Peter Husmann, John Butz, Jeff Drushal Lead 1776 At Glendale Centre Theatre

Under the helm of sought after Los Angeles theatre Director Todd Nielsen, the Tony Award-winning Musical 1776 will be presented at the Glendale Centre Theatre June 23 - August 13, 2011. With Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards, Book by Peter Stone, and Musical Direction by the award-winning Steven Applegate, 1776 premiered on Broadway in 1969 and is based on the events leading up to the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence. John Adams, disliked by many in Congress, joins Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson to bring forward a resolution for independence that will eventually set America free from England's tyranny. Powerful performances and an impeccably crafted script make 1776 as relevant today as it was when first written. Add a memorable score, a spectacular cast of 25... and 1776 delivers a riveting evening of theatre filled with history, humor, heart and romance.

Regional musical theatre favorites Peter Husmann (as John Adams), John Butz (as Benjamin Franklin) Jeff Drushal (as Thomas Jefferson), and Victoria Strong (as AbiGail Adams) lead a stellar cast which also includes: Nathan Armstrong (Robert Livingston), Aldo Benalcazar (Leather Apron), George Champion (John Hancock), Mario DiGregorio (Col. Thomas as McKean), Clay Dzygun (James Wilson), Christopher Gomez (Dr. Lyman Hall), Kyle Kelley (George Read), Michaelia Leigh (Martha Jefferson), Jason Lewis (Dr. Josiah Bartlett), Hisato Masuyama-Ball (Dr. Samuel Chase), Patrick McMahon (Roger Sherman), Danny Michaels (Charles Thomson), Peter Miller (Andrew McNair), Jim Molinaro (Joseph Hewes), Michael Shaughnessy (Rev. John Witherspoon), Scott Strauss (Caesar Rodney), Adam Trent (Lewis Morris), Bryan Vickery (Richard Henry Lee), Andrew Wade (Courier), Jason Webb (John Dickinson), Don Woodruff (Stephen Hopkins), and Joey Zangardi (Edward Rutledge).

ABOUT THE PRINCIPALS:

Peter Husmann (John Adams) - was last seen at the Glendale Centre Theatre in Love and Kisses. Most recently, he appeared on stage with Annie Potts in the benefit Mothers and Others on Autism, and Dialectics of the Heart with ShaRon Lawrence at The Edgemar Center for Performing Arts. A professional film and television actor for over 20 years, Mr. Husmann is also known for hosting infomercials, his appearances in commercials, and his work in voiceover.

John Butz (Benjamin Franklin) - Mr. Butz's appearance in this production marks his 7th appointment to the Continental Congress. He has been seen in 13 roles, including all of the show's principal male roles, with the exception of Thomas Jefferson.

Jeff Drushal (Thomas Jefferson) - makes his debut at the Glendale Centre Theatre in the same role performed in the U.S. National Tour of 1776. He has also starred as Billy Bigelow in Carousel, Lancelot in Camelot, Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar and Curley in Oklahoma.

Victoria Strong (AbiGail Adams) - is known throughout the country for her stage work; in particular for her portrayal of Mother in the U.S. National Tour of Ragtime. Regionally, she has starred as Betty Blake (The Will Rogers Follies), Golde (Fiddler On The Roof), Margaret (The Light In The Piazza), Anna (The King & I), Guenevere (Camelot), Maria (The Sound of Music), and Anne Sullivan (The Miracle Worker) ... to name but a few.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM:

Todd Nielsen (Director/Choreographer) - is one of Los Angeles' most noted directors. Having recently directed Little Me for the Musical Theatre Guild of Los Angeles, Mr. Nielsen has served as Resident Director for the U.S. National tour of Disney's The Lion King; and has directed for such prestigious producing entities as Cabrillo Music Theatre, International City Theatre, The Welk Resort, Moonlight Ampitheatre, The Colony Theatre, The Norris Center for the Performing Arts, The Nine O'Clock Players ... and many others. Mr. Nielsen's extensive credits are highlighted by such productions as White Christmas, Cinderella, Thoroughly Modern Millie, City of Angels, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and the Glendale Centre Theatre's presentation of The Secret Garden. As a performer whose credits are equally impressive, Los Angeles audiences most recently saw Mr. Nielsen in She Loves Me at the Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities in Redondo Beach, CA and in Annie for Musical Theatre West in Long Beach, CA.

