PRESS RELEASE — MORE THAN 35 ACTORS SET TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BLANK THEATRE’S YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL

SARA GILBERT, SCOTT LOWELL,
MICHAEL GRANT TERRY, ANGEL PARKER,
ELLEN D. WILLIAMS, CURT HANSEN,
JESSY SCHRAM, AND MORE
SET TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BLANK THEATRE’S
22ND ANNUAL YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL
JUNE 5—29

More than 35 actors are set to participate in The Blank Theatre’s 22nd Annual Young Playwrights Festival, including Sara Gilbert (Roseanne, The Talk, The Big Bang Theory), Curt Hansen (A Snow White Christmas, Wicked), Scott Lowell (Queer As Folk), Michael Grant Terry (Bones), Angel Parker (Lab Rats), Ellen D. Williams (How I Met Your Mother), and Jessy Schram (Falling Skies, Mad Men). Twelve winning plays by young playwrights aged 16 -19 from seven different states will be presented during this year’s festival at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood, running from June 5—29.

Other notable performers appearing in the Festival are (in alphabetical order) Sarah Allyn Bauer, Tim Cummings, Shaan Dasani, Aaron Fors, Alberto Frezza, Frank Gingerich, Zena Grey, Arjun Gupta, Paul Hodge, Juanita Jennings, Sophie Kargman, Caroline Lindy, Kayla Madison, Minni Jo Mazzola, Tyler Merna, Matthew Scott Montgomery, Larry Poindexter, John Posey, Romy Rosemont, Maite Schwartz, Patrick Stafford, David Starzyk, Liam Starzyk, Ben Stillwell, Jennifer Stone, Mandy Turpin, Mat Vairo, Tessa Williams, and Ellen Wong.

The Blank Theatre’s 22nd Annual Young Playwrights Festival plays Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm, beginning June 5 and running through June 29 at the Stella Adler Theatre, 6773 Hollywood Boulevard (at Highland), in Hollywood. Each week’s program includes three plays. Tickets are $20 for adults and $14 for students. Festival Passes, which include one ticket for each week, are $68 for adults and $48 for students. Tickets may be purchased at www.theblank.com.

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05-27-14

Announcing: Final Week of ‘A Snow White Christmas’ at The Pasadena Playhouse

FINAL WEEK OF PERFORMANCES FOR
THE PASADENA PLAYHOUSE & LYTHGOE FAMILY PRODUCTIONS’
A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS
12 PERFORMANCES REMAIN THROUGH DECEMBER 30 ONLY

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Elizabeth Doran, Executive Director), announces the final week of performances for A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS, through December 30 only. This inaugural production of the new Panto at The Playhouse holiday series has been playing to nearly sold-out houses and has become the season’s new hot family entertainment ticket.

An updated version of the classic tale, in the style of a traditional British family Panto, A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS features family-friendly magic with a comedic twist, dancing (with “So You Think You Can Dance” alumni), a live miniature pony, and contemporary music from Katy Perry’s “Firework” to Huey Lewis and the News’ “Power of Love” to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” and more. A Panto is known for its interactive style and humor that appeals to everyone from ages 2 – 102. Beginning 90 minutes before every performance, audiences are invited to enjoy a “Winter Wonderland” event in The Playhouse’s Engemann Family Courtyard, complete with holiday music, crafts, activities, games and photos with Santa.

Lythgoe Family Productions produces fun, musical theatre the whole family can enjoy. Known for their creativity and involvement in television hits “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” the Lythgoes are dedicated to bringing affordable theatre to families across America. Based on the Grimm fairytales, each story has been modernized with topical scripts for parents and well known pop songs for kids. The Lythgoes pride themselves on creating a memorable experience the whole family can share.

