Cabrillo Theatre Salutes Military During 2010 HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR 12/22

Cabrillo Music Theatre proudly announces its fourth consecutive year of providing holiday entertainment to military service families. A star-studded gathering of Cabrillo stars past and present will join stars Shirley Jones and Patrick Cassidy in The CABRILLO 2010 HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR, directed by Cheryl Baxter at the 1,800-seat Fred Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

Along with Jones and Cassidy, cast members include many Cabrillo veterans: Shannon Warne, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS; Cassie Silva, 42ND STREET and Irving Berlin'S: WHITE CHRISTMAS; Dion Mial, SMOKEY JOE'S CAFÉ; Jeffrey Scott Parsons, 42ND STREET and SEVEN BRIDES; Farley Cadena, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN and 42ND STREET; and Derek Klena, CINDERELLA and Happy Days: A NEW MUSICAL. In all, 30 performers will take the stage, along with the 16-piece Cabrillo Music Theatre Orchestra, to bring entertainment to the troops and the public.

Says Carole W. Nussbaum, Cabrillo's President and Chief Executive Officer, "Following two years of entertaining the troops at Naval Base Port Hueneme, Cabrillo welcomed the troops to the Kavli Theatre last year. It was a hit with the troops and monumentally rewarding to Cabrillo. The immense satisfaction of "Being good at doing good" for our heroic service men and women is without equal. Cabrillo is proud to once again open our doors to our Armed Forces, and their families. The CABRILLO 2010 HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR STARRING Shirley Jones AND Patrick Cassidy will provide warm holiday spirit for the troops, while allowing us to celebrate the season together."

While members of the military will be attending all six performances, the 7:00PM performance on Wednesday, December 22nd, is dedicated to "Military Night." A special pre-show presentation will feature a salute to the military, and an address from the Mayor of Thousand Oaks. "Over a thousand members of the U.S. military, will join us at the Kavli Theatre to enjoy a dazzling entertainment of song and dance. With Shirley Jones, Patrick Cassidy, a chorus line of high-kicking dancers, and the very best of Cabrillo's talented family, The SPECTACULAR promises to live up to its name!" remarked Nussbaum.

Directing and choreographing is Cheryl Baxter, who began her choreography career assisting Gene Kelly, and whose work is known nationwide. Dan Redfeld will Musical Direct, and lead the Cabrillo Music Theatre Orchestra. Part dazzling spectacle in the spirit of Radio City and countless television variety shows, and part warm family gathering, and tied up with a ribbon by Shirley Jones, Patrick Cassidy, and a bevy of Cabrillo stars, the 2010 CABRILLO HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR is perfect entertainment for the entire family.

THE CABRILLO 2010 HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR STARRING Shirley Jones & Patrick Cassidy is an added attraction for Cabrillo's 2010-2011 season, which also includes THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES (February 2011), THE PRODUCERS (April 2011), and THE SOUND OF MUSIC (July 2011). Season tickets are still available, and subscribers receive discounts and privileged seating for the 2010 CABRILLO HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR STARRING Shirley Jones & Patrick Cassidy. Single tickets are available for all shows. For ticket and theatre information, or to become a Cabrillo Season Ticket Subscriber, call (805) 449-ARTS (2787).

ABOUT THE TALENT
Shirley Jones (Featured Performer) The Shirley Jones success story could not have been more perfect if it were concocted by a studio press agent. Born in tiny Smithton, Pa. (pop. 877), only daughter of the Jones Family (brewers of popular "Stoney's Beer") the feisty and precocious Shirley Mae was an early community handful, but showed signs of a particularly mellow vocal range, and that was the beginning. Her church, her teachers, and her parents were all savvy enough to see the way and Shirley's local music lessons opened the door to summers at the Pittsburgh Playhouse; and the Shirley Jones Story was underway. Someone suggested that 18-year-old Shirley Mae sign up for the "Miss Pittsburgh" competition. It was not Shirley's #1 passion, but she went along, and took the crown.

