Jeanie Linders' THE D* WORD - A MUSICAL Opens at The Abbey Tonight

Casting has been announced for the World Premiere of The D* Word - A Musical (*Ditched, Dumped, Divorced, Dating). Written and produced by Jeanie Linders, the creator of the smash hit Menopause The Musical, the limited engagement plays at The Abbey in downtown Orlando for six weeks starting tonight, January 16.

Angie McKnight will play Erica, a powerbroker who has spent the past 25 years as a divorcee and has decided to risk a relationship after 14 years of celibacy. Originally from Orlando, Angie has guest starred in multiple TV shows including The New Leave it to Beaver, In the Heat of the Night, The Young and the Restless and Problem Child 2 with John Ritter. The singer/songwriter performed her one-woman show, "Welcome to my 15 Minutes," to sold out audiences from San Francisco to New York. She was nominated for a MAC award for her cabaret show, "Angie McKnight IS Cher," and for co-hosting her live talk show, "Q-Talk."

The role of DeeDee, a newly single woman who was just dumped by her husband of 25 years for a younger version of herself, will be played by Jacinda Rose Swinehart. Jacinda has been a working actress for over a decade and performed on stage in the movie Pittsburgh starring Jeff Goldblum. She has starred in productions at The Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, The Pittsburgh Playhouse, Playhouse Jr., West Virginia Public Theater, Arizona OnStage Productions, Studio Connections and Live Theater Workshop. Jacinda studied Musical Theater at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Laura Wright plays Kate, the younger version for whom DeeDee was dumped, unbeknownst to either woman. Laura has performed in a number of regional Theater Productions, including playing Rizzo in Grease, Penny in Hairspray, Carrie in Carousel and Margaret in 9 to 5. Laura was a semi-finalist on American Idol Season 5. She graduated from Valdosta State University with her BFA in Musical Theatre.

Sarah Hester Ross will play the role of Jen, a woman in her late twenties, who has been engaged for six-and-a-half years only to find out she's been replaced by Jon. Sarah was last seen as Martha May Whovier in Universal Studios' Grinchmas. Other credits include Mary in The Paperbag Princess at Orlando Repertory Theatre, Maureen in RENT, and Urleen in Footloose. Sarah holds a BA in Vocal Performance from Southeastern University and currently shares a recording and songwriting label (ROSS) with her husband.

Janette Zilioli will be the understudy for all roles. Born and raised in Winter Park, FL, Janette performed as Musetta in La Bohème and Puccini E Verdi with the Orlando Philharmonic Orhestra. She was a principal soloist in The Opera Show in Leicestershire, England, and performed as Donna Anna in Don Giovanni at Ash Lawn Opera festival. Other credits include Micaëla in Carmen at Mad Cow Theatre in Orlando and touring Europe with The Opera Show to Barcelona, Lisbon and Milan.

The D* Word is a 90-minute musical that follows the woes and wows of four single and single-again women who meet after a night of speed dating and learn the art of happily EVEN after. From I Will Survive and Hot Stuff to Before He Cheats and Turn Me On!, this laugh-aloud party show will have audiences singing and dancing in the aisles.

Tickets for The D* Word are $40 and can be purchased through TicketWeb.com. VIP packages, which include reserved table seating and a bottle of wine, are also available. For more information about The D* Word, visit www.TheDWordMusical.com.

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