Steven Applegate (Musical Director) - has worked in almost every theatre and concert hall in the Los Angeles area, as well as numerous concert venues throughout the U.S. and Europe. He has guest conducted for the Dallas and Denver Symphony Orchestras in concert with singer John Raitt; and has worked with Christine Aguilera, Sandy Duncan, Cybil Shephard, Maureen McGovern, Sally Struthers, Adrianne Barbeau, Jack Jones, Alexis Gershwin, Frank Gorshin, Lorna Luft, and Christine Ebersole... to name but a few. The Award-winning maestro's musical theatre credits include Godspell, The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret, Showboat, The Secret Garden, 42nd St., Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Kiss Me Kate, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Little Shop Of Horrors, Jekyll and Hyde (LA Ovation Award Nominee), Candide, Rags, Forever Plaid, Camelot, West Side Story, Big River, Hello Dolly, Footloose, and Phantom.

Brenda & Tim Dietlein (Producers) - Born into the Hale/Dietlein family, owners and operators of the highly successful Glendale Centre, Tim Dietlein joined his family in 1982 as Associate Producer for the Glendale Centre Theatre (GCT). Since that time, he has not only assisted in creating the GCT's highly successful children's theatre program, but continued the innovative growth and success of the GCT. In 1994, Mr. Dietlein became Executive Producer of the Glendale Centre Theatre and continues to produce, direct, act, and write plays for the 400 seat theatre in-the-round. Wife and full time mother Brenda Dietlein also serves as Executive Producer and shares all theatrical responsibilities with her husband. Now in its 64th year, the Glendale Centre Theatre is not only an Equity Guest Contract venue; but the longest, continually-operating theatre in the United States.

Angela Wood (Costume Design) - Having received her degree in Costume Design from Pittsburgh's Point Park College, the award-winning Angela Wood has been an integral staff member at the Glendale Centre Theatre's Costume Shoppe since 2005. GCT credits include Phantom, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Singin' in The Rain, Footloose, Kiss Me Kate, The Will Rogers Follies, Beauty and the Beast, and 6 productions of the GCT's annual holiday classic A Christmas Carol. In addition to GCT's main stage shows, Ms. Wood has designed costumes for the theatre's Saturday afternoon children's productions, as well as their educational program Shakespeare Live! In 2010, Miss Wood joined forces with Costume Designer Ann Closs-Farley on the Broadway Production of Pee Wee's Playhouse. In doing so, she built the new "Miss Yvonne" character dress. Ms. Wood was also cited with a Best of 2009/2010 Award last year by Steven Stanley of Stage Scene LA for her work at the GCT.

Set Design and Lighting Design is by Tim Dietlein. Nathan J. Milisavlejevich is credited for Sound Design. Tim Dietlein also oversees Stage Management and serves as the GCT's Artistic Director.

Performances of 1776 are June 23 through August 13, 2011 and presented Thursday - Saturday Evenings at 8:00 pm with Saturday matinees at 3:00 pm. Sunday Matinees will are also be presented at 3:00 pm on July 10 and July 17 only. Tickets range between $23.00 - $26.00, pending the date and time of performance. Discount rates are available for groups of 15 or more.

The Glendale Centre Theatre is located at 324 N. Orange St., Glendale, CA 91203. Reservations and ticket purchases may be made by calling (818) 244-8481 or Faxing (818) 244-5042. Box Office hours are Monday - Saturday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. For further information, please visit www.glendalecentretheatre.com.

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