42nd Street Comes to Cabrillo Music Theatre March 27 - April 5

Cabrillo Music Theatre continues its 2008-2009 season with the grandest and most spectacular musical of all, 42ND STREET. Directed and Choreographed by original Broadway cast member and Dance Captain, Jon Engstrom, 42ND STREET features a cast of 40, a full professional orchestra, and some of the greatest songs and dances ever to hit the great white way. Joining Engstrom on the creative staff is Musical Director Steven Applegate, a recent Ovation Award nominee for his work on Cabrillo's JEKYLL & HYDE. The production will be supervised by Artistic Director Lewis Wilkenfeld. 42ND STREET will open on Friday, March 27th, 2009 and run through Sunday, April 5th, for Cabrillo Music Theatre in the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

Set in Depression-era New York, 42ND STREET spins the classic showbiz tale of a young hopeful hoping to join the cast of her first Broadway show. When fading star Dorothy Brock breaks her leg onstage, director Julian Marsh plucks young Peggy Sawyer out of the ensemble and makes her a star. The score, by Harry Warren and Al Dubin, features such musical classics as "Lullabye of Broadway," "We're In the Money," "Shuffle Off to Buffalo," and the title tune.

With a book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, 42ND STREET showcases the original Tony-winning choreography of Gower Champion in a brand-new production. "From the first tap, everyone will know those dancing feet have been directed and choreographed by "Mr. 42nd Street," himself, Jon Engstrom," says Carole W. Nussbaum, Cabrillo Music Theatre's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Jon, formerly the Dance Captain from the original Broadway production, brings all the glamour, glitz and Broadway sparkle to the stage. With 32 tappers, dressed in the original Broadway costumes, it's the real deal," exclaims Nussbaum.

Cabrillo Music Theatre's production stars Southern California theatre veterans Michael G. Hawkins and Tracy Lore as Julian Marsh and Dorothy Brock. Returning to Cabrillo Music Theatre is SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS' Cassie Silva as Peggy Sawyer. Cassie recently enjoyed a "Peggy Sawyer" experience of her own, as one of the finalists on the MTV series, "Legally Blonde; The Search for Elle Woods," which focused on casting the next star of that Broadway production. Silva will take the stage with 31 other tappers in some of the most amazing dance showstoppers ever featured on a musical theatre stage. 42nd STREET is family-friendly entertainment, perfect for all ages.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM

Jon Engstrom (Director/Choreographer) has a long association with Gower Champion's 42nd Street. He was a featured dancer and Dance Captain of the original Broadway production. His career as a director/choreographer started with the restaging of this Tony Award winning show. Since then Jon has worked throughout the United States, Europe & Asia. Other productions that Jon has directed & choreographed for major venues include: The King and I, White Christmas, Stephen Sondheim's Saturday Night (Los Angeles premiere), Bye Bye Birdie, The Desert Song, My One and Only, Annie Get Your Gun, They're Playing Our Song, Damn Yankees, West Side Story, Evita, Fiddler on the Roof, Singin' in the Rain, Meet Me in St. Louis, Mame, Guys and Dolls, The Will Rogers Follies, Hello Dolly, My Fair Lady, No, No, Nanette, Into the Woods, Anything Goes, Oliver, Oklahoma, Sweet Charity, Can-Can and Brigadoon. Jon was guest director/choreographer for Pepperdine University's prestigious fall musical for five years in a row. Jon has also been guest director/choreographer and teacher for a number of other educational institutions. He is currently on staff at the American Musical & Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles. Jon's career started with a Ford Foundation Scholarship. He went on to become a soloist with San Francisco Ballet. He was an original member of Eliot Feld's company and also guest artist with the Lar Lubovitch Company before moving on to "The Great White Way" where he was a featured dancer in five Broadway musicals: No, No, Nanette, The Pajama Game, Very Good Eddie, Whoopie! & finally 42nd Street.

During that time he was also featured in two National Tours: Chicago with Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera and Jerry Orbach & Seesaw with Lucie Arnaz & John Gavin. Jon has been fortunate to work with such notable director/choreographers as: Gower Champion, Bob Fosse, Michael Bennett, Donald Saddler, Donald McKayle, Alan Johnson & Danny Daniels. Jon is a proud member of The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.

