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Tag Archives: Musical Theatre

Tickets for GREASE at the Delray Beach Playhouse are on Sale Now

28 Tuesday Feb 2023

Posted by Carol Kassie in Clients, Delray Beach Playhouse

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Delray Beach Playhouse, Grease, Jim Jacobs, musical comedy, Musical Theatre, Suzanne Dunn, Warren Casey

Auditions to be held May 1st & 2nd

“Grease … is everything that you look for in a lighthearted night at the theatre: music that you want to sing and dance along to, strong performances, and a lot of sparkle.”
Abbie Grundy, BroadwayWorld.com – May. 18, 2022 

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

March 1, 2023

DELRAY BEACH, FL:  Tickets are now available for the Delray Beach Playhouse’ production of Grease, the rollicking rock ‘n roll musical that is both an homage to the idealism and the music of the 50s, and a satirical look at teenagers’ universal and age-old desire to be provocative and rebellious.  The show will run at the popular Delray Beach venue from August 11th through August 27th.

At Rydell High School the ‘Burger Palace Boys’ are acting tough and stealing hub caps, and their gum-snapping, chain-smoking ‘Pink Ladies’ are looking hot in bobby sox and pedal pushers. But at the heart of Grease is the romance between top Burger Boy hot-rodder Danny Zuko and sweet ‘new girl in town’ Sandy Dumbrowski.   Can Danny maintain his ‘cool dude’ status and still make Sandy his girl?!

Grease has become one of the world’s most popular musicals and has a cult-like following – especially among teens. The show’s book, music, and lyrics are by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, and the show features such iconic classics as “Summer Nights”, “Hopelessly Devoted to You”, “Beauty School Dropout”, “Greased Lightning”, and “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee”. 

Auditions for the production will take place at the Playhouse on May 1st and 2nd at 7:30 pm.  All roles are open, and actors of all ethnicities, genders, and ages are encouraged to attend.  The Audition Notice can be viewed below.

The production will be directed by Suzanne Dunn.

Tickets for Grease are $42 and are available online at https://delraybeachplayhouse.com or by calling 561-272-1281.

For more information about The Delray Beach Playhouse, please visit https://delraybeachplayhouse.com or contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

This press release can be viewed online at TBA

~

Grease
August 11 – 27, 2023
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey
Tickets: $42
Click HERE for tickets  or
Call 561-272-1281
Performances:
Friday, & Saturday at 7:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday at 2:00 pm
All performances at
The Delray Beach Playhouse
950 NW 9th Street,
Delray Beach, FL  33444

~

AUDITION NOTICE:

Auditions for GREASE – May 1st and 2nd at 7:30pm at the Delray Beach Playhouse located at 950 NW 9th Street, Delray Beach, 33444. All roles are open and actors of all ethnicities, genders, and ages are encouraged to attend. 

Performers are asked to prepare 16-32 bars of a song that best showcases their range. Accompaniment will be provided – bring sheet music. You may also provide your own accompaniment via cell phone or other electronic device. 

All auditionees should be prepared to dance/move and may be asked to read from the script. 

Performance dates are August 11th through 27th. Show days are Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. Rehearsals will begin June 12th with a staggered schedule. 

GREASE is a part of Delray Beach Playhouse’s community theater schedule and roles are non-paid. 

Please email Director Suzanne Dunn at potpie13@me.com with any questions. 

Characters:

Sandy Dumbrowski
PART SIZE: Lead
VOCAL PART: Soprano

Danny Zuko
PART SIZE: Lead
VOCAL PART: Tenor

Sonny Latierri
PART SIZE: Supporting
VOCAL PART: Baritone

Betty Rizzo
PART SIZE: Supporting
VOCAL PART: Alto

Kenickie
PART SIZE: Supporting
VOCAL PART: Tenor

Roger
PART SIZE: Supporting
VOCAL PART: Tenor

Frenchy
PART SIZE: Supporting
VOCAL PART: Alto

Marty
PART SIZE: Supporting
VOCAL PART: Alto

Jan
PART SIZE: Supporting
VOCAL PART: Alto

Doody
PART SIZE: Supporting
VOCAL PART: Tenor

Vince Fontaine
PART SIZE: Featured
VOCAL PART: Spoken

Miss Lynch
PART SIZE: Featured
VOCAL PART: Spoken

Radio Voice
PART SIZE: Featured
VOCAL PART: Soprano

Cha-Cha (Charlene Digregorio)
PART SIZE: Featured
VOCAL PART: Alto

Patty Simcox
PART SIZE: Featured
VOCAL PART: Alto

Eugene Florczyk
PART SIZE: Featured
VOCAL PART: Tenor

Johnny Casino (Clarence)
PART SIZE: Featured
VOCAL PART: Tenor

Teen Angel
PART SIZE: Featured
VOCAL PART: Tenor

The Pink Ladies
PART SIZE: Ensemble
VOCAL PART: Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

The Burger Palace Boys
PART SIZE: Ensemble
VOCAL PART: Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Students at Rydell High School
PART SIZE: Ensemble
VOCAL PART: Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

TO LIFE 3: STORIES & MUSIC CELEBRATING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF JEWISH COMPOSERS TO THE GREAT HOLLYWOOD MUSICALS – January 20 – February 5 at the Willow Theatre

29 Tuesday Nov 2022

Posted by Carol Kassie in Clients, Hy Juter, Shari Upbin, Uncategorized

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Al Jolson, Amy Tanner, Barbra Streisand, Bobby Peaco, Bruno Faria, comedy, Danny Kaye, George Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Hollywood Musicals, Irving Berlin, Jerry Herman, Johnny Mercer, Julie Kleiner, Michael Materdomini, musical comedy, Musical Theatre, Shari Upbin, Sheldon Harnick, To Life 3, Willow Theatre

January 20 – February 5, 2023

“Music doesn’t argue, discuss, or quarrel. It just breathes the air of freedom.”
~ Harold Arlen

“Hooray for Hollywood!” ~ Johnny Mercer

“You ain’t heard nothing yet, folks!” ~ Al Jolson

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

November 29, 2022

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 20th through 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 Life 3 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.    

~

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.

