Moonlight Stage Presents the Southern California Premiere of Disney's MARY POPPINS, 7/16-8/2

Moonlight Stage Productions' 34th summer season is well under way, and Artistic Director Steven Glaudini is proud to present the Southern California Regional Premiere of the smash hit Broadway musical MARY POPPINS, co-created by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh. Performances are July 16 to August 2. Single tickets are priced $15 to $52 and include price levels for student rush, military, senior, and family discounts. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (760) 724-2110 or visit moonlightstage.com.

The cherished Disney film has been reimagined into a spectacular new musical, with a book by Downton Abbey's Julian Fellowes. Featuring all of the unforgettable songs of the beloved movie, plus brand-new breathtaking musical numbers and spectacular effects, MARY POPPINS takes both children and adults alike on a magical musical adventure where "anything can happen if you let it." The hit Broadway show is perfect for all ages, and has amassed more than 40 theatre awards from around the globe.

Starring in the lead role of Mary Poppins is JESSICA BERNARD, who is known to Moonlight audiences for her appearances in Legally Blonde (Vivienne), Sweeney Todd (Beggar Woman), and Young Frankenstein (Elizabeth). Jessica's other credits include My Fair Lady (Eliza, Candlelight Pavilion), The Book of Mormon in concert (Geffen Playhouse, with Josh Gad), My Fair Lady (Santa Barbara Symphony), 1776 (Martha Jefferson, Musical Theatre West), Sweeney Todd (Musical Theatre West), Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown, Cabrillo & Performance Riverside), CATS (Jellylorum, Cabrillo), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Miss Dorothy, Candlelight Pavilion), Bonnie & Clyde (Bonnie, Innovation Theater), The Music Man (Marian, California Theater).

Partnering Jessica as Bert is LEIGH WAKEFORD, a native of Cape Town, South Africa now living in Los Angeles, who is making his debut with Moonlight Stage. Leigh has toured in The Drowsy Chaperone (Robert Martin), and Chicago (Little Mary Sunshine, Swing-South Africa). His regional appearances include The Hollywood Bowl, Sacramento Music Circus, STAGES St. Louis, Ogunquit Playhouse, Fulton Opera House, and Surflight Theatre. Leigh also stars in the independent rom-com, First Period!, to be released soon.

STEVEN GLAUDINI steps back onto the boards in the role of George Banks. His last appearance at Moonlight was ten years ago, teaching audiences how to "Brush Up Your Shakespeare" as Gangster 1 in Kiss Me, Kate. Recent Moonlight credits have been on the directing side of the recent hits South Pacific, Sweeney Todd, Hairspray, Miss Saigon, Cats, LES MISERABLES, West Side Story, Cabaret, Children of Eden, and the upcoming My Fair Lady. Steven is best known for his portrayal of John Adams in 1776, for which he received the LA Stage Ovation Award for Lead Actor in a Musical and the Backstage Garland Award for Outstanding Performance. Selected regional credits include Damn Yankees (The Devil), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Finch), Triumph of Love (Harlequin), Cabaret (The Emcee), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Pseudolus and Hysterium), Ragtime (Houdini), Peter Pan (Smee), Oklahoma! (Ali Hakim), and Carousel (Jigger), which was also the last time he played opposite his wife, Bets Malone-15 years ago at Moonlight.

BETS MALONE, in the role of Mrs. Banks, began her theatrical journey at Moonlight as a child. This role is even more special because she is sharing the stage with real-life husband Steven Glaudini. She was last seen at Moonlight as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd. Bets originated the role of Suzy Simpson in The Marvelous Wonderettes Off-Broadway and can be heard on all three Wonderettes cast recordings. Regionally, she has appeared in 1776, Into The Woods, Ragtime, Company, Children of Eden, Cabaret, Once Upon a Mattress, Oklahoma!, Oliver, and On The Town, to name a few. Later this year she will be seen as Diana in Next To Normal for San Diego Musical Theatre and Mama Who at the Old Globe in How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

Ten-year-old ABBY DESPAIN (Jane Banks) is making her Moonlight Stage debut. Abby is a student at Coastal Academy whose acting credits include Wait Until Dark (New Village Arts), Far Away (ion Theatre), The Diary of Anne Frank (North Coast Rep Theatre School), Willy Wonka, Charlotte's Web (Encore), A Little Princess, The Phantom Tollbooth (San Diego Junior Theatre), and LES MISERABLES (PaccoArts).

