Moonlight Stage Productions' 2017 Summer Season Promises 'Most Diverse Season Ever Produced'

As the curtain goes up the stage heats up with an amazing presentation of musicals for Moonlight Stage Productions' 2017 summer season at the Moonlight Amphitheatre. The company's offerings are all new to its stage for Season 37, with the San Diego Regional Premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Sunset Boulevard," along with the Moonlight premieres of Elton John and Tim Rice's "Aida," Disney's "The Little Mermaid," and Lin-Manuel Miranda's "In the Heights." Steven Glaudini, producing artistic director of Moonlight Stage Productions describes the line-up as the "most diverse season ever produced" in the history of the Moonlight.

The musicals presented at Moonlight Amphitheatre are the best of both worlds as audiences enjoy quality productions, outdoors and under the stars in a venue unlike any other in San Diego County. As the sun sets, the curtain goes up, revealing Broadway sets and costumes, and live orchestra accompaniment. Guests refer to the City of Vista's Moonlight Stage Productions as "Broadway's Best Under the Stars," as they often feature the best regional actors and Broadway veterans.

The 37th season schedule includes the following productions:

"Aida"

Music by Elton John

Lyrics by Tim Rice

Book by Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls and David Henry Hwang

June 14 - July 1, 2017 - Moonlight Premiere

Opening Night: Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Performance at 8 p.m.

Moonlight Amphitheatre

The triumphant love story between an Egyptian prince and a slave transcends warring nations and brings a country together. Winner of four 2000 Tony Awards, Elton John and Tim Rice's "Aida" is an epic tale of love, loyalty and betrayal chronicling the love triangle between Aida, a Nubian princess stolen from her country, Amneris, an Egyptian princess, and Radames, the soldier they both love. As their forbidden love blossoms, Aida is forced to weigh her heart against the responsibility she faces as leader of her people. The love Aida and Radames has for one another becomes a shining example of true devotion that ultimately transcends the vast cultural differences between their warring nations, heralding a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity. With an unforgettable score featuring soaring ballads and rousing choral numbers,

"Aida" is a rock version of the Verdi opera.

"The Little Mermaid"

Music by Alan Menken

Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater

Book by Doug Wright

Based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney film produced by Howard Ashman & John Musker and written & directed by John Musker & Ron Clements

Originally Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions

July 19 - Aug. 5, 2017 - Moonlight Premiere

Performance at 8 p.m.

Opening Night: Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Moonlight Amphitheatre

Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney's "The Little Mermaid" is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. With music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and a compelling book by Doug Wright, this fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible songs, including "Under the Sea," "Kiss the Girl," and "Part of Your World." Ariel, King Triton's youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human, Prince Eric, in the world above and bargains with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But, the bargain is not what it seems and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull, and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea.

"Sunset Boulevard"

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Book and Lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton

Based on the Billy Wilder Film

Aug. 16 - Sept. 2, 2017 - San Diego Regional Premiere

Performance at 8 p.m.

Opening Night: Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017

Moonlight Amphitheatre

"Sunset Boulevard" weaves a magnificent tale of faded glory and unfulfilled ambition. Silent movie star, Norma Desmond, longs for a return to the big screen, having been discarded by tinsel town with the advent of "talkies." Her glamour has faded in all but her mind. When she meets struggling Hollywood screen-writer Joe Gillis in dramatic circumstances, their subsequent passionate and volatile relationship leads to an unforeseen and tragic conclusion. Based on the film noir classic by Billy Wilder that starred Gloria Swanson and William Holden, it received seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical and features some of Andrew Lloyd Webber's most soaring melodies including, "With One Look" and "As If We Never Said Goodbye."

"In the Heights"

Music and Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Book by Quiara Alegría Hudes

Conceived By Lin-Manuel Miranda

Sept. 13 - 30, 2017 - Moonlight Premiere

Performance at 7:30 p.m.

Opening Night: Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017

Moonlight Amphitheatre

From Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of the current Broadway hit "Hamilton," "In the Heights" tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York's Washington Heights neighborhood - a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It's a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind. "In the Heights" is the winner of the 2008 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations.

