FANCY NANCY, THE MUSICAL Returns for a Special Encore at Chance Theater

Chance Theater, Anaheim's official resident theater company, is delighted to present an encore presentation of Fancy Nancy, The Musical as part of its third season of Theater for Young Audiences. Book and lyrics by Susan DiLallo, music by Danny Abosch and directed by Angeline Mirenda based on original staging by Kelly Todd, Fancy Nancy, the Musical will preview from May 5 through May 13; regular performances will begin May 13 and continue through May 28 on the Cripe Stage at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center.

Based on the popular Fancy Nancy book series by Jane O'Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, this delightful new show follows Fancy Nancy and her friends Bree, Rhonda, Wanda, and Lionel as they prepare to perform in their very first show -- "Deep Sea Dances." Nancy is positive (that's fancy for "100 percent sure"), that she and Bree will be picked to be mermaids. When another girl wins the coveted role, Nancy is stuck playing a dreary, dull tree. Can Nancy bring fancy flair to her role, even though it isn't the one she wanted?

The Fancy Nancy book series has been a star in the children's literature world since its first book in 2005. That book, titled simply Fancy Nancy, spent nearly 100 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller List and launched a series of more than 70 other adventures about the plucky young heroine who likes to be fancy in all aspects of her life. Overall, the books in the Fancy Nancy series have spent 330 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller List, been translated into over 20 languages, and sold over 29 million copies.

In 2012, the Vital Theatre Company produced Fancy Nancy, The Musical Off-Broadway. The show is based on Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet, featuring original songs by Susan DiLallo and Danny Abosch, who also co-wrote the script.

Following sold-out runs over the last two years, Chance Theater is excited to bring Nancy and her friends back to the Cripe Stage for more tea parties, dance recitals and life lessons. A delight for the whole family, as children of all ages learn to deal with both joy and disappointment along with Nancy.

MEET THE TEAM

Susan DiLallo (Book & Lyrics) is a recipient of the covetEd Kleban Foundation Award, given annually to "the most promising librettist in musical theater," as well as a 2008 Jonathan Larson Award. She wrote book and lyrics to an original comedy, Once Upon a Time in New Jersey, which won a Richard Rodgers Award, given by the American Academy of Arts & Letters (Stephen Sondheim, Chairman), as well as The Global Search for New Musicals Competition, Cardiff 2005. It has had several regional and international productions. Other credits include: book and lyrics for the Mattel/Clear Channel production of Barbie Live! In Fairytopia (based on the best-selling DVD); lyrics for That's Life (Outer Critics Circle nominee); book and lyrics for Pinocchio, a Family Musical About Adoption (winner, KIDDSTUFF New Play Competition, 2003); and the librettos for Hear Our Song (Harmony Entertainment Group) and Iron Curtain (2006 NYC Innovative Theater Award, Best Production of a Musical), which was selected to be part of the 2008 O'Neill Music Theater Conference. She is currently working on the libretto for the Broadway-bound A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Susan has taught classes in creative writing (for children) and presentation techniques (for adults). She has worked as a dramaturg and editor for several playwrights and authors, was a humor columnist for The Rye (New York) Record, and has won various Clios, Effies and Andys for her work in advertising.

Danny Abosch (Music & Lyrics) is a composer/lyricist whose musicals include Fancy Nancy, The Musical (Off-Broadway 2012-2014, National Tour 2013-2015, Cast Recording available on Ghostlight Records), Placebo (winner of the 2012 PMTP Development Award, fully produced workshop at the Pasadena Playhouse directed by Ryan Scott Oliver, additional workshops at the University of Michigan, Oklahoma City University, Emerson College, and Pace University), Off The Wall (First Prize winner of NMI's 2014 Search for New Musicals, upcoming workshop and concert in Los Angeles), and Miles & Me (2014 workshop at the Musical Theatre Factory in NYC). Originally from Deerfield, IL, Danny is a graduate of the University of Michigan (B.M. in Music Education), and of NYU's M.F.A. Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program. Danny studied musical theatre writing as one of twelve participants in the Johnny Mercer Songwriter's Project at Northwestern University, where he worked closely with Broadway composers Lin-Manuel Miranda and Craig Carnelia. Three of Danny's songs have been chosen by William Finn for his concert series "Songs By Ridiculously Talented Composers and Lyricists You Probably Don't Know, But Should". Danny's music has been featured on the TV shows "Dance Moms" and "Last Call With Carson Daly" as well as in the films "Waiting in the Wings" and "Missed Connections". His songs have been performed in many concert venues, including Joe's Pub and 54 Below. Danny lives in New York City and is currently working on two new musicals. www.dannyabosch.com

