Kermit The Frog And Marissa Jaret Winokur Star In Lythgoe Family Panto OZ at Pasadena Civic

Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) in association with the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, announces Kermit the Frog as the Wizard of Oz and Marissa Jaret Winokur (Celebrity Big Brother Winner and Hairspray) as Glinda in their newest production - THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, (300 East Green Street, Pasadena CA 91101) which will play a strictly limited engagement from December 14 through December 30, with the official press opening on December 14.

The production will be directed by Bonnie Lythgoe and choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo (NappyTabs), with book by Kris Lythgoe and Michael Orland (American Idol) serving as musical arranger and supervisor. Casting is by executive producer Becky Lythgoe. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

An updated version of the beloved classic, in the style of a traditional British family Panto, THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ features family-friendly magic, with a comedic twist, dancing (with "So You Think You Can Dance" alumni), contemporary music and more.

"We are so excited to welcome Kermit and Marissa to the Lythgoe Family along with more talented star names yet to be announced. We know Pasadena is in for a great family show!" said Kris Lythgoe.

"Over the years, I've brought my nephew Robin and many of his fellow tadpoles to these Lythgoe Family Pantos. We always had a great time! Now at last, I get to hop up on stage with Marissa and the cast to be a part of the fun. If you thought Muppet productions were wild, just wait till you see what the Lythgoes have planned for this year! See you there! " said Kermit the Frog.

Marissa Jaret Winokur said, "I have taken my son Zev to the Pasadena Panto for years as it's the perfect introduction to theater for children, keeping the whole family entertained with comedy and pop songs. It's also been a dream to perform alongside Kermit the Frog, only the Lythgoes could make that happen and I am looking forward to creating some magic with them, somewhere over the rainbow!"

There will also be a special student matinee on December 14, 2018, servicing over 2,000 Title One school children who will be introduced to the magic of live theatre for the very first time.

Tickets start at $40 and Family Four Packs for just $99 can be purchased at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, online at www.thepasadenacivic.com or by calling 800-982-2787. Golden Tickets, which allow the ticket holder (children ages 4 - 12 only) a special on-stage experience during the production, are available for an additional $75.00 each. This will be the seventh holiday season of Lythgoe Family Panto in Pasadena, and the second at the Pasadena Civic.

Lythgoe Family Panto Across America

This season Lythgoe Family Panto will also present three additional productions across America:

ALADDIN AND HIS WINTER WISH Directed by David F.M. Vaughn with Supervising Direction by Bonnie Lythgoe will be presented in partnership with North Carolina Theatre at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium from November 29- December 2. Tickets starting at $23 are on sale at nctheatre.com.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE will mark the fourth year of the partnership between Lythgoe Family Panto and Laguna Playhouse, and plays December 7 - December 30. The production will be directed by Sheldon Epps with choreography by Mandy Moore. Tickets starting at $20 for children and $30 for adults are on sale at www.lagunaplayhouse.com.

PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL - A PIRATES CHRISTMAS will star John O'Hurley as Captain Hook and will be presented in partnership with Tennessee Performing Arts Center at the James K. Polk Theatre in Nashville from December 13-23. Tickets starting at $35 go on sale September 21, 2018 at www.theatrenashville.com.

Previously Lythgoe Family Panto established their reputation with productions including Beauty and the Beast: A Christmas Rose starring Kellie Berglund, James Snyder and Gedde Watanabe, A Cinderella Christmas starring Lauren Taylor, Alex Newell and Morgan Fairchild, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell - A Pirates Christmas starring Sabrina Carpenter and John O'Hurley, Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight starring Olivia Holt and Lucy Lawless, Aladdin and His Winter Wish starring Ben Vereen, Jordan Fisher, and Ashley Argota - and A Snow White Christmas starring Ariana Grande and Neil Patrick Harris.

Lythgoe Family Panto produces fun, musical theatre the whole family can enjoy. Known for their creativity and involvement in television hits "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance," the Lythgoes are dedicated to bringing affordable theatre to families across America. Based on the Grimm fairytales and others, each story has been modernized with topical scripts for parents and well known pop songs for kids. The Lythgoes pride themselves on creating a memorable experience a family can share together. In 2017 over 6000 title 1 students were introduced by the Lythgoe's to live theatre, through the medium of Panto.