Thursday, July 11, 2013

Little Mermaids Makes a Splash

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aja Jones
ajones@pittsburghclo.org
412-281-3973 x224

Disney’s The Little Mermaid Makes a Splash at Pittsburgh CLO
Make This Family Classic “Part of Your World” at the Benedum, July 9-21

Pittsburgh, PA ∙ July 1, 2013 – Disney’s The Little Mermaid will bring the beloved fairy tale to life onstage in its Pittsburgh premiere at the Benedum Center, July 9-21. Audiences of all ages are sure to fall in love with this underwater spectacular. Jessica Grové and Nick Adams star as Ariel and Prince Eric and are accompanied by a dazzling cast to make this enchanted “Under the Sea” love story a hit.


In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories, with music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken, it’s a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. Come fall in love with the magic for the first time—or all over again!

ABOUT THE CAST
Nick Adams as Prince Eric

Nick Adams (Prince Eric) returns to Pittsburgh CLO after appearing in The Music Man and Hello, Dolly!He is fresh off his starring role on Broadway as Adam/Felicia in Priscilla Queen of the Desert (two Audience Choice Awards, Astaire Award nomination, American Theatre Hall of Fame honoree). Also on Broadway: A Chorus Line, Guys and Dolls, Chicago, La Cage, The Pirate Queen. Film: Sex and the City 2, An Englishman in New York. BFA Boston Conservatory. www.nickadams.biz @thenickadams

Matt Allen (Scuttle) has numerous Broadway credits including The Wedding Singer, Oklahoma! andAnnie Get Your Gun. National Tours: Billy Elliot, Spamalot, The Producers, Annie Get Your Gun. Regional: North Shore: A Christmas Carol (Jacob Marley, IRNE nomination); Ogunquit Playhouse:Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Hipockets/MC); Paper Mill: Pippin.

Sean Patrick Doyle (Jetsam) appeared on Broadway in La Cage aux Folles (2010 Tony Award®-winning revival). Off Broadway: Volpone (Red Bull), Wig Out! (Vineyard). Tours: Mary Poppins, Fiddler on the Roof (first countertenor to portray Fruma-Sarah), West Side Story, Fame. TV: Law & Order, Orange Is the New Black, Kennedy Center Honors. Film: 20th Century Fox’s The Sitter. www.seanpatrickdoyle.com

Jessica Grové (Ariel) has performed in Broadway’s A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park with George (Celeste), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Miss Dorothy) and Les Misérables (Eponine). The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), Madison Square Garden and National Tour; The Boy Friend (Polly) directed by Julie Andrews, National Tour. Oklahoma! (Laurey) at Pittsburgh CLO. For more information, please visit www.jessicagrove.com.

Scott Leiendecker as Flotsam and Sean Patrick Doyle as Jetsam

Scott Leiendecker (Flotsam) is a native of St. Louis. Favorite credits: Sacramento Music Circus (Flotsam in The Little Mermaid). National Tours: Fiddler on the Roof (Fruma-Sarah) with Topol and Harvey Fierstein, Camelot, Steps in Time with Tommy Tune, Jesus Christ Superstar.

Liz McCartney (Ursula) came directly from Broadway’s Annie. She toured in Wicked as Madame Morrible and played Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd at Chicago’s Drury Lane. Broadway: South Pacific(PBS), Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia! (commercial), Thoroughly Modern Millie, Taboo, Dance of the Vampires, Les Misérables. Liz appeared at Paper Mill in Pirates! as Ruth; she is also a writer and working on two musicals.

Alan Mingo, Jr. (Sebastian) performed on Broadway in The Little Mermaid (Sebastian) and Rent (Tom Collins). National Tours: Shrek (Donkey), Hairspray (Seaweed), The Lion King (Simba). Regional: Papa Ge in Once on this Island at Paper Mill Playhouse; Sergeant in Pirates! at the Muny; The Wiz at La Jolla Playhouse; A Christmas Story at Kansas City Rep. TV: Frasier, Law & Order. MFA, UC Irvine.www.alanmingo.com

Christian Probst (Flounder) is a St. Louis native. Muny: Beauty and the Beast (Chip), Mame (Young Patrick), Peter Pan (Michael/John), Oliver! (Oliver), Sound of Music (Friedrich), Titanic (Bellboy); Stages St. Louis: Jungle Book (Mowgli), Annie Get Your Gun (Jake). TV: ESPN Countdown, Variety Club with Cathy Rigby. Film: Logan, Alice Upside Down (Roger). Yale: Drowsy Chaperone (Robert),Avenue Q (Princeton). Theater/Economics, Yale ’16.

