I LOVE LUCY LIVE ON STAGE Launches First National Tour in Atlantic City Tonight

The national tour of I LOVE LUCY LIVE ON STAGE, the hit stage show adapted from the most beloved program in television history, will begin performances in Atlantic City at Harrah's Resort tonight, July 17. Additional engagements on the tour include Charlotte, Buffalo, Toronto, Philadelphia, Boston and more.

Sirena Irwin and Bill Mendieta lead the company as Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, reprising the roles they created in the original Los Angeles and ChicaGo Productions. Kevin Remington and JoAnna Daniels play Fred and Ethel Mertz, the Ricardo's loveable landlords and sidekicks. The cast also includes Sarah Elizabeth Combs, Gregory Franklin, Peter Kevoian, Jayme Lake, Carlos Martin, Tyler Milliron, Denise Moses, Cindy Sciacca, Jeffrey Christopher Todd, Mark Christopher Tracy, Carolynne Warren and Tamara Zook.

An "out-of-body experience for 'Lucy' fans" according to Showbiz Chicago. I LOVE LUCY LIVE ON STAGE takes audience members back to 1952 as members of the Desilu Playhouse studio audience where they await the filming of two hilarious and oh-so-familiar I LOVE LUCY episodes, "The Benefit" and "Lucy Has Her Eyes Examined." A charming host entertains and enlightens the crowd to the behind-the-scenes filming process of a brand new thing called "television," the Crystaltone Singers perform advertising jingles in perfect 50s style harmony and the sidesplitting antics of America's favorite foursome - Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel - are presented live on stage and in color for the very first time! It's a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience TV Guide's William Keck calls "the most entertaining stage production I've seen in years - including Broadway!"

I LOVE LUCY LIVE ON STAGE is staged and directed by Rick Sparks and adapted for the stage with new material by Kim Flagg and Rick Sparks. The creative team also includes Wayne Moore (music direction, arrangements and special lyrics), Peitor Angell (original music), Aaron Henderson (scenic design), Shon LeBlanc (costume design), Chris Wojcieszyn (lighting design), Cricket S. Myers (sound design), Diane Martinous(hair/wig design), Desiree Falcon (make-up design) and Justine Baldwin (production stage management).

The I LOVE LUCY LIVE ON STAGE on-stage band comprises Wayne Moore (musical director, conductor and first keyboard), Andy Belling (assistant conductor and second keyboard), Ron Barrow (trumpet), Steve Bringelson (bass), Adam Halitzka (drums/conga), David Olivas (saxophone), Nicholas Stankus (guitar, banjo and conga).

The iconic hit sitcom I LOVE LUCY originally aired on CBS from 1951 - 1957 for a total of six seasons and 179 episodes and is widely considered to be one of the most popular programs in the history of television. Due in no small part to its relatable characters, sharp comedic writing and Lucille Ball's signature zany charm, the show continues to endear new audiences with every passing generation. The program was a technical trailblazer, pioneering the multi-camera shooting technique (still employed by the majority of traditional sitcoms to this day) and the use of 35mm film for the capture of a weekly, 30-minute scripted television program (which made possible the re-airing of episodes at a later date, what we now know as "reruns"). In September 2012, I LOVE LUCY was named the "Best TV Show Of All Time" and the "Greatest TV Comedy" by People Magazine and ABC's "20/20" special "Best in TV: The Greatest TV Shows of Our Time."

I LOVE LUCY LIVE ON STAGE had its world premiere in Los Angeles at the Greenway Court Theatre from October 2011 - February 2012. A subsequent Chicago production was launched that played two sold-out engagements at the Broadway Playhouse, September 2012 - March 2013. The show is produced by Stephen Kahn(executive producer), David George (executive producer), Allan Williams (executive producer), Hyra George, Kim Flagg, Dede Harris and Sharon Karmizanunder license from CBS Consumer Products.

For tickets and more information, please visit ILoveLucyLive.com.