  • Shari Upbin
  • Bobby Peaco
  • Julie Kleiner
  • Michael Materdomini
  • Bruno Faria
  • Amy Tanner
  • Hy Juter

MNM Theatre Company presents THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE – December 2 – 18

14 Monday Nov 2022

Posted by Carol Kassie in Clients, MNM Theatre Company

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Boca Raton Theatre, Eric Alsford, Geoffrey Mergele, James White III, Jay Reiss, Jen Chia, Jinon Deeb, Jonathan Van Dyke, Leah Sessa, Marcie Gorman, Michael Harper, Michael Materdomini, Mikayla Cohen, MNM Theatre Company, Musical Theatre, Rachel Sheinkin, Rebecca Feldman, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Willow Theatre, Troy J. Stanley, William Finn

MNM Theatre Company
to present
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
at the Willow Theatre

December 2 – 18, 2022

“…Hilariously F-U-N-N-Y (enjoyment, amusement or lighthearted pleasure) and delightfully Q-U-I-R-K-Y (characterized by peculiar or unexpected traits) night of theatre.”   Ilene Chalmers – DC Metro Theater Arts

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

November 14, 2022

BOCA RATON, FL:  MNM Theatre Company will present The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at The Willow Theatre December 2 – 18.  This will be the award-winning company’s first production at the popular Boca Raton venue.   

Nominated for six Tony Awards, and winning 2, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee features an eclectic group of sixth graders (played by adult actors in uproariously comical caricatures), who arrive at a fictional spelling bee set in the geographically ambiguous Putnam Valley Middle School to vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime; the Bee is run by three equally quirky grown-ups. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter – one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box!

Marcie Gorman

“We are so pleased to be making our Willow Theatre debut with ‘Spelling Bee’”, says Marcie Gorman, MNM’s CEO and Producing Artistic Director. “This show is fun, funny, and heartwarming all at once.  It’s a bit ‘raunchy’, that’s true – so it’s not for very young audiences – but we think it will appeal to theatre patrons of just about any age.  And there’s even some audience participation – it’s very possible someone will be invited onstage and asked to spell ‘syzygy*’!”

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will be directed by Johnathan Van Dyke, who will also do the show’s musical staging: “I am so excited about digging into this gem of a show,” he says. “The content is so strong and a rare gift for actors to sink their teeth into such fulfilling material.  The humor, music, and poignancy are all so relevant to the human condition I think audiences are in for a wonderful time at the theatre.” 

Spelling Bee’s cast consists of Jen Chia as Marcy Park, Mikayla Cohen as Olive Ostrovsky, Jinon Deeb as Rona Lisa Perretti, Michael Harper as Chip Tolentino, Michael Materdomini as William Barfee, Geoffrey Mergele as Leaf Coneybear, Leah Sessa as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere, Troy J. Stanley as Vice Principal Douglas Panch, and James White lll as Mitch Mahoney.

As in the past, the production will be accompanied by a live band led by Musical Director Eric Alsford, with Rick Kissinger on woodwinds, Tim Kutcha on drums, Eden Marte on synthesizer, and Madalina Marcovel on cello.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’s Production Stage Manager is Francesca Barioli. The show’s Assistant Stage Manager is Anna Schulman, Production Manager/Set Design is Jordon Armstrong, Technical Director is Johnbarry Green, who will share Sound Design duties with Jordon Armstrong.  Penny Williams is Costume Design, and Abby Rasmussen is Props.

Tickets for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee are on sale now and can be purchased on line at www.willowtheatre.org, or by calling 561-347-3948.  Tickets are $45; a group rate of $35 is available if 6 or more tickets are purchased in one transaction.

For more information about MNM Theatre Company or The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, visitwww.willowtheatre.org or contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.        

Please note:  The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee contains ridiculously childish adult material!  It is not suitable for children under the age of 13.      

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
December 2 – 18, 2022
Music & Lyrics:  William Finn
Book: Rachel Sheinkin
Conceived by: Rebecca Feldman
Additional Material by: Jay Reiss
Performances:
Friday and Saturday at 8 pm
Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm
Prices:  $45 ($35 for 6 or more tickets purchased in a single transaction)
For tickets:
Online: www.willowtheatre.org or mnmtheatre.org
Phone: 561-347-3948
All performances take place at
The Willow Theatre at Sugar Sand Park
300 South Military Trail
Boca Raton, Florida  33486

*The straight line configuration of three celestial bodies.


  • Geoffrey Mergele, Leah Sessa, Michael Materdomini
  • Leah Sessa
  • Michael Materdomini
  • Jen Chia
  • Mikayla Cohen
  • Jinon Deeb
  • Geoffrey Mergele
  • Leah Sessa
  • James White III
  • Jonathan Van Dyke
  • Marcie Gorman
  • Spelling Bee Cast
  • Jen Chia
  • Jinon Deeb & Troy Stanley
  • Leah Sessa
  • Michael Harper
  • Michael Materdomini
  • Mikayla Cohen & James White lll
  • Geoffrey Mergele
  • Spelling Bee Cast

Mel Brooks’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN at the Willow Theatre – October 21 – 30

17 Monday Oct 2022

Posted by Carol Kassie in Entr'Acte Theatrix, Uncategorized

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$20 tickets, Boca Raton Theatre, Entr'Acte Theatrix, Inexpensive Theatre Tickets, Mel Brooks Young Frankenstein, musical comedy, Musical Theatre, Willow Theatre, Young Frankenstein

Entr’Acte Theatrix
Gives Back with
Mel Brooks’

Young Frankenstein

A Halloween treat:  Tickets for the award-winning musical are only $20!

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
Carol@CarolKassie.com /561-445-9244

October 17, 2022

BOCA RATON, FL:  Along with their commitment to provide opportunities for young and up and coming talent, Entr’Acte Theatrix has a longstanding tradition of giving back to their community.  They have often donated tickets and profits to local and national not-for-profit organizations, including Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, Compass LGBTQ Community Center, Red Nose Day – Comic Relief, and earthquake victims in Haiti.  They are continuing this tradition in a different way with their upcoming production of Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, which will open on October 21st, and run through October 30th at the Willow Theatre in Boca Raton.

“We have set our ticket prices at $20 for this production,” says Entr’Acte Theatrix producer and founder Vicki Halmos.  “We believe this very low price for a fully produced musical comedy will encourage people who have been hesitant to venture back into a theatre until now will find this an incentive to do so.  And that it will perhaps encourage those who have never seen live theatre to come to the Willow Theatre to see what it’s all about! 

“In addition, for this show we are holding an on-line auction to benefit Hurricane Ian relief efforts and offering a chance for an audience member to join the cast on stage in a scene during the show,” she adds.

“We have a wonderfully talented cast, they’re doing a marvelous job, and it’s such a fun show,” she continues, “And we want to share the fun with as many people as we can!” 

A wickedly inspired re-imagining of the Frankenstein legend, Mel Brooks’ comedy masterpiece follows bright young Dr. Frankenstein (that’s Fronkensteen!) as he attempts to complete his grandfather’s masterwork and bring a corpse to life. Together with his oddly shaped and endearing helper Igor (that’s Eye-gor), his curvaceous lab assistant Inga, and in spite of his incredibly self-involved madcap fiancé Elizabeth, Frankenstein succeeds in creating a monster — but not without scary and quite often hilarious complications

Tickets for Young Frankenstein – The Mel Brooks Musical are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.sugarsandpark.org/young-frankenstein or by phone at 561-347-3948.  Tickets are $20.  Group rates (10 or more tickets purchased in one transaction) are $15.

