Cygnet Theatre Presents PAGEANT, Now thru 8/31

Cygnet Theatre Season 12 gets off to a rollicking start with the return of audience favorite and off-Broadway hit, Pageant, just in time for summer fun. James Vasquez directs and choreographs this hilarious mash-up of a beauty pageant and a drag musical that let's audience members decide who is crowned the winner. The talented and funny David McBean returns as Miss Deep South and Phil Johnson reprises his role as the wacky master of ceremonies. With Book and Lyrics by Bill Russell (Side Show) and Frank Kelly (The Texas Chainsaw Musical) and Music by Albert Evans, this crowd pleasing romp about beauty contestants runs from today, July 10 - August 31. Opening night for media is July 19.

Pageant, called "screamingly funny" by The New York Times, follows the battle of six beauty contestants who face off to claim the Miss Glamouresse tiara. Who will it be? Miss Bible Belt, Miss Industrial Northwest, Miss Deep South, Miss West Coast, Miss Great Plains, or Miss Texas? Judges picked from the audience nightly determine a different winner at every performance. This fun-filled musical is presided over by zany host extraordinaire Frankie Cavalier. Contestants, all male, compete in several categories including swimsuit, physical fitness, spokesmodel and beauty crisis counseling. This wild and funny satire of beauty contests is fun for all ages. You'll never watch Miss America the same way again.

The cast includes Ryan Fahey, Max Gidaley, Luke Harvey Jacobs, Phil Johnson, David McBean, Charles Osborne, and Conor Tibbs.

Pageant will be performed at Cygnet's Old Town Theatre July 10 - August 31. Opening Night is July 19, 2014. Show times are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm and 7pm.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting Cygnet's website at www.cygnettheatre.com or by calling the box office at 619-337-1525. Tickets can also available for purchase in person at Cygnet's Box Office located at the Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St. in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.