Boeing Boeing Auditions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Aja Jones
412-281-3973 ext. 224
ajones@pittsburghCLO.org

Pittsburgh CLO to Hold Auditions for
Tony Award-winning Comedy Boeing Boeing

What: Auditions for the comedy, BOEING BOEING by Marc Camoletti
Translated by Beverly Cross and Francis Evans
Directed by Van Kaplan

Principals must be available beginning January 19, 2014 and continuing through April 26, 2015.

Where: CLO Academy of Musical Theater, 130 CLO Academy Way, 8th Floor.

When: Sunday, September 7, 2014; 11:00 am – 7:00 pm.

Callbacks Monday, September 8, 2014. Time TBD

About the Show:
BOEING BOEING is a classic farce written by the French playwright Marc Camoletti. The English language adaptation, translated by Beverley Cross, was first staged in London at the Apollo Theatre in 1962 running for a total of seven years. In 1991, the play was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most performed French play throughout the world. The most recent revival on Broadway in 2008 won the TONY for best play revival.

It’s the 1960s, and swinging American bachelor Bernard couldn’t be happier: a flat in Paris and three gorgeous Air Hostesses (Stewardesses) all engaged to him without knowing about each other. Bernard manages to juggle his dance card with careful planning and the reluctance of his acid tongued French Housekeeper Berthe. But Bernard’s perfect life gets bumpy when his friend Robert from Wisconsin comes to stay, and a new and speedier Boeing jet is introduced to the airlines which throws off all of his careful planning. Soon all three stewardesses are in town simultaneously, timid Robert is forgetting which lies to tell to whom, and catastrophe looms. A riotous farce that recently enjoyed hit revivals in London and New York.

Seeking:
All actors must possess the ability to play both physical and verbal comedy.

Bernard
30s-40s. Successful American architect, living in Paris. Handsome, well-educated, charming. Engaged to three air hostesses whom he manages to keep in the dark about one-another by managing their visits on a strict timetable. Takes boyish pleasure in the success of his devious doings, until his careful planning starts to fall apart, deflating his confidence.

Berthe
French, 40s-60s. Bernard’s long-time live-in maid and cook. Although devoted to Bernard, she is wearying of keeping up with Bernard’s revolving-door lifestyle, and by play’s end she has been pushed as far as she will go. Dry and fantastically sarcastic; never afraid to say what’s on her mind. French accent.

Robert
30s-40s. Bernard’s schoolmate from back in the States; hasn’t seen Bernard in close to 20 years. Shy, small-town, mid-western and sweet—somewhat a nerd by today’s standards. Views Bernard’s whirlwind juggling act of three fiancés with awe and admiration – until he gets wrapped up in it himself and his anxiety spins out of control.

Gloria
Bernard’s American fiancée, late 20s-30s. Air hostess for TWA. Epitome of a go-getter American woman; has a vigorous appetite for food and love. Completely adorable and supremely confident, but she might punch you if you dared call her “cute”. Southern accent.

Gretchen
Bernard’s German fiancée, late 20s-30s. Air hostess for Lufthansa. Has an intense Teutonic passion that can spin on a dime—one moment she might be soft and cuddly, and the next barking out orders and breaking furniture. Inspires equal amounts of lust and fear in those around her. German accent.

Gabriella
Bernard’s Italian fiancée, late 20s-30s. Air hostess for Alitalia. Sultry and full of fire, she is much smarter and more self-reliant than she first appears. Italian accent.

Requirements:
• Head shot and resume stapled together.
• Auditioners should prepare a one-minute comic monologue.
• Completed CLO Audition Application
Audition Process:
• Set up a time for your appointment using the audition request email. We will email your confirmation time back.
• (If this link does not automatically generate an email in your browser, please click here for detailed instructions on submitting an audition request.)
Download and complete the Audition Application. You will need to bring this to your audition appointment.

*If you are having trouble downloading the application, please call us at 412-281-3973 ext 234 to have one mailed to you.

# # #
Since 1946, the Pittsburgh CLO has been the driving force behind live musical theater in Pittsburgh and the entire Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Under the direction of Van Kaplan since 1997, this not-for-profit arts organization appreciates the support of nearly 200,000 patrons each year and produces a subscription series, educational programs, national tours and develops and invests in new works, including 19 Broadway shows (25 Tony Awards®) featuring the current productions of Cinderella, Kinky Boots and Matilda. Its dedication to the musical theater art form extends to include such programs as the CLO Academy, the CLO Mini Stars, the Gene Kelly Awards, theRichard Rodgers Award the National High School Musical Theater Awards, the Construction Center for the Arts and theCLO Cabaret.

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

CLO 2014-2015 Cabaret Season

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Aja Jones
412-281-3973 ext. 224
ajones@pittsburghCLO.org
Images: Press Room
User: pressroom Pswd: pittstadium

Tony Award-Winning Broadway Hit & Audience Favorite to Complete
10th Anniversary CLO Cabaret Season!

Pittsburgh, PA • July 29, 2014 – Pittsburgh CLO is pleased to announce that Tony Award®-winning Broadway sensation Boeing Boeing will join the Pittsburgh premiere of Off-Broadway hit Murder For Two and audience favorite Girls Only – The Secret Comedy of Women to complete the 2014-2015 CLO Cabaret Series.  

CLO Cabaret Series packages are now on sale and can be purchased by calling our Season Ticket hotline at 412-281-2822.  Groups of 10 or more may purchase tickets by calling 412-325-1582 or emailing Groups@pittsburghCLO.org.

Murder For Two
October 22, 2014 - January 18, 2015
Music by Joe Kinosian
Lyrics by Kellen Blair
Book by Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair

EVERYONE IS A SUSPECT AT THE CLO CABARET!
Murder For Two is the perfect blend of music, mayhem and murder!  In this witty and winking musical homage to old-fashioned murder mysteries, 2 performers play 13 roles — not to mention the piano!  The New York Times calls this hilarious 90-minute whodunit “INGENIOUS!  A snazzy double-act that spins out a comic mystery animated by funny, deftly turned songs.”  You won’t want to miss this killer musical comedy!

Boeing Boeing
February 5-April 26, 2015
By Marc Camoletti
Translated by Beverly Cross
Revised by Francis Evans
Directed by Van Kaplan

ONE MAN + THREE STEWARDESSES = NON-STOP COMEDY!
This Tony Award®-winning swingin’ ‘60s farce features Bernard, a wannabe-Casanova, with Italian, German, and American fiancées, each a beautiful airline hostess with frequent “layovers.” He keeps “one up, one down and one pending” until unexpected schedule changes bring all three to Paris and Bernard’s apartment at the same time. A riotous hit comedy that recently enjoyed hit revivals in London and New York, Boeing Boeing is now set to arrive in Pittsburgh - fasten your seatbelts!

Girls Only – The Secret Comedy of Women
May 27-August 16, 2015
By Barbara Gehring and Linda Klein

A MUST-SEE FOR GIRLS OF ALL AGES!
Girls Only - The Secret Comedy of Women is a hilarious hit about two women discovering their childhood diaries and the sweet, awkward, embarrassing and heartwarming stories they inspire. A combination of sketch comedy, improvisation and musical numbers – with a little audience participation thrown in – Girls Only is the perfect way to celebrate all things girly. Don’t miss what the Denver Post calls “truly brilliant!” and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said, “Keep the laughs coming!”




