The formal launching of Hale Centre Theatre's new 125-seat Black Box Theatre is set this week with the regional premiere of the musical version of Neil Simon's "The Goodbye Girl."

"We had originally thought about a future 'black box' space when we were first designing the building," said co-owner Sally Dietlein.The Hales' state-of-the-art theater, which opened in the fall of 1998, has three full-size rehearsal halls. One of those spaces, directly off the main foyer, is being used for the intimate Black Box venue.

Dietlein said the "black box" concept is very popular in New York, where there are dozens of the small theaters throughout the off-Broadway area.

"It's going to be a fun thing. It will be quite a treat for the audience," she said.

"The Goodbye Girl" is tentatively scheduled to run through the end of August, although it could be extended. Dietlein said most shows in the new space will be open-ended, depending on ticket sales.

Another potential show, at a later date, might be "Always . . . Patsy Cline," which has been popular in small, cabaret-style theaters across the country. (It had a lengthy run at the cabaret theater in the Denver Center Theatre complex and is scheduled to have its Utah premiere as part of the Utah Shakespearean Festival's second fall season, Sept.15-Oct. 14, which means that regional rights will be tied up until after that.)

"It would also be the perfect space for remounting 'Forever Plaid,' " she said. "We still get calls every day from people wanting to reserve tickets for 'Forever Plaid,' even though it's not playing." (It's not even on HCT's upcoming calendar. After playing a limited run last fall, it has not yet been rescheduled.)

The Hales and Dietleins discovered the musical version of "The Goodbye Girl," adapted for the stage by Neil Simon from his 1977 movie, when they were visiting New York a year-and-a-half ago. The regional rights weren't available then. "But we bought the CD and just fell in love with the music," Dietlein said.

The score was composed by Marvin Hamlisch, with lyrics by David Zippel. "Every song is singable, and the writing is sharp and warm and funny.

"We looked at several things to open the black box and read lots of scripts, but nothing seemed to work. We had originally considered putting 'Goodbye Girl' on the main stage, but after reading it, we felt it was more intimate. After that, the cast just fell into place."

The plot is centered around the unpredictable relationship that develops between a struggling actor and a divorced mother and dancer after circumstances force them to share a New York apartment.

Jeni Carver, last seen as Texas waitress Cleo in HCT's production of "The Most Happy Fella," will play Paula, a down-and-out theater dancer who is continually being jilted.

Mark Daniels, a drama instructor at Hillcrest High School, who played Model in "Fiddler on the Roof," has been cast as Elliot, a pushy, egotistical and altogether charming wannabe actor who crashes Paula's turf and makes things miserable, then tolerable and, finally, delightful.

(These roles were played by Bernadette Peters and Martin Short in the original Broadway production (1993), and Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason in the nonmusical movie version.)

Gina Rizzuto and Caitlin Henriksen are double-cast as Paula's savvy, protective little daughter, Lucy.

"This show has all the elements," said Dietlein. "They say you never want to be upstaged by kids or dogs, and this has both."

But the dog, she explained, isn't really a dog. At one point, when Paula is trying to scare Elliot away from her front door, she barks like a dog.

Sharon Lynn Kenison has two roles in the show -- Donna the Dancer, and Mrs. Crosby, Paula's nosy landlady.

The Black Box staging also allows the Hales to downsize what would normally be a larger cast. Pianist Kelly DeHaan will not only sing while playing the piano, he'll take on the roles of an eccentric director and a dance captain.

The theater's sound and light technicians -- Mike Williams and Ben Clark -- will toss in some lines of dialogue and help with some of the singing.

The show is being directed by Annette Wright, who directed "Nuptials" for HCT last spring, and most recently directed "Cinderella" for Rodgers Memorial Theatre in Centerville. She has a knack for fast-paced comedy.

Seats for this show are reserved. The seating is flexible; it can be removed to create rehearsal space. Patrons in the Black Box will also have access to HCT's main stage concessions and rest-room facilities.

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The Black Box Theatre had a "soft" opening with performances by the popular do-wop, a capella group, the Cadillacs, which will also perform at 2 p.m. on April 22 and 29, and Friday evening, May 19.

PLAY DATES for "The Goodbye Girl" will be 7 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays (note the different starting time; most HCT productions begin at 8 p.m.), April 14-15. Following a two-weekend hiatus, it will resume May 6-Aug. 26. Matinees are currently scheduled at 2 p.m. on May 13 & 20, June 3, 10, 17 & 24, July 8 & 15 and Aug. 5, 12, 19 & 26. Admission for adults is $17.50 in the evenings and $15.50 for matinees. Tickets for children are $13 in the evenings and $12 for matinees. For reservations, call 984-9000.

Depending on demand for tickets, there may be additional performances (two shows on Friday and up to three performances on Saturdays).

Hale Centre Theatre is located at 3333 S. Decker Lake Drive, across the street from the E Center.

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