Jessica Grove, Jennifer Cody, Jason Graae, Zonya Love and More Complete 2017 Music Circus Season Casting

After auditioning performers in New York City, Los Angeles and Sacramento, California Musical Theatre has confirmed casting for all five shows in the 67th Music Circus season. The cast is loaded with Broadway veterans-some of whom are making their Music Circus debuts-Tony Award nominees, and audience favorites from previous Music Circus productions.

The five-show season, which begins June 20 and takes place at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, includes two shows that have never been produced at Music Circus: Dolly Parton's hit musical comedy 9 to 5 The Musical, based on the hilarious film (July 25 - 30) and the divine musical comedy Sister Act, based on the hit film starring Whoopi Goldberg (August 22 - 27). The season also features Disney's award-winning family classic Beauty and the Beast (June 20 - July 2); the Leonard Bernstein masterpiece On The Town (July 11 - 16); and the devilishly clever musical comedy Damn Yankees (August 8 - 13).

Tickets are available by calling (916) 557-1999, at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office, 1419 H Street in Sacramento, or online at www.Tickets.com. Discounts are available for groups of 12 or more by calling (916) 557-1198. For more information: www.SacramentoMusicCircus.com.

Tickets are now on sale for all five shows, with ticket prices ranging from $45 to $74. For Disney's Beauty and the Beast only, a special price of $45 is available for children ages 4 - 12. For all shows, evening performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances are Thursday and Saturday at 2:00 p.m., and Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

Season tickets are still available. In addition to saving up to $138 on a pair of season tickets (over the price of single-show tickets), Music Circus season ticket holders receive a number of valuable benefits, including the ability to get the best available seating locations, the opportunity to order additional single tickets before the general public, the ability to exchange their tickets for another performance of the same show free of charge, and guaranteed renewal privileges. Season ticket holders are also guaranteed access to every show in the season, including those that will sell out. Season tickets can be purchased by phone at (916) 557-1999, or in person at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office, 1419 H Street in Sacramento.

Music Circus is produced under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director/COO Scott Klier and Artistic Consultant Glenn Casale. California Musical Theatre President/CEO is Richard Lewis.

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CAST/CREATIVE HIGHLIGHTS

Disney's Beauty and the Beast: June 20 - July 2

Director: Glenn Casale
Choreographer: John MacInnis
Music Director: Craig Barna

Broadway veteran James Snyder returns to his native Sacramento to bring to life the Beast in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, after last appearing at Music Circus in The Fantasticks. Snyder just finished his run in Broadway's first a cappella musical, In Transit, having previously appeared opposite Idina Menzel on Broadway and in the National Tour of If/Then, and originating the title role in Broadway's Cry-Baby. Last seen at Music Circus as Ariel in the 2012 production of The Little Mermaid, Jessica Grové returns as another Disney princess, Belle. Grové's past work includes the Broadway productions of A Little Night Music (with Bernadette Peters) and Sunday in the Park with George, as well as originating the role of Dorothy in the Madison Square Garden and National Touring productions of The Wizard of Oz.

Jared Gertner, making his Music Circus debut as LeFou, has performed in The Book of Mormon on Broadway, in the First National Tour and in London as Elder Cunningham, as well as in Roundabout Theatre Company's Ordinary Days, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in San Francisco, Boston, and on Broadway. Broadway veteran David Hibbard, portraying Cogsworth, made his Broadway debut in Cats and spent three years as Rum Tum Tugger; other Broadway shows include Spamalot, Billy Elliot, A Class Act, and most recently Something Rotten! Michael Paternostro, who played Carmen Ghia in The Producers at Music Circus, will play Lumiere; his Broadway credits include originating Greg in the A Chorus Line revival, Soul Doctor, Sweet Smell of Success, Fosse, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Peter Saide will tackle the role of Gaston, previously appearing at Music Circus as Berger in the acclaimed 2015 production of Hair, as well the Las Vegas production of Jersey Boys as Bob Gaudio, and the international tour of Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella as the Prince, opposite Lea Salonga. Playing Mrs. Potts, Shannon Warne joins us for her 4th season at Music Circus having last played Winifred Banks in the 2014 production of Mary Poppins; additionally she has toured as Nimue in Camelot with Michael York and performed in Chicago at the Hollywood Bowl.