The CLO Cabaret Series Subscription is available for $100 and includes:
• Tickets to Murder for Two, Boeing Boeing and Girls Only – The Secret Comedy of Women
• Choice of show dates and times
• Convenient ticket exchange
• The above price includes up to a 25% discount

CLO Cabaret Series Performances
Wednesdays at 7:30pm
Thursdays at 7:30pm
Fridays at 7:30pm
Saturdays at 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Sundays at 2:00pm
Select Thursdays at 1:00pm

Pittsburgh CLO gratefully acknowledges the generosity of our 2014-2015 CLO Cabaret Series Sponsor: the Charity Randall Foundation.
# # #
Since 1946, the Pittsburgh CLO has been the driving force behind live musical theater in Pittsburgh and the entire Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Under the direction of Van Kaplan since 1997, this not-for-profit arts organization appreciates the support of nearly 200,000 patrons each year and produces a subscription series, educational programs, national tours and develops and invests in new works, including 19 Broadway shows (25 Tony Awards®) featuring the current productions of Cinderella, Kinky Boots and Matilda. Its dedication to the musical theater art form extends to include such programs as the CLO Academy, the CLO Mini Stars, the Gene Kelly Awards, theRichard Rodgers Award the National High School Musical Theater Awards, the Construction Center for the Arts and theCLO Cabaret.

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

Clever Comedy Murder for Two Opens October 22

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Aja Jones
412-281-3973 ext. 224
ajones@pittsburghCLO.org

A CRAZY, CLEVER COMEDY
comes to the CLO Cabaret!
The Pittsburgh Premiere of Murder For Two Opens October 22

Pittsburgh, PA • July 15, 2014 – Pittsburgh CLO is pleased to announce the Pittsburgh Premiere of the Off-Broadway sensation Murder For Two, October 22-January 18 at the CLO Cabaret.  Everyone is a suspect in this exciting production where classic musical comedy meets Agatha Christie.  In this witty and winking musical homage to old-fashioned murder mysteries, TWO performers play THIRTEEN ROLES — not to mention the piano.  Murder For Two is the perfect blend of music, mayhem and murder!

More about the Mystery…

Officer Marcus Moscowicz is a small town policeman with dreams of making it to detective. One fateful night, shots ring out at the surprise birthday party of Great American Novelist Arthur Whitney and the writer is killed…fatally. With the nearest detective an hour away, Marcus jumps at the chance to prove his sleuthing skills—with the help of his silent partner, Lou.  But whodunit?  Did Dahlia Whitney, Arthur’s scene-stealing wife, give him a big finish?  Is Barrette Lewis, the prima ballerina, the prime suspect?  Did Dr. Griff, the overly-friendly psychiatrist, make a frenemy?   Marcus has only a short amount of time to find the killer and make his name before the real detective arrives…and the ice cream melts!

“INGENIOUS! A SNAZZY double-act!” by The New York Times and a “HILARIOUS musical whodunit” by the New York Observer.  It is a “A MUST-SEE 90-minute jolt of CAFFEINATED CREATIVITY,” according to NY 1-TV.


Murder For Two was developed at Adirondack Theatre Festival and 42nd Street Moon. Chicago Shakespeare Theater presented the World Premiere Production in May, 2011, which was extended four times and ran for more than six months. Murder For Two opened at Second Stage Theatre’s uptown home, the McGinn/Cazale Theatre, in July, 2013. It was extended twice due to popular demand. The Second Stage production transferred to New World Stages in 2013.

About the Creative Team
Murder For Two is the creation of the talented writing team of Joe Kinosian (music and book) and Kellen Blair (lyrics and book), who first met in the BMI Musical Theatre Writing Workshop, where they're currently Advanced Members. Kinosian and Blair’s song "If He Knew Me" recently had its Broadway debut at the 2013 Theatre World Awards. They're proud members of ASCAP and recipients of the 2013 ASCAP Foundation Mary Rodgers / Lorenz Hart Award. Their work has also been showcased at the York Theater's 2012 NEO concert, Adirondack Theater Festival's Second Act Cabaret, The Kennedy Center's "Broadway Today and Tomorrow" series, the Kauffman Center's "Bound for Broadway" concert, and a November 2012 New York Theatre Barn Concert.  Their past work includes Pirates Don't Change Diapers for TheatreWorks USA and two Christmas songs for the 2009 and 2010 Lincoln Center Annual Holiday Songbooks. They also took part in the 2010 Johnny Mercer Songwriting Project, where their song, "You're Mine Until," was selected to be part of a gala concert honoring Stephen Schwartz. They received a 2011 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Musical for Murder For Two. Currently, Kinosian and Blair are in development on several new musicals, including The More Things Change, a backstage musical comedy about two middle-aged actors battling to set the record straight about their shaky romantic past.

Joining Pittsburgh CLO for the first time to direct is Scott Schwartz, who will return to the director’s chair after directingMurder For Two off-Broadway and in its run at Second Stage Uptown.  On Broadway, he directed Golda’s Balcony andJane Eyre (co-directed with John Caird). His Off-Broadway work includes Bat Boy: The Musical (Lucille Lortel and Outer Critics Circle Awards, Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical; Drama Desk Award nomination, Outstanding Director of a Musical), tick, tick…BOOM! (Outer Critics Circle, Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical; Drama Desk nomination, Outstanding Director of a Musical); Rooms: A Rock Romance; The Foreigner starring Matthew Broderick (Roundabout Theatre Company), Kafka’s The Castle (Outer Critics Circle nomination, Outstanding Director of a Play), and No Way to Treat a Lady. He also directed Golda’s Balcony on tour, in London, in Los Angeles at the Wadsworth Theatre and in San Francisco at American Conservatory Theater.

Mr. Schwartz directed the world premiere of Séance on a Wet Afternoon at Opera Santa Barbara and subsequently at New York City Opera. His other recent credits include the world premiere of Secondhand Lions (5th Avenue Theatre), the world premiere of Theresa Rebeck’s What We’re Up Against (Alley Theatre), Arsenic and Old Lace starring Tovah Feldshuh and Betty Buckley (Dallas Theater Center), Othello and Much Ado About Nothing (Alley Theatre), A Room With A View (Old Globe), and a re-envisioning of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Paper Mill Playhouse, Theatre Under The Stars, Theatre on the Square and North Shore Music Theatre; 2008 IRNE Award, Outstanding Director of a Musical). He is the Artistic Director of Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor, NY and is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, an Associate Artist at the Alley Theatre, and a graduate of Harvard University.
Tickets

Tickets to this Pittsburgh premiere will go on sale in late July and will be available online at CLOCabaret.com, by calling 412-456-6666 or in person at the Theater Square Box Office.  Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets now and should call 412-325-1582 for information on group discounts and special event planning.

Murder for Two Performances
Wednesdays                7:30pm
Thursdays*                 7:30pm          
Fridays                        7:30pm                                                                                                    
Saturdays                    2:00pm & 7:30pm        
Sundays                       2:00pm

*Select Thursdays at 1pm with optional buffet lunch.  Call Group Sales for details.
# # #

Since 1946, the Pittsburgh CLO has been the driving force behind live musical theater in Pittsburgh and the entire Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Under the direction of Van Kaplan since 1997, this not-for-profit arts organization appreciates the support of nearly 200,000 patrons each year and produces a subscription series, educational programs, national tours and develops and invests in new works, including 19 Broadway shows (25 Tony Awards®) featuring the current productions of Cinderella, Kinky Boots and Matilda. Its dedication to the musical theater art form extends to include such programs as the CLO Academy, the CLO Mini Stars, the Gene Kelly Awards, the Richard Rodgers Award the National High School Musical Theater Awards, the Construction Center for the Arts and the CLO Cabaret.

