Diversionary Theatre Opens PIPPIN Tonight, 9/15

Diversionary Theatre announced complete casting for its production of PIPPIN, the extraordinary musical journey with book & lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Roger O. Hirson and directed by James Vasquez. Performances begin at Diversionary Theatre (4545 Park Blvd San Diego, CA 92116) tonight, September 15.

Courtney Corey (Original LA & Chicago Wicked, 1st & 2nd National Tours of Rent) as Leading Player and Louis Pardo (National Tour of Jesus Christ Super Star, San Diego’s MixTape) as Pippin lead a cast that includes Megan Carmitchel (Catherine), Andy Collins (King Charles), Tony Houck (Lewis), Luke Jacobs (Fastrada), Wendy Maples (Berthe) and Hunter Schwarz (Theo).

In this reimagined, innovative staging of the musical favorite, James Vasquez upends the story of a young prince searching for happiness and fulfillment. On his journey Pippin samples the glories of the battlefield, the wisdom of a grandmother, the intrigues of political power, the pleasures of the flesh and simple farm life – trying to find where he fits in.

The creative team for PIPPIN includes Charlie Reuter (Musical Direction), Sean Fanning (Scenic Design), Shirley Pierson (Costume Design), Elizabeth Swaffield (Lighting Design), Kevin Anthenill (Sound and Video Design), Annette Ye (Associate Choreographer), Chandra Anthenill (Stage Manager), Bret Young (Producer) and John E. Alexander (Executive Director).

Diversionary Theatre’s production of PIPPIN is presented with the generous support of Creative Fund Donors Pat Shank and Darrell Netherton & RoBert Wheeler.

Tickets are available now to Diversionary Members. Single tickets, memberships and tickets available online at www.diversionary.org, through Diversionary Theatre’s Box Office by calling 619-220-0097 or by visiting 4545 Park Boulevard San Diego, CA 92116. Single ticket prices ranges from $27-41 (prices are subject to change).

Megan Carmitchel (Catherine) is thrilled to be making her Diversionary Theater debut. Recent theater: Stepping Out (The Welk Theater, San Diego); The Who's Tommy (San Diego Repertory Theater); Peter Pan (Berkeley Playhouse); Chess and City of Angels (San Francisco State University). She holds her Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from San Francisco State University.

Andy Collins (Charles) has previously been seen at Diversionary Theatre in The Rocky Horror Show, Jeffrey, Falsettos, Valhalla, The Break Up Notebook, The Daddy Machine and Twist. Elsewhere: Cabaret, The Matchmaker, My Fair Lady, Pageant (Cygnet); Gypsy, Parasite Drag (ion); The Full Monty, Bye Bye Birdie (San Diego Musical Theatre); Guys & Dolls (Lambs); Moon Over Buffalo (North Coast Rep); Oklahoma, Me And My Girl, La Cage Aux Folles (Starlight). Andy was in the first graduating class of San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts.

Courtney Corey (Leading Player) is pleased to make her Diversionary debut. Elsewhere: Wicked (Original Los Angeles and Chicago companies), Rent (1st and 2nd National Broadway Tours), Limelight, Bonnie and Clyde, The Wiz (La Jolla Playhouse), Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas (The Old Globe), The Great American Trailer Park Musical (San Diego Rep), This, Lend Me A Tenor, Over The Tavern, Jacques Brel (North Coast Rep). As well as being a performer, Ms. Corey is an award-winning director and choreographer.

Tony Houck (Lewis) is proud to be back at Diversionary where he has performed in Harmony, Kansas, Next Fall, [title of show], Twist, Scrooge in Rouge, Yank!,and Dear Harvey. Elsewhere Cabaret (Cygnet); Mistletoe, Music, and Mayhem (North Coast Rep).

Luke H. Jacobs (Fastrada) Diversionary debut. Credits include: Lucky in Dames at Sea, Don Kerr in A Chorus Line, Richard (the nice nurse) in A New Brain, Caldwell B. Cladwell in Urinetown, Gideon in Seven Brides… and Beverly Carlton in The Man Who Came to Dinner. Abroad: 2nd National Tour of All Shook Up, Lead Singer/Dancer aboard the M/S Maasdam with Holland America Line. He holds his BFA in Musical theatre from CSU, Fullerton.

Wendy Maples (Berthe) Previous Diversionary credits include Fair Use and Our Gay Apparel. Elsewhere: Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead (InnerMission Productions). Offstage, Wendy teaches theatre at High Tech Middle Chula Vista and is the Founder/Artistic Director of Step UP Theatre.

Louis Pardo (Pippin) Diversionary debut. Theater credits include: Jesus Christ Superstar (National Tour 2008-2009), The Who's: Tommy (San Diego Rep), miXtape (Lamb's Player's, Original Cast), Avenue Q (So Cal Regional Premiere), Evita (ITL Award), All Shook Up, 25th Annual...Spelling Bee, Altar Boys, The Full Monty, Peter Pan, Ragtime, Lucky Stiff, Camelot (Hollywood Bowl), The Weathermen (La Jolla Playhouse reading).

Hunter Schwarz (Theo) Diversionary debut. Elsewhere: Altar Boyz (Noah Longton Productions); Kiss Me, Kate, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Chess, and Bat Boy: The Musical (Canyon Crest Academy).

James Vasquez (Director) returns to Diversionary after directing the critically acclaimed world premiere Harmony, Kansas. Other Diversionary credits: Next Fall, Fair Use, [title of show] (SD Critics Circle nominations for Outstanding Direction and Resident Musical), and Twist. James won the Craig Noel SD Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Direction of a Musical for Cygnet's Sweeny Todd which also won the Outstanding Resident Musical Award. Other recent directing/choreographing credits include: The Rocky Horror Show, Emma (Assc. Director), Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2003-2011), Boeing-Boeing (Old Globe Theatre), Hedwig…, Little Shop of Horrors (Cygnet Theatre), and Into The Woods (New Village Arts). In 2004, James founded Daisy 3 Pictures with Mark Holmes and Carrie Preston. Their first two feature films, 29th and Gay (TLA Releasing, Here TV) and Ready? OK! (Wolfe Video, LOGO) have played national and international film festivals, with Ready? OK! winning the Best Feature Film award in Seattle, North Carolina, and San Diego. Their latest film, That's What She Said, starring Anne Heche, will be making its world premiere at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. As an actor, James has appeared on film, television, Off-Broadway, regional and local stages. He is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Drama. To learn more about James, visit daisy3pictures.com.

Charlie Reuter (Musical Direction) received a Master of Fine Arts degree in musical theatre from San Diego State University after earning a degree in music education from the University of Central Florida. In New York, he served as a pianist for New York University, accompanist for Chelsea Opera, music director for the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and studied conducting at The Juilliard School. He served as music director for Moonlight Stage Productions' Miss Saigon and is an Associate Artist of Lamb's Players Theatre, where he conducted the regional premiere of The Light in the Piazza. At The Old Globe, he was assistant to the conductor of Sammy. Most recently, he conducted Cygnet Theatre Company's Sweeney Todd and frequently assists the music staff at La Jolla Playhouse.

Diversionary Theatre develops new works and produces plays and musicals that explore the issues, characters and stories of the LGBT community in all its complexity and diversity. Now in its 26th year, Diversionary is a professional theatre company that produces a season of mainstage plays and musicals, presents a series of entertaining live entertainment (Diversionary Cabaret), and nurtures artists in the development of new works of theatre through new play commissions, readings and workshops. We regularly collaborate with other theatre and arts groups to present special events and co-productions of mainstage plays, thus involving a wider arts community in our mission.

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