TheatreZone's 10th Anniversary Concert to Feature Andrea McArdle, Larry Alexander & More

TheatreZone is returning to its roots to celebrate their 10th anniversary with four live concerts featuring a cast of 13 fan favorite performers from the non profit theatre group's past decade of musicals.

The 10th Anniversary Concert cast members feature TheatreZone co-founder Karen Molnar along with Broadway, television and film stars Larry Alexander, Karen (Grey) Cipriani, Dana Cohen, Kellie Cullinan, Charles Fornara, Dawn Labrecht, Wayne Morton, Laura Needle, Carolann Sanita, Daniel Schwab and Gerrit Vandermeer. The concert will conclude with Broadway singer Andrea McArdle's rendition of the iconic song "Tomorrow" from Annie - the Musical.

Founding Artistic Director Mark Danni is also returning to his musical roots by conducting a 10-piece orchestra. A professional percussionist, Danni began his theatre career as a conductor, most notably 719 live performances of the national tour of Les Miserables.

Anniversary Concerts are scheduled for Friday, February 20 at 8 pm, Saturday, February 21 at 8 pm and Sunday, February 22 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm. Tickets cost $100 each and VIP center aisle tickets cost $125 each. All ticket prices include a wine and cheese reception to celebrate with the cast immediately following the concert in the G&L Theatre annex Lakeside.

Karen (Grey) Cipriani, who was the lead singer of the 1960's golden girl group The Secrets and their the chart topping hit "The Boy Next Door, " that went to No. 18 nationally on Billboard's charts, wowed audiences in TheatreZone's Leader of the Pack in 2008. Now, seven years later, 48 years of marriage, mother of three, and six grandchildren, she's back! Ms. Cipriani toured with such rock and roll greats such as The Supremes, Bobby Rydell, Lou Christie, Dionne Warwick, Leslie Gore, and was in the lead act for The Dave ClarkFive. The Secrets were honored at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio in August, 2002 with a concert of several girl groups. They were featured in an exhibit entitled, "Hang on Sloppy," showcasing Karen's red fringed concert dress. She appeared on Dick Clark's TV Show American Bandstand in January 1964, in Philadelphia, PA. 'The Boy Next Door' can be found on several CDs including, 'Early Girls', 'Prom Night: The 60s," "Growin' Up Too Fast' and 'Rock 'n Roll Relix.'

Wayne Morton, well known for his television career (Mash, Happy Days, WKRP In Cincinnati, Mork and Mindy), joined TheatreZone in High Society (Uncle Willy), No, No, Nanette (Jimmy) and 110 in the Shade (HC).

Larry Alexander is a Broadway veteran has performed in 14 TheatreZone productions with unforgettable roles as Pirelli in Sweeney Todd, Dan in Next To Normal, Robert in Company, Guido in Nine, The Narrator in Blood Brothers, Anatoly in Chess, and The Baron in Grand Hotel.

Andrea McArdle starred as Eva Peron in TheatreZone's 2008 production of Evita. She returned to Naples in 2009 for an intimate Broadway and classic pop tunes You Don't Know Me concert at the G&L Theatre. She was the lead Mrs. Johnstone in the musical drama Blood Brothers in 2012.

Carolann M. Sanita was last seen as 1920's movie star Mabel Normand in Mack & Mabel. Before that, she mesmerized as Tracy Lord in High Society and appeared in Godspell, co-produced by TheatreZone/FGCU. She made her TheatreZone debut as Tintinabula in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum with Eddie Mekka.

Karen Molnar has performed in many TheatreZone productions including Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett), Next to Normal (Diana), High Society (Liz), High Spirits (Elvira, with Georgia Engel), Stepping Out (Maxine, with Donna McKechnie), Nine (Luisa), Chess (Svetlana, with Michael Amante), Jekyll & Hyde (Emma), Baby (Pam), Mack & Mabel (Lottie, with Gary Sandy), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), Bye Bye Birdie (Rosie), Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney), West Side Story (Anita), A Chorus Line (Kristine), Spelling Bee (Rona), Company (Joanne), No, No, Nannette (Lucille), Leader of the Pack(Doo Wop Girl), Copacabana (Copa Girl), and I Love My Wife (Monica).

Gerritt VanderMeer recently appeared Mack & Mabel as William Desmond Taylor before that as John/Judas in the TheatreZone/FGCU co-production of Godspell. Other TheatreZone roles include: Whistle Down the Wind (The Man), High Society (CK Dexter Haven), Chess (Walter Anderson), Grand Hotel (Rhona) and Next to Normal (Dr. Madden.) He is a member of the theatre faculty at Florida Gulf Coast University

Charles Fornara, the lead in Sweeney Todd, has been seen on TheatreZone's G&L stage as George in High Society, Percy in The Boy Friend, David in Company and Mr. Fraser in Stepping Out. He has also music directed many shows for TheatreZone including Mack & Mabel, Forever Plaid, Whistle Down the Wind, Grand Hotel, ...Forum with Eddie Mekka, Little Women, starring Donna McKechnie, Hair and The Who's Tommy, among others.

Laura Needle has performed in TheatreZone's productions of Chess, High Society and Whistle Down the Wind. She also appeared as Amy in Company and Logainne Shwartzandgrubenierre in The 25th annual...Spelling Bee.

Daniel Schwab has acted in TheatreZone's productions of Little Womenalongside Donna McKechnie (John Brooke), 110 in the Shade with Kassie and Jim DePaiva (Jimmy), TheatreZone/FGCU co-production of Godspell, and Grand Hotel (Erik).

Dawn Lebrecht was recently seen as the Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd. She has played Lucy in Jekyll & Hyde, Lynn in Stepping Out starring Donna McKechnie, Madame PeePee in Grand Hotel, Gymnasia in ...Forum, and Kathy in Company. She also appeared in Whistle Down the Wind, 110 in the Shade, Hair, Nine, Copacabana, and Leader of the Pack.

Dana Cohen is has been performing with TheatreZone since its first show in 2006. She has been in TheatreZone's productions of Mack & Mabel, They're Playing Our Song, Baby, Nine (Carla), Chess, Evita, and Copacabana. Dana is also a first grade teacher in Collier County, a fitness coach, dance teacher, and reading and writing tutor.

Kellie Cullinan, a soprano crossover, is most well known for her "million dollar high notes." She recently sung the role of Johanna in TheatreZone's production of Sweeney Todd.

TheatreZone's 10th anniversary season continues with Brooklyn - The Musical (March 5 - 15) and They're Playing Our Song (April 30 - May 10).

For more information or to purchase tickets, call TheaterZone at 1-888-ZONE-FLA, 1-888-966-3352 or purchase online at www.theatrezone-florida.com. The on site Box Office will be open Wednesdays from 10 am until 12 noon until June 2015.

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