Timothy Shew (Chef Louis/Ensemble) has appeared in ten Broadway shows: 1,600+ performances as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables and the recent, highly successful Evita with Ricky Martin. Seven years as Santa at Radio City. Chicago, Shaggy Dog and Tangled movie soundtracks. A nationally sought after clinician and educator, Tim is thrilled to be a part of this special production. timothyshew.com.

Edward Watts (King Triton) starred in the Paper Mill production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers(Adam). Broadway: Scandalous (Robert Semple/David Hutton), Finian’s Rainbow. Off Broadway/NYC: Encores’ It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman (Superman), The Fantasticks (El Gallo), NYC Opera’sThe Most Happy Fella. Tours: Les Misérables (Enjolras), Beauty and the Beast (Gaston). Regional: Guthrie, Goodspeed, etc. TV: Rescue Me, The Sopranos. EdwardWatts.net

Ron Wisniski (Grimsby) last appeared here in his hometown in Pittsburgh CLO’s Beauty and the Beast. National Tours: Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere), two tours of Annie (FDR), Tintypes (Teddy Roosevelt). Off-Broadway: George Abbott’s Frankie, A Most Secret War, Pillars of Society, Tom Jones. His other credits number more than 150 plays and musicals at theatres nationwide. For more visit www.RonWisniski.com.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid is complete with a talented ensemble including Kristine Bennett, Ward Billeisen, Lauryn Ciardullo, Thay Floyd, KC Fredericks, Rod Harrelson, Nicole Javanna Johnson, Lisa Karlin, Morgan Kirner, Erica Mansfield, Dennis O’Bannion, Robbie Roby, James Shackelford, Katie Ulrich and Jessica Wockenfuss.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM
Glenn Casale (Director) worked on the Broadway production of Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby (Tony Award® nomination, Best Revival), filmed by A&E (two Emmy Awards). Off Broadway: The Property Known as Garland, Dragapella at Studio 54 (Lortel Award nomination, Outstanding Musical). International: Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast (Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan and Russia). Tours/regional: Doctor Dolittle; Ballroom starring Tyne Daly and Charles Durning; Wrestlers starring Mark Harmon and George Clooney; From the Top starring Carol Burnett;Camelot starring Michael York; The Prisoner of Second Avenue with Jason Alexander. TV: The Facultystarring Meredith Baxter, The Wayans Bros. Glenn is artistic director for the California Musical Theater in Sacramento.

John MacInnis (Choreographer) is thrilled to be working on this production of The Little Mermaid. He recently choreographed the European productions currently running in Holland, Russia, and Japan. He also choreographed Beauty and the Beast in more than five European countries, including a touring production currently running in Spain. In 2011 he served as associate choreographer of the Tony Award®–winning musical The Book of Mormon. Other credits include directing and choreographing the Olympic Medals Ceremonies at the 2010 and 2002 Winter Olympic Games. From 1999 to 2001, he directed and choreographed the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, including the first international production in Mexico City.

Craig Barna (Music Director) has several Broadway/New York credits including Peter and the Wolf(Brian Blessed), Peter Pan (Cathy Rigby) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Ted Neeley/Carl Anderson). National Tours: Camelot (Michael York/Lou Diamond Phillips), Cats, Singin’ in the Rain, Grease (Jack Wagner). Regional: SMC, NSMT, PCLO, AMTSJ, TUTS, Muny. TV: A&E’s Peter Pan, 1999 Tony Awards®,The Rosie O’Donnell Show, The Today Show, CBS This Morning. Concerts: John Raitt, Anna Maria Alberghetti, Susan Powell, Carol Channing, Jo Anne Worley, Carol Cook. Recordings: Good News;Peter Pan; 42nd Street; Susan Egan: So Far; Debbie Gravitte: Defying Gravity; and the Musicality Seriesfor TER Records at Abbey Road studios in the UK.


