HAIRSPRAY, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN and More Highlight San Diego Musical Theatre's 2018 Season

San Diego Musical Theatre announced today four shows for its 2018 season. For the first, time SDMT will produce the entirety of its "Broadway" series at the Horton Grand Theatre where it previously presented its "Off Broadway" series, making a move away from the Spreckels Theatre.

The company's 11th anniversary season ranges from movie musical adaptations, classic musical theatre, heartfelt stories, and hilarious madcap comedies.

SDMT launches its 2018 season with the revealing musical, The Full Monty, a raucous comedy with engaging melodies and the most highly anticipated closing number of any show. Romance abounds in the spring as the season continues with one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most beloved classics, South Pacific. In the summer, SDMT will present the irresistible, feel good aero-style show Hairspray, which is guaranteed to have audiences dancing to the beat in their seats. In the fall, another Mel Brooks classic graces the SDMT stage, the hilarious monster of a hit, Young Frankenstein.

"We are thrilled with the upcoming changes in our 2018 season," said Founder and Producer Erin Lewis. "When we were first approached about the potential of managing the Horton Grand Theatre, we jumped at the opportunity. After spending time in multiple theatres, we have long desired to be in one place. The Horton Grand Theatre is a unique and intimate space, where the audience will feel right in the show. Producing exclusively at the Horton Grand Theatre also provides us with the opportunity to expand our programming as well as aiding in the financial longevity of SDMT."

Under the management of SDMT, new openings for other companies and performing arts groups to utilize the Horton Grand Theatre will be available while SDMT is not in production.

"It is a special time for SDMT as we enter another exciting season of change and growth," said Artistic Director, Jill Townsend. "Our goal is to continue to produce musical theatre of the highest quality as we always have. Our Resident Musical Director, Don LeMaster, will still create magic with the SDMT orchestra, and we have lined up an incredible season of delightful and captivating Broadway musicals."

Among the changes at SDMT include the addition of three new staff members, Neil Dale as Production Manager, Stephen Longfellow as the Technical Director, and Carolyn Agan as Director of Education.

Neil Dale originally hails from Liverpool, England, and has been living in Southern California since 2007. Neil has an extensive career in the theatre ranging from directing, stage managing, and performing, and he is currently Director of SDMT's fall production of Billy Elliot.

Stephen Longfellow, a San Diego native, began his career in construction. He has ten years of experience in theatre primarily as a stage technician and has worked occasionally as an assistant stage manager, stitcher and props person at Lamb's Players Theatre in Coronado. He has built shows for Lamb's Players at the flagship Coronado stage, the Horton Grand Theatre, Hotel del Coronado and the U.S. Grant Hotel.

New Director of Education, Carolyn Agan moved to San Diego from the east coast in 2015 and has twelve years of experience teaching students at many notable institutions such as The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, and The Ford's Theatre. Her focus as the Director of Education will be to create new educational and outreach opportunities for San Diego performers of all ages, especially focusing on professional level training for teens, college students, and early career performers.

Tickets to SDMT's 2018 season are currently available by season subscription only. To purchase or renew a season subscription, call the SDMT Box Office at: 858-560-5740. Single tickets for purchase will become available shortly. For more information visit www.sdmt.org.

Founded in 2006, San Diego Musical Theatre is dedicated to passionately producing and providing musical theatre that ignites the human spirit.

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