Jacquelyn Piro Donovan adds Madame de la Grand Bouche to her many appearances at Music Circus, including Hello, Dolly!, The Wizard of Oz, and Oliver!, in addition to her various Broadway and Tour credits including Les Miserables (as both Cosette and Fantine), Miss Saigon, and Sunset Boulevard. Having appeared in frequent Music Circus productions including Brigadoon, Grease, Into the Woods, Annie Get Your Gun, and The Secret Garden, Gordon Goodman will return this summer to play Maurice, adding to his numerous theater, film, and television credits. Courtney Iventosch last appeared at Music Circus as Jean MacLaren in Brigadoon; she returns as Babette, having appeared on Broadway in Something Rotten!, and in Wicked on Broadway and on tour. Young local actors Cooper Miller and Mia Fisher, both of whom have performed in several shows with Elk Grove-based Musical Mayhem Productions, will be taking on the role of Chip at alternating performances.

On The Town: July 11 - 16

Director: Linda Goodrich
Choreographer: Mark Esposito
Music Director: Dennis Castellano

Sam Lips will be making his Music Circus debut as Gabey, one of the Three Sailors on a 24-hour New York adventure in On the Town. Lips played the title role in Pippin on tour, as well as appearing in the Broadway production; additional credits include Rodger + Hammerstein's Cinderella on Broadway, the North American premiere of Baz Lurhmann's Strictly Ballroom, and the National Tour of Wicked. Matt Loehr returns to Music Circus as Chip after last season's performance as Jimmy Winter in Nice Work If You Can Get It; his Broadway turns include The Book of Mormon as Elder McKinley, the original cast of The Producers, Elf, Mary Poppins and more. For his first Music Circus production, Clyde Alves, will play Ozzie, the role he originated in the recent Broadway revival of On the Town; he has appeared in numerous Broadway productions including Bullets Over Broadway, Wicked, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Anything Goes and The Music Man.

In addition to appearing as Babette in this season's Music Circus production of Beauty and the Beast and Jean MacLaren in the 2014 production of Brigadoon, Courtney Iventosch will be portraying Ivy Smith; her Broadway experience includes Something Rotten! and Wicked, in which she also appeared on tour. Bringing Hildy Esterhazy to the stage is Jennifer Cody, whose Broadway shows include A Christmas Story, Shrek the Musical, The Pajama Game and more, as well as extensive voice work for movies, TV and commercials including creating the voice of Charlotte La Beoeuff in Disney's "The Princess and the Frog." Appearing in the recent Broadway revival of On the Town, Holly Ann Butler returns to the show at Music Circus in the role of Claire De Loone; she has appeared on Broadway in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Grease, and was in last summer's Music Circus production of Nice Work If You Can Get It.

In addition to his television work, including a recurring role as Dr. Kurian on Syfy's "Z Nation," Donald Corren, playing Judge Pitkin W. Bridgework, has performed on Broadway in Souvenir and Torch Song Trilogy, and in numerous Off Broadway and regional productions. Previously at Music Circus in 42nd Street, Susan Cella, returns to play the role of Madame Maude P. Dilly; she has appeared on Broadway in The Graduate, Me and My Girl, Evita and On the Twentieth Century, as well as in the National Tours of Fiddler on the Roof, 42nd Street, and La Cage aux Folles. In the role of Lucy Schmeeler is Karen Hyland, who was in last summer's Music Circus production of Hello, Dolly! and has appeared on Broadway in Scandalous and Ghost, as well as Off-Broadway in Cagney and in City Center Encore's production of Anyone Can Whistle. Joseph Torello, playing Workman #1 and various ensemble roles, just appeared in the City Center Encore production of The Golden Apple, was in Live from Lincoln Center's production of Carousel with the New York Philharmonic and a Carnegie Hall benefit production of Guys and Dolls; he has appeared at Music Circus in Camelot, Fiddler on the Roof, South Pacific and The Music Man.

