Cabaret at The Merc to Launch New Summer Series Featuring NEXT TO NORMAL & More

Cabaret at The Merc presents their first Summer Series of fully staged shows in a unique non-traditional environment! In May 2012, Lyricist Jordan Beck and Director J. Scott Lapp teamed up with Temecula Presents to bring Cabaret at The Merc, an exciting new Broadway Cabaret to beautiful Old Town Temecula. From Billy Joel & Elton John, to Contemporary Broadway to nights of Disney, Queen & Motown, Cabaret at The Merc has quickly become the go-to spot to see the hottest theatrical talent in Southern California and beyond. Having had such incredible success with their monthly cabarets, they believe it's time to move into Phase 2, which is to launch an annual Summer Series of fully produced musicals in their uniquely intimate space.

The 1st Annual Summer Series kicks off with the Pulitzer Prize winning Next to Normal July 11-14. With book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, Next to Normal explores how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness. Next to Normal tells the story of a mother, Diane Goodman, who struggles with bipolar disorder and the effect that her illness has on her family. This contemporary musical is an emotional powerhouse that addresses such issues as grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life. With provocative lyrics and a thrilling score, this musical shows how far two parents will go to keep themselves sane and their family's world intact. The show will be Directed by Susan Jordan DeLeon and Steve Schmid.

In August, the Tony Award winning Spring Awakening will take the stage like you've never seen before. Winner of 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Spring Awakening is a rock musical adaptation of Frank Wedekind's 1891 expressionist play about the trials and tribulations, and the exhilaration of the teen years. Spring Awakening explores the confusion and desperation that ensue when the onrushing tide of hormones meets the ignorance of children. Spring Awakening celebrates the unforgettable journey from youth to adulthood with a power, poignancy, and passion that you will never forget. The show will be directed by J. Scott Lapp with choreography by Evan D'Angeles.

And finally in September, they will premiere The Untitled John Mayer Project, a brand new theatrical experience featuring the songs of Grammy Award winning songwriter John Mayer. Save September 12-15 for an exciting first look as they workshop this new musical for the first time! The show is written by Jordan Beck with new arrangements by Leonard Patton and directed by J. Scott Lapp.

Cabaret at The Merc's first annual Summer Series will be presented at The intimate Merc space at The Old Town Temecula Community Theatre in Temecula, California. Tickets are $30.00 and can be purchased by visiting www.CabaretAtTheMerc.com or www.TemeculaTheater.org or by calling the Old Town Community Theater Box Office at 1-866-653-8696.