TV: Upright's West Side Stories: 'Princess and the Black Eyed Pea'

BroadwayWorld.com, the premiere theatre site on the internet, is proud to continue its newest offering in the streaming video space. 'UPRIGHT'S WEST SIDE STORIES' chronicles the adventures of Upright Cabaret producer/hosts Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel as they travel the left coast in search of great theatre... and a few cocktails.

Featuring talent from the Great White Way to the sandy beaches of LA, 'Upright's West Side Stories' takes you up close and personal with some of your favorite entertainers in show business.

This webisode finds Chris and Shane in beautiful San Diego interviewing the incredibly talented cast for the world premiere of PRINCESS AND THE BLACK EYED PEA which is currently performing through December 21, 2008 at the Lyceum Theatre.

SAN DIEGO REPERTORY THEATRE is proud to present, by special arrangement with producer CHRIS BENSINGER, the world premiere of THE PRINCESS AND THE BLACK-EYED PEA, a soulful musical comedy inspired by Hans Christians Andersen's cherished fairy tale.

Set in the heart of two exotic African kingdoms, this heartwarming musical about a young princess and her search for true love combines gospel, funky rhythm and blues, tropical African world beat and soaring pop ballads. Winner of the Richard Rodgers Award for Most Promising New Musical, THE PRINCESS AND THE BLACK-EYED PEA, was originally conceived by Karole Foreman and written by Kirsten Childs. A delight for all ages, it features music and lyrics by ANDREW CHUKERMAN and Karole Foreman.

A plucky princess. A scientifically minded prince. Bossy parents, jealous cousins, wacky bridal contestants and a dastardly heir. These and other lively characters inhabit the colorful African kingdoms of Kheba and Torel in a delightful remake of the classic fairy tale, "The Princess And The Pea." Beautiful young Princess Quelie of Kheba is determined to define her own sense of "Princesshood", and sneaks away from her domineering father King Nat to enter a forbidden dance competition in the kingdom of Torel. Meanwhile, much to the dismay of his overbearing mother Queen Zauba, science-obsessed Prince Gallant of Torel would rather solve the mystery of an unnatural, gloomy light hovering above his kingdom than concern himself with the wedding test that will determine his future bride. When Quelie literally bumps into Gallant upon arriving in Torel, it's love at first sight for the two young people. But can their love survive jealousy, misunderstanding, sabotage, control-freak parents and a sacred and legendary Black-Eyed Pea test? THE PRINCESS AND THE BLACK-EYED PEA answers those questions, and more, with wit, style, and an exhilarating score that's not to be missed. Combining smooth R&B, powerful gospel ballads and African world beat, this world premiere production invites musical theater lovers of all ages to sing, dance and party it up - Princess style!

Winner of a 2008 Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award, THE PRINCESS AND THE BLACK-EYED PEA directed by Stafford Arima features a cast of 15 performers and a live band. THE PRINCESS AND THE BLACK-EYED PEA is the largest production San Diego REPertory Theatre has ever presented at the Lyceum Theatre. The cast for this incredible musical includes Tony Award® winning Broadway star Lillias White (The Life, Romance in Hard Times, Dreamgirls, Rock n' Roll: The First 5,000 Years and Carrie) as Queen Zauba; American Idol finalist Sabrina Sloan (Hairspray on Broadway, Gulls and the upcoming San Diego Musical Theatre production of Dreamgirls) as Princess Quelie; Josh Tower (Simba in The Lion King, Once On This Island and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) as Prince Gallant, Ken Prymus JR. (CATS, Ain't Misbehavin', The Wiz, Uncle Jed's Barbershop and Bat Boy) as King Kemo, Platinum-selling gospel sensation TONEX as Rolin AND Jennifer Leigh Warren (Big River, Little Shop of Horrors, Marie Christine, Hello Again and Starr Struck) as Hena. The production also features talented performers from Los Angeles and Broadway including Angela Teek, PERRY L. BROWN, Harrison White, SYLVIA MAC CALLA, Randy Aaron AND ANGELA WILDFLOWER POLK. THE PRINCESS AND THE BLACK-EYED PEA will also feature local performers Warren G. Nolan JR., LOREN LOTT, KALIF and BROOKE ASTON. With a charming sense of fun and play, this musical comedy features choreography by Todd L. Underwood and musical direction by Jim Vukovich.

Ticket prices: single tickets $25 - $53; active military and senior discounts available. Student tickets are $18. Tickets can be purchased at the REP's box office, 79 Horton Plaza in San Diego, by calling (619) 544-1000 or online at www.sandiegorep.com. Single tickets will be on sale in mid-July. The box office is open Tuesday thru Sunday from 12pm - 6pm on non-performance days and 12pm - curtain on performance days. Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets at a discounted rate. For more information, please see our website at www.sandiegorep.com.

Video edited by Don Swaynos for Upright Cabaret. More info at www.uprightcabaret.com

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