San Diego Musical Theatre Presents LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, September 25 - October 11 at the Spreckels Theatre

San Diego Musical Theatre announces the third production of their 2015 season, La Cage Aux Folles, September 25 - October 11, 2015 (press opening on Saturday, September 26), at the Spreckels Theatre on Broadway in downtown San Diego.

Book by Harvey Fierstein with Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman.

The musical that inspired the movie The Birdcage (starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane), La Cage Aux Folles tells the story of Georges, the owner of a glitzy nightclub in lovely St. Tropez, and his partner, Albin, who moonlights as the glamorous chanteuse, Zaza. When Georges' son brings home his fiancée's ultra conservative parents to meet the splashy pair, the bonds of family are put to the test! La Cage is a glittering and fast stepping extravaganza mixed with a touching tale of one family's struggle to stay together, stay fabulous and above all else, stay true to themselves!

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES STARS: DAVID ENGEL* who was in the original La Cage Aux Folles cast on Broadway, ROBERT J. TOWNSEND* who just ended his Broadway run in Mamma Mia! and JAMES VASQUEZ* who is stepping out from behind the scenes, into the spotlight, in the role of Jacob.

*-Member, Actors Equity Association

DAVID ENGEL* (Albin) Broadway credits include Putting it Together (opposite Carol Burnett), Seussical: The Musical, and the original Broadway production of La Cage aux Folles. David created the role of Smudge in the original New York production of Forever Plaid, and again in Plaid Tidings and Forever Plaid: The Movie. Last spring Mr. Engel was honored to star opposite film legend Leslie Caron in the two-hander Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks at the Laguna Playhouse, and he just completed a run as Harold Hill in The Music Man at the Moonlight Amphitheater. David played the "Bing Crosby" role in White Christmas for SDMT in its first incarnation and will be returning to play it again this year.

ROBERT J. TOWNSEND* (Georges) Broadway- Mamma Mia! National Tours- Jersey Boys, Camelot, Grease, Radio City. SDMT- Dan Goodman in Next To Normal (also La Mirada- Ovation Nom), Chicago (Billy Flynn), Guys and Dolls (Sky Masterson), Smokey Joe's Cafe. Other Regional: Papa Who in The Grinch (Old Globe), Tommy Albright in Brigadoon (Sacramento Music Circus), Sweeney in Sweeney Todd (Moonlight- Craig Noel Nom), Story of My Life (SDMT/Havoc- Thomas Weaver- Ovation Award/Craig Noel Nom), 1776 (Edward Rutledge), Jekyll and Hyde (Title role- Ovation Award). TV/Film: One Minute Soap Opera, Scooby Doo: Music of the Vampire. And my favorite role to date- Baby Daddy to Mr. Chase Evan Townsend! www.jillandrobert.com

JAMES VASQUEZ* (Jacob) is excited to make his onstage debut with San Diego Musical Theatre, where he previously directed Cats and West Side Story. He's worked at the NY Public Theatre, The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, Goodspeed Musicals, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Cygnet and Diversionary Theatre, as well as on television, film and radio. He is co-founder of Daisy 3 Pictures. James is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Drama.

*-Member, Actors Equity Association

ADDITIONAL LA CAGE AUX FOLLES CAST:

Bren Thor Johnson (Jean Michel)

Ashley Ruth Jones (Anne)

David Mitchum Brown (Dindon)

Debra Wanger (Marie Dindon)

Christine Hewitt (Jacqueline)

Randall Eames (Francis)

Donny Gersonde (Hanna)

Luke Harvey Jacobs (Chantal)

Ala Tiatia (Mercedes)

Alex Sanchez (Bitelle)

Scott Frausto (Angelique/Dance Captain)

J'royce Walton (Phaedra)

Bex Greenwood (Ensemble)

Bryan Banville (Ensemble)