The cast for A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS features Ariana Grande, Neil Patrick Harris, Charlene Tilton, Curt Hansen, Jonathan Scott Meza, and David Figlioli. In addition to director Bonnie Lythgoe, the creative team for A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS includes choreography by Spencer Liff (Emmy nominee for “So You Think You Can Dance”), musical direction, additional music, and arrangements by Michael Orland (“American Idol”), book by Kris Lythgoe, scenic and costume design by Lythgoe Family Productions creative department, with additional costume design by Julia Clancy, Donna Maas and Kleev Guessford, additional scenic design by J.J. Wickham (LFP producers include Kris Lythgoe, Bonnie Lythgoe, Becky Baeling and Jason Haigh-Ellery).

A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS will play through December 30 only. The performance schedule is as follows: Monday 12/24 at 11am and 3pm; Wednesday 12/26 at 7pm; Thursday 12/27 at 3pm and 7pm; Friday 12/28 at 3pm and 7pm; Saturday 12/29 at 11am, 3pm, and 7pm; and Sunday 12/30 at 11am and 3pm. Single ticket prices for A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS range from $32.00 – $72.00, with Premium Seating available for $100.00. Child single tickets are available for Rear Orchestra and Rear Mezzanine seating ranging from $22.00 – $47.00.

Family ticket packages are available at $99.00 (weekday performances, Rear Orchestra), $159.00 (weekday, Front Orchestra/Front Mezzanine; weekend, Rear Orchestra) and $199.00 (weekend and Christmas Eve, Front Orchestra/Front Mezzanine). Golden Tickets are available as an add-on to any child’s ticket for an additional $100.00 each and are limited to 10 Golden Tickets per performance. A Golden Ticket allows the ticket holder (children only) a special on-stage experience during the production. Admission to the “Winter Wonderland” event is complimentary to all ticket holders, and begins 90 minutes before every performance.  Service and theatre restoration fees apply to all purchases. Tickets are available by calling The Pasadena Playhouse at 626-356-7529 or by visiting The Pasadena Playhouse Box Office, www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org. Group Sales (8 or more) are available by calling 626-921-1161.

The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue in Pasadena. For additional information, visit www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org.

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12-23-2012

Curt Hansen is the Prince in “A Snow White Christmas” – Child Performer Auditions for Seven Dwarfs Set for October 5 & 6

SNOW WHITE FINDS HER PRINCE!
BROADWAY STAR CURT HANSEN JOINS ARIANA GRANDE,
CHARLENE TILTON AND NEIL PATRICK HARRIS FOR
THE PASADENA PLAYHOUSE AND
LYTHGOE FAMILY PRODUCTIONS’
A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS

CHILD PERFORMER AUDITIONS FOR SEVEN DWARFS
TO BE HELD OCTOBER 5 – 6

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT – TWO WEEKS ONLY
DECEMBER 13 – 23, 2012
SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE TODAY

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Elizabeth Doran, Executive Director) and Lythgoe Family Productions, announced today that Curt Hansen (Broadway’s Next to Normal and Hairspray) joins the cast as “Snow White’s Prince” in A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS. The production also features the previously announced Ariana Grande (Nickelodeon’s “Victorious”) as “Snow White,” an on-screen appearance by Neil Patrick Harris as “The Magic Mirror” and Charlene Tilton (“Dallas”) as “The Wicked Queen.” Auditions for child performers to play the “Seven Dwarfs” will be held on October 5 – 6 at the Westfield Santa Anita mall. This inaugural “Panto at The Playhouse” production of A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS will be directed by Bonnie Lythgoe (“So You Think You Can Dance”) with choreography by Spencer Liff (Emmy nominee “So You Think You Can Dance”) and musical direction by Michael Orland (“American Idol”). Performances will begin December 13 through December 23, with a gala press opening night on Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. at The Pasadena Playhouse. Single tickets are also now on sale.

Lythgoe Family Productions produces fun, musical theatre the whole family can enjoy. Known for their creativity and involvement in television hits “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” the Lythgoes are dedicated to bringing affordable theatre to families across America. Based on the Grimm fairytales, each story has been modernized with topical scripts for parents and well known pop songs for kids. The Lythgoes pride themselves on creating a memorable experience a family can share together.

