FOREVER PLAID Opens Moonlight Stage Productions' Summer Season 6/15

Sparky, Jinx, Smudge and Frankie are returning from the great beyond in the heavenly and hilarious musical Forever Plaid opening the 31st Summer Season at the Moonlight Amphitheatre from June 15 through July 2 at 8:00 pm. On their way to their first big gig, The Plaids are tragically and inconveniently struck down but are miraculously revived for the chance to perform their show that never was. Tickets are priced $22-$50 and are on sale now through the VisTix Ticket Office at (760) 724-2110 and online at moonlightstage.com.

Directing and Choreographing Forever Plaid will be David Engel, working with Musical Director and Conductor Dr. Terry O'Donnell. Featured in the cast is the multi-talented quartet of Joshua David Cavanaugh as Francis, Joey DeBenedetto as Smudge, Nick Lorenzini as Jinx, and Jeffrey Scott Parsons as Sparky.

"Forever Plaid is a fast-paced musical that's filled with old-fashioned comedy which all ages will enjoy," remarked Moonlight Stage Productions Producing Artistic Director Kathy Brombacher. "This show is one of the biggest successes in Off-Broadway history and who better to bring this celebration of the music of the Fifties to the Moonlight Stage than David Engel, an original member of the Plaids who created the role of Smudge in the original New York company, then went on to open the show in London and Los Angeles. The musical has been playing non-stop for more than 20 years and we're thrilled to bring it to the Moonlight Amphitheatre stage for the first time."

This critically acclaimed musical celebrates the precise harmonies and well choreographed moves that were the epitome of popular music of the 1950s. The musical is filled with nostalgic sounds of the Fifties incorporating beautifully composed four-part harmony. The Plaids will sing some of the greatest hits of the 50s including "Catch a Falling Star," "Three Coins in the Fountain," "Love is a Many Splendored Thing," "Magic Moments" and many more. Forever Plaid is written by Stuart Ross with musical arrangements by James Raitt.

About the Company
JOSHUA DAVID CAVANAUGH (Francis) just moved back to San Diego after completing his Vocal Performance degree from Chapman University. He was most recently seen performing the role of Perchik in Fiddler On The Roof at the Old Town Temecula Theatre. In 2006 he was seen in San Diego Opera's production of Aida. Past roles include Marryin' Sam in Lil' Abner, Reuben in Joseph, The Beast in Beauty And The Beast, Sir Harry in Once Upon A Mattress, and The Wolf/Steward in Into The Woods. This fall, he will be attending NYU Steinhardt pursuing a Master's Degree in Vocal Performance - Musical Theatre.

JOEY DEBENEDETTO (Smudge) is proud to be back this summer at the Moonlight Amphitheater. Last summer he played Jud in Oklahoma! to great critical acclaim, and Moose in Crazy For You. Other credits include: The Last Five Years (Jamie), Miss Saigon (Chris), 1776 (Thomas Jefferson), Jesus Christ Superstar (King Herod), Bat Boy (Bud/Pan), Hair (Tribe/Berger cover), and Rent (Steve/Seasons of Love soloist). Joey has sung with many orchestras including those in Ft. Wayne, IN, and Reading, PA. Joey's next performances will be with Disney and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra. Member of Actor's Equity Association.

NICK LORENZINI (Jinx) is realizing a dream come true with having the opportunity to perform in Forever Plaid. Previous Moonlight credits: I Love A Piano (Jim), Miss Saigon (Ensemble), Oklahoma! (Slim, Will U/S), Cats (Mungojerrie), 42nd Street (Andy Lee). Credits Elsewhere: The Producers and 42nd St (Cabrillo Music Theatre), Annie and Rent (Musical Theatre West), Gypsy (Arizona Broadway Theatre), Paris and Fred And Ginger (California Theatre), Grinchmas (Universal Studios Hollywood).

Jeffrey Scott PARSONS (Sparky). Moonlight audiences will remember his tap-happy performances as Bobby Child in Crazy For You and Billy Lawlor in 42nd Street, as well as roles in Les Misérables, West Side Story, and Guys And Dolls. Elsewhere he has been seen as Malcolm in The Full Monty (Welk Resort Theatre), Hugo Peabody in Bye Bye Birdie (San Diego Music Theatre), Gideon in Seven Brides... (Cabrillo Music Theatre), and in productions of Rent (Music Theatre West), Kiss Of The Spiderwoman (Havok), and the West Coast Premiere of Glory Days (Bella Vita). Jeff holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Brigham Young University. Member of Actor's Equity Association.