It was 1952. Here, we can say, the plot thickens some, because through all this conspicuous show business calling, Shirley Jones alerts the world around her that she has decided to be a veterinarian. And so, with all other bets off, she is enrolled in New Jersey Centenary College and prepares for the journey east...with a one-week vacation stopover in New York (cue trumpets-Providence was back at work). With her week (and her money) spent, she gets a call from a friend who tells her that the Rodgers & Hammerstein show South Pacific, currently on Broadway, will be having open auditions to replace two parting chorus members. And Shirley takes that fateful bus ride downtown to the St. James Theater and the line of umpteen show- biz hopefuls, where the stage has been meticulously set to deliver Smithton's Shirley Mae Jones not to a veterinary college but to the "Time and Place" of her remarkable million-to-one public destiny. Shirley got to the front of the line and sang her song, "The Best Things in Life are Free." "Please wait", the man said - and another line and another trip out front to sing. Finally, almost exhausted, the line whittled down to a handful, a fourth performance, and a voice from the back of the darkened theater -"Thank you Miss Jones, for being here so long. If you don't mind, I'd like to call my partner, Mr. Hammerstein, and ask that he come down and hear you." "Oh, sure," the always gracious Shirley says, "And what is YOUR name?" (Words that Mr. Richard Rodgers will never forget, we daresay). And the rest, as they say...

Mr. Hammerstein arrived and the Shirley Jones whirlwind began. Put under immediate "personal management" contract to the Rodgers & Hammerstein partners (first and last time ever) it was not fully a year later that 19 year old Shirley Mae Jones was screen- testing in Hollywood for the super-coveted role of Laurie in the film version of the long running Broadway play Oklahoma (along with the heavyweight likes of Kathryn Grayson, Debbie Reynolds and Jane Powell). We all KNOW what happened then...and we all probably know what happened after that.

From Carousel, The Music Man, April Love, an Oscar for her role as "Lulu Baines," (the prostitute opposite Burt Lancaster in "Elmer Gantry"), to the harried head of "The Partridge Family;" movie, television and stage roles, a record breaking Broadway run, two recent Emmy nominations, and an ongoing career of SRO Symphony Concerts and speaking engagements world wide; to be sure an incandescent place in the hearts of all America that doesn't ever seem to go away.
And so... we suppose, the only question left in the Glorious Shirley Jones American Icon Story is - Did anybody ever call Centenary College to tell them Shirley isn't coming?

Patrick Cassidy (Featured Performer) is a highly respected actor both on the theatrical stage and on television. Most recently, he starred in "It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman", recreating the role his father, Tony award winner Jack Cassidy, played in 1966. His most recent starring role on television was the ABC Family series "Ruby and the Rockits", a musical sitcom in which he played a 70's rocker turned used car salesman. In addition to Broadway, the West End of London and regional theater, he starred in Las Vegas in two award winning shows-- MGM Grand's "EFX" and at the Rio in "At the Copa" with Sheena Easton. Patrick starred in and directed The Music Man at the Kennedy Center with the National Symphony, conducted by Marvin Hamlisch. The production also played at Pittsburgh's Heinz Hall. Patrick starred in 42nd Street with his mother, Academy Award winner Shirley Jones, which marked the first time a mother and son have ever starred together on Broadway in a musical.

Patrick has chosen to play an extremely eclectic range of roles. He is able to camouflage his good looks and immerse himself into each role. He was given a 6'2" frame, a chiseled face, the standard by which people in this business would denote a leading man, but he loves playing great characters. "I always want to challenge myself as an actor." Since his 1981 Broadway debut as the male ingénue Frederick in The Pirates of Penzance, Patrick has been performing consistently in New York, Los Angeles or on a national tour, with numerous guest-starring roles in television series and in feature films. Patrick appeared on Broadway in Elton John's Aida (as well as the national tour for which he won the 2002 National Broadway Theatre Award for Best Actor in a Touring Musical), Annie Get Your Gun and Leader of the Pack. He originated the role of the Balladeer in Stephen Sondheim's Assassins at Playwrights' Horizons and appeared in Lady in the Dark at City Center's Encores! National tours include two stints, 2000 and 2005, starring as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. For the most recent tour, his wife, Melissa, and his two young sons appeared with him. Regionally, he has been seen in Conrack (Helen Hayes nomination) at Ford's Theatre, Martin Guerre at the Hartford Stage, The End of the Day at Williamstown Theatre Festival. Los Angeles appearances include I Love My Wife with Jason Alexander, Threepenny Opera for Reprise! (Garland Award for Best Actor in a Musical), Company with Carol Burnett and Love Letters. Other theatre credits include The Robber Bridegroom, Little Shop of Horrors and Camelot.