For more information about Entr’Acte Theatrix and/or Young Frankenstein, please contact Carol Kassie at Carol@CarolKassie.com / 561-445-9244.
~
Young Frankenstein – The Mel Brooks Musical
Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan
Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks
October 21 – 30, 2022
Tickets: $20 (Group Rates available)
For Tickets:  https://www.sugarsandpark.org/young-frankenstein  / 561-347-3948
Performance Schedule:
Friday and Saturday at 8 pm
Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm
All performances at
The Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park
300 S. Military Trail
Boca Raton, FL 33486

Entr’acte Theatrix is a not-for-profit, semi-professional, showcase company providing opportunities for emerging theatre artists, both on-stage and backstage. The company puts students of college or post-graduate programs on a professional trajectory with a goal of working in the profession a chance to gain experience in their area of training or interest.  Entr’acte, as the name suggests, is the “next step,” from classroom to career, and provides the young theatre artist with one of his or her all-important first professional resume-building credits. 

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.

  • Greg Halmos & Kevin Cruz

World Premiere! TIME STOPS – A NEW MUSICAL Debuts at the Kravis Center July 15 – 17

23 Thursday Jun 2022

Posted by Carol Kassie in Clients

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Alan Chandler, Armand Lane, Ashley Wilcox, Bonnie Logan, Brett Boles, Chad Larabee, Chase Wolfe, Evan Fagin, James McClellan, Kirsten Kaiser, Kravis Center, Maria Goodman, Michael J. Moritz Jr, Musical Theatre, Time Stops - A New Musical, World Premiere

TIME STOPS – A New Musical
Debuts at the Kravis Center

July 15 – 17, 2022


TIME STOPS – A New Musical celebrates the bonds of unconditional love,
and the strength of the human spirit.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Dashiell
PalmBeachPR@Yahoo.com / 561-543-8276
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

June 24, 2022

WEST PALM BEACH, FL:  Featuring a multi award-winning creative team, breathtaking music, and unforgettable characters, TIME STOPS – A New Musical will debut at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts on July 15th.  The production will run for5 performances only – through July 17th.

With an original story by Bonnie Logan (Boca Bound) andled by an award-winning creative team, TIME STOPS – A New Musical is directed by Chad Larabee (Dreyfus in Rehearsal, Ain’t We Got Fun) with original music and musical direction by award-winning composer Brett Boles (Foreverman, Benjamin Button), and featuring musical supervision by Tony Award and Emmy Award-winning Broadway Producer and Music Director, Michael J. Moritz, Jr. (Hadestown, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical). 

TIME STOPS – A New Musical tells the story of writer Emma Portman as she begins a journey to create a musical based on the life her late daughter never had the chance to experience. As she retreats further into her imaginary world, the other people in her life find themselves at their own crossroads of unrealized dreams.  TIME STOPS takes you on a moving journey through love, loss, and the making of a musical that transforms lives forever.

The cast features actress Maria Goodman as Emma; Armand Lane (Much Ado About Nothing, Silence! The Musical) as Charlie; Evan Fagin (The Last 5 Years) as Ben; Alan Chandler (Knoxville, Oliver!) as Steven; James McClellan (The Elephant Man, Caroline or Change)as Maxwell; and Ashely Wilcox (Boca Bound, Mama Mia) as Gayle. Ensemble members include Kirsten Kaiser and Chase Wolfe.

A First Listen to the title song “Time Stops” from TIME STOPS – A New Musical features vocalists Elysia Jordan (Billy Elliott, School of Rock) along with composer Brett Boles, andcan be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOpDqCfcAIk

TIME STOPS – A New Musical
July 15 – 17, 2023

Book by Bonnie Logan
Music & Lyrics by Brett Boles
Tickets:  $45/$55
For tickets: www.kravis.org/events/timestops
Or call 561-832-7469
Performances:
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday at 8 pm
Saturday & Sunday at 2 pm
All performances take place at
The Kravis Center
701 Okeechobee Boulevard
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

About the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts:
The Kravis Center is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach, FL. The Center’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in Palm Beach County by presenting a diverse schedule of national and international artists and companies of the highest quality, by offering comprehensive arts education programs—serving nearly 3 million schoolchildren since its inception; by providing a Palm Beach County home for local and regional arts organizations to showcase their work; and by providing an economic catalyst and community leadership in West Palm Beach, supporting efforts to increase travel and tourism to Palm Beach County. For information, please visit kravis.org.

CREATIVE TEAM:

Chad Larabee

Chad Larabee (Director) is a New York-based director who works extensively in the development of new plays and musicals.He directed the critically acclaimed off-Broadway revival of Garson Kanin’s classic, Dreyfus in Rehearsal, as well as the London world-premiere of Ain’t We Got Fun. Additional Off-Broadway credits include the world-premieres of POPart The Musical, Do Not Disturb, and Good Good Trouble on Bad Bad Island. Select regional directing credits include Boca Bound, Mary Poppins, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and Clybourne Park, Little Women the Musical, On Golden Pond, Violet, Assassins, Big River, The Pajama Game, and more.Chad’s award-winning short films Warrior GRRRLS, Group Chat Down, The Ghosts of Ethan Dean, (in) rhythm and Life in Free Fall have been seen in film festivals across the country. Chad is a graduate of The University of Iowa, and Florida State University where he received his MFA in Directing. Chad is a member of SDC.

Bonnie Logan

Bonnie Logan (Book) Bonnie’s careers in organizational development and entrepreneurial business, combined with a lifetime of theatrical studies, led to her evolution as a published playwright. Drawn to the stories told on stage, she wrote her first book for Boca Bound in 2017, which premiered at the Wick Theatre in 2020 to sold-out crowds and hailed as “unassailably heartfelt” (SF Theater on Stage).

Brett Boles

Brett Boles (Composer, Musical Director) is an award-winning musical theatre composer, lyricist, bookwriter and music director. His original musical Foreverman premiered at NYMF where it garnered awards for Outstanding Orchestrations and the New World Stages Development Prize. Brett has also collaborated with composer Natalie Tenenbaum on an adaptation of Benjamin Button, which has had showings at the York Theatre Off-Broadway and the Southwark Playhouse in London. He has also written original material for three of the four original Broadway Matilda’s. Brett’s work has been performed by Broadway greats including Jeremy Jordan, Josh Young, Marissa McGowan, and Kate Baldwin. In 2013, he co-conceived From Broadway With Love: A Benefit Concert for Sandy Hook with Tony-winning producer and founder/president of Broadway Records Van Dean. Brett currently serves as the Director of Choirs at Hall High School in West Hartford, CT. Brett is the creator and the host of the hit TikTok series “The M Tea” with over 300,000 followers. He is a proud member of the Tony-honored BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, and the Dramatists Guild of America.