With support from the Moonlight Cultural Foundation, Moonlight Stage Productions is regarded as one of Southern California's most professional performing arts institutions. The foundation promotes philanthropy in North County, benefiting quality theatrical performances at the Moonlight Amphitheatre. Together, the City of Vista and the foundation partnership presents extraordinary live theatre to nearly 80,000 guests each year. Theatre arts rely on two sources of income: funds raised from ticket sales and philanthropic contributions from private donors. "Contributions from the public help the Moonlight continue to present the highest quality live theatre generations have come to expect for more than three decades," says Toria Watson, chief executive officer, Moonlight Cultural Foundation. "We welcome community involvement at any level from donating through our Kindness Meter to sponsoring a production, every bit counts." To make a donation, contact the Moonlight Cultural Foundation at 760-630-7650 or visit www.moonlightfoundation.com.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for Season 37 are now on sale. For more information, call 760-724-2110 or visit www.moonlightstage.com.

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 CAFÉ AT THE MOONLIGHT

The Moonlight's restaurant, the Artisan Café, 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 www.moonlightstage.com. For information and reservations, call 760-828-0596.

MOONLIGHT AMPHITHEATRE

1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista, Calif.

Gates open for picnicking and dining 90 minutes before curtain. Non-alcoholic beverages and food may be brought into the Amphitheatre. Parking is free.

ABOUT MOONLIGHT STAGE PRODUCTIONS

Winner of several San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Awards among others, Moonlight Stage Productions is a cultural arts program of the City of Vista and is produced in partnership with the Moonlight Cultural Foundation, the fundraising arm for the organization. Connect with Moonlight Stage Productions on Facebook (facebook.com/moonlightstage), on Twitter (twitter.com/moonlightstage), and on Instagram (moonlightstage).

Named "San Diego's #1 Outdoor Theatre" by readers of 'San Diego Magazine,' Moonlight Stage Productions provides high-caliber Broadway musical theatre each summer in the 2,000-person capacity Moonlight Amphitheatre, owned and operated by the City of Vista. Audiences attend from San Diego County, Southern Riverside County and Orange County.

The Moonlight's season of Broadway musicals is produced in the Moonlight Amphitheatre, a summertime tradition experienced by more than one million people. Throughout the decades, the Amphitheatre has seen numerous transformations, but nothing so dramatic as the total reconstruction of the stage house in 2008-2009. With a grand re-opening in June 2009, a state-of-the-art venue was revealed, which included Modern Stage and audience facilities. Since then, the Amphitheatre has extended its entertainment offerings with the addition of concerts and other special events.

The Moonlight's programs are overseen by the cultural arts division of the City of Vista, with Steven Glaudini as producing artistic director and Colleen Kollar Smith as managing director.

ABOUT MOONLIGHT CULTURAL FOUNDATION

Established in 1974, Moonlight Cultural Foundation is the premier 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization dedicated to promoting culture and diversity through theatre. With a strong focus on North San Diego arts programs, the foundation's main initiatives are youth theatre training programs and supporting the City of Vista's Moonlight Stage Productions and its annual summer season of Broadway musicals. With financial, marketing, and program support from the foundation, Moonlight Stage Productions is regarded as one of Southern California's most professional and mature arts institutions, and position Moonlight Amphitheatre as a cultural destination location.

Moonlight Cultural Foundation's sponsors include: Muriel & Hans Schiff, Forte For Children, Issa Family Foundation, Tri-City Medical Center, Datron World Communications, Modern Builders Supply, County of San Diego, Pacific Marine Credit Union, Vista Valley Country Club, Lili & Art McIntire, Atlantic & Pacific Management, JWD Incorporated, Scripps, Nordson, and Scatena Daniels Communications.

For more information on supporting Moonlight Cultural Foundation and preserving the joy of live theatre for future generations to come, visit http://www.moonlightstage.com/, the foundation's Facebook page or call 760-630-7650.

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