Angeline Mirenda (Director) attendEd Chapman University to major in Theatre with an emphasis in acting, though she also continued to study dance, voice and English throughout her college education. She has been a part of a multitude of award-winning theatrical productions in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas, most recently: Dogfight (Robbie Award nominee - Best Musical), In The Heights (Ovation Recommended), Loch Ness: A New Musical (OC Weekly's "Best Musical Production of 2015") and DOMA Theatre Company's American Idiot and American Idiot: Reloaded (Scenie Award Winner, endorsed and promoted by Green Day officially). She has also appeared in several acclaimed short films, including: The Mountain (IFS FIlm Festival and Burbank International Film Festival participant; nominee for "Best Horror Short"), and Abduct Me! (participant in the DC Shorts Film Festival). Choreography credits: Dogfight, Wild Party, #CollegetheMusical, Cabaret, Grease, 42nd Street, Little Mermaid Jr. Dance Captain credits: American Idiot: Reloaded, Urinetown, Godspell.

The rest of the production team for Fancy Nancy, The Musical includes resident artist Robyn Manion as musical director (In The Heights), scenic designer Megan Hill (The Stinky Cheese Man), lighting designer Jon Hyrkas (Fancy Nancy, The Musical), costume designer Christina Perez (Dogfight), sound designer Joshue Cardenas (Fancy Nancy, The Musical) and stage manager Lindsay Marsh (Fancy Nancy, The Musical).

The performers for Fancy Nancy, The Musical include returning cast members Jillian Batt (Alice in Wonderland), Amy Bolton (Anne of Green Gables), Monika Pena (Claudio Quest), Megan Maxwell (Fancy Nancy, The Musical), and Andrew Puente (Dogfight). Alexa Crismon makes her Chance debut in the role of Bree for this production.

The Executive Producer for this production is Robert Berman. Bette & Wylie Aitken are the Season Producers for the entire 2017 schedule.

Tea Parties with Fancy Nancy illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser

Join us for an exclusive TEA PARTY in our Fancy Nancy-bedecked studio with Nancy, Bree, and hosted by Fancy Nancy illustrator, Robin Preiss Glasser. Party & Show Tickets include a reserved seat to the performance and lavish spread (which is fancy for tasty tea sandwiches and divine desserts)! Choice of pink lemonade, strawberry milk or fruity punch (and for our adult guests... enjoy champagne mimosas)! Do come dressed in what makes you feel most exquisite, such as your best tiara, opera gloves, boas, butterfly wings, ballerina tutu, fairy princess gown or all of them ("More is better!" as Fancy Nancy says)! Original artwork and giclee prints from the books will be on sale with all proceeds used to support Chance Theater. Join Robin Preiss Glasser and the entire cast on any of the following dates: May 6th at 2pm, May 13th at 2pm, May 14th at 11am, May 20th at 11am & 2pm, May 21st at 11am, May 27th at 11am or May 28th at 11am & 2pm.

Special "Relaxed Performance" on Saturday, May 20 at 11am

Continuing the initiative that started with the inaugural Theater for Young Audiences Series, the Chance will be presenting a special "relaxed performance" on May 20 at 11am. This special performance is specifically designed to welcome people that will benefit from a more relaxed environment, including children under 4 years of age, people with an Autism Spectrum Condition, sensory and communication disorders, or a learning disability. There will be minor alterations made to some technical elements, and the house lights will be left on at a dim level to create a conducive environment for all audiences to enjoy the story. There is also a designated "relaxing and activities area" set up in the lobby for any audience members who may need to take a break during the performance.

TICKETS: $16.00 - $25.00. Call (888) 455-4212 or visit www.ChanceTheater.com.

Discounts available for children (ages 4-12), seniors, students and military.

TEA PARTY TICKETS: $21.00 for kids (ages 4-12) and $25.00 for adults

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