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

Legally Blonde The Musical

ajones@pittsburghCLO.org
Images: Press Room
User: pressroom Pswd: pittstadium

Legally Blonde: The Musical
Sure to Tickle Audiences Pink June 13
We’re “Positive” this Show is “What you Want!”

Pittsburgh, PA ∙ June 11, 2014 – Do blondes really have more fun? Audiences will soon find out at Pittsburgh CLO’s production of Legally Blonde The Musical, June 13-22 at the Benedum Center. This mega movie hit will be brought to life by a cast of Broadway’s best and Pittsburgh CLO veterans. Watch as Elle Woods takes over the stage with her vivacious personality and a score sure to please.

It's here, and it's "AN ELLE OF A SHOW" (TIME Magazine). Based on the hilarious MGM film, Legally

Blonde: The Musical follows sorority star Elle Woods, an underestimated blonde who doesn't take "no" for an answer. When her boyfriend dumps her for someone more "serious," Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. This musical juggernaut features such instant classics as “Omigod You Guys,” “Bend and Snap, “Take It Like a Man” and more!

ABOUT THE CAST
Kathleen Elizabeth Monteleone (Elle Woods) most recently played Heather Stovall in Broadway's Hands on a Hardbody, a role she originated in the musical's premiere at La JollaPlayhouse. Other credits include Dede Halcyon-Day in Tales of the City (American Conservatory Theater), the national tour of Legally Blonde: The Musical (Elle Woods); Sophie in Departure Lounge (SPF) and Amber in Hairspray (Paper Mill Playhouse). Screen credits include NBC’s Grease: You’re the One That I Want (Spiritual Sandy) and the film 27 Dresses. KathleenMonteleone.com

Annie Funke (Enid) appeared on the Broadway stage in Hairspray. Wicked, San Francisco. Off-Broadway: If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet, opposite Jake Gyllenhaal (Lucille Lortel Award); Silence! The Musical. Regional: Kennedy Center, Studio Theatre, STAGES St. Louis, MTW, Riverside Theatre, Casa Manana, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. Annie is a graduate of the Steppenwolf School in Chicago and the University of Oklahoma.

Lara Hayhurst (Margot) recently played April in Pittsburgh Public Theatre’s Company, and then made her Broadway debut this March working on Lady Day starring Audra McDonald. Other recent ‘Burgh credits include Maria in The Sound of Music and Elle in Legally Blonde, both with Pittsburgh Musical Theater. Larahayhurst.com.

Jeff Howell (Dad/Winthrop) was recently seen in By the Way Meet Vera Stark (REP). Pittsburgh CLO shows include 42nd Street, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar, Jekyll and Hyde, A Musical Christmas Carol (Bob Cratchit), Beauty and the Beast, Bells are Ringing, Pajama Game, The Most Happy Fella.  Other credits include Candide, Tigers Be Still, Chicago, and Tribute to Lerner and Loewewith Marvin Hamlisch and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

Ken Land (Callahan) last appeared in Pittsburgh CLO’s production of Singin' in the Rain. Broadway/Off-Broadway/Tours: Promises, Promises, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Victor/Victoria, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Legally Blonde, The Gig, Little Shop of Horrors, Sweet Charity, The Secret Garden, Evita.Regional: MUNY, Portland Center Stage, Old Globe, Goodspeed, Indiana Rep, Maine State, etc. Television: “Boston Legal,” “Six Feet Under,” “Law & Order(s),” “Malcolm in the Middle,” “Judging Amy,” “The District,” “Crossing Jordan,” “Star Trek: Voyager,” “Strong Medicine.”

Courtney Markowitz (Vivienne) returns to Pittsburgh CLO after appearing in The Pajama Game andOliver! Broadway: Jekyll & Hyde.  National tours: Jekyll & Hyde, Spring Awakening (Ilse).  Regional credits include Lizzie (Alice) - TUTS Underground; Oliver! (Rose Seller) – Pittsburgh CLO; All Shook Up(Miss Sandra), Joseph and Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Artpark. BFA from Elon University and a Pittsburgh CLO Academy Alumni.

Jeff McLean (Warner) was a member of the original cast of the Las Vegas production of Spamalot. Played Warner Huntington III in the First National Tour of Legally Blonde The Musical.  Was a swing in the original musical Tales of the City in San Francisco with the American Conservatory Theatre. And played the role of Clifford Bradshaw in Jason Alexanders Reprise Theatre Company’s production of Cabaret.

Mamie Parris (Paulette) performed last year in Pittsburgh CLO’s Seven Brides for Seven Brothers(Milly), and in the national tours of 9 To 5 (Judy) and Legally Blonde! Other Broadway/National Tour:Wicked (Elphaba), Ragtime, The Drowsy Chaperone, 110 In The Shade. Off-Broadway: See Rock City (Dodi/Lily). Regional: Goodspeed, The Muny, Pittsburgh CLO.  www.mamieparris.com

Matthew Scott (Emmett) appeared on Broadway in Sondheim on Sondheim (cast album), Jersey Boys, A Catered Affair. Pittsburgh CLO; Sunset Boulevard (Joe Gillis), Les Misérables (Marius), 1776(Courier), Swing! (Male Diva 2). Regional: La Jolla Playhouse, Old Globe, Signature Theatre, Goodspeed, Kennedy Center, Paper Mill Playhouse, Alliance Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Co., The Muny, The O’Neill. Recordings: Jerome Kern: The Land Where the Good Songs Go, and Noel and Cole. CMU Grad.

Sarrah Strimel (Brooke) is a Pittsburgh CLO alum who has performed on Broadway in: Big Fish (The Girl In the Water), The Producers, Young Frankenstein, Rock Of Ages, Catch Me If You Can. National Tours/Regional incl.,Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Sweet Charity(Charity), CATS (Bombalurina), Lil Abner(Stupyfyin' Jones), Sammy (Hedda Hopper). TV: “SMASH”, “Late Show with David Letterman.”
Brinie Wallace (Serena) will make her debut with Pittsburgh CLO in Legally Blonde. She just completed her sophomore year at Penn State. This May she did the reading/workshop of the Broadway Revival,The Me Nobody Knows (Stafford Arima, Bryan Perri and Taye Diggs) in NYC.

Legally Blonde: The Musical is complete with a talented ensemble, including Pittsburgh CLO veterans Lindsey Bracco, Lucas Fedele, Michael Greer, Chris Laitta, Stephanie Maloney and Mara Newbery.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM
Charley Repole (Director) directed numerous Pittsburgh CLO productions such as: 42nd Street, Jesus Christ Superstar, Annie Get Your Gun, Curtains, White Christmas, Annie, Copacabana and Carousel. NYC/Broadway: Dubarry was a Lady, Call Me Madam, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Lauri Strauss Leukemia Foundation Benefit (Carnegie Hall) and Lyrics and Lyricists 25th Year Celebration (92nd Street “Y”). Kennedy Center: Where’s Charley? Broadway performance credits: Doubles, Whoopee! andVery Good Eddie (Tony® nomination, Theatre World Award). Mr. Repole is Chairman of the Drama, Theatre and Dance Department at Queens College.