David Engel (Director and Choreographer) is a six-time winner of the LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award. He has appeared on Broadway opposite Carol Burnett in Putting It Together, as well as the original Broadway productions of Seussical: The Musical and La Cage Aux Folles. David created the role of Smudge in the original New York production of Forever Plaid and again in Plaid Tidings. He and his fellow original Plaids filmed Forever Plaid which which has been aired on PBS in conjunction with its DVD and CD release. Other shows in which David has starred in are Crazy For You, Kiss Me Kate, Never Gonna Dance, The Full Monty, and Pasadena Playhouse's Can-Can. In addition, Mr. Engel shared an on-screen romance with RuPaul in the award winning musical short film ‘Zombie Prom.' He is a proud longtime member of Actors Equity Association, the union of professional stage actors.

DR. Terry O'Donnell (Musical Director/Conductor/Pianist) Moonlight credits: Crazy For You, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Me And My Girl, Little Shop Of Horrors, I Love A Piano, Swingtime Canteen, and Joseph.... Dreamcoat. San Diego regional theatres: The Old Globe, Starlight Musical Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Theatre in Old Town, and Welk Resort Theatre. He was musical director/onstage pianist for the 1,926 "record-breaking-performance-run" of Forever Plaid-the longest running musical in San Diego theatre history. Dr. O'Donnell is Emeritus Professor in the Schools of Music and Theatre at San Diego State University. He is a founding faculty member of their unique MFA degree program-the only specialized Master of Fine Arts musical-theatre graduate program in the nation. In 2010, he was recipient of the Associated Students "Presidential Leadership Award" for service to SDSU, and the SDSU Mortar Board Emeritus Faculty Award for service to the university and community. Presently, he serves as Board of Trustees President of Young Audiences of San Diego-part of a national network that brings quality Arts Education programs to schools.

Completing the production staff for Forever Plaid are Paul A. Canaletti, Jr., Lighting Designer; Peter Hashagen, Sound Designer; Roslyn Lehman and Renetta Lloyd are Costume Coordinators; Suzanne Asebroek, Properties Coordinator; Stanley D. Cohen, Stage Manager; and Sue Givens, Assistant Stage Manager.

The Moonlight Amphitheatre is nestled in the hillsides of the 85-acre Brengle Terrace Park, owned by the City of Vista. The Moonlight offers one of the most unique theatre-going experiences offered anywhere in San Diego County. Patrons can enjoy a performance from either the lawn with chairs supplied by the theatre, or from a reserved seat. Pre-show dining options include patrons bringing their own picnic suppers into the theatre, or they can enjoy a reserved table on the Patio and then sample a delicious buffet dinner where the menu changes with each performance.

The remaining shows of the Summer Season include Annie (July 20-August 6 at 8:00 pm), Hairspray (August 17-September 3 at 8:00 pm), and The Marvelous Wonderetttes (September 14-October 1 at 7:30 pm).

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (760) 724-2110 or visit moonlightstage.com.

ABOUT MOONLIGHT STAGE PRODUCTIONS
Moonlight Stage Productions is well-known for its award-winning productions on its two stages at the Moonlight Amphitheatre and the AVO Playhouse. The cultural arts program of the City of Vista, Moonlight's programs are produced in partnership with the Moonlight Cultural Foundation.

CALENDAR INFORMATION
Forever Plaid
Book by Stuart Ross
Music and Lyrics by Various Artists
Musical Arrangements by James Raitt
Presented by Moonlight Stage Productions
June 15-July 2 at 8:00 pm
Moonlight Amphitheatre
1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista
Tickets: $22-$50
Tickets/information: (760) 724-2110 and www.moonlightstage.com

Box Office at the Amphitheatre opens at 6:00 pm
Gates open for picnicking and dining at 6:30 pm

Production Dates
June 15 at 8:00 pm
June 16 at 8:00 pm
June 17 at 8:00 pm
June 18 at 8:00 pm
June 19 at 8:00 pm
June 22 at 8:00 pm
June 23 at 8:00 pm
June 24 at 8:00 pm
June 25 at 8:00 pm
June 26 at 8:00 pm
June 31 at 8:00 pm
July 1 at 8:00 pm
July 2 at 8:00 pm

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