PCPA Theaterfest presents the American Premiere My Fairytale

PCPA Theaterfest is proud to present the American Premiere of My Fairytale, a musical about Hans Christian Andersen directed by Scott Schwartz. My Fairytale previews in Santa Maria August 12 - 20, then opens in Solvang's Festival Theater running from August 26 through September 25, 2011.

The musical is an enchanted journey into the imagination of one of the worlds' greatest storytellers - it's a place of wonder, mystery and danger, and where Andersen is confronted by the characters from his fairytales. His quest is to find the Nightingale for the ailing Emperor, but he is continually kept him from his goal, being sidetracked by the fairytale characters, a boy, and a shadow.

My Fairytale was originally produced in Denmark in 2005 in honor of the bi-centennial of Hans Christian Andersen's birth. Director Scott Schwartz pointed out that this first American production, besides being presented in English for the first time, includes the introduction of puppets, some script rewrites, and additional music by Stephen Schwartz, which will make My Fairytale feel more like a world premiere production. And, it will only be seen at PCPA.

This breathtaking production is filled with a powerful score created by Stephen Schwartz, the award-winning composer of Wicked. The book is by Philip LeZebnik (Pocahontas), and it was originally created by Flemming Enevold, a famous Danish actor and singer.

Much of the accompanying music is from the original production as performed by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, which will blend with live accompaniment by Kristin Blascyk, keyboards; Dave Becker, reeds; and Jeanne Shumway, Cello.

The cast includes Kevin Cahoon who will play H.C. Andersen. Cahoon recently wrapped up a production of The Foreigner opposite Matthew Broderick in an Off-Broadway production directed by Scott Schwartz. He's also appeared on Broadway in The Lion King, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Wedding Singer. Playing Jenny Lind, the famous Swedish opera singer of the 1800s, is Lesley McKinnell who will also wear the guise of many of Andersen's fairytale characters. McKinnell has appeared in two national tours of Wicked where she was a permanent ensemble performer and understudy to Glinda. She also performed in the Hollywood Bowl production of Les Misérables. Other cast members include Erik Stein (Captain Hook, Peter Pan), Andrew Philpot (Richard Hannay, The 39 Steps), Sam Zeller (Edna Turnblad, Hairspray), and Karin Hendricks (Jane Bennet, Pride and Prejudice).

Puppet Designer Emily DeCola introduces "The Chicks" to My Fairytale puppeteers. PCPA's production of My Fairytale also features puppets designed by Emily DeCola of New York's Puppet Kitchen. Emily's puppets include larger than life ducks, chickens, mermaids, as well as a Thumbelina hand puppet and a two puppeteer operated Saucer Eyed Dog. She has produced characters for film, TV, and theatre and is an internationally sought-after speaker on puppetry. DeCola's brief residency at PCPA included two days of workshops with the actors. Their introduction to puppeteering included becoming familiar with the connection between fellow puppeteers while keeping the intention of the puppet character clear and active. As part of the process, DeCola encouraged puppeteers to select puppets with a compatible personality claiming each is unique.
Under the direction of Scott Schwartz the artistic team includes Michael Jenkinson, Choreographer; Callum Morris, Musical Director; Tom Buderwitz, Scenic Designer; Alejo Vietti, Costume Designer; Jen ‘Z' Zornow, Lighting Designer; Walter T.J. Clissen, Sound Designer, and Christine Collins, Stage Manager.

Just the facts...Santa Maria
What: My Fairytale
When: August 12 - 20, 2011
Where: Marian Theatre - 800 S. College, Santa Maria
GPS: enter 1100 S. Bradley, Santa Maria, Ca 93454
Times: 1:30pm - Wed., Sat., Sun.
7pm - Thu., Fri., Sat.
Tickets: Special preview pricing for the entire Santa Maria run - $23.00 for adults.
Discounts for children, students, seniors.
Box Office: (805) 922-8313
Internet: www.pcpa.org

Just the facts...Solvang
What: My Fairytale
When: August 26 - September 25, 2011
Where: Solvang Festival Theater - 420 2nd St., Solvang
Times: 8pm Tuesday - Sunday
Tickets: $36.00 - $39.75 for adults. Discounts for children, students, seniors
and preview performance August 26.
Box Office: (805) 922-8313
Internet: www.pcpa.org

The 2011 PCPA Summer Season:

Hairspray
July 8 - 31 - Solvang Festival Theater

The Two Gentlemen of Verona
July 15 - 30 - Marian Theatre, Santa Maria
August 5 - 21- Solvang Festival Theater

My Fairytale - American Premiere
August 12 - 20 - Marian Theatre, Santa Maria
August 26 - September 25- Solvang Festival Theater

Caroline, or Change
September 1 - 18 - Marian Theatre, Santa Maria

Now in its 47th season, PCPA Theaterfest is the Central Coast's Resident Professional Theatre Company, and has infused The National Theatre scene with thousands of trained actors and theatrical technicians over the years in its conservatory.

The Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA) of Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California supports a unique, fully-accredited vocational training program for aspiring actors and theatre technicians. PCPA is the only training program of its kind offered by a community college in the United States.

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