NATE CARMAN (Michael Banks) is also making a Moonlight Stage debut. At ten years old and part of a military family, he has lived in four different states, including two Army bases. Previously he sang a solo for a Christmas program and performed as Linus in The Great Pumpkin with Carlsbad Community Theatre.

MARY POPPINS is directed and choreographed by JOHN VAUGHAN, who has more than over 300 productions to his credit. He is pleased to return to Moonlight, having choreographed or directed previous productions of The Who's Tommy, Legally Blonde, Crazy for You, Annie Get Your Gun, Evita, The Will Rogers Follies, Hairspray, and many others. His theme park shows have been seen from Knott's Berry Farm to SeaWorld Texas. John has directed or choreographed many large corporate shows, including events for WonderWare Software, NBC, The Broadway Department Stores, Mattel Corporation, Dick Clark Productions, and Ogden Entertainment, as well as international projects in Tokyo and Buenos Aires. He has directed The CHOC Follies for Children's Hospital of Orange County for the past 18 years, raising over $6.5 million for this organization. John is a full-time faculty member at Citrus College and has choreographed the acclaimed Citrus Singers for the past 24 years.
The musical directors for MARY POPPINS are KENNETH GAMMIE and RANDI RUDOLPH, with conductor KENNETH GAMMIE.

Rounding out the creative team are lighting designer Paul A. Canaletti, Jr. and sound designer Bryon Anderson. Costume coordination and execution are by Roslyn Lehman, Renetta Lloyd, and Carlotta Malone.
MARY POPPINS is based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film, with original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, book by Julian Fellowes. New songs and additional music and lyrics are by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

CALENDAR INFORMATION:
MARY POPPINSJuly 16-August 2 Wednesday through Sunday nights.Curtain at 8:00 pm. Gates open for picnicking and dining at 6:30 pmTicket price range: $15-$52 Web: moonlightstage.com
Phone: (760) 724-2110

TICKET DEALS/SPECIAL NIGHTSFamily Nights at the Moonlight are Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday nights. On these nights, lawn tickets for kids 15 and under are just $10 when accompanied by two adults. New this year is the addition of Family Night for Fridays, with kids' tickets just $15. Family Night tickets are available on night of show at the Amphitheatre box office. The Moonlight offers rush tickets for college students on the lawn beginning 30 minutes prior to every performance. Tickets are $15 per person with a valid student identification card. Single ticket discounts for seniors and military are available.

PICNICKING AT THE MOONLIGHT One of the most unique theatre-going experiences found anywhere is Moonlight's lawn seating, allowing patrons to bring their own picnic suppers into the theatre and picnicking before the show. Lawn ticket holders receive a chair as part of their ticket upon entry to the theatre.

ARTISAN CAFE AT THE MOONLIGHT The Moonlight's restaurant, the Artisan Cafe, is operated by Chef David Krohn. The Café offers pre-show dining outdoors on the Moonlight Patio where glimpses of the sunset can be seen before patrons take their seats for the show. The Café also offers delicious intermission snacks to all theatregoers including beverages. To view the Café's menu, visit moonlightstage.com. For information and reservations, call (760) 828-0596.

MOONLIGHT AMPHITHEATRE 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, VistaGates open for picnicking and dining 90 minutes before curtain. Non-alcoholic beverages and food may be brought into the Amphitheatre.
The award-winning Moonlight Stage Productions is the cultural arts program of the City of Vista and is produced in partnership with the Moonlight Cultural Foundation.

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