5-Star Theatricals Appoints Patrick Cassidy New Artistic Director

5-STAR THEATRICALS (formerly Cabrillo Music Theatre) Board of Directors announced today that Patrick Cassidy will assume the responsibilities of Artistic Director for the critically acclaimed, award-winning organization effective immediately. Will North has resigned his position as managing director to pursue other creative opportunities. Comments 5-Star Theatricals Board Chair Bart Leininger, "On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are so excited to welcome Patrick Cassidy in his new role as Artistic Director after serving on our Executive Advisory Board for many years. Patrick brings a wealth of Broadway talent and experience to Thousand Oaks' own resident theater company. We would also like to thank Will for his many contributions to 5-Star Theatricals and we all wish him nothing but the best in his future creative endeavors."

Adds Patrick Cassidy, "I am beyond excited to join 5-Star Theatricals' creative team. I've lived in the Conejo Valley for 12 years. My kids went to school here. To have the opportunity to spread my lifelong passion for the theatre right here at home is a true honor. I'm looking forward to building a collaborative community for the arts that will help 5-Star thrive and solidify its standing as one of the crown jewels of Thousand Oaks' downtown arts district. 5-Star is our theatre company. The more we enrich it, the more it will enrich us all."

Will North comments, "It has been a fantastic experience guiding this distinguished company during the past two years and having worked with Patrick Cassidy, I know I am leaving the company in great shape with a truly remarkable new leader."

ABOUT Patrick Cassidy

Patrick Cassidy (Artistic Director), the son of Oscar winner Shirley Jones and Tony winner Jack Cassidy, has amassed impressive credits as a director, producer and acting teacher. He directed and starred in The Music Manat the Kennedy Center, helmed Point Park University's acclaimed production of Oklahoma!at the Pittsburgh Playhouse and produced and starred in a musical valentine to his mom called Have You Met Miss Jones?. At the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, he served as resident director of the mammoth musical revue "Showstoppers" and acting coach for the aquatic production show Le Rêve. In April at Western Michigan University, he put his own directorial spin on Jesus Christ Superstar, taking the musical's rock opera aesthetic and hurtling it into the 21st century, complete with bold visuals and hip-hop choreography.

As a performer, Cassidy burst onto the Broadway theater scene in 1982 as Frederic in The Pirates of Penzanceopposite Kevin Kline, played Jeff Barry in the Tony-nominated Leader of the Packand originated the role of the Balladeer in Stephen Sondheim's Assassins.When he and his mom joined the revival cast of 42nd Street, they became the first mother and son to ever star together in a Broadway show. Also on Broadway, he played Egyptian captain Radames in Elton John and Tim Rice's Aidaand sharp-shooter Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun.

He drew regional raves (and a Helen Hayes nomination) as idealistic Pat Conroy in Conrackat Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., and starred as Martin Guerreat the Hartford Stage in Connecticut. He played the title role in two year-long national tours of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the Rev. Shaw Moore in Footloose, Sam in Mamma Miaand recently paid homage to his father by starring in She Loves Meas Stephen Kodaly, the role his dad won the Tony Award for. Here in Southern California, he's starred in Company" with Carol Burnett, I Love My Wifewith Jason Alexander and played the knife-wielding murderer MacHeath in The Threepenny Opera.

On TV, Cassidy squared off against Alec Baldwin in the miniseries "Dress Gray," romanced Jacqueline Bisset in the miniseries "Napoleon and Josephine: A Love Story" and guest-starred on "ER," "Smallville," "CSI: Miami," "K.C. Undercover" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." The ABC Family series "Ruby & the Rockits" was a true family affair, with Cassidy starring opposite brother David in a show created and produced by brother Shaun and featuring brother Ryan as set director.

On the big screen, Cassidy's most cherished project is "Longtime Companion," the groundbreaking drama that was the first to depict the emotional toll of the AIDS crisis.

Patrick lives in the Conejo Valley with his wife, dancer-choreographer Melissa Hurley Cassidy. They have two sons: Cole Cassidy, who is graduating this month with a mechanical engineering degree from UC Irvine, and Jack Cassidy, a singer-songwriter who was a finalist on "The Voice" in 2017.

5-STAR THEATRICALS' 2017-2018 Season will continue with Susan Egan starring in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (July 20 - 29, 2018) in the 1,800 seat Kavli Theatre. For membership and ticket information, call 805-497-8613 x 6 or visit www.5startheatricals.com.

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