Michael J. Moritz Jr.

Michael J. Moritz, Jr. (Music Supervisor, Producer) is a GRAMMY Award-nominated, and TONY Award and EMMY award-winning Broadway Producer, Record Producer, Mixer, Music Director, Conductor and Pianist.  During the COVID pandemic, Michael’s work has been featured on humanitarian and charity broadcasts and live streams having raised over $50M in 2020-2021 alone. Michael received a 2021 Grammy Award nomination as Producer of Stephen Schwartz’s Snapshots for Best Musical Theatre Album. Michael received the 2019 TONY Award for Best Musical as a co-producer of Hadestown and a 2017 Emmy Award for Audio for From Broadway With Love: A Benefit For Orlando. He also received 2 TONY and Olivier award nominations as a co-producer for Broadway/West End’s Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.  Other notable Broadway producing credits include Big Fish, A Night With Janis Joplin, On The Town, and The Velocity of Autumn.

Meet the Cast of TIME STOPS:

  • Maria Goodman
  • Armand Lane
  • Evan Fagin
  • Alan Chandler
  • James McClellan
  • Ashley Wilcox
  • Kirsten Kaiser
  • Chase Wolfe
  • Chad Larabee
  • Bonnie Logan
  • Michael J. Moritz Jr.
  • Brett Boles

GUYS AND DOLLS Opens at LPAC on April 1st!

09 Wednesday Mar 2022

Posted by Carol Kassie in Clients, Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, MNM Theatre Company, Uncategorized

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Abe Burrows, Alex Van Hasselt, Alexandria Thomas, Alison Podolsky, Amanda Eisele, Amber Mandic, Andrea Guardo, Ashley Rubin, Bobby Peaco, Broadway at LPAC, Caiti Marlowe, Cindi Blank Taylor, Colleen Pagano, comedy, Frank Loesser, Geoffrey Mergele, Guy Haubrich, Guys and Dolls, James Skiba, Jamie Brothman, JB Green, Jo Swerling, Jonathan Eisele, Jonathan Van Dyke, Jordon Armstrong, Justin Lore, Justin Thompson, Kat Gold, Larry Buzzeo, Leah Sessa, LPAC, Manny Zaldivar, Marcie Gorman, Michael Harper, Michael Kreutz, Michael Materdomini, MNM Theatre Company, musical comedy, Musical Theatre, Norita Bandel, North End Theater Company, Penny Williams, Randall Swinton, Sean Davis, Tommy Paduano

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

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

March 10, 2022

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

~

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
  • Geoffrey Mergele, Larry Buzzeo, Tommy Paduano
  • Sean William Davis, Caiti Marlowe
  • Tommy Paduano
  • Leah Sessa, Caiti Marlowe



  • Jonathan Van Dyke
  • Marcie Gorman
  • Larry Buzzeo
  • Colleen Pagano
  • Geoffrey Mergele
  • Ashley Rubin
  • Michael Materdomini
  • Allison Podolsky
  • Tommy Paduano
  • Alexandra Van Hasselt
  • Caiti Marlowe
  • James A. Skiba
  • Manny Zaldivar
  • Michael Kreutz
  • Norita Bandel
  • Leah Sessa
  • Michael Harper
  • Amanda Eisele
  • Randall Swinton
  • Alexandria Thomas
  • Sean William Davis
  • Jessie Dez

SISTER ACT (A Divine Musical Comedy!) at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center February 18 – March 6, 2022

02 Wednesday Feb 2022

Posted by Carol Kassie in Clients, Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, MNM Theatre Company

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Tags

Alex Jorth, Alexandra Dow, Allan Napier, Amber Mandic, Andrea Guardo, Anthony Campisi, Ariela Pizza, Ashley Rubin, Bill Brewer, Casey Sacco, Charlie Alguera, Cindi Blank Taylor, Clifford Spulock, Colleen Pagano, Dalia Aleman, Don Jose, Elissa Solomon, Elizabeth Sackett, Francine Birns, Gabriella Saramago, Geoffrey Mergele, Heather Simsay, James White III, Jamie Brothman, Jaonda Carter, JB Green, Jordon Armstrong, Justin Lore, Justin Thompson, Karen Hagerty Cohen, Kate Delaney, Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, LPAC, Marcie Gorman, Meg Frost, Michael Ursua, MNM Theatre Company, musical comedy, Musical Theatre, Nia Bourne, North End Theater Company, Penny Williams, Sahid Pabon, Sister Act, Vallery Valentine

MNM Theatre Company
The City of Lauderhill and
North End Theater Company

To present

February 18 – March 6, 2022

“This is a musical that hits all the right spots, achieving something close to Broadway grace.”
~Mark Kennedy, Associated Press

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

February 2, 2022

LAUDERHILL, FL:  Musical theatre audiences love big, splashy musical numbers. And what could be better than those? Big splashy musical numbers… with nuns!  Sister Act, which will open at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC) on February 18th and run through March 6th, is chock full of both! The show is the second joint production of MNM Theatre Company, the City of Lauderhill, and North End Theater Company, following their recent critically acclaimed production of Grease.

After witnessing her gangster boyfriend commit murder, Disco Diva Deloris Van Cartier is put into protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won’t be found – a struggling Philadelphia convent.  Disguised as a nun, but constantly at odds with the rigid lifestyle and old- fashioned Mother Superior, Deloris eventually takes on revamping the convent’s out of tune choir, with energizing and surprising results.  

Based on the 1992 hit film and featuring music by Tony Award-winner and eight-time Academy Award-winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors, Newsies) and lyrics by Glenn Slater, Sister Act’s musical numbers run the gamut from old fashioned Broadway-type show tunes, to Gospel Music, to 70s R & B, to early disco, to rap.

Michael Ursua

“With a fantastic score by Alan Menken and all the beloved characters from the film, Sister Act is the perfect show to welcome audiences back to the theatre,” says the show’s director Michael Ursua.  “It’s a beautiful story about coming together. It reminds us that we as human beings are more similar than we are different. With a cast of 25, fabulous sets and costumes and an 8-piece band, this uplifting musical comedy will leave you happy and hopeful… Can I get an amen?!” 