Jonathan Stahl (Choreographer) is a native Pennsylvanian happy to be back at PCLO where, as performer, he was in Oliver! and Joseph ... Technicolored Dreamcoat.  He has directed and choreographed at Westchester Broadway Theatre -- Nine starring Bob Cuccioli, Legally Blonde andThe Sound of Music.   As choreographer he has worked on Phantom at WBT, and various concert dance pieces.  He still enjoys mixing his passion for performing with directing/choreographing which he as done as an associate director/choreographer for the past 10 years for Richard Stafford.   He recently created his own cabaret show, Threw the Rainbow.

Tom Helm (Music Director) returns for his 19th season with Pittsburgh CLO. His theater credits include the Broadway productions of Souvenir, Les Misérables, Me and My Girl, Cats and Brigadoon. He has also contributed his talents to television programs such as “Crazy For You” and the “Today Show.” Mr. Helm has conducted at Radio City Music Hall, Paper Mill Playhouse and many other regional and national theaters.

Andrew David Ostrowski (Lighting Designer) recently completed work on Hope and Gravity at City Theatre and Pittsburgh CLO’s own Ring of Fire at the CLO Cabaret. He has designed for every local company in Pittsburgh. National credits include: The Asolo, Virginia Stage Company, North Shore Music Theatre, Merrimack Reparatory Company, The Arden Theatre Company, Spoleto Festival USA, Dallas Summer Musicals, Theater of the Stars, Madison Opera, as well as others. International credits include productions in Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, France, and touring all of Western Europe.

HISTORY OF THE SHOW
Legally Blonde originated as a novel, by Amanda Brown, who turned her law school discrepancies into a must-read. Several years later, the book hit the silver screen in 2001 and became an instant mega hit, starring Reese Witherspoon.

Legally Blonde: The Musical opened on Broadway April 29, 2007 at the Palace Theatre. Shortly after, the musical was broadcast on MTV in conjunction with the MTV show ‘Legally Blonde – the Search for Elle Woods.’ The musical won three Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical, as well as Best Actress in a Musical for Sheridan Smith and Best Supporting Performance in a Musical for Jill Halfpenny.
The Broadway production closed on October 19, 2008. The First National Tour opened to great success in the same year. Currently, the show has launched several tours worldwide, including the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and recently premiered to sold-out audiences at the Ronacher Theatre in Vienna, Austria.

ABOUT THE ORIGINAL CREATIVE TEAM
Heather Hach (Book) is an alumnae of Denver Colorado's Impulse Theater improvisational comedy group. She is an Olivier Award Winner for Best New Musical Legally Blonde: The Musical and Tony Award® Nominee for the show. She is known for her work on Freaky Friday (2003) and What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012).

Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin (Music and Lyrics) are a husband and wife composing duo. Both are recipients of the Kleban Awards, recognizing outstanding lyrics. Their project, Legally Blonde: The Musical, received Drama Desk nominations for Outstanding Music and Outstanding Lyrics, as well as a Tony Award nomination for Best Score. O'Keefe has also written two musicals for Theatreworks USA: Cam Jansen, and Sarah, Plain and Tall. Benjamin and O'Keefe collaborated on a short musical entitled The Mice, which was produced by Hal Prince as a part of the three-show evening 3hree at the Prince Music Theater in Philadelphia, in 2000.

Performance Schedule for Legally Blonde: The Musical
Friday June 13 8 p.m.
Saturday June 14 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday June 15 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tuesday June 17 8 p.m.
Wednesday June 18 8 p.m.
Thursday June 19 8 p.m.
Friday June 20 8 p.m.
Saturday June 21 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday June 22 2 p.m.

TICKETS
Tickets are available online at pittsburghCLO.org, by calling 412-456-6666 or at the Box Office at Theater Square. Groups of 10 or more enjoy exclusive discounts and specialty packages. Call ourGroup Sales Hotline at 412-325-1582 for more information. Visit pittsburghCLO.org for 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.

Media members may access photos and other show materials by visiting the Press Room atpittsburghCLO.org. When prompted, simply enter “pressroom” as the username and “pittstadium” as the password.

# # #
Since 1946, the Pittsburgh CLO has been the driving force behind live musical theater in Pittsburgh and the entire Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Under the direction of Van Kaplan since 1997, this not-for-profit arts organization appreciates the support of nearly 200,000 patrons each year and produces a subscription series, educational programs, national tours and develops and invests in new works, including 19 Broadway shows (25 Tony Awards®) featuring the current productions of Cinderella, Kinky Boots and Matilda. Its dedication to the musical theater art form extends to include such programs as the CLO Academy, the CLO Mini Stars, the Gene Kelly Awards, the Richard Rodgers Award the National High School Musical Theater Awards, the Construction Center for the Arts and the CLO Cabaret.

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

CLO Season Cuts Loose with Footloose

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Aja Jones
412-281-3973 ext. 224
ajones@pittsburghCLO.org
Images: Press Room
User: pressroom Pswd: pittstadium

Footloose Dances its Way into
Pittsburgh CLO Summer Season
 “CUT LOOSE” at the Benedum June 24-29

Pittsburgh, PA ∙ June 18, 2014 – Audiences will bask in 1980s nostalgia at the Benedum Center, where dancing will be legal June 24-29! A talented company including two of Footloose’s Original Broadway Cast members will bring this dancing sensation to life on stage.

When teenager Ren McCormack moves from the big city to middle-of-nowhere Bomont, where even dancing is against the law, he's in for a real case of culture shock. After falling for the preacher’s daughter, Ren really shakes things up. When he and fellow rebellious teenagers defy authority and dare to dance, the result is a fast-paced rock ‘n roll musical featuring the Billboard-topping hits “Footloose,” “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” “Almost Paradise” and “Holding Out for a Hero.”

ABOUT THE CAST
Patrick Cassidy (Rev. Shaw Moore) counts among his many credits: The Music Man opposite Shirley Jones, It's a Bird It's a Plane…, Annie Get Your Gun starring Patti Lupone, 42nd Street, Aida, Pirates of Penzance, Leader of the Pack, Assassins, Joseph…, Conrack, Company, Carousel, Little Shop of Horrors and Camelot. Television: “Ruby & The Rockits,” “Bay City Blues,” “Dirty Dancing,” “Perversions of Science,” the WB's “Smallville,” “The Neighbors,” “Law & Order SVU,” “Castle,”  “Crossing Jordan,” “Without a Trace,” “According to Jim,” “CSI Miami” and “ER.”

Joseph Domencic (Coach Dunbar) will appear in his 21st Pittsburgh CLO production with Footloose.  He teaches at Seton Hill University and performs regularly in the area, most recently in Pittsburgh Public Theater’s 1776.   His new children’s musical, The Next Galileo, will tour area schools with Pittsburgh CLO’s Gallery of Heroes program in 2015.  This August he will appear in Tuesdays with Morrie at the Mountain Playhouse.