Jessica Grove as Ariel

HISTORY OF THE SHOW
Audiences around the world first read the story of Ariel, a mermaid longing to be part of the human world, in Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid. In 1989, fans of the classic story saw it re-imagined on the silver screen in Disney’s animated movie. The uplifting score and memorable characters made a lasting impact that led the way for a Broadway musical version of the magical fairy tale. With timeless music from Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, the musical was a hit on the Great White Way when audiences saw the Disney classic come to life onstage.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid made its Broadway debut at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on January 8, 2010. It made a splash in New York City, garnering two Tony Award® nominations for Best Original Score and Best Lighting Design of a Musical. In addition, the production’s soundtrack was nominated for a Grammy for Best Musical Show Album.

This summer, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is swimming its way to Pittsburgh. This re-imagined production is also being performed at partner theaters Paper Mill Playhouse and Kansas City Starlight. Pittsburgh CLO is honored to be one of a handful of regional theaters selected to premiere this underwater sensation.

ABOUT THE ORIGINAL CREATIVE TEAM
Alan Menken (Music) is the musical mastermind behind countless theater productions includingNewsies (2012 Tony Award®, Best Score), Aladdin, Leap of Faith, Sister Act, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, A Christmas Carol, Little Shop of Horrors, Der Glöckner von Notre Dame and more. Film scores include Little Shop of Horrors, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Aladdin,Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Enchanted, Tangled. Awards include eight Oscars (19 nominations), 11 Grammys (including Song of the Year), seven Golden Globes, Tony Award® (plus four nominations), Drama Desk, Olivier, and the 2012 Drama League Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award, among others.

Howard Ashman (Lyrics) wrote the lyrics for the Disney animated films The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin (three songs). With composer Alan Menken, he received two Academy Awards and two Golden Globes for Best Song (“Beauty and the Beast” and “Under the Sea”) and four Grammy Awards. He was author, lyricist and director of the stage musical Little Shop of Horrors as well as the screenwriter for the film adaptation, which earned an Oscar nomination for Best Song.

Glenn Slater (Lyrics) wrote the lyrics for Broadway’s Leap of Faith (Tony Award® nomination, Best Musical), Sister Act (Tony Award® nomination, Best Score), The Little Mermaid (Tony Award® nomination, Best Score; Grammy nomination, Best Musical Show Album). West End: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies (Olivier nomination, Best Musical). Off Broadway: Newyorkers. Film: Disney’s Tangled (Grammy Award, Best Song Written for Visual Media; Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, Best Song), Disney’s Home on the Range.

Doug Wright (Book) has written the books for Broadway productions of Hands on a Hardbody, I Am My Own Wife (Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award®), Grey Gardens (Tony Award® nomination), The Little Mermaid. Film: Quills, based on his Obie Award–winning play, nominated for three Academy Awards. Television:Tony Bennett: An American Classic. Honors: Benjamin H. Danks Prize, American Academy of Arts and Letters; Tolerance Prize, KulturForum Europa; Paul Selvin Award, Writers Guild of America.

Performance Schedule for Disney’s The Little Mermaid
Tuesday July 9 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday July 10 8:00 p.m.
Thursday July 11 8:00 p.m.
Friday July 12 8:00 p.m.
Saturday July 13 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Sunday July 14 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
 
Tuesday July 16 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday July 17 8:00 p.m.
Thursday July 18 1:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Friday July 19 8:00 p.m.
Saturday July 20 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Sunday July 21 2:00 p.m.

Tickets
Tickets are available online at pittsburghCLO.org, by calling 412-456-6666 or at the Box Office at Theater Square. Half-price tickets are available for children ages 3-14 for weekday performances in Section C, sponsored by Giant Eagle. Groups of 10 or more enjoy exclusive discounts and specialty packages. Call our Group Sales Hotline at 412-325-1582 for more information. Visit pittsburghCLO.orgfor further information.

Pittsburgh CLO gratefully acknowledges the generosity of PNC for its sponsorship of the PNC Spotlight Series and our Season Sponsors: the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and WTAE-TV.

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

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