ISABELLE AND THE PRETTY-UGLY SPELL Closes 5/30 At 45 Bleecker Street

The award-winning Vital Theatre Company is presents "ISABELLE AND THE PRETTY-UGLY SPELL," with music and lyrics by Steven Fisher, book by Joan Ross Sorkin and Steven Fisher and directed by Vic Dimonda, at 45 Bleecker Street, where it will be extended through May 30th 2010. Performances run Sundays at 1pm, May 9th through May 30th. Tickets are $25. The show is appropriate for ages 3-12. Camp/Group performances are available at 45 Bleecker Street, call 212-579-0528 for Group/Camp Schedule. For reservations visit www.vitaltheatre.org or call (212) 579-0528. 45 BLEECKER STREET is at the corner of Lafayette, in NOHO.

ISABELLE AND THE PRETTY-UGLY SPELL is the tale of Isabelle, a lovable but scatterbrained fairy godmother who goofs while casting a spell to help the Princess find true love and now has only three days to make things right. Izzy's clock-ticking, cliff-hanging, nail-biting journey leads the audience through hilarious high jinx to heart-warming moments.

Hummable songs, quirky characters, and an endearing story will delight "children of all ages" and make this musical ideal family entertainment. "A nearly perfect pastry of a show..." The New York Times.

The cast of ISABELLE AND THE PRETTY-UGLY SPELL features MELISSA BAYERN, Matt DuMont, MARK EPPERSON, Tara Novie, Elyssa Samsel, EVAN SCHULTZ and Andrew Wheeler.

ISABELLE AND THE PRETTY-UGLY SPELL was commissioned and premiered by Summer Stage 2002 at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center. It was further developed at the BMI and ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshops and The York Theatre Company in NYC. It went on to be produced at The Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables, Florida where it received the National Children's Theatre Festival Award. It was then produced in the New York Musical Theatre Festival where it garnered a Special Award from TalkinBroadway.com for Outstanding New Family Musical.

Steven Fisher (Music, Lyrics, Book) Isabelle and The Pretty-Ugly Spell: 2005 New York Musical Theatre Festival (Outstanding New Family-Oriented Musical, TalkinBroadway.com), Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, Coral Gables, FL (2005 Winner, National Children's Theatre Festival), developed at Summer Stage (Upper Darby, PA), The York, BMI, ASCAP; In The Theatre (York, Developmental Reading Series, 2008, 2009); Mandela: Crossroads Theatre (concert), John Houseman Theater (workshop), Windybrow Theatre, Johannesburg, S.A. (workshop), National Alliance for Musical Theatre, Crossroads Theatre (Genesis Festival of New Works), Richard Rodgers Award Finalist. Contributor: NEO (York Theatre/CD). Professional: Associate Music Director, Keystone State Boychoir (2001-present); Assistant Director, Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale (1994-2001).

Joan Ross Sorkin (Book) is a playwright, musical bookwriter, lyricist and opera librettist. Off-Broadway: (mis)Understanding Mammy: The Hattie McDaniel Story (Drama Desk nom., Capathia Jenkins), Chicago Humanities Festival, The Jefferson Playhouse, Jefferson, TX (April 2010). Musicals: Isabelle and The Pretty-Ugly Spell: 2005 New York Musical Theatre Festival (Outstanding New Family-Oriented Musical, TalkinBroadway.com), Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, Coral Gables, FL (2005 Winner, National Children's Theatre Festival), developed at Summer Stage (Upper Darby, PA), The York, BMI, ASCAP; In The Theatre (The York, Developmental Reading Series, 2008, 2009); York NEO 2009. Opera: Strange Fruit: Long Leaf Opera, Chapel Hill, NC (Premiere), Strange Fruit in Concert (Harlem School of the Arts in association with New York City Opera), New York ! City Opera VOX 2003, O'Neill Music Theater Conf. (Finalist). Cabaret: Birdland, Opia, The Zipper. Member: Dramatists Guild; BMI Musical Theatre Workshop.

Vic Dimonda (Director) Mr. DiMonda is currently the Associate Artistic Director for the John W. Engeman Theater at Northport, Long Island's only year-round Equity Theater, where he directed and choreographed their inaugural production of Smokey Joe's Café. He is also a faculty member of The Ailey School and The Ailey Extension. He founded and served as artistic director for the Harkness Dance Center's Tap Team. He has also been a faculty member of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and an artist in residence for the Metropolitan Opera Guild where he taught their Creating Original Opera program. As director/choreographer he has created original productions of The King and I. My Fair Lady, Carousel, High Society, Always...Patsy Cline, Dames At Sea, Forever Plaid, The Fantasticks, Blues In The Night, The All Night Strut, The Taffetas and ! Joseph...Dreamcoat. As Choreographer Mr. DiMonda has recreated the Broadway choreography for Crazy For You. His original works include Miss Saigon, West Side Story, A Wonderful Life, Oliver!, The Music Man, Fiddler On The Roof, How To Succeed..., Kiss Me, Kate, Mame, Funny Girl, Cinderella, Annie and Do I Hear A Waltz?.

The Stage Manager is SHANI MURFIN , the Production Manager is DANIEL Z.S. JAGENDORF, the Set Designer is KYLE DIXON, the Costume Designer is Sarah Reever and the Lighting Designer is LOIS CATANZARO.

Vital Theatre Company commissions four to five new musicals for children each season. Since its founding in 1999, Vital Theatre Company has been honored with two AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE by the Off Off Broadway Review and has received high acclaim from audiences and critics alike for being "a wonderful place for parents to introduce their kids to the glories of live theatre, done well and at modest prices." Now in its 11th season, the company is dedicated to producing entertaining and educational theatre for young audiences. To date, the company has presented 49 original productions for over 156,000 children and their families.

Photo Credit: Steven Rosen

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