GREENSBURG, PA – Shawn Sturnick, a Greensburg native and a graduate of Seton Hill University, will direct “Lucky Stiff” at Seton Hill University from February 13 – 22, 2003. “Deciding to direct ‘Lucky Stiff’ was easy,” Sturnick says. “I’ve been directing it in my head ever since I first listened to the recording about eight years ago. I love its unabashed desire to entertain and blatant theatricality. And any show where one of the main characters is a dead guy in a wheelchair is the show for me.”

After graduating from Seton Hill’s Theatre Program in 1989, Sturnick moved to Boston where he helped to open popular performance artist ensemble Blue Man Group’s first theatrical endeavor outside of New York City. As a Blue Man, Sturnick performed at the Charles Playhouse in Boston, the Briar Street Theater in Chicago and at the Astor Place Theater in New York. He has recently performed off-Broadway as Pym Lowell in “No Time for Comedy” at the Mint Theater.

Sturnick’s Boston and New England credits include “Shear Madness” at The Charles Playhouse; “The House of Yes” and “Sin” with Coyote Theatre; “Swimming in March” at The Market Theater, “Trust” with Sugan Theatre; “The Glass Menagerie” at Worcester Foothills; “Killer Joe” at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre; "J" with Boston Theatre Works; and the New Repertory Theatre's production of “King Lear” with Austin Pendleton.

Regionally, Sturnick has worked at the Syracuse Stage; the Delaware Theatre Company; Theatreworks/USA in New York City and the Burning Coal Theatre in Raleigh, NC. He has toured the country with the Imago Theatre Mask Ensemble based in Portland, OR. Sturnick is also a playwright and a lyricist and was a member of the BMI Musical Theater Workshop in New York City for several years. He received his BA from Seton Hill University and his MFA from New York University.

“Lucky Stiff,” a zany murder-mystery by the authors of “Ragtime” and the animated film “Anastasia”, is the winner of the Richard Rodgers Production Award for new musicals.

Seton Hill will present “Lucky Stiff” at 8 p.m. on February 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22; at 2 p.m. February 17, 22 and at 10:30 a.m. February 18, 19, and 21.

All performances are staged in Reeves Theatre on Seton Hill’s campus. Tickets are $12; group rates are $10 for 16 or more. Reservations are recommended. For group or individual reservations, contact the SHU Box Office at (724) 838-4241, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Box office will be closed December 7 – January 12.)

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