WEST PALM BEACH, FL: Below are production photos from MNM Theatre Company’s Disenchanted, which opens May 12th at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. The production will run through May 27th.
Disenchanted is an irreverent, clever, funny, and definitely PG-rated reimagining of what happened to all those fairy tale princesses after ‘they lived happily ever after, the end’!
The production, directed by Jonathan Van Dyke stars seven of South Florida’s top musical theatre actresses: Aaron Bower, Jinon Deeb, Kat Gold, Shelley Keelor, Ashley Rubin, Leah Sessa, and Vallery Valentine. The show’s Musical Director is Bobby Peaco.
If you would like to see Disenchanted, speak with anyone involved in the production, or would like more photos, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Carol
~ Marcie Gorman and MNM Theatre Company present Disenchanted May 12 – 27, 2023 Book, Music, and Lyrics:Dennis T. Giacino Developed with: Fiely Matias Performances: Friday & Saturday at 7 pm Saturday & Sunday at 1:30 pm Ticket prices: $55 – $65 For tickets: mnmtheatre.org / kravis.org / 561-832-7469 All performances in Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts 701 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Click on each image to enlarge:
The Cast of DisenchantedAshley Rubin, Kat Gold, Shelley KeelorShelley Keelor, Ashley Rubin, Aaron BowerJinon DeebVallery ValentineAshley RubinKat GoldAaron BowerLeah SessaLeah SessaShelley KeelorThe Cast of Disenchanted
Marcie Gorman and MNM Theatre Company to present The South Florida Premiere of Disenchanted at The Kravis Center May 12 – 27
“A warped bunch of stories masterfully crafted and full of inappropriate etiquette…Fun music and even funnier characters will have you laughing all the way to the palace.” Tom Williams ~ Chicago Critic
WEST PALM BEACH, FL: Poisoned apples! Glass slippers! Who needs ’em?! Not Snow White and her posse of disenchanted princesses in this ‘musical comedy for grownups’ that’s anything but Grimm. Marcie Gorman and MNM Theatre Company will present the South Florida premiere of Disenchanted, a fun-loving, subversive, and definitely ‘not-for-the kiddies’ musical revue proving that happily-ever-after can be a ‘royal pain in the ass!’ The show will run in the Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts from May 12 – 27.
“This one is just so much fun,” Gorman said recently. “These princesses have so much to say about almost everything! It’s very funny, very clever, and a little bit raunchy for sure, but as we all know, there can be a lot of truth in comedy, and in satire.”
Disenchanted debuted Off-Broadway in 2014 and played to sold out houses and rave reviews. The show garnered a number of award nominations including ‘Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical’ (Outer Critics Circle Awards), ‘Best New Off-Broadway Musical’ (Off Broadway Alliance Awards), and two Lucille Lortel Award nominations. It has played in multiple languages in13 countries on 5 continents, including an extended 16 week run at the Straz Theatre in Tampa.
Jonathan Van Dyke
“It is such a pleasure to be reunited with this wonderful show and introduce it to south Florida audiences,” says Disenchanted director Jonathan Van Dyke. Van Dyke originally cast the show when it ran in Tampa, and eventually became that production’s company manager. “Although it’s a raucous, feel-good, uproarious musical,” he continues, Disenchanted also delivers plenty of honesty and poignancy, culminating in a true celebration of all women. In fact, in my opinion women and men will embrace and connect with this empowering material.”
MNM’s mission has always been to hire South Florida talent, and Van Dyke has assembled a stellar cast of local princesses: Aaron Bower will play Sleeping Beauty, along with Jinon Deeb as Pocahontas and Princess Badroulbadour, Kat Gold as Mulan and Rapunzel, Shelley Keelor as Snow White, Ashley Rubin as Cinderella, Leah Sessa as The Little Mermaid and Belle, and Vallery Valentine as the Princess Who Kissed the Frog.
MNM is also one of the very few companies in South Florida that continues to use live musicians: MAC and Bistro Award-winner Bobby Peaco will serve as Disenchanted’s Musical Director and pianist and will lead the production’s musical team of Julie Jacobs on Drums and Robert Ziawinski on Bass.
