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Announcing: World Premiere Musical “Bend in the Road” Opens 9/15 at Carrie Hamilton Theatre in Pasadena

BEND IN THE ROAD
A WORLD PREMIERE MUSICAL BASED ON ANNE OF GREEN GABLES
DIRECTED BY BENITA SCHECKEL
OPENS AT CARRIE HAMILTON THEATRE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 FOR LIMITED ENGAGEMENT

Bend in the RoadBend in the Road, a new family musical based on Anne of Green Gables, has been set for a limited engagement at the Carrie Hamilton Theatre (upstairs at The Pasadena Playhouse) in Pasadena. Written by Benita Scheckel and Michael Upward, and directed by Scheckel, Bend in the Road will play two preview performances on Friday, September 14 at 7pm and Saturday, September 15 at 1pm, with opening night set for Saturday, September 15 at 7:00. The limited engagement will continue through October 7.

Bend in the Road is based on the beloved classic novel Anne of Green Gables, by Lucy Maud Montgomery, and tells the story of young Anne Shirley, an orphan, who is mistakenly adopted by siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, to help them on their Avonlea farm. Anne’s intelligent, joyous and imaginative ways change the lives of all those around her in this small town, including Matthew, Marilla and nosy town gossip Mrs. Rachel Lynde. Anne finds fast friendships at school, and a rivalry with classmate Gilbert Blythe turns complicated as they grow up.

The cast of Bend in the Road will feature (in alphabetical order) Christopher Callen, Ty Freedman, Christopher Higgins, Justine Huxley, James Jaeger, Don Margolin, Melinda Porto, Kate Sullivan, Kailey Swanson, and Alison Woods. As part of its educational outreach, which includes providing free shows to Pasadena Unified School District students, the production has cast five Pasadena area students to work as apprentices alongside Equity actors. They are (in alphabetical order) Cade Anderson, Zoe Berger-Davis, Mariella D’avirro, Kaitlyn Hammer, and Cheri McKenzie.

The scenic artist is Gary White, lighting design is by Darrell Clark, costume design is by Liz Dickson, and sound design is by Julie Ferrin. The musical director is Michael Upward, choreography is by Kevin Lee, and the stage manager is Kelsey O’Keeffe. Susan Lambert produces for 134 West and Summerland Entertainment.

Director and co-writer Benita Scheckel is a San Gabriel Valley native, and she attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Some of her stage credits include Camelot, Into the Woods, Evita, The Music Man, Oklahoma!, and The Secret Garden. She started directing and producing in 2003 for local philanthropic organizations, and in 2007 began her career as a director and teacher in the Pasadena Unified School District, working with middle and high school students. Musical director and co-writer Michael Upward has written a Requiem Mass for chorus, soloists, and orchestra, and over 50 choral compositions which have been performed throughout the United States. In addition to writing three other full length musicals, he has served as musical director for productions of The Fantasticks, Guys and Dolls, Evita, Nunsense II, and Quilters.

Bend in the Road will play two preview performances on Friday, September 14 at 7pm and Saturday, September 15, at 1pm. Opening night is set for Saturday, September 15 at 7:00, and the 13-performance only engagement will continue through October 7. The running schedule is Saturdays at 1pm and 7pm, and Sundays at 1pm. Tickets are on sale now: $10 for previews; $25 for regular performances; $20 for children 12 years of age and under. All seating is general admission, and tickets may be purchased online at www.bendintheroadtickets.eventbrite.com, or or by calling (626) 344-8846.

The Carrie Hamilton Theatre is located upstairs at The Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Avenue, in Pasadena, 91101.

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08-27-12

Announcing: Extension of “Deathtrap” Canceled Due to Revocation of Performance Rights

L.A. GAY & LESBIAN CENTER’S ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION
OF IRA LEVIN’S “DEATHTRAP”
WILL NOT RETURN IN SEPTEMBER
DUE TO PERFORMANCE RIGHTS BEING REVOKED

Deathtrap - Ken Werther PublicityDue to a last-minute revocation of performance rights, the much acclaimed, ‘Ovation Recommended’ production of Ira Levin’s classic comedy-thriller Deathtrap will be unable to return to the Davidson/Valentini Theatre at the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center in September as previously announced. Net proceeds would have benefitted the entire array of the Center’s free and low-cost programs and services.

Directed by eight-time Ovation Award-winner Ken Sawyer, the Center’s production of Deathtrap enjoyed a ten week sold-out run in the spring of this year. Due to the original engagement’s runaway success, the Center planned to remount the production, but the Estate of Ira Levin that controls the performance rights abruptly revoked them, citing a brief moment of onstage nudity.

Following an impassioned appeal by the Center, rights were once again granted, but this time with very strict guidelines prohibiting any onstage behavior that portrayed the two lead male characters having a physical relationship—this despite the fact that in the play the characters are involved in a full-blown affair.

