Pantochino Announces 2018/19 Season Of New Musicals In Milford

Award-winning Pantochino Productions Inc., Milford's professional not-for-profit theatre for family audiences, has announced its 2018-19 season. Shows include the world stage premiere of a popular Netflix animated series, a new musical inspired by a true story, a festival of original family musicals and the return of the company's most popular production. The company will continue its partnership with the Milford Arts Council with all performances at the Center for the Arts in Downtown Milford.

Producers Bert Bernardi and Jimmy Johansmeyer will bring the popular Netflix animated series "Beat Bugs" to the stage with the world premiere of "Beat Bugs: A Musical Adventure" in October. Created by Josh Wakely, the new musical is written by Sean Cercone and David Abbinanti. The show follows five pals, Walter, Buzz, Jay, Crick and Kumi, as they go on a mission to save Strawberry Fields. Inspired by the music made famous by The Beatles, songs include "All You Need Is Love," "Come Together," "We Can Work It Out" and many more. Produced with special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, the show is sponsored by The Milford Bank and will play October 12 - 28.

"We're thrilled to be the first theatre to present this exciting family musical," said Johansmeyer. "Seeing these beloved animated characters live on stage will be a thrill, and hearing them sing the songbook of the Beatles is the bonus. We're so honored," he added.

Pantochino's acclaimed musical, "GLITZ! The Little Miss Christmas Pageant Musical" will return for the holiday season, November 30 - December 22. Having played in theaters around the country, the show offers a glimpse behind-the-scenes at small-scale child beauty pageants. While following ten talented girls and their outrageous mothers as they vie for the title and crown, it's the spirit of Christmas that truly wins. The story is written by Bernardi with music by long-time collaborator Justin Rugg and is licensed internationally by Stage Rights. The production is sponsored by Berchem Moses PC.

In February, Pantochino Teen Theatre returns with "Bubble Boy." The musical features book by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio with music by Paul. Based on the film, the contemporary pop musical follows Jimmy Livingston, a boy born without immunities who spends his life confined inside a plastic bubble room. When the girl next door steals his heart, he fashions a homemade bubble suit and travels across the country to find her and profess his emotions. The acclaimed Teen Theatre program is for young actors ages 12 to 18. Performances are February 23 and 24.

New this year, Pantochino will host the POW (Pantochino Original Works) Family Festival. The three-day festival, March 22-24, will include winning entries by early career playwrights, composers and lyricists and feature three new musicals written especially for young audiences and their families. The company is currently accepting original musical submissions and will select the best of the best to present to local audiences.

"It's our mission and our passion to create new musical theatre," said Bernardi. "We're hoping to give emerging artists the opportunity to have their voices heard and to see and hear their work onstage in front of an audience."

A ten million dollar winning lottery ticket is the on the menu in Pantochino's vibrant new musical "The Waffle House Five." Inspired by a true story, five waffle workers agree to 'split it if they hit it,' but when the winning numbers come up, one waitress serves up anything but the truth. Written by Bernardi & Rugg, the show promises a big southern-style helping of laughter and surprises. It plays April 26 - May 19.

Pantochino's partnership with the Milford Arts Council will co-produce another installment of their sold out Nite Spot Nights series, bringing the best of Manhattan's cabaret scene to Connecticut. The roster of guest artists this year are Svetlana & the Delancey Five, Marcus Goldhaber, the Paige Turner Christmas Special, Broadway's Debbie Gravitte, Award-winning playwright and actor Charles Busch in his hit cabaret "My Kinda 60's" and the up-and-coming Sammy Rae & Friends.

Pantochino Productions Inc. is a professional, not-for-profit theatre company for family audiences based in Milford. Its mission is to entertain, engage and enrich family audiences with an affordable array of new musical theatre entertainment. Founded in 2010, the company has been honored with several awards including Broadway World Connecticut's Best Professional Theatre Award, Best Musical Award and Best Family Musical, among others. The company also received the Cultural Contribution Award of Distinction 2017 from the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce. In addition to its original musicals, the company also produces an acclaimed Teen Theatre, a popular After School Drama Club series, and with the Milford Arts Council presents Summer Theatre Camps and Nite Spot Nights series.

This season, all performances will feature cafe seating with audiences sat at tables and invited to bring their own food and drink to enjoy during the performance. The intimate Center for the Arts in Downtown Milford offers excellent acoustics, a snack bar located in the recently renovated 'Speakeasy' and free parking in the train station lots during performance times. More details on all of Pantochino's productions can be found online at www.pantochino.com

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