Disenchanted’s Production Stage Manager is Francesca Barioli; the Assistant Stage Manager is Randall Swinton. Lighting Design is Karalyn Fitzgerald, and Sound Design is by Justin Thompson. Penny Williams is the production’s Costume Designer, Wigs are by Justin Lore (Tease & Floof Theatrical Wig Boutique), Props are by Abby Rasmussen and Scenic/Set Design is by Jordon Armstrong.
Tickets for Disenchanted are on sale now and can be purchased online at kravis.org, or by calling. 561-832-7469 or 800-572-8471. Tickets range in price from $55 to $65. For information regarding group rates call 561-651-4438 or 561-651-4351.
For more information about MNM Theatre Company or Disenchanted,visit mnmtheatre.org orcontact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.
Please note: Disenchanted contains some adult material. It is not suitable for children under the age of 13.
Disenchanted May 12 – 27, 2023 Book, Music, and Lyrics:Dennis T. Giacino Developed with: Fiely Matias Performances: Friday & Saturday at 7 pm Saturday & Sunday at 1:30 pm Ticket prices: $55 – $65 For tickets: mnmtheatre.org / kravis.org / 561-832-7469 All performances in Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts 701 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach, FL 33401
BOCA RATON, FL: George Gershwin. Irving Berlin. Johnny Mercer. Harold Arlen. Sheldon Harnick. Jerry Herman. These composers and many more will be highlighted in To Life 3: Stories & Music Celebrating the Contributions of Jewish Composers to the Great Hollywood Musicals. The production will run from January 20ththrough February 5th at The Willow Theatre in Boca Raton’s Sugar Sand Park. To Life 3 is a follow-up to two previous To Life productions – both of which sold out at the Willow Theatre in 2019 and 2020.
Featuring amusing anecdotes and fascinating historical facts, along with tributes to some of the greatest Jewish performers in Hollywood history, including Eddie Cantor, Danny Kaye, and Barbara Streisand, To Life 3 will be performed by five of South Florida’s award-winning musical theatre artists: Julie Kleiner, Bruno Faria, Michael Materdomini, Amy Tanner, and Shari Upbin.
Hy Juter
Hy Juter (Jupiter Theater Company, LLC) will produce the show: “We’re extremely excited about this iteration of our To Life series,” he says. “This time we’re focusing on Hollywood and the outstanding talents that contributed to those great musicals we all remember. We have an amazing cast – their talent is extraordinary! Our director, Shari Upbin, has also written the show this year. Her background in theatre and her extensive knowledge of the Hollywood musical made her a natural choice to continue our tradition of presenting audiences with a unique combination of history, music, and fun!”
Shari Upbin
Upbin will also direct the production, and Bobby Peaco will serve as music director and pianist.
“To Life 1 and 2 featured the Jewish composers of Broadway,” Upbin says. “But what most people don’t realize is first of all, how many of them transitioned to Hollywood, and secondly, that there were numerous Jewish composers who wrote primarily for ‘the movies’. I had an amazing time writing the script for the show,” she continues. “I learned so much – there are so many fascinating stories involving these amazingly talented individuals I can’t wait to share with our audiences. And of course, I couldn’t leave out some of the greatest Jewish stars who left their indelible marks – Eddie Cantor, Danny Kaye, Barbra Streisand… so many and so memorable.”
To Life3 will run from January 20 through February 5 at the Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park. Tickets are $43; group rates (6 or more tickets purchased in one transaction) are $38. Tickets can be purchased online at www.sugarsandpark.org/life-3 or by phone at 561-347-3948. The Willow Theatre is located at 300 South Military Trail, in Boca Raton’s Sugar Sand Park (33486).
For more information about To Life 3: Stories & Music Celebrating the Contributions of Jewish Composers to the Great Hollywood Musicals please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.
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Hy Juter (Jupiter Theater Company, LLC) presents To Life 3: Stories & Music Celebrating the Contributions of Jewish Composers to the Great Hollywood Musicals January 20 – February 5, 2023 Written and Directed by Shari Upbin Tickets: $43 / $38 for groups of 6 or more tickets purchased in one transaction For tickets: 561-347-3948 or https://www.sugarsandpark.org/life-3 Showtimes: Friday & Saturday at 8 pm Saturday, & Sunday at 2 pm All performances take place in The Willow Theatre at Sugar Sand Park 300 South Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33486
About The Willow Theatre: The Willow Theatre, opened in 1998, is a beautiful 155-seat proscenium theater, located inside Sugar Sand Park Community Center and allows for a unique experience for theatre patrons. Before or after a show, you may wander the nature trails, visit the Children’s Science Explorium, look at the art exhibit on display, or picnic at one of our pavilions.
