BWW Previews: CLOSER THAN EVER at CVRep

Following a successful run of CVRep's second play of the season, Life X 3, the playhouse continues its season of Hopes, Dreams, and Expectations 2021-2022 with Closer Than Ever, a musical revue directed by Ron Celona, with music by David Shire, lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr., and musical direction by Scott Storr. The cast includes four actors with impeccable musical theater credentials: Michael Bullard, Jeffrey Landman, Janna Cardia, and Julie Garnyé. Tickets and subscriptions are on sale now at www.cvrep.org or call the box-office at (760)-296-2996 ext. 115.

About Closer Than Ever

Closer Than Ever is a two-act musical revue. It explores the private song vault of Richard Maltby Jr., and David Shire (Big; Starting Here, Starting Now; Baby). The revue is filled to the brim with the brilliance for which these musical giants are known. Closer Than Ever is a nonstop exploration of everyday struggles in the "modern world." Songs contain themes about aging, mid-life crisis, second marriages, and role reversals with parents, as well as satirical jabs at Muzak, working couples and unrequited adoration. The revue contains no dialogue, and Maltby and Shire describe this show as a "bookless musical." Each song is a unique story told by a new character, taking audiences, not only into the songbook of Mr. Maltby and Mr. Shire, but into the minds of the individuals facing these completely relatable challenges. Richard Maltby Jr. is an American theatre director and producer, lyricist, and screenwriter. His only two musical revues won the Tony Award for Best Musical: Ain't Misbehavin' (1978: N.Y. Drama Critics, Outer Critics, Drama Desk Awards, also Tony Award for Best Director) and Fosse (1999: Tony, Outer Critics, Drama Desk Awards). David Lee Shire is an American songwriter and composer of stage musicals, film and television scores. Some of his best-known works include: the soundtracks to the 1976 film The Big Bus, The Conversation, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, All President's Men, and parts of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack such as "Manhattan Skyline."

The Cast

Michael Bullard, stars as Man #1. Bullard appeared in Aladdin on Broadway, as well as performed in the first national tour of Aladdin, West Side Story International (Baby John), Regional West Side Story (Papermill Playhouse), Guys & Dolls and La Cage Aux Folles (Goodspeed Opera House), and others. Man #2 is played by Jeffrey Landman who starred as Ed Kleban in CVRep's A Class Act (Desert Theatre League nomination: Best Actor). Landman has starred on Broadway in Les Misérables and Falsettos (National Tour), and regionally in Disney's Frozen. Other TV credits include: Halloween 5, Halloween: 25 Years of Terror, Home Alone 2, and SNL. Woman #1 is portrayed by Janna Cardia. She starred in CVRep's 2017 production of Baby. Her most notable stage shows include: Cinderella with Lea Salonga (Broadway Asia), Music Man in Concert with Shirley Jones, Hairspray, Mamma Mia and others. Julie Garnyé stars as Woman #2. Garnyé is an actress, singer, voiceover artist, writer, producer, voice teacher, and director. She was most recently seen in the First National Tour of the Broadway hit Come From Away and starred as Sophie in CVRep's A Class Act and received a Desert League Award Nomination for Best Actress. Talent bios and headshots are available below. Interviews are available upon request. Please contact Alexandria Rosales at (760)-296-2966 ext. 119 or email arosales@cvrep.org.

The Director & Musical Director

Ron Celona has produced, directed and choreographed over 70 productions. He began his career as an actor, dancer and singer in Philadelphia. After years of performing on stage, TV and Film, he became the founder and Producing Artistic Director and producer of the American Musical Theatre Repertory in Los Angeles, CA. In 1999, Celona moved to Palm Springs and was the founder and Producing Director for the Joslyn Players at the Joslyn Center Theatre (now The Arthur Newman Theatre) from 1999 through 2007. It was in August of 2008 when Celona's dream to create a professional regional theatre became a reality, Coachella Valley Repertory. Following continuous sold-out performances in its 86-seat storefront theatre, CVRep expanded to purchase its own larger theatre, which is now at the CVRep Playhouse in Cathedral City. Celona announced in December 2021 that he will retire after this current season wraps up at the end of April 2022. Visit www.roncelona.com for more information about Celona's career.

Scott Storr is celebrating 20 years of a wonderfully creative musical theatre partnership with Ron Celona. Scott has also served as resident musical director for Cape Rep Theatre on Cape Cod for over 20 years. His over 40 shows there include: The Light in the Piazza, Funny Girl, Tick Tick... Boom, Next To Normal, Sunday In The Park With George, Evita, Side Show, The Drowsy Chaperone, Avenue Q, Ragtime, Spamalot!, Mack and Mabel, Steel Pier, Xanadu, The Full Monty and Urinetown. His other works as a director and/or musical director includes: Pippin, Cinderella, Applause, Songs For a New World, Working, Dear World, Putting it Together, Zorba, The King and I, Shirley Valentine, and The Jungle Book-and with CVRep-Captain Louie, The Story of My Life, A Class Act, Baby!, Chess, and the reimagined revival of Ballroom. Scott is the winner of both Zoni and Desert Theatre League awards for Best Musical Direction. Mom and Dad, the music is for you and because of you.

COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines

CVRep's top priority is the well-being and safety of patrons, employees and volunteers. Although California will end its indoor masking requirement after Feb. 15, CVRep will adhere to its COVID-19 policy. All CVRep patrons, staff, and volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated, and must show a picture ID with their vaccination card upon entering the building. It is required that all patrons, staff, and volunteers wear masks at all times during performances. The Playhouse is equipped with an advanced air handling system which sanitizes the air. Hand sanitizing stations are located throughout the Playhouse. To limit contact, all tickets are issued electronically. In addition, the theatre undergoes a thorough sanitization and deep clean prior to each show.

Coachella Valley Repertory (CVRep) is an equity theater company, designated a Small Professional Theatre under the Actors' Equity Association. CVRep is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide thought provoking theatre of substance. For additional information on CVRep, please visit our website at cvrep.org.

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