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES ARTISTIC TEAM

LARRY RABEN (Director) Recently Larry directed Nice Work If You Can Get It at Ogunquit Playhouse and Gateway Playhouse starring Sally Struthers, Valerie Harper and Brenda Vaccaro. San Diego credits include Catch Me If You Can (Moonlight) and Always Patsy Cline, Plaid Tidings, Forever Plaid, and Hollywood's Heyday (The Welk). He directed the world premiere of Tony winner Joe DiPietro's Falling For Eve Off-Broadway (The York Theatre) and won the LA Ovation Award for Best Direction for Singin' In The Rain (Cabrillo Music Theatre). Favorites: Buyer & Cellar (Coyote StageWorks and Laguna Playhouse in '16); When You Wish-the story of Walt Disney (Freud Theatre); Sunset Boulevard, Hairspray, The Wedding Singer, Never Gonna Dance, The Thing About Men, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, Legs Diamond, and Sugar (Musical Theatre West); Tru, Greater Tuna and A Tuna Christmas (CSW-all Desert Star Awards Best Direction); Plaid Tidings (Walnut Street Theatre); Love Makes The World Go Round (Phoenix Theatre); authored and directed Rodger & Hart & Hammerstein (Reprise! and Rubicon); Nuttin' But Hutton (NoHo Arts); Fanny, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (MTG); Bark! (Inland Empire Award Best Direction); The Producers (Gateway Playhouse) and Sweet Charity in Buenos Aires (Best director Ace nominee). Larry is also a recently published children's book author of Ibby Makes A Wish which is available on amazon.com.

KARL WARDEN (Choreographer) Karl most recently won the San Diego Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Choreography for his all new production of Catch Me If You Can at Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista, CA. Other favorites: Pippin, Footloose, Hello Dolly, West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie, Once Upon A Mattress, Psycho Beach Party, The Todd & Molly Show: In Everyone's Pants There's A Dance and the World Premieres of BARK! and The Green Room. TV/Film: "Someplace Better Than Here" and "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia". Industrials: MAC Cosmetics, Harvey Nichols Hong Kong, HP Computers. Karl has proudly served as Associate Choreographer to Tony Award Winner Scott Wise and Emmy nominee Patti Colombo.

DON LE MASTER (Musical Director) A native of San Diego, Don has been a working musician in the world of theatre for over 30 years. He has been the resident musical director for SDMT, since its inception. He has musically directed and conducted many shows: A Christmas Carol, I Love You You're Perfect Now Change, Cabaret (San Diego Rep), American Rhythm, Boomers (Lamb's Players), Superstar, Once On This Island, Ragtime and 1776 - Ovation nomination (Performance Riverside), and many others at Moonlight, Cygnet, Starlight, South Bay Cities, North Coast Rep and McCoy Rigby. The San Diego Theatre Critics Circle, honored Don with an Outstanding Musical Direction Craig Noel award for the Full Monty and The Sound of Music and just recently nominated for Next To Normal. Don performs at Martini's Above Fourth with the fabulous Ria Carey and a solo gig at The Imperial House.

Additional production team includes:

Set Design - Bret Young, Lighting Design - Michael Von Hoffman, Sound Design - Kevin Anthenill, Costume Coordinator - Janet Pitcher, Stage Manager - Craig T. Campbell*

* - Member Actor's Equity Association

YOU GIVE, WE GIVE: Throughout our 2015 season, San Diego Musical Theatre is partnering with a different local nonprofit organization for each individual production. The Production's Partner will be featured in the lobby during the run of that show as a way to raise awareness for the great work being done by San Diego nonprofits. Ten percent of the funds raised for SDMT during the run of each production will be given to that specific production's partner organization. SDMT announces

"The Trevor Project" as our "You Give, We Give" fundraising campaign partner during LA CAGE AUX FOLLES.

TICKET INFORMATION:
Single tickets for SDMT's production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES are $35.00, $45.00, $55.00 and $65.00. Children 16 and under save $10. There are discounts for Seniors and Students. Equity and Actor's Alliance may purchase up to 2 tickets at half price. Group discounts for parties of 12 or more are available by calling the Administrative Office at 858-560-5740. For individual tickets contact the Administrative Office at 858-560-5740 or visit SDMT online at www.sdmt.org.

SCHEDULE: LA CAGE AUX FOLLES show times are Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

LOCATION: The Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101. There is parking in the Spreckels garage and the NBC Building. Both are accessed via Broadway Circle.

For more information and tickets call San Diego Musical Theatre's Administrative Office at

858-560-5740. The San Diego Musical Theatre Administrative Office is located at 4652 Mercury Street, San Diego, CA 92111. Monday-Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.. Tickets purchased through the Spreckels Box Office are through Ticket Master.

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