MNM Theatre Company The City of Lauderhill and North End Theater Company
present
April 1 – April 16, 2022
“If you have ever searched Times Square to find that vanished Broadway of lovable gangsters, wisecracking dolls and neon-splashed dawns, you must not miss … Guys and Dolls.” ~ Frank Rich, The New York Times
LAUDERHILL, FL: Sky Masterson, Nathan Detroit, Sarah Brown, and of course Miss Adelaide… these names are often familiar to Broadway aficionados of all ages. Guys and Dolls, the third joint production to be presented by MNM Theatre Company, the City of Lauderhill, and North End Theater Company will bring these iconic characters (along with Nicely Nicely Johnson, Harry the Horse, Angie the Ox, and others) to life on the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC) stage from April 1st through April 16th.
Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City,and considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy, Guys and Dolls has won multiple Tony, Drama Desk, Olivier, and Critics’ Circle awards since it debuted at the 46th Street Theatre (now the Richard Rodgers Theatre). With music and lyrics by Frank Loesser (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Most Happy Fella) and the book by acclaimed humorist Abe Burrows and award-winning writer Jo Swerling, the show received unanimous rave reviews when it opened on November 24th, 1950.
“There is only one defect – but a serious one – about the musical, Guys and Dolls, which opened at the 46th St. Theatre last evening,” John Chappman of the New York Daily News wrote on November 25, 1950. “And I might as well report it now and get on to happier things: The big trouble with Guys and Dolls is that a performance of it lasts only one evening, when it ought to last about a week.”
The story focuses on gambler Nathan Detroit as he tries to find the cash to set up the biggest craps game in town while the authorities breathe down his neck. Meanwhile his girlfriend, nightclub performer Miss Adelaide, laments that they have been engaged for fourteen years. Nathan turns to fellow gambler, Sky Masterson, for the dough, and Sky ends up chasing the strait-laced missionary Sarah Brown as a result. Guys and Dolls takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City, but eventually, everyone ends up right where they belong.
Marcie Gorman
“This show has been on my bucket list for a long time,” says MNM Theatre Company’s Producing Artistic Director and CEO Marcie Gorman. “The music, the characters, the book, Runyon’s New York – Guys and Dolls is ‘theatrical Nirvana’. And I’m so thrilled we can present it to a brand-new audience at LPAC.”
Jonathan Van Dyke
“Guys and Dolls for me is the quintessential NY theatrical experience,” says the production’s director, Jonathan Van Dyke. “The score and characters are so vibrant, and I have really been looking forward to putting this together with MNM.”
Van Dyke’s talented South Florida-based cast includes Sean Davis as Sky Masterson, Caiti Marlowe as Sarah Brown, Leah Sessa as Miss Adelaide, Larry Buzzeo as Nathan Detroit, Tommy Paduano as Nicely, Nicely, Geoffrey Mergele as Benny Southstreet, Alexandria Thomas as Rusty Charlie, Michael Kreutz as Arvide Abernathy, James Skiba as Lt. Branigan, Norita Bandel as General Cartwright, Kat Gold as Agatha, Michael Materdomini as Harry the Horse, Manny Zaldivar as Angie the Ox, Randall Swinton as Joey Biltmore, and Colleen Pagano as Big Jule.
Rounding out the Guys and Dolls cast are Ashley Rubin, Amanda Eisele, Alex Van Hasselt, Alison Podolsky, and Michael Harper.
Bobby Peaco is the production’s Music Director, and Jonathan Van Dyke and Jonathan Eisele are the show’s Choreographers. Scenic Designer and Scenic Artist is Cindi Blank Taylor, Lighting Designer is Guy Haubrich, Sound Designer is Justin Thompson, Costume Designer is Penny Williams, Props are by Jamie Brothman, and Wigs are by Justin Lore. Guys and Dolls’ Technical Director is JB Green, Production Manager is Jordon Armstrong, Stage Manager is Amber Mandic, and the Assistant Stage Manager is Andrea Guardo.
Guys and Dolls will run from April 1st through April 16th, 2022. Tickets are $45 to $65 and are available online at www.lpacfl.com or by calling 954-777-2055.