Brandon Epinoza (Chuck Cranston) counts among his many Broadway credits: Gypsy (Dir. Sam Mendes), Big, Les Misérables, The Will Rogers Follies. Off-Broadway: Triassic ParQ (SoHo Playhouse),Substitution (The Playwrights Realm, Scarcity (Atlantic Theater Company), Not Waving (NYSPF), Tea and Sympathy (Keen Company). Regional: Grease (MUNY, 2014), Bring It On (Alliance Theater), West Side Story (Stratford Shakespeare Festival). Workshops: Found (Atlantic Theater Company), Tuck Everlasting (Casey Nicholaw, Dir.), Bring It On (Alliance Theater), Saved! (Playwrights Horizons). TV: “The Leftovers” (HBO), “Elementary” (CBS), “The Carrie Diaries” (CW), “It Could Be Worse” (Pivot).

Alex Finke (Wendy Jo) is originally from Dayton, Ohio and was recently seen as Hope Harcourt in theAnything Goes National Tour. Other roles include: Legally Blonde (Serena), Fiddler on the Roof (Tzeitel) at MTWichita, Tarzan (Jane), State Fair (Margy Frake) at Wagon Wheel. Training: BFA University of Michigan.

Billy Hartung (Cowboy Bob) appeared in the original company of Footloose as Chuck Cranston. Other Original Companies include Side Show and Minnelli on Minnelli: at the Palace Theatre.  Highlights:  The Academy Award winning movie musical “Chicago” (Miramax), The 25th Anniversary of the Kennedy Center Honors (CBS).

Amy Hillner Larsen (Urleen) has appeared in the National Tours of: Priscilla Queen of the Desert(Swing/Asst. Dance Capt.), Hairspray (Shelley/ US Tracy). TV/Film: "66th Annual Tony Awards" (Tracy in Royal Caribbean's "Hairspray"), "Gigi: Almost American" with Josh Gad. Favorite Regional: Hairspray at the Hollywood Bowl (Shelley), Footloose (Rusty), Seussical (Sour Kangaroo), Fiddler (Tzeitel).

Jessie Hooker (Rusty) makes her Pittsburgh CLO debut. Favorite credits: Sarah in Ragtime (Milwaukee Rep), Tamika in SISTAS the Musical (Off Broadway), Jenny in Company (Geva Theatre), Judge/Ensemble (Pilar/Paulette u/s) in Legally Blonde (National Tour) and Kate in Lippa’s The Wild Party. Shenandoah Conservatory alum.

Dee Hoty (Vi Moore) has earned three Tony® nominations for starring roles in the Original Broadway Cast of Footloose, The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public, and The Will Rogers Follies. She starred on Broadway and in eight major U. S. cities as Donna in Mamma Mia! More Broadway:  Bye Bye Birdie(Roundabout), City Of Angels (Outer Critics Circle Nomination), Me and My Girl, Big River, The Five O’clock Girl, and  Shakespeare’s Cabaret. Pittsburgh CLO audiences will remember her as Grizabella inCATS and Desiree in A Little Night Music.

Jeff Howell (Wes Warniker) was recently seen in By the Way Meet Vera Stark (REP). Pittsburgh CLO shows include 42nd Street, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar, Jekyll and Hyde, A Musical Christmas Carol (Bob Cratchit), Beauty and the Beast, Bells are Ringing, Pajama Game, The Most Happy Fella.  Other credits include Candide, Tigers Be Still, Chicago, and Tribute to Lerner and Loewewith Marvin Hamlisch and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

Greg Kamp (Willard Hewitt) will make his Pittsburgh CLO debut. Credits include: Catch Me If You Can(1st National Tour), Harmony (CTG/ Alliance), Titanic (Hangar), Bat Boy, Urinetown (Edinburgh Fringe). TV: “The Wronged Man” (Lifetime), “Solving Charlie” (ABC), and “Past Life” (Fox). Mr. Kamp is an Artistic Associate with Hook & Eye Theater, on staff with The Broadway Dreams Foundation, and a graduate of CCM.

Christine Laitta (Eleanor Dunbar) is a Pittsburgh CLO veteran. CLO Cabaret Credits: Girls Only, I Love You, You’re Perfect..., Forbidden Broadway, and Forbidden Broadway: SVU. She performs her TV Tunes Sing A Long at the CLO Cabaret Late Night. Laitta recently portrayed the role of Principal Anderson in the PBS pilot “Scientastic!”

Betsy Lawrence (Lulu Warniker) returns to Pittsburgh CLO after appearing as Jack's Mother in Into the Woods and a nun in The Sound of Music.  Betsy was a member of the New York City Opera touring company, Pittsburgh Opera, American Opera, as well as regular backup singer for PBS "My Music" series.   She is on the voice faculty of CMU and director of the CMU jazz choir.

Courtney Markowitz (Betty Blast/Irene) returns to her hometown of Pittsburgh for Footloose.  Broadway:Jekyll & Hyde.  National tours: Jekyll & Hyde, Spring Awakening (Ilse).  Regional credits include Lizzie(Alice) - TUTS Underground; Oliver! (Rose Seller) – Pittsburgh CLO; All Shook Up (Miss Sandra),Joseph… – Artpark. BFA from Elon University and a Pittsburgh CLO Academy Alumni.

Kristen Martin (Ariel Moore) appeared in the Original Broadway Cast of Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark(u/s Mary Jane), Off Broadway: The City Club (Crystal LaBelle), 1st National Tour of A Chorus Line (Val),42nd Street at Goodspeed and Asia Tour (Peggy Sawyer), Dames At Sea at the Bay Street Theatre (Ruby), CATS National Tour (Demeter), TV: “Deception.”

Michael Misko (Cop/Quartet) will make his Pittsburgh CLO debut. Regional Credits: Shrek: The Musical(Shrek), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Big Bopper/Norm Petty), Guys & Dolls (Nicely Nicely Johnson),Dial ‘M’ for Murder (Tony), The Pillowman (Katurian), Romeo & Juliet (Mercutio, et al), West Side Story(Tony). Michael is a native of Moon Township.

Manuel Stark (Ren) is making his Pittsburgh CLO debut.  TV: “Smash” (14 episodes). Broadway: West Side Story at the Palace Theatre (Chino).  Off Broadway: Venice at the Public Theater.  Encores!:Applause, …Superman, Little Me, The Most Happy Fella, and Irma la Douce. Regional: A Chorus Line at Paper Mill Playhouse (Paul); Aladdin at the 5th Avenue Theatre (Prince Abdullah); West Side Story at Ogunquit Playhouse (Bernardo); Cats at Theatre Under The Stars (Coricopat).

Stephen Wilde (Principal Clark/Saloon) is from Pittsburgh, but lives in New York. MFAs: Carnegie Mellon, Moscow Art Theatre School. Broadway Tour: The Music Man. Off-Broadway: Talk of the Town. Moscow Art Theatre: Shelter, The Bear Theatre. Film: “Sylvia Plath: Girl Detective.” Stephen is Secretary for Board of Directors - Theatre World Awards.

Sally Wilfert (Ethel McCormack) last appeared in Pittsburgh CLO’s productions of Copacabana and Les Miserables. Broadway credits include Assassins, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, King David.  National Tour: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Off-Broadway: See Rock City, Make Me A Song, The Prince & The Pauper. Regional:  LMNOP (Goodspeed), Little Miss Sunshine (LaJolla), Elegies (Barrington Stage) Marry Me A Little (Cincinnati Playhouse).  Numerous Concerts, Television & Recordings.

