THE PAPARAZZI Premieres in Mexico

The book and songs for the new musical "The Paparazzi" are being written in Manhattan but the director, actors and designers who are going to bring it to life are three thousand miles away. Mau Cedeno is currently in Guadalajara, Mexico, directing rehearsals for the brand new show with songs by Al Tapper and book by Tony Sportiello, who reside in New York, Utilizing email and Facebook the collaborators work on the show daily despite being in two separate countries. "The Paparazzi" is scheduled to open at the Vivien Blumenthal Theatre in Guadalajara this October,

This will mark the third collaboration between the Mexican artists, led by Mauricio Cedeno, and the authors from New York City but it's the first time that they're starting the project from scratch. The previous shows ("Sessions" and "National Pastime") had already been produced in the U.S. prior to performances in Mexico. "The Paparazzi" has had no productions, so the show in October will be a World Premiere. They make changes by email and the authors can follow rehearsals via Facebook.

The story centers on Christie (Luisa Cortés), who comes to New York wanting to write for the New York Times but instead gets sucked into the lurid but lucrative world of celebrity journalism. Guiding her through her journey is the ghost of Walter Winchell (Joaquin Romero), the legendary newspaper and radio man who created the paparazzi. Each step Christie takes leads her further away from actual journalism and into a world where speed is more important than substance and headlines more important than facts.

Also in the cast are Franz Bomthanley, Víctor Aceves, Mafer Santes, Vanessa Arroyo, Giselle Restelli, Enrique Valdéz Arce, Gibran Macías, Blanca Montoya and Sandra Geneviere. Mau Cedenio directs, as he did for "Sessions" and "National Pastime". Both shows made history. "Sessions" was the first Off Broadway musical ever to play in Guadalajara and "National Pastime" went on to become the most awarded musical in Guadalajara's history.

Ruben Flores from de "Avion de Papel" company designed the logo. David Wolfson originally arranged the score.

Mau Cedeno (Director) As an actor Mau has won awards for his work in "Coloquio de Hipocrates", "Sabor a Freud", "Steady Rain", "Trip of Three" and "The Path of Dangerous Steps." He has directed more than 30 productions in Mexico including "Sessions", "National Pastime", "Cats", "Rent", "Cyrano, the Musical" and "The Prince Frog". In 2016 he was honored with the prestigious award "Theatrical Merit To His Career" by the State Council for Culture and the Arts and the Ministry of Culture.

Al Tapper (Composer/lyricist) is a successful author, composer, lyricist, television producer and entrepreneur. He has written several Off Broadway musicals including "imPerfect Chemistry", "Sessions", "An Evening at the Carlyle", "National Pastime" and "All Aboard". "An Evening at the Carlyle" was chosen by United Press International as 'the hit of the season'. Producer of the Peabody Award-winning documentary "Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy" as well as the hit documentary film, "Broadway,,,The Golden Age." Tapper's latest documentary is on Ted Williams - "The Greatest Hitter That Ever Lived".

Tony Sportiello (Book Writer) has had more than a hundred productions of his shows performed in the United States and abroad. He is the author of "Second Chance", "LOL", "News Story", "National Pastime", "Star Power", "The Bet", "Tickets, Please!", "One Night in the Valley" and more. He is currently working on a new Sherlock Holmes play "The Valley of Fear". His plays "Contract Time" and "National Pastime" are in the Library of the Major League Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

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