9 to 5 The Musical: July 25 - 30

Director: Glenn Casale
Choreographer: Mara Newbery Greer
Music Director: Jeff Rizzo

Music Circus favorite Vicki Lewis returns this summer as Violet Newstead in Dolly Parton's hit musical comedy 9 to 5 after appearing at Music Circus in Anything Goes, Funny Girl, Gypsy, Into The Woods and The Little Mermaid; in addition to her Broadway appearances in Chicago and the Tony-nominated revival of Damn Yankees, Lewis has extensive film and television credits. Anne Brummel, making her Music Circus debut as Judy Bernly, appeared recently as Donna Sheridan in Mammia Mia! at Theatre Aspen, after wrapping a six-year journey playing Elphaba in Wicked, both on Broadway and on tour. Tricia Paoluccio, will play Doralee Rhodes, adding to her Broadway appearances in Fiddler on the Roof and A View from the Bridge, as well as her television work on "Orange is the New Black" and her recurring role on AMC's "Feed the Beast."

In his 10th Music Circus season, Broadway veteran Paul Schoeffler will play the role of Franklin Hart, Jr.; his previous Music Circus roles range from Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, to Captain Hook in Peter Pan to King Arthur in Camelot, and his Broadway appearances include roles in Rock of Ages, Sweet Charity, Beauty and the Beast and Cyrano. Kristine Zbornik will be playing the role of Roz Keith, which she performed in the First National Tour of 9 to 5; additionally she has toured in Wicked and appeared on Broadway in A Catered Affair and Mamma Mia!

Damn Yankees: August 8 - 13

Director: Charles Repole
Choreographer: Michael Lichtefeld
Music Director: Craig Barna

Appearing in the role of Mr. Applegate in Damn Yankees is Jason Graae, who played the Cat in the Hat in last summer's Music Circus production of Seussical; he has performed in numerous Broadway shows including Falsettos, Snoopy!, and the original cast of A Grand Night for Singing, as well as the Music Circus productions of Brigadoon, Sugar and The Music Man. Playing the vixen Lola is Lindsay Roginski, who returns to Music Circus after appearing as Roxie Hart in Chicago, a role she has played on Broadway and on tour; she has also appeared in the dance show Heat Wave: The Jack Cole Project and as a principal singer in Steve Wynn's ShowStoppers in Las Vegas. Zach Trimmer, making his Music Circus debut as Joe Hardy, toured with Avenue Q and Hairspray, performed as Tony in West Side Story with both the John W. Engeman Theater and Westchester Broadway Theatre, and as Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie with Drayton Entertainment in Canada.

In the role of Meg Boyd is Lynne Wintersteller, who was last summer's Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly!, was an original Broadway cast member of A Grand Night for Singing, and has extensive regional, touring and Off Broadway credits including Shear Madness and the First National Tour of Sister Act as Mother Superior. Playing the role of Joe Boyd is Jeff Howell, who has performed in more than 80 productions at Pittsburgh CLO, including Man of La Mancha, 42nd Street, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar, Pajama Game and Beauty and the Beast, as well as on television, in films and with symphony orchestras. Veteran Broadway actor Stephen Berger, whose Broadway experience includes roles in Kinky Boots, The Pajama Game, Into the Woods, The Dinner Party, True West, Laughter on 23rd Street and Little Me, joins the cast as Van Buren; he has previously appeared at Music Circus in My Fair Lady, Brigadoon, Crazy for You and Can-Can.