Footloose is complete with a talented ensemble, including Pittsburgh CLO veterans Lindsey Bracco,Lucas Fedele, Michael Greer, Isabelle McCalla and Mara Newbery. They will be joined by 13 CLO Academy students.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM
Barry Ivan (Director/Choreographer) has national and international credits that range from directing at the German State Opera to guest directing at Yale. Highlighted Pittsburgh CLO credits: Sunset Boulevard, Company, A Little Night Music, The Full Monty, Miss Saigon, West Side Story, and Les Misérables. Mr. Ivan’s productions of The Full Monty and Hairspray received IRNE awards for Best Musical, and he received Best Director IRNE nominations for Nine and Les Misérables.  Mr. Ivan directed the US Premiere of Dracula: A Chamber Musical, and will be directing the world premiere of playwright Jeff Stolzer's new play Scenes From the Life Of An American Male, a comedy-drama with music.  Mr. Ivan is currently under contract developing and Executive Producing Web TV programming.

Tom Helm (Music Director) returns for his 19th season with Pittsburgh CLO. His theater credits include the Broadway productions of Souvenir, Les Misérables, Me and My Girl, Cats and Brigadoon. He has also contributed his talents to television programs such as “Crazy For You” and the “Today Show.” Mr. Helm has conducted at Radio City Music Hall, Paper Mill Playhouse and many other regional and national theaters.

Andrew David Ostrowski (Lighting Designer) recently completed work on Pittsburgh CLO’s Ring of Fire at the CLO Cabaret, as well as Hope and Gravity at City Theatre. He has designed for every local company in Pittsburgh. National credits include: The Asolo, Virginia Stage Company, North Shore Music Theatre, Merrimack Reparatory Company, The Arden Theatre Company, Spoleto Festival USA, Dallas Summer Musicals, Theater of the Stars, Madison Opera, as well as others. International credits include productions in Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, France, and touring all of Western Europe.

HISTORY OF THE SHOW
“Footloose” burst onto the silver screen in 1984 and quickly became one of the year’s most successful motion pictures. The soundtrack recording reached #1 on the Billboard charts, and went on to sell more than 17 million copies worldwide, generating Top Forty hits including "Let's Hear It For The Boy," “Almost Paradise," “Holding Out For A Hero," and "I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man)."

In 1996, a collaboration between director Walter Bobbie and screenplay writer Dean Pitchford led to the stage adaption of the film. Songwriter Tom Snow and Pitchford wrote new songs for the theatrical production to supplement the existing hits.

Footloose began previews on October 5, 1998 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The show made its Broadway debut later that month on October 22 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, where it continued to thrill audiences until July 2, 2000. Footloose has danced on through multiple national tours and productions in the UK.

In 2011, Paramount Pictures’ re-make of “Footloose” starring Julianne Hough and Dennis Quaid brought this uplifting story and electrifying music to a whole new generation.

ABOUT THE ORIGINAL CREATIVE TEAM
Walter Bobbie (Book) won the Tony®, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards as director of the international hit Chicago which has become the longest-running revival in Broadway history. Broadway direction credits include White Christmas, High Fidelity, Sweet Charity, Twentieth Century, Footloose, and A Grand Night for Singing. Bobbie is also an actor who appeared in a range of plays and musicals such as the original cast of Grease and many more. He received a Drama Desk nomination for his performance as Nicely-Nicely in 1992 revival of Guys and Dolls, and Drama Desk, Outer Critics' Circle and Lucille Lortel Award nominations for his performance in David Ives's Polish Joke at Manhattan Theatre Club. Bobbie was Artistic Director for City Center's acclaimed Encores!, and serves on the Executive Board of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

Dean Pitchford (Book and Lyrics) wrote the original screenplay for the 1984 film “Footloose.” He began his performing career off- and on-Broadway (Godspell; Pippin) before turning to songwriting, screenwriting and directing. He has been nominated for four Academy Awards (winning Best Song for “Fame,” co-written with Michael Gore), three Golden Globes (winning for “Fame”), seven Grammys and two Tonys®. His songs - recorded by such artists as Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, Cher, Peter Allen, LL Cool Jay, Kenny Loggins, Hugh Jackman, Dolly Parton, Bette Midler and Martina McBride - have sold over 70 million records.

Tom Snow (Music) has twice been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song from a Motion Picture: "Let's Hear It for the Boy" from Footloose (1984) and "After All" from Chances Are (1990); and he has twice been nominated for the Grammy Award: Best Album of Original Score written for a Motion Picture -- Footloose soundtrack; and Song of the Year -- "Don't Know Much." The biggest stars in the world have recorded Tom's songs, including Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Kenny Loggins, Cher, Thelma Houston, Michael Bolton and Tina Turner. The stage adaption of Footloose features nine new songs by Snow.

Performance Schedule for Footloose
Tuesday June 24 8 p.m.
Wednesday June 25 8 p.m.
Thursday June 26 8 p.m.
Friday June 27 8 p.m.
Saturday June 28 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday June 29 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

TICKETS
Tickets are available online at pittsburghCLO.org, by calling 412-456-6666 or at the Box Office at Theater Square. Tickets start at $35. 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.or gfor further information.

Pittsburgh CLO gratefully acknowledges the generosity of our season Sponsors: the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and WTAE-TV.

# # #

Since 1946, the Pittsburgh CLO has been the driving force behind live musical theater in Pittsburgh and the entire Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Under the direction of Van Kaplan since 1997, this not-for-profit arts organization appreciates the support of nearly 200,000 patrons each year and produces a subscription series, educational programs, national tours and develops and invests in new works, including 19 Broadway shows (25 Tony Awards®) featuring the current productions of Cinderella, Kinky Boots and Matilda. Its dedication to the musical theater art form extends to include such programs as the CLO Academy, the CLO Mini Stars, the Gene Kelly Awards, the Richard Rodgers Award the National High School Musical Theater Awards, the Construction Center for the Arts and the CLO Cabaret.

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

CLO Announces Gene Kelly Award Nominees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael Cerchiaro
412-281-3973 ext. 101
mcerchiaro@pittsburghCLO.org

Pittsburgh CLO Announces Nominees for
the 2014 Gene Kelly Awards

Pittsburgh, PA • May 7, 2014– Pittsburgh CLO and the University of Pittsburgh are proud to announce the nominees for the Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater. The awards show will take place on Saturday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Benedum Center in downtown Pittsburgh.

Over the past three months, a panel of 30 judges have attended the performances by the following 29 Allegheny County high schools: Avonworth, Baldwin, Bishop Canevin, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, Central Catholic, Chartiers Valley, Elizabeth Forward, Hampton Township, Keystone Oaks, McKeesport, North Hills, Northgate, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Penn Hills, Pine-Richland, Pittsburgh Barack Obama Academy, Pittsburgh Brashear, Pittsburgh CAPA, Pittsburgh Perry, Plum, Quaker Valley, Riverview, Shady Side Academy, Springdale, St. Joseph, West Allegheny, West Mifflin, Winchester Thurston and Woodland Hills.

The judging panel was comprised of performing arts educators, arts administrators, entertainment professionals and performers. On May 2 these judges met and reviewed highlights from each high school performance. The scoring was then tabulated by Deloitte LLP.