His films include "Longtime Companion", "I'll Do Anything", "I Won't Dance" and "Burning Love". He starred in the TV miniseries "Dress Grey" (Emmy nomination) and "Napoleon & Josephine", TV movies-of-the-week "Oklahoma City," "Something in Common," "Christmas Eve," "How the West Was Fun" and "Follow Your Heart." He was a series regular on NBC's "Bay City Blues," CBS's "Dirty Dancing," HBO's "Perversions of Science" and the WB's "Smallville". He has guest starred on "Law & Order SVU", "Crossing Jordan", "Without a Trace", "According to Jim", "CSI Miami" and "ER".

Patrick has created and written an autobiographical one man musical, "Just Act Normal", about what it was like growing up in a family in which every single person around the dinner table was in show business. He reflects on his stellar family, life and experiences -- with great stories, insights, love, laughter and, of course, music.

CHERYL BAXTER (Director) has been in the entertainment business for over 30 years working in theater, commercials, film and television. She started her career as an assistant choreographer to Gene Kelly and Kenny Ortega in Coppola's film, One From the Heart and went on to work with Meryl Streep in Death Becomes Her, and Jason Alexander in Down and Out in Chicago. She has worked on over 20 films including Xanadu, Tap, Pennies From Heaven and 500 Days of Summer, and has danced beside such legends as Gregory Hines, Sammy Davis Jr. The Nicholas Brothers and Donald O'Connor. Television credits include Glee, General Hospital, the Academy and Golden Globe Awards, How I Met Your Mother and Community to name a few. Cheryl has performed in the Los Angeles and First National companies of Cats and 42nd Street and was in the Broadway telecast of Sophisticated Ladies. She has directed and choreographed Theater Productions nationally and internationally, and has directed numerous shows for Disney, Universal Studios, The Lawrence Welk Annual Christmas, and Sesame Street Live. Cheryl was also honored to be a part of the casting team for Michael Jackson's This Is It tour.

ABOUT THE SCHEDULE AND TICKETS
The CABRILLO 2010 HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR STARRING Shirley Jones & Patrick Cassidy will open on Tuesday, December 21st and conclude on Christmas Eve, December 24th. Performances are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:00PM, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 1:00PM. Cabrillo's Military Night will take place on Wednesday, December 22nd at 7:00PM.

Tickets for all performances 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 (800) 745-3000. For groups of 10 or more, please call Group Sales, Cabrillo Music Theatre at (805) 497-8613. Ticket prices range from $30-$76. Discounts and privilege seating available for Cabrillo Music Theatre Season Ticket holders. For ticket and theatre information, or to become a Cabrillo Season Ticket Subscriber, call (805) 449-ARTS (2787).

Cabrillo Music Theatre is the Ovation Award-winning Resident Musical Theatre Production Company of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, and a non-profit theatre organization. For over three decades, Cabrillo has been enriching the cultural life of Ventura and Los Angeles Counties and the surrounding areas by providing an extraordinary performing arts experience through live, Broadway-quality productions of musical theatre. It is Cabrillo's mission to provide the highest quality musical experience, to foster educational opportunities, and to promote cultural and artistic enrichment to enhance the quality of life in Southern California. To this end, Cabrillo Music Theatre has established the ADOPT-A-SCHOOL, ADOPT-A-SENIOR, REACHOUT, and PET (Project Entertainment Troops) OUTREACH programs. Since the inceptions of these programs in 2005, nearly 30,000 underserved children, in-need seniors, and active military have enjoyed Cabrillo Music Theatre's productions at no charge.

With the ADOPT-A-SCHOOL, ADOPT-A-SENIOR, and PET programs, Cabrillo makes live theatre accessible to children, seniors, and active military members who otherwise may never have the opportunity to experience a live musical theatre performance. Cabrillo's ANIMAL RESCUE PROGRAM, instituted during our 2009 production of CATS, raises funds and awareness for homeless and abused dogs and cats. For more information about Cabrillo Music Theatre's OUTREACH programs, contact Carole W. Nussbaum, President/Chief Executive Officer at (805) 497-8613, or at info@cabrillomusictheatre.com.

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