John Tartaglia Set for First Feature Film, HOTEL ARTHRITIS

John Tartaglia was today announced to star in his first feature film vehicle: "Hotel Arthritis."

"Hotel Arthritis" is a new comedy/horror from Producer Michael J. Roth (Hellbent, Circuit). This original screenplay is set entirely in a retirement community and begins filming near Pasadena this Thursday, Sept 8, 2011. Tartaglia will play "Dale," a quirky, offbeat manager of a retirement home. Dawn Wells, Lee Meriwether and David Proval also star.

Jacqui Holland and Jason Lockhart have penned the script, and Lockhart ("Vampire Boys") will direct. The cast also includes Dawn Wells, Lee Meriwether, David Proval, Martin Kove, and Bruce Vilanch.

Tartaglia is best known for his Tony Award nominated role in the Broadway show Avenue Q; his acclaimed 12 years as the youngest puppeteer ever to work on Sesame Street; and for creating, producing and starring in Disney Channel's series Johnny and the Sprites, for which he received an Emmy Award nomination. He also starred recently on Broadway in Shrek The Musical, and in Beauty and The Beast.

His latest success is the innovative glow-in-the-dark musical John Tartaglia's ImaginOcean, the Off-Broadway that played New World Stages and in production at sea on several Royal Caribbean cruise ships, with a tour in the works to launch this October.