The Nominees for the 2014 Gene Kelly Awards are:

Best Scenic Design
 
Budget Level I

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart The Wiz

Pittsburgh Perry                 Seussical

St. Joseph                                 Shrek, the Musical

 
Budget Level II
Central Catholic                Monty Python’s Spamalot
Hampton                                Young Frankenstein
Riverview                          Fiddler on the Roof
 
Budget Level III
Pine-Richland                         Thoroughly Modern Millie
West Allegheny                         Catch Me If You Can
Woodland Hills                         Sweeney Todd

Best Costume Design
 
Budget Level I
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart The Wiz
Quaker Valley                          Pirates of Penzance
St. Joseph                            Shrek, the Musical
 
Budget Level II
Bishop Canevin                         The Drowsy Chaperone
Central Catholic                 Monty Python’s Spamalot
Hampton                                 Young Frankenstein
 
Budget Level III
Baldwin                                Shrek, the Musical
Pine-Richland                        Thoroughly Modern Millie
Woodland Hills                   Sweeney Todd

Best Lighting Design

 
Budget Level I
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart The Wiz
Pittsburgh CAPA                  Footloose
St. Joseph                                 Shrek, the Musical
 
Budget Level II
Central Catholic                   Monty Python’s Spamalot
Hampton                                   Young Frankenstein
Riverview                                   Fiddler on the Roof
 
Budget Level III
Avonworth                         Man of La Mancha
West Allegheny                         Catch Me If You Can
Woodland Hills                         Sweeney Todd

Best All-Student Orchestra

Baldwin                                 Shrek, the Musical
Hampton                                 Young Frankenstein
North Hills                          42nd Street
Pittsburgh Barack Obama Academy The Wiz
Pittsburgh CAPA                Footloose
West Mifflin                         Bye Bye Birdie

Best Supporting Actor
 
Rush Hodgin Pine-Richland  Thoroughly Modern Millie “Trevor Graydon III”
Noah Baynes Lheureau Bishop Canevin The Drowsy Chaperone “Robert Martin”
Drew Praskovich Pittsburgh CAPA Footloose “Willard Hewitt”
Julius Ralph Penn Hills The Wiz “The Wizard”
Quintin Reynolds CW North Catholic Children of Eden “Cain/Japeth”
Michael Zak Central Catholic Spamalot “Patsy”

Best Supporting Actress
 
Leah Prestogeorge Woodland Hills Sweeney Todd “Joanna Barker”
Amanda Rulis Hampton Young Frankenstein “Inga”
Jillian Schmidt Pine-Richland Thoroughly Modern Millie “Muzzy Van Hossmere”
Mara Singleton Plum My Favorite Year “KC Downing”
Ashley Sitarik Our Lady of the Sacred Heart The Wiz “Addaperle”
Brook Taylor Woodland Hills Sweeney Todd “Beggar Woman/Lucy Barker”

Best Ensemble

Central Catholic                             Monty Python’s Spamalot
Hampton                                             Young Frankenstein
Pittsburgh Barack Obama Academy      The Wiz
Quaker Valley                                      Pirates of Penzance
St. Joseph                                              Shrek, the Musical
West Allegheny                                       Catch Me If You Can

Best Crew/Technical Execution

Baldwin                                               Shrek, the Musical
Hampton                                               Young Frankenstein
Pine-Richland                                        Thoroughly Modern Millie
Pittsburgh Barack Obama Academy         The Wiz
Riverview                                          Fiddler on the Roof
Woodland Hills                                         Sweeney Todd

Best Choreography

Central Catholic                             Monty Python’s Spamalot
Hampton                                            Young Frankenstein
Pine-Richland                                    Thoroughly Modern Millie
Pittsburgh Barack Obama Academy     The Wiz
Pittsburgh CAPA                            Footloose
West Allegheny                                    Catch Me If You Can

Best Direction

Central Catholic                                  Monty Python’s Spamalot
Hampton                                                 Young Frankenstein
Pine-Richland                                         Thoroughly Modern Millie
Pittsburgh Barack Obama Academy          The Wiz
Quaker Valley                                          Pirates of Penzance
St. Joseph                                                  Shrek, the Musical

Best Actor
 
Ryan Borgo West Allegheny Catch Me If You Can “Frank Abignale, Jr.”
Connor Cook Plum My Favorite Year “Benjy Stone”
Tom Curry West Allegheny Catch Me If You Can “Carl Hanratty”
Peter Heres Quaker Valley Pirates of Penzance “Pirate King”
Adam Rayan Penn Hills The Wiz “Tinman”
Nathanial Yost Central Catholic Monty Python’s Spamalot “King Arthur”

Best Actress
 
Abby Dionise Pine-Richland Thoroughly Modern Millie “Miss Dorothy Brown”
Alexandra Illescas Pittsburgh CAPA Footloose “Rusty”
Alexis Loiselle Pine-Richland Thoroughly Modern Millie “Millie Dillmount”
Mallory Milberger St. Joseph Shrek, the Musical “Princess Fiona”
Marnie Quick Pittsburgh Barack Obama Academy The Wiz “Tinman”
Savannah Wiggins Penn Hills The Wiz “Dorothy”

Best Musical
 
Budget Level I

Pittsburgh Barack Obama Academy               The Wiz
Quaker Valley                                                Pirates of Penzance
St. Joseph                                                  Shrek, the Musical
 
Budget Level II

Bishop Canevin                                                  The Drowsy Chaperone
Central Catholic                                          Monty Python’s Spamalot
Hampton                                                          Young Frankenstein
 
Budget Level III

Penn Hills                                                        The Wiz
Pine-Richland                                                Thoroughly Modern Millie
West Allegheny                                                 Catch Me If You Can

The nominees for Best Actor and Best Actress will be competing for the opportunity to represent Pittsburgh CLO’s Gene Kelly Awards in the sixth-annual National High School Musical Theater Awards in New York City on Monday, June 30. For more information on the National High School Musical Theater Awards, please visit www.nhsmta.com.

In addition to the more than 20 Kelly Awards presented at the event, several cash and university scholarships will be awarded.  These scholarships are made possible through the generous donations of Paul Block, Virginia S. Nicklas, the CLO Ambassadors, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and participating colleges. Winners will be announced at the ceremony on May 24.  More information is available at pittsburghCLO.org.

The Gene Kelly Awards are co-presented by the University of Pittsburgh with additional support provided by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, PNC Bank, Virginia S. Nicklas and the CLO Ambassadors. Deloitte Consulting, LLP is the official auditor for the Gene Kelly Awards.

Pittsburgh CLO is also pleased to announce that Gene Kelly’s widow, Patricia Ward Kelly, will once again participate in the awards show.
What:              24th Annual Gene Kelly Awards
Where:             Benedum Center for the Performing Arts
When:              Saturday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets:            On sale May 13.  Call 412-456-6666
# # #
Since 1946, the Pittsburgh CLO has been the driving force behind live musical theater in Pittsburgh and the entire Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Under the direction of Van Kaplan since 1997, this not-for-profit arts organization appreciates the support of nearly 200,000 patrons each year and produces a subscription series, educational programs, national tours and develops and invests in new works, including 18 Broadway shows (24 Tony Awards®) featuring the current productions of Cinderella, Kinky Boots and Matilda. Its dedication to the musical theater art form extends to include such programs as the CLO Academy, the CLO Mini Stars, the Gene Kelly Awards, the Richard Rodgers Award the National High School Musical Theater Awards, the Construction Center for the Arts

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

CLO Announces Casts for Summer Musicals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Aja Jones
412-281-3973 ext. 224
ajones@pittsburghCLO.org
Images: Press Room
User: pressroom Pswd: pittstadium

Pittsburgh CLO’s 2014 Summer Season is 

Purring with Broadway’s Best and Brightest Stars!