Vallery Valentine

Ursua’s talented South Florida cast includes Dalia Alemán as Mother Superior, Ariela Pizza as Sister Mary Robert, Heather Simsay as Sister Mary Patrick, Colleen Pagano as Sister Mary Lazarus, Bill Brewer as Monsignor O’Hara, Don Jose as Curtis Jackson, James White III as Eddie Souther, Allan Napier as TJ, Joshua Roland-Bramkamp as Joey, Charlie Alguera as Pablo, Javonda Carter as Michelle, Meg Frost as Tina, and Vallery Valentine as Deloris Van Cartier.

“I am extremely excited to play the role of Deloris, and to work with MNM,” Valentine says. “Being an independent R&B artist for the past 15+ years, I can relate to Deloris’s character and her story (the hardships of trying to “make it” in this industry). Also, it’s just a really fun role. I actually think our personalities are almost 100% identical – I get to show my comedic side – not only my voice. For me to be offered this role was truly divine intervention!”

Rounding out the Sister Act cast are Sahid Pabon who will act as the show’s dance captain, Elissa Solomon, Casey Sacco, Geoffrey Mergele, Elizabeth Sackett, Kate Delaney, Karen Hagerty Cohen, Gabriella Saramago, Francine Birns, Ashley Rubin, Alexandra Dow, and Nia Bourne.

Anthony Campisi is the production’s Music Director and Alex Jorth is the show’s Choreographer.  Scenic Designer and Scenic Artist is Cindi Blank Taylor, Lighting Designer is Clifford Spulock, Sound Designer is Justin Thompson, Costume Designer is Penny Williams, Props are by Jamie Brothman, and Wigs are by Justin Lore.   Sister Act’s Technical Director is Johnbarry Green, Production Manager is Jordon Armstrong, Stage Manager is Amber Mandic, and the Assistant Stage Manager is Andrea Guardo.

Sister Act will run from February 18th to March 6th, 2022.  Tickets are $45 to $65 and are available online at www.lpacfl.com or by calling 954-777-2055.

Lauderhill Performing Arts Center requires that masks be worn
in the building at all times.

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

This press release, along with the show logo and actor headshots, can be viewed online at TBA

~

Sister Act
February 18 – March 6

Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Glenn Slater
Book by Cheri Steinkellner & Bill Steinkellner
Additional Book Material by Douglas Carter Beane
Based on the Touchstone Pictures Motion Picture, Sister Act, written by Joseph Howard
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

  • Nia Bourne
  • Alexandra Dow
  • Alex Jorth
  • Ariela Pizza
  • Bill Brewer
  • Colleen Pagano
  • Dalia Aleman
  • Gabriella Saramago
  • Geoffrey Mergele
  • Heather Simsay
  • James White III
  • Sahid Pabon
  • Michael Ursua
  • Vallery Valentine
  • JaVonda Carter
  • Francine Birns
  • Elizabeth Sackett
  • Allan Napier
  • Ashley Rubin
  • Karen Hagerty Cohen
  • Joshua Roland-Bramkamp
  • Don Jose
  • Kate Delaney
  • Meg Frost
  • Charlie Alguera
  • Elissa D. Solomon
  • Anthony Campisi
  • Dalia Aleman
  • Sister Act
  • Sister Act
  • Vallery Valentine
  • Vallery Valentine, Bill Brewer, Dalia Aleman
  • Sister Act
  • Dalia Aleman, Vallery Valentine

Delray Beach Playhouse presents RESPECT: A MUSICAL JOURNEY OF WOMEN

12 Wednesday Jan 2022

Posted by Carol Kassie in Clients, Delray Beach Playhouse

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Amanda Gomes, Delray Beach Playhouse, Jacynth Brown, Jeannie Krouch, Karen Nagy, Kelly DiLorenzo, Lissen Ellington, Michele Popken, musical, Musical Theatre, Rachel O'Hara, Respect, Respect: A Musical Journey of Women, Sara Tripp, Spensyr Bach, Suzanne Dunn, Tricia Sotolongo Mundarain

January 28 – February 13, 2022

“I loved the show. It was the soundtrack of my life. Everyone should go see it!” 
~ Patti LaBelle

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

January 12, 2022

DELRAY BEACH, FL:  From Lillie Langtry to Cyndi Lauper and Betty Boop to Tina Turner, or from Rosie the Riveter to Britney Spears, female singers and pop stars and their music provide a vivid reflection of how much has changed for women since the beginning of the 20th century. Respect: A Musical Journey of Women, which has evolved from a one-woman dissertation by Columbia University Professor Dorothy Marcic to an international hit musical revue, is an entertaining, exuberant, and exhilarating look at the lives of women as reflected in the popular music of the times.  Respect will run at the Delray Beach Playhouse from January 28th through February 13th.

Featuring an ensemble cast of eight and a live band, and combining excerpts of 60 songs including “I Enjoy Being a Girl,” “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” “I Wanna Be Loved By You,” “As Long As He Needs Me” and “Whatever Lola Wants” along with such modern standards as “Where the Boys Are,” “It Must Be Him,” “The Greatest Love of All,” and “Stand by Your Man” with women’s own stories about finding dreams, lost love, relationship issues, entering the workforce, gaining independence, and more, Respect has resonated with audiences around the world. Men as well as women will have no trouble at all identifying with the messages of encouragement and empowerment that Respect portrays.

Suzanne Dunn

“The show has changed a lot since it premiered in South Florida in 2003,” says Respect’s director Suzanne Dunn. “That’s why we’d encourage anyone who’s seen it before to come out and enjoy it again, because it has been updated with different songs and dialogue and will be a new experience. I’m thrilled to be working with the great team at the Delray Beach Playhouse (I first performed on stage there when I was in college at FAU, directed by Randy DelLago in See How They Run) and with this incredible group of actors.

“These very talented women, who are well-known throughout the theatre community, have been rehearsing under the strictest of COVID guidelines – singing and dancing with KN95 masks on every night!” she continues. “They have such a huge amount of enthusiasm and commitment, and audiences are going to have a blast taking this trip down memory lane with them.”

Dunn’s cast includes Kelley DiLorenzo, Spensyr Bach, Sara Hope Tripp, Amanda Gomes, Lissen Ellington, Rachel O’Hara, Jacynth (J.B.) Brown and Patricia Sotolongo.

Respect’s Music Director is Karen Nagy and the show’s Choreographer is Jeannie Krouch.  Stage Manager is Michele Popken, Technical Director is Andre Lancaster, Set Design is by Cindi Taylor, Lighting is by Sonia Buchanan, and Props and Costumes are by Susan Rose.

Respect:  A Musical Journey of Women will run from January 28 – February 13 at the Delray Beach Playhouse.  Tickets are $38 and can be purchased online at delraybeachplayhouse.com/, or by phone at 561-272-1281.The Delray Beach Playhouse is located at 950 NW 9th Street, in Delray Beach (33444).