Lauderhill Performing Arts Center recommends that masks be worn in the building.
The Lauderhill Performing Arts Center is located at 3800 NW 11th Place (33311), in the Central Broward Regional Park on the Northeast corner of Sunrise Boulevard and State Road 7. For more information about LPAC visit https://www.lpacfl.com.
For more information about MNM Theatre Company (www.mnmtheatre.org/) and North End Theater Company and/or the Broadway at LPAC series, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244
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Guys and Dolls April 1 – 16, 2022 Book by Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser Based on the Idyll of Sarah Brown and characters by Damon Runyon Tickets: $45-$65 For tickets: www.lpacfl.com or www.mnmtheatre.org or Call 954-777-2055 Performances: Thursday, Friday, & Saturday at 7:30 pm Wednesday, Saturday, & Sunday at 2 pm All performances at The Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC) 3800 NW 11th Place Lauderhill, FL 33311
Sean William Davis, Caiti Marlowe
Leah Sessa, Larry Buzzeo
Tommy Paduano, Alexandria Thomas, Geoffrey Mergele
BOCA RATON & DELRAY BEACH, FL: Cabaret veteran, actress, singer, comedian and storyteller Sharon Ruben will bring her “Broadway Journey through life” production, 2 Guys and a Doll Do Broadway to the Delray Beach Playhouse and the Mizner Park Cultural Center on November 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Joining her on stage will be two of South Florida’s top talents, actor/director Jonathan Van Dyke, and actor/cabaret artist Michael Scott Ross.
Conceived and written by Ruben and Music Director Bill Magaliff, 2 Guys and a Doll is a fast- paced celebration of the many aspects of life – “It’s about everyone’s story – from childhood to young love to marriage, divorce, turning points, the golden years – using the music of ‘the Great White Way’ to illustrate the art and relevance of the Broadway song,” Ruben explains. She relates stories of her life on stage and off – and with over 30 years ‘in the business’, she has stories to tell.
Music, and musical theatre is Ruben’s deep and abiding love and has been ‘forever’. “When I was 5, I entertained in a hula skirt on a stage with a band in the Catskill Mountains,” she says. “I share in my show how a physical limitation, which happened to me when I was four years old and contracted polio, and couldn’t raise my right arm, couldn’t stop me from communicating with people through song and dance and humor. How fortunate I am that I have done what I love all my life, and even more, that I am still doing it.”
A graduate of the Julliard School of Music, Sharon has performed at Radio City Music Hall as a principal vocalist, sung “The Star Spangled Banner” for the Knicks and the Rangers at Madison Square Garden, entertained at Feinstein’s 54 Below, and at many other venues and cabaret rooms in New York and beyond. She has also appeared in numerous musicals including Hal Prince’s Fiddler on The Roof, Kiss Me Kate, Oklahoma, and Carousel with Howard Keel.
The 2 Guys joining Sharon on stage are musical theatre performers Jonathan Van Dyke and Michael Scott Ross – both of whom are well known to South Florida audiences. The show’s music director Bobby Peaco will be at the piano.
2 Guys & a Doll Do Broadway will run for two performances at the Delray Beach Playhouse on Tuesday November 2nd and Wednesday November 3rd, and at the Mizner Park Cultural Center in Boca Raton on Thursday, November 4th. Tickets for these performances range from $34 to $44, and can be purchased online at https://miznerparkculturalcenter.com and https://delraybeachplayhouse.com.
Masks must be worn in order to attend. All patrons must be vaccinated.
The Delray Beach Playhouse is located at 950 NW 9th Street, in Delray Beach (33444). The Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center is located at 201 Plaza Real, in Boca Raton (33432) Sharon and her Guys will also perform at the Herb Skolnick Cultural Center on November 10th.
For more information about Sharon Ruben and 2 Guys & a Doll Do Broadway contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.