An updated version of the classic tale, in the style of a traditional British family Panto, A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS features family-friendly magic, with a comedic twist, dancing (with “So You Think You Can Dance” alumni), a live miniature pony and contemporary music from Katy Perry’s “Firework” to Huey Lewis and the News’ “Power of Love” to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and more. A Panto is known for its interactive style and humor that appeals to everyone from ages 2 – 102! Before every performance, guests and their families are invited to enjoy a “Winter Wonderland” event in The Playhouse’s Engemann Family Courtyard, complete with holiday music, crafts, activities, games and photo opportunities.

The cast for A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS features:

• Ariana Grande as “Snow White” (Nickelodeon’s “Victorious”)
• Neil Patrick Harris as “The Magic Mirror” (“How I Met Your Mother”)
• Charlene Tilton as “The Wicked Queen” (“Dallas”)
• Curt Hansen as “Snow White’s Prince” (Next to Normal, Hairspray)
• Jonathan Scott Meza as “Muddles” ( “The Jumpitz”)
• David Figoli as “Herman the Huntsman”

Auditions for child performers (ages 5 – 13) to play the “Seven Dwarfs” will be held October 5 – 6 at the Westfield Santa Anita mall (400 S. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, CA). Celebrity judges, including Lindsay Arnold and Witney Carson from this season’s “So You Think You Can Dance” will be monitoring auditions along with director Bonnie Lythgoe. Past judges have included Neil Patrick Harris, Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy (“So You Think You Can Dance”), Kara Dioguardi (“American Idol”) and Mark Ballas (“Dancing with the Stars”). Kids can also take photos with “Snow White.” For more information visit www.mpient.com.

In addition to director Bonnie Lythgoe, the creative team for A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS includes choreography by Spencer Liff (Emmy nominee for “So You Think You Can Dance”), musical direction by Michael Orland (“American Idol”), book by Kris Lythgoe, scenic and costume design by Lythgoe Family Productions creative department with additional costume design by designer Julia Clancy, Donna Maas and Kleev Guessford, additional scenic design by J.J. Wickham (LFP producers include Kris Lythgoe, Bonnie Lythgoe, Becky Baeling and Jason Haigh-Ellery).

Curt Hansen (“Snow White’s Prince”) grew up in Wisconsin and now lives in New York. Broadway credits include Next to Normal (as well as the National Tour) and Hairspray. Regional theatre credits include Parade at the Mark Taper Forum. On television, Curt has appeared on Nickelodeon’s “Big Time Rush” as Dak Zevon and CBS’ “The Good Wife.” Selected NYC staged readings include: IT’S ON (NYMF), bare, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Flamingo Kid.

A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS will play from December 13 – 23, 2012 with a gala press opening on Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101. The performance schedule is Tuesday through Friday at 7:00 p.m.; Saturdays at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; and Sundays at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Single ticket prices for A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS range from $32.00 – $72.00, with Premium Seating available for $100.00. Child single tickets are available for Rear Orchestra and Rear Mezzanine seating ranging from $22.00 – $47.00. Golden Tickets are available for an additional $100.00 each and are limited to 10 Golden Tickets per performance. A Golden Ticket allows the ticketholder (children only) a special on-stage experience during the production. Admission to the “Winter Wonderland” event is complimentary to all ticket holders (select activities require an additional purchase) and begins an hour and a half before every performance. Service and theatre restoration fees apply to all purchases. Tickets are available by calling The Pasadena Playhouse at 626-356-7529 or by visiting The Pasadena Playhouse Box Office, Tuesday – Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. during non-performance dates. On performance dates the Box Office is open Tuesday – Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are available 24 hours online at www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org. Group Sales (8 or more) are available by calling 626-921-1161. For additional information visit www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org.

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10-01-2012