For more information about Respect: A Musical Journey of Women contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.

~

Respect:  A Musical Journey of Women
By Dorothy MarcicJanuary 28 – February 13, 2022
Tickets: $38
Performances:Friday & Saturday at 8 pm
Saturday & Sunday at 2 pm
For tickets:  https://tinyurl.com/2cywthjx
Or call 561-272-1281
Delray Beach Playhouse
950 NW 9th Street
Delray Beach, FL 33444

Who’s Who in Respect: A Musical Journey of Women:

Spensyr Bach

Spensyr Bach (Eden) “One of the best things that ever happened to me is that I’m a woman.  That is the way all females should feel.” – Marilyn Monroe.  When she’s not performing, Spensyr is an attorney practicing entertainment and intellectual property law in Boca Raton, FL at The Lomnitzer Law Firm, P.A. Spensyr has a BA in Music from Rollins College, and a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School.  Previous DBP credits: Annie Get Your Gun, The World Goes Round,1940’s Radio Hour, Showtune, See How They Run, and Take Me Back to Manhattan. 

Jacynth Brown

Jacynth Brown (Ensemble) This is Jacynth’s debut performance with the Delray Beach Playhouse and she is thrilled to join the cast of RESPECT.   After many years as a “Theatre Mom” Jacynth has finally decided to step out from behind the scenes.  Jacynth played Blanch Ethels Pracket in the short film “Walk On” and most recently performed with Torch and Trumpet Theatre Company in The Gospel According to Scrooge. A long-time resident of Palm Beach County, Jacynth is a mental health professional who enjoys volunteering, singing and actively serving in her local church.

Kelly DiLorenzo

Kelly DiLorenzo (Janet) Originally from Los Angeles, Kelly has enjoyed a 30+ year career in “the biz”.  Roles she’s extremely proud of are Fantine in Les Miserables (Broadway National Tour), she originated the role of Princess Jasmine in Aladdin at Disneyland and went on to portray Belle in Beauty and the Beast and every other Princess imaginable!   Other favorites include The Narrator (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Miss Hannigan (Annie), Mary Magdalene (JC Superstar) and Eva Peron (Evita).   For almost a decade, she was the lead singer of South Florida’s popular band, The Fabulons. She’s entertained on cruise ships and on stages around the world in Canada, Europe and Southeast Asia.   Love and gratitude to her husband Rick and two amazing kids, Austin and Bella. “Thank you for always being my cheerleaders”.

Lissen Ellington

Lissen Ellington (Ensemble) Lissen is excited to be back at the Delray Beach Playhouse with RESPECT. Last season, Lissen made her DBPH debut in Take Me Back To Manhattan. She has been seen around the state performing in a variety shows including Into the Woods (Witch), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Drood), The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Lin), A Funny…Forum (Gymnasia), Flora the Red Menace (Maggie), Spelling Bee (Rona), You Can’t Take It With You (Penny), Alice In Wonderland (Queen of Hearts), No, No, Nannette (Flora). Lissen is a proud EMC candidate. During the day you can find Lissen at Santaluces High School where she is the Director of Theatre Arts for the award-winning Tomahawk Theatre Company. When not performing, Lissen runs Disney marathons and volunteers with JLPB. Thank you, Suzanne for this opportunity! For my guardian angels Bubba and Matty!

Amanda Gomes

Amanda Gomes (Rosa) Amanda is making her Professional Debut as Rosa in Respect. Amanda is a recent graduate of FAU. She is well-versed in several areas of Theatre from singing and acting, to directing, writing, stage managing, wardrobe, and theatrical makeup. Some previous performance credits include Golde in Fiddler on the Roof, and Charlotte in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. She’d like to thank her friends, family, and the Cast & Crew of Respect for all their support. 

Tricia Sotolongo Mundarain

Tricia Sotolongo Mundarain (Ensemble) Tricia is a Palm Beach County native and lifelong music lover.  She began singing as a toddler and later in her middle and high school choirs. She is the proud mother of two vocally gifted daughters who inspired her to pursue her passion again in 2018 when she performed the role of the haughty ballet company headmistress in Flashdance at the Lake Worth Playhouse. Respect: A Musical Journey of Women is only her second foray into musical theater and her first for the Delray Beach Playhouse. She is inspired by her female cast, crew, and director and hopes to continue to entertain in the future.

Rachel O’Hara

Rachel O’Hara (Ensemble\Dance Captain) Rachel is thrilled to be back on stage at the Delray Beach Playhouse after two years away from the theater due to the pandemic. Since moving back to her hometown in 2017, Rachel has performed in two other shows at Delray Beach Playhouse; Annie Get Your Gun in 2017 and 1940’s Radio Hour in 2019, and as Blue Girl in Maplewood Playhouse’s SHOUT! The Mod Musical. She is the Communications Associate at Gulf Stream School and a freelance photojournalist for The Coastal Star. She would like to thank all her friends and family for being so supportive of her love of theater and she hopes everyone enjoys the show! 

Sara Tripp

Sara Tripp (Samantha) Sara Hope Tripp is happy to return to the Delray Beach Playhouse, where she last performed in A Doll’s House Part 2 and Take Me Back to Manhattan. A native New Yorker, she’s performed as Anna in the King and I and Maria in the Sound of Music at Dicapo Opera Theatre; Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Vertical Players Repertory; the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Charlotte Malcom in A Little Night Music, Dido in Dido and Aeneas, and most recently Mrs. Anderssen in A Little Night Music at the Manhattan School of Music, where she earned her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in vocal performance.

Suzanne Dunn

Suzanne Dunn (Director) Suzanne made her professional acting debut in Eleemosynary at the Theatre Club of the Palm Beaches for which she was nominated for a Carbonell Award. Other roles include: Blythe Spirit (Edith), Proof (Catherine), Steel Magnolias (Annelle), See How They Run (Ida), Mama Drama (Morgan), Chicago (Mona/Go-to-Hell Kitty/undst. Velma), Foxfire (Holly), Bananas (House of Blue Leaves), and The Cover of Life (Weetsie). Directing credits include The Bachelorette, Death by Design, Church and State. Suzanne was last seen on the Delray Beach Playhouse stage as Nora in A Doll’s House Part 2, and recently completed the role of Anita in the independent film The Pool, directed by Anna Hozian. She was a founding member of the all-female comedy improv troupe, Big Purse…and Matching Shoes with screenwriter Kim Turner as well as a founding member of the Comedy Squad with Upright Citizen Brigade members Michael Delaney and Billy Merritt. Suzanne holds a BFA from Florida Atlantic University where she studied with J. Robert Dietz, Zoe Caldwell, and Hume Cronyn, and attended Selwyn College, University of Cambridge, obtaining certificates in British Society and 20th Century Literature, Theatre, and Poetry. Suzanne would like to thank this absolutely amazing cast of talented women – Kelly, Sara, Spensyr, Amanda, Lissen, Rachel, Jacynth, and Trish – as well as her talented friend Jeannie, Randy, Andre, Karen, Sonia, Cindi, Michelle, Susan, the band, and the Playhouse crew and staff. All the love to her family and friends, especially Mr. Pie, Mom & Dad, and Ronan.