STEVEN APPLEGATE (Musical Director/Conductor) is excited to be back with CMT for the third time, following Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and his Ovation Award-nominated work on Jekyll & Hyde. Steven is an award-winning Musical Director, and his theatrical experiences have included: Godspell (1st national tour), The Rocky Horror Show (San Francisco production), Cabaret, Showboat, Jacques Brel, Secret Garden, Camelot, Meet Me In St. Louis, Candide (Colony Theatre), Rags, Joseph..., Can Can, Roberta, No No Nanette, Beauty and the Beast, Forever Plaid, Guys and Dolls (with Maureen McGovern and Jack Jones). Steven has been the guest conductor with the Dallas Symphony and the Denver Symphony, and has worked with such notables as: John Raitt, Sandy Duncan, Shirley Jones, Maureen McGovern, Cybil Shepherd, Jack Jones, Lorna Luft, Sally Struthers, Ken Page, and Susan Watson. In his spare time, Steven is a very sought-after record producer and arranger/orchestrator, and is also Director of Music for the Valencia United Methodist Church.

ABOUT THE CAST

Michael G. Hawkins (Julian Marsh) has most recently appeared as Captain Hook in the National tour of Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby, as Mervyn Kant in The Sisters Rosensweig for TheatreWorks in San Francisco, and as George Dillingham in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Aspects Of Love at the Alex Theatre in Los Angeles. He has appeared as Georges in the critically acclaimed Los Angeles production of La Cage Aux Folles, as Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd at the Music Circus in Sacramento and as Billy Flynn in Chicago in Las Vegas. He spent a summer portraying Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls at Harrah's in Atlantic City and was proud to originate the role of Adam in the world premier of Dale Wasserman's new musical Western Star. Michael also had the joy of touring as Julian Marsh in the European Company of 42nd Street. His other theatrical credits include Franklin Shepard in the west coast premiere of Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along, Michael in I Do! I Do! for the Music Theatre of Southern California, the Back Alley production of Jacques Brel Is..., and Roberto in Irma La Douce at the Music Center in Los Angeles. Michael has received Drama-Logue Awards for his performances of Alan in Baby, Bill Sykes in Oliver, Nick in Funny Girl, Sky in Guys and Dolls, Cliff in Cabaret, and Georges in La Cage Aux Folles. His television credits include guest appearances on "Eli Stone," "Frasier," "Charley Lawrence," "Murder She Wrote," "Wings," "Colombo Movie of the Week," "Cheers," "Newhart," "The Young & The Restless," and the Hallmark Hall Of Fame presentation of "A Place For Annie." Michael is a founding member of the Musical Theatre Guild in Southern California.

Tracy Lore (Dorothy Brock) was last seen here with Cabrillo Music Theatre's production of The Will Rogers' Follies as Betty Blake. Her credits include The Producers - Hold Me, Touch Me, All Shook Up - Miss Sandra - Ovation nominee, The Full Monty - Vicki, Me and My Girl - Lady Jacqueline, The Will Rogers' Follies - Betty Rogers, Into the Woods - The Witch (all for Musical Theatre West); Guys and Dolls - Miss Adelaide, Me and My Girl - Lady Jacqueline (for Moonlight Amphitheatre); Thoroughly Modern Millie - Mrs. Meers (Norris Theatre); Cinderella - The Queen, The Will Rogers' Follies - Betty Rogers, Crazy for You - Irene, Cabaret - Sally (for CLO of South Bay Cities); A Little Night Music - Mrs. Segstrom (South Coast Repertory); Mrs. Darling - Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby (New York/National Tour); The Wizard of Oz - Wicked Witch (San Diego Starlight); CHICAGO - Velma - "ariZoni award" (Phoenix Theatre). Other favorites are Blood Brothers - Mrs. Lyons, Company - Joanne, Brigadoon - Meg, Gypsy - Tessie, A Chorus Line - Cassie & Sheila, Working - Waitress, the Southern California Premiere of GUN-SHY and West Coast Premiere of GUNMETAL BLUES (Original Cast Recording), both for Laguna Playhouse. Member of Actor's Equity and Musical Theatre Guild.

CASSIE SILVA (Peggy Sawyer) is humbled and excited to be working with Cabrillo again after her debut last season as Ruth in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. She has been training since the age of 2 and can most recently be seen on TV in projects such as the critically acclaimed Showtime series "Dexter," "Valentine," and MTV's "Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods." She can also be seen in the feature films, "Walk Hard," and as Brenda in "Hairspray." She would love to give big hugs to all who have come to support especially and as always, "wishes everyone a million grilled cheese sandwiches."

ABOUT THE PRICING AND SCHEDULE

42ND STREET will open on Friday, March 27, 2009 and run through Sunday, April 5th. Performances are Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8:00pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00pm. A special mid-week performance has been added on Wednesday, April 1st, at 11:00AM. A post-show discussion with cast, staff and audience will follow the Saturday, March 28th, 2:00pm performance. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Box Office located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks or through any Ticketmaster location or by phone (805) 583-8700. For groups of 12 or more, please call Group Sales, Cabrillo Music Theatre at (805) 497-8615. Ticket prices range from $38 - $74. For ticket and theatre information, call (805) 449-ARTS (2787).

CABRILLO MUSIC THEATRE is located at the Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

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