First casting announcement for summer festival of musicals

Pittsburgh, PA • May 5, 2014 - Pittsburgh CLO’s 2014 Summer Season will be highlighted by incredible performances courtesy of Broadway stars, veterans of the stage and screen and Pittsburgh’s finest local performers!

Singin’ in the Rain, May 30 – June 8

David Elder returns to Pittsburgh CLO as Don Lockwood after charming audiences with his portrayal of Bobby Pepper in the 2010 production of Curtains, a role he also enjoyed in the Broadway production.  Mr. Elder previously appeared in the Broadway productions of 42nd Street; Kiss Me, Kate; Titanic; Once Upon a Mattress; Beauty and the Beast; Damn Yankees and Guys and Dolls.

Mary Michael Patterson will be taking a brief hiatus as Christine Daaé in Broadway’s The Phantom of the Opera to join the cast as Kathy Selden. She made her Broadway debut with the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Anything Goes. During the run she had the good fortune of performing the role of Hope Harcourt numerous times. Ms. Patterson also played Liesl in The Sound of Music benefit concert at Carnegie Hall.

Cary Tedder returns to Pittsburgh as our favorite sidekick, Cosmo Brown, after appearing in the Broadway premiere of Big Fish last year.  He also counts the Broadway productions of Memphis and The Times They are A-Changin’ among his many credits.  

Legally Blonde The Musical, June 13 - 22

Kathleen Monteleone joins Pittsburgh CLO for the first time as Elle Woods, fresh off her Broadway debut role as Heather Stovall in the world premiere of Hands on a Hardbody.  She previously appeared as Elle in the National Tour of Legally Blonde The Musical, and was a finalist on NBC’s "GREASE: You’re the One That I Want."

Matthew Scott returns to Pittsburgh CLO as Emmett after starring as Joe Gillis in the critically-acclaimed production of Sunset Boulevard.  His Broadway credits include Sondheim on Sondheim, A Catered Affair, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Jersey Boys.  He recently appeared in the world premiere production of Beaches at Signature Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Sarrah Strimel began her training as a student at the Pittsburgh CLO Academy before continuing on to great success in the Broadway productions of The Producers, Young Frankenstein, Rock of Ages, Big Fish and Catch Me If You Can.  She now returns to her hometown as fitness guru Brooke Taylor-Windham.

Footloose, June 24 - 29

Patrick Cassidy has amassed countless television, film and stage credits throughout his distinguished career. This season he’ll join Pittsburgh CLO as Reverend Shaw Moore.

Dee Hoty starred on Broadway as Vi Moore and returns to Pittsburgh CLO to appear in the role which earned her a Tony Award® nomination.  She also received Tony Award® nominations for her starring roles in The Will Rogers Follies and The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public.  Among her countless credits, she has starred on Broadway as Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia! and as Mrs. MacAfee in Roundabout Theatre Company’s revival of Bye Bye Birdie.

Billy Hartung is a Pittsburgh native joining the cast of Footloose as Cowboy Bob.  He starred as Chuck Cranston in the Broadway production, during which time his wife was expecting the birth of their daughter Elizabeth, who will also appear in this Pittsburgh CLO premiere!

Twelve Pittsburgh CLO Academy students and a host of Pittsburgh CLO alumni will round out this impressive cast!

Evita, July 8 – 13

Caroline Bowman leads the cast in this Broadway National Tour as Eva Perón after appearing in the Tony Award®-winning Broadway premiere of Kinky Boots.  Her credits also include Broadway’s Wickedand the tours of Monty Python’s Spamalot, Fame: The Musical and Grease.

Josh Young joins the cast of Evita as Che.  He received a 2012 Tony Award® nomination and Theatre World Award for his critically-acclaimed Broadway debut as Judas in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar, directed by Des McAnuff. He appeared in two seasons at The Stratford Shakespeare Festival where his credits include Jesus Christ Superstar, Grapes of Wrath and Evita, directed by Gary Griffin, earning Broadway World Awards for each.  Mr. Young also appeared as Marius in the US National Tour of Les Misérables and Tony in the International Tour of West Side Story.

Sean MacLaughlin was last seen on Broadway, US and Canada as Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera. Other Broadway Credits include Bombay Dreams, the original casts of The Woman in White and Elton John’s Lestat.  Mr. MacLaughlin has also appeared off-Broadway in Tut, Requiem for William, The Audience and Baby: In Concert.  He stars as Juan Perón in the National Tour of Evita.

CATS, July 18 – 27

Elizabeth Stanley stars as Grizabella, after she last left Pittsburgh audiences breathless with her heartbreaking portrayal as Lucy in Pittsburgh CLO’s Jekyll & Hyde.  Hailed as “absolutely delicious” byThe New York Times, Ms. Stanley previously appeared in the Broadway productions of Million Dollar Quartet, Xanadu, Cry Baby and Company.  She will also star as the Lady of the Lake in Pittsburgh CLO’s production of Monty Python’s Spamalot this summer.

Ken Prymus will take his seat this season as leader of the Jellicles, Old Deuteronomy.  Mr. Prymus pawed his way to critical acclaim through 2,672 performances of CATS in the original Broadway production and returns to Pittsburgh CLO to reprise the role he made famous.

Monty Python’s Spamalot, July 29 – August 3

Tom Hewitt is a Tony Award®-nominee Pittsburgh CLO audiences may recognize as the title character in the Pittsburgh premiere production of Doctor Dolittle and as Captain Hook in Peter Pan.  He now returns to Pittsburgh CLO to play King Arthur after starring as Pontius Pilate in the Broadway revival ofJesus Christ Superstar.  In addition, he has starred in the Broadway productions of Dracula, The Lion King and Chicago among his many credits.

Robert Creighton makes his Pittsburgh CLO debut as trusty servant Patsy after appearing in such Broadway hits as The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Anything Goes, The Lion King and more.

Tickets for Pittsburgh CLO’s 2014 Summer Season

Tickets start at $35 and are on sale now at pittsburghCLO.org, by calling 412-456-6666 or at the Box Office at Theater Square. 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.org for further information.
Pittsburgh CLO offers family-affordable and flexible Season Ticket packages to fit even the busiest summer schedule.  See three shows for under $100 when you buy Season Tickets today!

Full and partial packages are now available.  The 6-Show Premium Series allows season ticket buyers to see six award-winning summer musicals.  Flexible packages allow buyers to design their own season.  Season Ticket Buyers can choose a 3-Show Series or the Pick-3 Series.  A complete list of options is available at pittsburghCLO.org.  Season Ticket packages may be ordered online or by calling 412-281-2822.

Pittsburgh CLO’s 2014 Season is the perfect outing for any social group. Groups of 10 or more should call the Group Sales Hotline at 412-325-1582 to learn more about exclusive discounts, special events and priority seating.

Pittsburgh CLO gratefully acknowledges the generosity of PNC for its sponsorship of the PNC Spotlight Series, our Season Sponsors: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and WTAE-TV, and Giant Eagle for its sponsorship of select half-price children’s tickets for CATS.

Media members may access photos and other show materials by visiting the Press Room atpittsburghCLO.org. When prompted, simply enter “pressroom” as the username and “pittstadium” as the password.

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