Karen Nagy (Music Director) Karen Nagy is thrilled to be working at DBPH with such a talented cast and crew!  She has worked in professional theater in south Florida for over 30 years, as a singer, actor, music director, band member, stage manager, and in all areas of tech.  She and two colleagues developed and oversaw the longest-running play reading series in south Florida, Theatre With Your Coffee, introducing works of local playwright Michael McKeever and others.  She is a longtime adjunct professor of music at Miami-Dade College, also having taught at NSU and New World School of the Arts.  She proudly holds membership in Actors’ Equity; NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) and NSAI (Nashville Songwriters).  That said, her favorite job for the past 24 years is playing 2nd keyboard in theatres from Jupiter to Coral Gables.  Favorite shows include: “Violet,” “1776,” “Ragtime,” and “Memphis,”  (Actors’ Playhouse); “Avenue Q,” (MNM at the Rinker); and anything rock or pop, including “Tommy,” (Entr’acte) and “Footloose” (Lake Worth and Actors’ Playhouses).  Karen is also proud to be a published author.  Her book Girlfriend of Bill (Hazelden) has helped many in the recovery community, and she is currently finishing her second book, Finding Home: The Journey to My Happy Place.  Many thanks to Suzanne, Randy, Andre, Michele and this great group of people!  

Jeannie Krouch (choreographer) Jeannie is thrilled to join the Delray Beach Playhouse family.  Jeannie has performed all over South Florida.  Her favorite roles include:  Leisl (The Sound of Music) Louise (Carousel) Snoopy (You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown) Spider (James & the Giant Peach) Joan (Dames at Sea) and Dolly (The ThreePenny Opera) Her most fulfilling role is “mom” to Zach (16) and Sydney (14) Jeannie has choreographed many shows for American Heritage School and Coral Springs Centre for the Arts including Chicago, Legally Blonde, Young Frankenstein and Into the Woods.  She would like to thank her husband, Rob for his support, Suzanne for the opportunity to dance again and last, but not least the amazing RESPECT cast and crew who have worked so hard to make this show a success.  Enjoy!     

Michele Popken (Stage Manager) – Michele is excited to be stage managing this all-female cast.  Michele has stage managed several plays at the Delray Beach Playhouse.  Some of the recent plays have been the Playwright Festival, Steel Magnolias, Lost in Yonkers, 1940’s Radio Hour.  Thanks to the wonderful women in the play, Suzanne for her great directing.  All the love to her family and friends, especially her husband, Dave for all of his support.

  • Rachel O’Hara
  • Tricia Sotolongo Mundarain
  • Amanda Gomes
  • Lissen Ellington
  • Kelly DiLorenzo
  • Jacynth Brown
  • Spensyr Bach
  • Suzanne Dunn
  • Sara Tripp

GREASE to Run at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center January 21 – 30, 2022

15 Wednesday Dec 2021

Posted by Carol Kassie in Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, MNM Theatre Company

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Alexandra Dow, Amber Mandic, Andrea Guardo, Angela Morando Taylor, Ashley Rubin, Brian Pedra, Caryl Fantel, Cindi Blank Taylor, Cliff Burgess, Clifford Spulock, Dorian Quinn, Eytan Deray, Grease, Jennifer McClain, Jessie Dez, Johnbarry Green, Jonathan Van Dyke, Jordan Gonzalez, Jordon Armstrong, Justin Lore, Justin Thompson, Larry Buzzeo, Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, LPAC, Marcie Gorman, Meg Frost, Michael Harper, Michael Materdomini, MNM Theatre Company, musical comedy, Musical Theatre, Nia Bourne, Penny Williams, Ryan Michael James

MNM Theatre Company
North End Theatre Company and
The City of Lauderhill

to present

January 21 – 30, 2022

“Perhaps more than any other musical, Grease embodies those seven words most commonly heard in the theater just before the curtain rises: ‘Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.’”
 ~
Syracuse.com

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

December 16, 2021

LAUDERHILL, FL:  Grease, the rollicking rock ‘n roll musical that is both an homage to the idealism and the music of the 50s, and a satirical look at teenagers’ universal and age-old desire to be provocative and rebellious, is the first joint production of MNM Theatre Company, North End Theatre Company, and the City of Lauderhill.  Grease will open on January 14th at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC) and run through January 30th.  

At Rydell High School the ‘T-Birds’ are acting tough and stealing hub caps, and their gum-snapping, chain-smoking ‘Pink Ladies’ are looking hot in bobby sox and pedal pushers. But at the heart of Grease is the romance between top Burger Boy hot-rodder Danny Zuko and sweet ‘new girl in town’ Sandy Dumbrowski.   Can Danny maintain his ‘cool dude’ status and still make Sandy his girl?!

Grease has become one of the world’s most popular musicals and has a cult-like following – especially among teens. The show’s book, music, and lyrics are by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, and the show features such iconic classics as “Summer Nights”, “Hopelessly Devoted to You”, “Beauty School Dropout”, “Greased Lightning”, and “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee”. 

The show debuted Off-Broadway on February 14, 1972, at the Eden Theatre in New York City, and transferred to Broadway’s Broadhurst Theatre, and later to the Royale Theatre, closing on April 13, 1980 after a record-breaking 3,388 performances. The film adaptation of Grease premiered in 1978 and over forty years later remains on the list of the top 10 highest grossing movie musicals of all time.  

Jonathan Van Dyke

“Grease is still the word, and I can’t wait to take everyone back to 1959 and Rydell High,” says the show’s director, Jonathan Van Dyke. “We are so excited about this dynamic cast and sharing this nostalgic show with fans and perhaps introducing patrons to their first Grease experience.” 

Van Dyke has populated Rydell High with an impressively talented cast:  Dorian Quinn will play Danny Zuko and Jessica Fernandez has been chosen to play Sandy Dumbrowski.  Other cast members include Jordan Gonzalez as Rizzo, Ashley Rubin as Frenchie, Caiti Marlowe as Patty Simcox, Kat Gold as Jan, Meg Frost as Marty, Ryan James as Kenickie, Brian Piedra as Doody, Michael Harper as Roger, Michael Materdomini as Sonny, Alexandra Dow as Cha-Cha, Eytan Deray as Eugene, Jennifer McClain as Miss Lynch, and Larry Buzzeo as Vince Fontaine.