2 Guys & a Doll Do Broadway performance dates, times, and locations:
2 Guys & a Doll Do Broadway Tuesday, November 2 at 12:30 pm Wednesday, November 3 at 12:30 pm Tickets: $44 Click HERE for tickets Call 844-272-1281 Delray Beach Playhouse 950 NW 9th Street Delray Beach, FL 33444
2 Guys & a Doll Do Broadway Thursday, November 4 at 7:30 pm Tickets: $34/$44 Click HERE for tickets Call 844-672-2849 Mizner Park Cultural Center 201 Plaza Real, 2nd Floor Boca Raton, FL 33432
2 Guys & a Doll Do Broadway Wednesday, November 10 at 7:30 pm Click HERE for tickets Call: 954-786-4590 Herb Skolnick Cultural Arts Center 800 SW 36th Avenue Pompano Beach, FL 33069
2 Guys & a Doll Do Broadway – Cast and Creative Team
SHARON RUBEN has brought her cabaret act to Feinstein’s, Tuscany, Italy and opened the season at The Ocean House. Trained at the Juilliard School of Music, Sharon has performed at Radio City Music Hall as a principal vocalist, and in many musicals including: Hal Prince’s Fiddler On The Roof, Kiss Me Kate, Oklahoma and Carousel with Howard Keel. Her musical comedy, storytelling one woman show “The Best is Yet to Come” played to packed houses at The Laurie Beechman Theater in NYC and Florida. Sharon was a guest on the Dr Oz Show in February 2017 in the episode FAKE NEWS. Her pride and joy was the epiphany of creating and performing Two Guys & a Doll Do Broadway
MICHAEL SCOTT ROSS (One of the Guys) is a native New Yorker who now calls Florida home. Most recent regional credits include Ned in Groundhog Day (Slow Burn Theatre Company – The Broward Center), Hysterium in …Forum (MNM Theatre Company – The Kravis Center) and How To Succeed… (Maltz Jupiter Theatre). Michael originated the role of Man 2 in the NY Regional Premiere of Edges. Other New York credits include: Raffi on Broadway (Vocalist) and Twist (Mr. Sowerberry). He has performed on the Las Vegas Strip as well as his cabarets Some Enchanted Evening and The Glory of Gershwin on various cruise lines. You can also catch Michael portraying Dick Van Dyke in Practically Perfect: The Music of Julie Andrews with Matthews Entertainment.
JONATHAN VAN DYKE (One of the Guys) started off as a dancer at Walt Disney World in high school, and then he attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC. National Tour credits include Oh Calcutta starring Gennifer Flowers, Bye Bye Birdie (Albert) and You Say Tomato I Say Shut Up (Jeff Kahn). Favorite roles include Sam in Mamma Mia, Harold Hill in The Music Man, Phil Davis in White Christmas, Cosmo Singin in the Rain, Jesus in Godspell, Mervin Oglepthorpe in Smoke on the Mountain, Zach in A Chorus Line, Ernst in Cabaret, Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, Billy Earle in No No Nanette, Jesus in Godspell and Jerry in The Full Monty. He has been seen in commercials for Universal, Coke, Carrier Sea World and Nutrisystyem. His film work includes Prime Of Your Life, The Glass Window and Not Alone. Jonathan was on Americas Got Talent with the group Tell A Vision in which he was also on the creative team.
BOBBY PEACO In an interview with Playbill magazine, Jerry Herman (composer/lyricist of Hello Dolly, Mame, etc.) called Bobby Peaco “The best show pianist I have ever heard.” Bobby worked closely with Mr. Herman and appeared in his Off-Broadway revue Showtune. At the Helen Hayes Theater in Nyack, NY, he was the onstage pianist/music director for writer/director Blake Edwards’ Big Rosemary. For his work in NYC cabaret and nightclubs, he has received 9 MAC awards and 3 Bistro awards, and has music directed among many others, Julie Wilson, Terri White, Kristine Zbornik, and Emmy nominee Jackie Hoffman. Since moving to South Florida in the Summer of 2019, Bobby has music directed and played for musicals and cabaret shows at the Kravis Center, the Wick Theater, the Arts Garage, the Wilton Theater Factory, and several other venues working with Anthony Nunziata, Avery Sommers and Rob Russell, to name a few.
BILL MAGALIFF (Co-Creator, Director, Music Director) has engaged in live theatre and music for the past 35 years as a music director, director, conductor/arranger, accompanist, teacher and performer. Past work includes the Jerusalem English Speaking Theatre, Cider Mill Playhouse, and Palistage Youth Theatre. Currently he directs and arranges for the vocal group SHTYX and the band New Relics, is the music director for the original musical Holding On, leads community singing through Come, Let’s Sing! and is producing the second in a series of parodies that interpret the bible in a human and humorous way.
Carol Kassie 