The role of Gloria Thorpe will be played by Danette Holden, whose Broadway credits include the revival of Annie, in which she also toured, Shrek the Musical and Laughing Room Only. Playing Welch is Music Circus favorite Ron Wisniski, whose wide-ranging work here includes last season's Cabaret and Nice Work If You Can Get It, as well as The Little Mermaid, Les Misérables, Oliver! and Spamalot; he also has extensive touring and regional theatre productions to his name. Making his Music Circus debut as Rocky, Dallas Padoven most recently appeared as Diesel in Media Theatre's production of West Side Story, and has performed in numerous New York and regional productions including Shrek the Musical, Damn Yankees and The Wedding Singer.

Justin Keyes, playing Smokey, performed in the National Tours of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Mary Poppins, and appeared on Broadway in The Apple Tree and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Returning for her tenth Music Circus season to play Doris is Kim Arnett, who has appeared on Broadway in Peter Pan and toured nationally with Mamma Mia! and Peter Pan; her Music Circus credits include The Producers, Annie Get Your Gun, The Little Mermaid, The Music Man, The Wizard of Oz, South Pacific, Brigadoon and many others. Sister will be played by Mary Jo Mecca who, in addition to numerous film and television appearances, has performed in regional theatre productions across the country and Music Circus productions including Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady, Big River and last season's Hello, Dolly!

Sister Act: August 22 - 27

Director: Glenn Casale
Choreographer: Randy Slovacek
Music Director: Dennis Castellano

Playing Deloris Van Cartier, the lounge singer in disguise in Sister Act, is Zonya Love, who appeared as Celie in the original Broadway production of The Color Purple and in the first national tour of Avenue Q; her regional credits include the role of Effie in the recent TUTS production of Dreamgirls, and the Music Circus productions of The Wizard of Oz, Avenue Q and Show Boat. Lynne Wintersteller, in addition to appearing this summer as Meg in Damn Yankees, will join the cast of Sister Act as Mother Superior, a role she played in the show's First National Tour; she played Dolly Levi in last summer's Music Circus production of Hello, Dolly!, was an original Broadway cast member of A Grand Night for Singing, and has extensive regional, touring and Off Broadway credits.

Audrie Neenan will play Sister Mary Lazarus, the role she originated for the Broadway production of Sister Act; in addition to performing at Music Circus in Show Boat and on Broadway in Oklahoma! and The Odd Couple, she has numerous film and television credits including "Doubt," "The Departed," "Crashing" and "Friends." Playing Sister Mary Robert is Jeanna de Waal, who has appeared on Broadway in Kinky Boots and American Idiot; on the West End in We Will Rock You; and in touring and regional shows including Wicked, Waitress and Finding Neverland. Playing Sister Mary Patrick will be Nikki Switzer, who appeared as Rona Lisa Peretti in the National Tour of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; her New York and regional appearances include concert versions of Secret Garden and Pippin.

Playing Curtis Jackson will be Rufus Bonds Jr., whose Broadway credits include Parade, Rent and Once On This Island, and national tours include The Color Purple, The Lion King and Miss Saigon; his regional theatre credits include Sister Act, Ragtime, Parade and Big River. Todd A. Horman appeared in the national tour of Sister Act as Joey and will reprise the role this summer at Music Circus; his Broadway credits include The Last Ship, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Urinetown the Musical, and his touring credits include Guys and Dolls and Victor/Victoria. Playing Pablo, a role he played in the National Tour of Sister Act, is Chris Chatman, who also played the role of Sonny in the National Tour of In the Heights, and has performed with Gladys Knight, Chicago and Kristin Chenoweth, among others.

In addition to his role this summer as Smokey in Damn Yankees, Justin Keyes will play TJ; he has performed in the National Tours of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Mary Poppins, and appeared on Broadway in The Apple Tree and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Alan Wiggins, making his Music Circus debut as Eddie Souther, has appeared on Broadway in Beautiful The Carole King Musical and The Lion King and in regional productions of Grease and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Playing Monsignor O'Hara is Bill Nolte, whose Broadway credits include The Producers, La Cage Aux Folles, Amour, Jane Eyre, Cats and 1776; his previous Music Circus shows include The Producers, Jesus Christ Superstar and The Wizard of Oz.