Marcie Gorman

“I love this show!”, says MNM Theatre Company’s Producing Artistic Director and CEO, Marcie Gorman. “Grease, to me, is the perfect way to begin our new relationship with North End Theatre Company and LPAC.  It’s upbeat, it’s fun, the songs are so recognizable, and it appeals to audiences of all ages.  It’s ‘greased lightning!’”

Desorae Giles-Smith, City Manager for the City of Lauderhill agrees: “The City of Lauderhill is looking forward to an amazing 2022 Broadway season in partnership with MNM Theatre Company and North End Theater Company,” she says.  “We are so pleased to be a part of bringing our community high-quality musicals and entertainment, and Grease is sure to continue that tradition when it opens at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center in January.”

Carbonell and Silver Palm Award-winner Caryl Fantel is Grease’s Music Director and Angela Morando Taylor is the show’s Choreographer.  Scenic Designer and Scenic Artist is Cindi Blank Taylor, Lighting Designer is Clifford Spulock, Sound Designer is Justin Thompson, Costume Designer is Penny Williams, Props are by Jaimie Brothman and Jacob Altman, and Wigs are by Justin Lore.   Grease’s Technical Director is Johnbarry Green, Production Manager is Jordon Armstrong, Stage Manager is Amber Mandic, and the Assistant Stage Manager is Andrea Guardo.

Grease will run from January 21st – January 30th, 2022.  Tickets are $45 to $65 and are available online at www.lpacfl.com or by calling 954-777-2055. Subscriptions to the Broadway at LPAC series (Grease, Sister Act, and Guys and Dolls) are also on sale, and various subscription packages are available.

Lauderhill Performing Arts Center recommends that face coverings be worn.

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

Grease
January 21 – 30, 2022

Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey
Tickets: $45-$65
For tickets:  www.lpacfl.com or www.mnmtheatre.org or
Call 954-777-2055
Performances:
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday at 7:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday at 2:00 pm
All performances at
The Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC)
3800 NW 11th Place
Lauderhill, FL  33311


  • Jonathan Van Dyke
  • Caryl Fantel
  • Eytan Deray
  • Larry Buzzeo
  • Michael Materdomini
  • Michael Harper
  • Brian Piedra
  • Jessie Dez
  • Jordan Gonzalez
  • Ryan Michael James

MNM Theatre Company’s Innovative Virtual Production of CLOSER THAN EVER Extended Through January 10th, 2021

22 Tuesday Dec 2020

Posted by Carol Kassie in Clients, MNM Theatre Company

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Aaron Bower, Boca Raton Theatre, Closer Than Ever, David Shire, Elijah Word, Johnbarry Green, Jonathan Van Dyke, Marcie Gorman, MNM Theatre Company, Musical Theatre, Richard Maltby Jr., Shelley Keelor, Streaming Theatre

Theatre in the Time of COVID!

MNM Theatre Company Proudly Extends

Maltby & Shire’s
Closer Than Ever
The Critically Acclaimed Production
Is Now Available for Streaming
On Demand
Through January 10th, 2021

Innovation is the key for MNM Theatre Company’s production of Closer Than Ever.

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

December 22, 2020

BOCA RATON, FL:  MNM Theatre Company’s cutting-edge production of Maltby and Shire’s Closer Than Ever will now be available for streaming on demand through January 10th, MNM Producing Artistic Director Marcie Gorman announced today.

Marcie Gorman

“We are so proud of this project,” Gorman explains, “and we want to make sure everyone who would like to see Closer Than Ever has the opportunity to do so.  Our director, Jonathan Van Dyke, came up with an incredibly creative and innovative way to make live theatre during the pandemic, using video, audio, and projections.  Our cast and crew stayed safe and healthy throughout the entire creative process, and their dedication to this project is another reason why we want to ensure their work remains available for a while longer. Plus, of course,” she adds, “The reviews by both audiences and critics alike have been nothing less than stellar, so it’s a popular demand extension, too!”

Closer Than Ever has received universal praise since it began streaming on November 27th, including glowing endorsements from both composer David Shire (“The performances were honest and great, the musical direction, staging, production design, choreography all first rate, and [your] direction and overall conception of how to present CTE and keep it “Covid-safe” was truly impressive.”) and lyricist Richard Maltby Jr. (“The performances were all on the money and very true, Surprisingly, that isn’t usually the case with this show. Your staging ideas and your filming ideas were very very clever. It was an actual film version of the show, which was daring to attempt. Clearly you approached the show with a great deal of love and a great deal of respect for the material. I heard every word, and the vocals were glorious.”)

Closer Than Ever features self-contained songs which deal with such diverse topics as security, aging, mid-life crisis, second marriages, working couples, and unrequited love. Maltby and Shire based many of the songs on real-life experiences of their friends, or stories told to them.

Closer Than Ever stars Aaron Bower, Johnbarry Green, and Carbonell Award-winners Shelley Keelor, and Elijah Word, each of whom have worked with MNM Theatre Company in the past.   The technical crew, almost all of whom are also MNM alumni, includes Eric Alsford as the production’s Musical Director, and Emily Tarallo as the show’s Choreographer.  Lighting Designer is Clifford Michael Spulock, Sound Designer is Mike Kelly, Scenic Artist is Cindi Taylor, and Scenic Designer is Jordon Armstrong.  Johnbarry Green serves as Technical Director, Cliff Burgess as Videographer, Michael Joseph as Assistant Videographer and Wig Design is by Justin Lore of Tease & Floof Custom Wig Boutique.  Amber Mandic and Andrea Guardo are the production’s co-Stage Managers and co-Props Mistresses.

Closer Than Ever will be available On Demand through January 10th, on Music Theatre International’s (MTI) streaming platform www.ShowTix4U.com via MNM Theatre Company’s website www.mnmtheatre.org.  Once tickets are purchased, patrons will receive a link to view the production.  The link will be active for 48 hours from the first click.  Tickets are $20.

MNM Theatre Company is an award-winning not-for-profit 501(c)(3) theatre company whose mission is to produce high quality professional live theatre that inspires audiences and enriches the cultural life of the community while creating Florida based jobs in the Arts.

For more information about Closer Than Ever and MNM Theatre Company please visit www.mnmtheatre.org/ .  To speak with Marcie Gorman or Jonathan Van Dyke, please contact Carol Kassie at Carol@CarolKassie.com / 561-445-9244.

~~

Closer Than Ever
Streaming On Demand
Through January 10th, 2021

Music by David Shire
Lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr.
Conceived by Steven Scott Smith
Directed by Jonathan Van Dyke
Tickets: $20
Tickets available at https://www.mnmtheatre.org/
Direct ticketing link:  https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/41307

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