Deathtrap’s famously complex script provides genuine, edge-of-your-seat thrills, and is known for the jolts and surprises that occur along the way. The Center has decided that re-mounting the show with the imposed restrictions would force the play’s central relationship back into the closet, thus compelling the Center to compromise both its mission and its integrity. It would also result in a very different and less effective production than the one audiences had been lining up to see. Therefore the Center has been forced to cancel.

The entire original cast was set to return. They are (in alphabetical order) Brian Foyster, Cynthia Gravinese, Burt Grinstead, Elizabeth Herron, Carl J. Johnson, and Stephen Mendillo. The design team included Joel Daavid (set), Luke Moyer (lighting), Paula Higgins (costumes), and Ken Sawyer (sound). Deathtrap was produced by Jon Imparato, artistic director of the Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center.

Patrons who had already purchased tickets for the extension will receive full refunds. The Center’s box office personnel is in the process of contacting all ticket buyers. The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center is located at The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N. McCadden Place (one block east of Highland, just north of Santa Monica Boulevard), in Hollywood.

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08-23-12

Announcing: The Pasadena Playhouse World Premiere Comedy “Under My Skin” Featuring Hal Linden Starts 9-11-12

THE PASADENA PLAYHOUSE
ANNOUNCES FULL CASTING AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR
WORLD PREMIERE COMEDY
UNDER MY SKIN
FEATURING HAL LINDEN

THE PRODUCTION WILL PERFORM
SEPTEMBER 11 – OCTOBER 7, 2012
TICKETS ON SALE TODAY

Pasadena Playhouse LogoThe Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Charles Dillingham, Interim Executive Director), in association with W.I.T. Productions, announced today the full casting, featuring Hal Linden, and creative team for UNDER MY SKIN. Single tickets are also now on sale to the public and rehearsals begin tomorrow, August 14. This World Premiere engagement of UNDER MY SKIN is written by the award-winning team of Robert Sternin and Prudence Fraser and will be directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge. Performances will begin September 11 through October 7, with an official press opening on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, at 8:00 p.m. at The Pasadena Playhouse.

“Marcia has assembled a wonderfully talented cast to bring this delicious comedy to life on The Playhouse stage,” said Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director of The Pasadena Playhouse. “I am excited to see the production grow over the coming weeks of rehearsal and eager for our audiences to enjoy another world premiere engagement on our stage.”

“I’m thrilled to make my Pasadena Playhouse debut with this hilarious comedy by Rob Sternin and Prudence Fraser,” said director Marcia Milgrom Dodge. “We’ve assembled a terrific cast who are not only funny, but gorgeous and sexy. I am so excited to play with them all.”

In UNDER MY SKIN, a twist of fate leads to love and laughs when New York’s most eligible bachelor and a single working mom hilariously experience each other’s lives and see things from a very different perspective. From the acclaimed writing and producing team of Robert Sternin and Prudence Fraser and Tony-nominated Ragtime director Marica Milgrom Dodge, comes the world premiere of an outrageous, new, heartfelt comedy about sex love and healthcare … the three things we all need but can’t always get.

The full cast for UNDER MY SKIN features (in alphabetical order):

  • Tim Bagley as “Dr. Hurtz” (“Web Therapy,” Knocked Up)
  • Erin Cardillo as “Melody Dent” (“Hawaii Five-0,” “Passions,” “The Suite Life on Deck”)
  • Yvette Cason as “Angel” (Dreamgirls, Ray Charles Live!, Sisterella)
  • Hal Linden as “Poppa Sam” (“Barney Miller”)
  • Monette Magrath as “Victoria” (“Weeds,” The Playhouse’s Mauritius)
  • Megan Sikora as “Nanette” (L.A. & Broadway’s Curtains)
  • Danielle Soibelman as “Casey” (The Morning After, The Chaperone)
  • Matt Walton as “Harrison Badish” (Burn After Reading, “One Life to Live,” Comedy Central’s “Onion Sports Dome”)

In addition to director Marcia Milgrom Dodge, the creative team for UNDER MY SKIN includes scenic design by John Iacovelli (The Playhouse’s recent hit The Heiress), lighting design by Jared A. Sayeg (The Playhouse’s recent hit Blues For An Alabama Sky), sound design by Philip G. Allen (The Playhouse’s recent hit ART) and costume design by Kate Bergh (The Playhouse’s recent hit ART).

UNDER MY SKIN will play from September 11 – October 7, 2012 with the official press opening on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, at 8:00 p.m. The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101. The performance schedule is Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Single show ticket prices for UNDER MY SKIN range from $22.00 – $62.00, with Premium Seating available for $100.00. Service and theatre restoration fees apply to all purchases. Rush tickets are available for $20.00 one hour prior to the performance time and are subject to availability. Rush tickets must be purchased at The Pasadena Playhouse Box Office. Tickets are available by calling The Pasadena Playhouse at 626-356-7529 or by visiting The Pasadena Playhouse Box Office, Monday from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (until September 10, the Box Office is closed on Mondays) and 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.

Full bios for the cast and creative team of UNDER MY SKIN are available upon request.

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08-13-12