Charles Shaughnessy Stars in North Shore Music Theatre's LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, Now thru 10/6

North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) will continue the blockbuster 2013 season with a glamorous production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, a 'modern family' musical. This sparkling all new production will be on stage for two weeks only starting tonight, September 24 and playing through Sunday, October 6. Press night is scheduled for Wednesday, September 25 at 7:30 pm

"It has been a very exciting season so far at North Shore Music Theatre, and we are anxious to dazzle audiences with our dazzling production of La Cage Aux Folles," said NSMT owner and producer Bill Hanney. "I am excited to welcome television star, Charles Shaughnessy, back to the NSMT stage. When choosing La Cage aux Folles for the season, I immediately thought of him for the role of Georges and was thrilled when he accepted. Alongside Charles will be the multi-talented, and award-winning Jonathan Hammond who was brilliant as Nathan Detroit in last year's Guys and Dolls and received critical and audience raves with his performance as Albin last month at Theatre By The Sea."

Before there was the popular movie, The Birdcage, There was the hysterical 'modern family' musical, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES! Winner of multiple Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book, and twice named Best Revival, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES tells the story of Georges, the owner of a glitzy nightclub in lovely Saint-Tropez, and his partner, Albin, who moonlights as the glamorous chanteuse, Zaza. When Georges' son brings home his fiancee's conservative parents to meet the flashy pair, the bonds of family are put to the test! LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is a tuneful and touching tale of one family's struggle to stay together, stay fabulous and above all else, stay true to themselves! With a glorious score of hummable melodies, written by Jerry Herman ofHello, Dolly!, Mame and Mack & Mabel fame, and a hilarious book by Harvey Fierstein, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is an indisputable musical comedy classic!

North Shore Music Theatre's production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES will star Emmy Award-winning actor, Charles Shaughnessy as Georges. Despite and extensive stage and screen career in England before moving to the US in 1983, he is best known for his six years as Maxwell Sheffield on CBS's "The Nanny" and eight years as Shane Donovan on "Days of Our Lives." He also had a memorable arc as St. John Powell on AMC's "Mad Men." LA CAGE AUX FOLLES will also star Jonathan Hammond as Albin. Jonathan's credits include the Broadway production of Ragtime and the First National Tour of Light in the Piazza and regional work around the country. Jonathan is also the recipient of Boston's Elliot Norton and IRNE awards and Outer Critic's Circle Awards.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES will also feature Larry Cahn (M. Dindon), Zach Trimmer (Jean-Michel) Terry Lavell (Jacob), Paula Leggett Chase (Jacqueline), Stephanie Martignetti (Anne), Stacey Todd Holt (Francis), Maureen Brennan (Mme. Dindon), and Al Bundonis (Mssr. Renaud).

The ensemble includes Giovanni Bonaventura (Chantal), Milly Boyce (Bitelle), Stephanie Burkett Gerson (Collette), Shane Hall (Phaedra), Leeds Hill (Hanna),John Jacob Lee (Mercedes), Brett Michael Lockley (Monique), Erika Odegard (Angelique), Lizzy Palmer (Babette), Jacob Paulson (Odette), Ellen Peterson (Mme. Renaud, s/c Jacquelyn), Kevin Santos (Clo-Clo), Joshua Charles Skurnik (Etienne), and Lucas Thompson (Derma).

The creative team for LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is made up of Charles Repole (Director), Michael Lichtefeld (Choreographer),Dale Rieling (Music Director), Bert Scott (Scenic Designer), Marcia Zammarelli (Costume Designer), Martin E. Vreeland (Lighting Designer), Christopher M. Evans (Sound Designer), Gerard Kelly (Wig and Hair Designer), John Godbout (Production Stage Manager),Shawn Pryby (Production Stage Manager), Joe Bowerman (Associate Choreographer), Phill Madore (Assistant Stage Manager), Ben Krauss (Assistant Music Director), and Binder Casting (Casting). LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is produced for North Shore Music Theatre byBill Hanney (Owner/Producer), Arianna Knapp (Artistic Director), and Beth Vasta (Associate Producer).

Tickets for the LA CAGE AUX FLLES are priced from $45 - $75. Performances are September 24 thru October 6, Tue - Thurs at7:30 pm, Fri & Sat at 8 pm, matinees Wed, Sat and Sun at 2 pm. Kids 18 and under save 50% on 'Family Friday'- September 27 at 8 pm. For tickets and information call (978) 232-7200, visit www.nsmt.org, or visit the box office in person at 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly, MA.

Additional Free Audience Enrichment events: Meet the Theatre: post-show audience discussion with the artists on October 1 after the 7:30 pm performance and October 5 after the 2 pm performance; OUT at the North Shore, an evening for the Gay and Lesbian Community with a post-show reception (sponsored in part by Ryan & Wood Inc.) on October 3 after the 7:30 pm performance.

The 2013 musical season continues with Miss Saigon (November 5 - 17), and concludes with the return of New England's brightest holiday tradition A Christmas Carol (December 6 - 22), starring David Coffee, celebrating 20 years as Ebenezer Scrooge.

Since 1955, NSMT has become one of the most attended theatres in New England, with approximately 250,000 patrons annually. With a national and regional reputation for artistic achievement, NSMT has received numerous industry awards including Elliot Norton Awards, IRNE Awards, the Rosetta Le Noire Award from Actors' Equity, and the Moss Hart Award. NSMT produced the World Premiere of Memphis in 2003, the show went on to win four 2010 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Under the new ownership of Bill Hanney in 2010, NSMT continues to annually produce a musical subscription series and an annual production of A Christmas Carol along with celebrity concerts and children's programming.

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