MainStreet Theatre Company Announces Cast of MIRETTE

MainStreet Theatre Company is pleased to announce the cast for the Theatre for Young Audiences premiere of Mirette, with book Elizabeth Diggs, Music by Harvey Schmidt and Lyrics by Tom Jones.

Based on the Caldecott winning book by Emily Arnold McCully,

Elizabeth Diggs has revised her original book for the musical, and this new version has been pared down to one act, with a cast of 8 performers. Casey Stangl directs the Los Angeles based cast which includes Aly Fainbarg in the title role and Mark Doerr as Bellini, the mysterious, retired high- wire walker with a secret. Tracey A. Leigh, seen in last season's "The Three Little Pigs" is Mirette's practical mother, Madame Gateau.

The rest of the cast play various "artistes" who live in the boarding house run by Madame Gateau: Curt Bonnem plays Tabac, a juggler; Ann Marie Lee is Madame Rouspenskaya, a Russian Opera singer; and brother and sister Jonathan Christopher MacMillan and Natalie Hope MacMillan play a pair of acrobats. Arthur Hanket is Max, an impresario.

Thanks to a "Challenge America Grant" from the NEA, MainStreet will host writer Elizabeth Diggs during the rehearsal process, and Rob Mermin, the founder of Vermont's Circus Smirkus, will also be on hand as the Circus Consultant, lending an air of authenticity to the proceedings. Musical Director Janice Rodgers Wainwright will lead the live band.

CONTACT: Annette Mumolo, Marketing Coordinator, Victoria Gardens Cultural Center PHONE: (909) 477-2775, extension 3757 FAX: (909) 477-2774

story of a young girl in 1890's Paris who convinces a retired high-wire artist to

teach her his trade - and in turn teaches him to overcome his own fear.

figure out her place in the world. It's a fresh and unique coming- of-age story set in the backstage

Mirette is the

Children as well as adults will relate to the main character, who is trying to

world of the circus, which celebrates both the joy, and the risks of being a performing artist. School

performances begin on April 18th, with the public opening on April 23rd. The show runs until May

8th, 2016. Recommended for ages 7 and up.

The physical production will include a real "wire" as well as some surprises! Scenery is by Francois- Pierre Couture, Lighting by Jaymi Lee Smith, and Costumes are by Tina Haatainen-Jones.

Families who arrive early to the weekend performances will be encouraged to try out some of their own circus skills, as well as other fun activities tied to the theme of the show. In addition to the performances, The Lewis Family Playhouse will be hosting a Parisian Tea to celebrate Mother's Day. Tickets to the tea are discounted for patrons who also purchase tickets to Mirette.

Single tickets are $18.00 for Adults and $16.00 for children up to age 12, and seniors 60 and older. "Foundation Family Flex Packs", where tickets are only $12.00 if they're bought in packs of 4 or more for the same performance are available for all MainStreet Theatre Company productions. The Rancho Cucamonga Community and Arts Foundation will also continue to support "Foundation Family Saturdays" for the opening performance, (April 23rd at 4:00 PM), where all seats are only $10.00.

The MainStreet Theatre Company is the resident Equity Company at the Lewis Family Playhouse, producing innovative shows specifically for children and family audiences. Drawing from creative talent from all over Southern California, the MainStreet Theatre Company introduces many children to the wonder of live theatre for the very first time! MainStreet shows are performed for school groups as well as for general audiences, with most shows based on classic or contemporary children's literature.

An intimate, 550-seat venue, the Lewis Family Playhouse is the crown jewel of the three-acre, 89,000-square foot Victoria Gardens Cultural Center. The complex is conveniently located off the I- 15 at Foothill Boulevard, as a major anchor of Victoria Gardens. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday from noon to 6:00 pm and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, with free parking available.

For More Information - For additional information or to purchase tickets on-line, please visit www.lewisfamilyplayhouse.com or call the Lewis Family Playhouse Box Office at (909) 477-2752 or (877) 858-8422. "Like" us on Facebook & sign up for "The MainStreet Scoop" for more up to the minute details about the productions and the additional activities connected with the show, at www.facebook.com/MainStreetTheatreCompany.

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