New Pre-Teen Musical THE LOVE NOTE Begins Previews Tonight at the Actors Temple Theatre

G.P. Productions presents the New York premiere of The Love Note, a new pre-teen musical, beginning previews tonight, September 10th and opening Sunday, September 14, at Actors Temple Theatre, 339 West 47th St, NYC. Performances are Wednesdays and Sundays at 10 AM through December 21.

The Love Note musical, written by playwright/composer Gail Phaneuf, will be directed and choreographed by Russell Garrett, with music direction by Rachael Ziering, costumes by Carol Meehan Sherry, sets by Josh Iacovelli, lighting by Josh Danzig and executive produced by James Farrelly.

The ensemble cast of The Love Note includes Blair Heather Anderson, Nick Anastasia, James Michael Avance, Megan Beard, Mark Blowers, Kathleen Cameron, Adam Cavalieri, Grace Olson-Davidson, Jeff Deglow, Lauren DeFilippo, Jessie Fallow, Kelsey Flynn, Rosanne Gully, Sam Harvey, Katie Rose Ialacci, Kevin Ray Johnson, Bethany McCall, Katie Mebane, Jenna Perez, Justin Selig, and Ariella Serur.

The Love Note musical follows young Jessie on a spirited journey at a new school, where she attempts to navigate the lunchroom bullies, a new crush and learning how to stand up for herself. With a lively cast of characters and a rousing score, The Love Note explores the trials of being 'the new kid', learning the ropes of self-reliance and survival techniques that carry into adulthood.

Wacky bookworms, menacing bullies and up-and-coming 'tween fashionistas drive a fast-paced narrative, all under the watchful eye of a soup-ladle wielding lunch lady. Jessie's lonely school lunches are heartened by the tiny pink love note her mother packs into her brown paper bag each day, but once chief-bully Brittany bites into her snatched sandwich, Jessie knows she is in trouble. Working out challenges with her magical friend Airy, together they concoct a spicy strategy to help Jessie stand up for her lunch.

"Everyone remembers the terror of sitting alone in the lunchroom," said creator Gail Phaneuf, "or feeling too insecure to sit with the popular kids.' Director Russell Garrett says that he is excited "to help bring this new musical work to New York City, and introduce kids and families to a fun, magical story dealing with the very real issues of bullying, adolescence, and how the power of love can inspire the confidence to face adversity."

The Love Note is whole-family entertainment that uplifts audiences while tackling real-life themes of teen bullying, independence and parental authority.

The Love Note Project redefines the power of a lunch "packed with love", by allowing parents to share their own love notes to the show's website to spread their support and help stomp out bullying. Curriculum specialist Kelly Schell shares, "A love note provides a simple example of parental love and support through the tiny written gesture in a child's lunch, but the impact is so powerful ... not only for Jessie, who is only reaffirmed in the knowledge that she is loved and cared for, but also for Brittany and the 'mean girls' who desperately want that supportive love and family attention to be present in their own lives."

The Love Note is the creation of Boston-based playwright, composer and Curry College Playwright-in-Residence Gail Phaneuf. She is an award-winning writer and director of many plays and musicals, including the comedic Monsters! A Midlife Musical Meltdown.

Tickets ranging from $24.00 to $39.50.are available at TeleCharge.com or calling (212) 239-6200. Tickets may also be purchased at Actors Temple Theatre Box Office, 339 West 47th Street, and at St. Luke's Box Office, 308 W. 46th Street, NYC.

For more information about The Love Note, or to learn more about The Love Note Project, visit www.thelovenote.com, follow on Twitter: twitter.com/LoveNoteMusical and Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheLoveNote. For more about playwright Gail Phaneuf, visit www.gailphaneuf.com.

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