Theatre Out Presents Charles Busch's PSYCHO BEACH PARTY, Beginning Tonight

Theatre Out, Orange County's gay and lesbian theatre company, is pleased to announce the cast of the 5th production of their 10th Anniversary Season: Charles Busch's PSYCHO BEACH PARTY opening tonight, September 18, and running through October 24, 2015.

Set in Malibu, California in 1962, Pyscho Beach Party follows tomboy Chicklet Forrest, in her desparate struggle to become part of the hip surf crowd. There are two things getting in her way - her over-protective mother and Chicklet's unfortunate tendency towards split personalities. Among them is a black check out girl, an elderly radio talk show hostess, a male model named Steve and the accounting firm of Edelman and Edelman. Her most dangerous alter ego is a sexually voracious vixen named Ann Bowman who has nothing less than world domination on her mind. Meanwhile, B-movie starlet, Bettina Barnes is running from her agent and the studios and has stumbled upon Malibu Beach as a perfect hiding place and inspiration for her to find a script that will redefine her career. To help her in her search, she has hired Chicklet's best friend, Berdine as a personal assistant who has realized all is not well with Chicklet. Can Berdine pull Chicklet out of the psychological clutches of the sex-starved and sadistic Ann Bowman' Will surfer boy Star Cat's three semesters of psychology classes prove useful to Chicklet' And will sexpot Marvel Ann ever grow her hair back' If Alfred Hitchcock wrote "Gidget" this is what it would look like!

Written by Charles Busch, PSYCHO BEACH PARTY premiered Off-Broadway on July 20, 1987 at The Players Theatre in New York City. The play was directed by Kenneth Elliott and featured Charles Busch in drag in the role of Chicklet. The Associated Press called the play, "Fiendishly funny! Zany!" while the New York Times raved that PSYCHO BEACH PARTY was truly "Gidget goes berserk!" In January 2000, the film version of PSYCHO BEACH PARTY also penned by Charles Busch premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

Leading the ensemble of actors is Andrew Villarreal starring as Chicklet Forrest, the wannabe surfer. Villarreal was last seen in Theatre Out's production of Alan Bowne's Beirut. Prior to that he was seen as the sexually ambiguous Dr. Frank N Furter in Theatre Out's critically-acclaimed productions of The Rocky Horror Show where the Orange County Register raved that, 'Villarreal's reading of Frank is so original it will make you forget the 1975 film's Tim Curry ' and any Franks you've seen in other stagings.' His unique comedy-style is a perfect match for Busch's writing style.

Theatre Out luminary, Lori Kelley, stars along side Villarreal as the voluptuous movie star-on-the-lam, Bettina Barnes. Kelley has been seen in over 10 Theatre Out productions and was last seen in the Orange County premiere of Steve Yockey's dark drama Wolves. StageSceneLA calls Kelley a 'Theatre Out gem' who has received universal praise for her work in Craig Lucas' The Dying Gaul and Last Christmas I Gave You My Heart Bu The Very Next Day You Said You Were Gay.

The cast features a roster of Theatre Out audience favorites: Ben Green (RENT, Edward II, The Busy World is Hushed), Ian James (RENT), Michael Latsch (The Dying Gaul), JT Corzine (Speech & Debate, Rocky Horror, Last Christmas), Chelsea Feller (Rocky Horror, Last Christmas), Dustin Thompson (The Wild Party, RENT, Boys Will Be Boys), Paloma Armijo (Spelling Bee, Drowsy Chaperone, RENT) and Kat Gutierrez (The Wild Party, RENT).

PSYCHO BEACH PARTY is under the direction of award-winning director, Tito Ortiz and featuring costumes designed by David C. Carnevale with scenic design by Michael Carnevale and lighting designed by David C. Carnevale and Joy Bice.

PSYCHO BEACH PARTY is produced by David C. Carnevale and Joey Baital by special arrangement of Samuel French, Inc.

Theatre Out is encouraging patrons to extend their summer by attending PSYCHO BEACH PARTY in their very best beach wear. Every Friday of the run will be Aloha Friday and patrons wearing Hawaiian-style shirts or swimwear will receive a free gift when they check in at the Box Office.

Theatre Out is located at 402 W. 4th Street in Santa Ana, California. Low cost parking is available metered on the streets or in one of the many parking structures located throughout the downtown area, including immediately behind the theatre.

PSYCHO BEACH PARTY performs Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm from September 18 to October 24 with a Thursday performance at 8:00 pm on October 22 and a 2:00 pm matinee performance on Sunday, October 4, 2015. Please note there are no performances on October 9 and October 10. All tickets are $20 and are available online at www.theatreout.com or at the Box Office beginning 45 minutes prior to the published curtain time. PSYCHO BEACH PARTY is presented without an intermission; late seating is not available.

Theatre Out was founded in 2006 as an at-large company dedicated to performing theatrical works relevant to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community throughout Orange County with an emphasis in sharing the LGBT experience with allies and the greater community. Theatre Out has received national and international attention for their work, receiving numerous awards for excellence in production. The founders of Theatre Out have been featured on the front page of The Orange County Register and were featured in the OC Weekly's Best Of 2012 issue as part of the "Dirty Dozen". The 2015 seasons marks Theatre Out's 10th Anniversary season.

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