisley said.
A second production, “Constellations,” by Nick Payne, will star U of I theatre professors Kelly Quinnett and Craig A. Miller July 21-30 at the Forge Theatre.
Both productions are funded by the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences. Find more information about upcoming events in U of I’s Theatre Arts Department online.
