Cabrillo Music Theatre's CHILDREN OF EDEN Begins in Thousand Oaks Today

Before his retelling of the Witches of Oz in WICKED, composer Stephen Schwartz took on a contemporary retelling of some of the most popular Biblical tales known to Man. CHILDREN OF EDEN uses these stories and characters to strike a universal chord in all of us. Beautiful music, story, humor, and imagery remind us of Spring, filled with new life bursting all around. CHILDREN OF EDEN opens today, April 8th, 2016, playing until Sunday, April 17th, 2016 at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

Every year, Cabrillo provides a delightful new show to surprise our audiences. This year, meet theCHILDREN OF EDEN! Based on the stories of Adam and Eve, and of Noah and the Ark, it's actually the story of parents and children... of knowing when to hold on tightly to family... and of knowing when to let go. In other words, it's the story of all of us. With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (WICKED, PIPPIN, GODSPELL and more) and script by John Caird (co-director of LES MISERABLES), CHILDREN OF EDEN fills the stage with illustrious storytelling, dance, humor, and beautiful songs, including "Spark of Creation," "Lost in the Wilderness," "In Whatever Time We Have," and many more. Tellingly, Stephen Schwartz has been quoted as referring to CHILDREN OF EDEN as his favorite of his works.

Cabrillo Music Theatre's brand-new production of CHILDREN OF EDEN features inspiring music, lyrical dancing, and humanity that will warm your heart. The cast features three of Southern California's brightest theatre stars. Misty Cotton, from Off-Broadway's THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES and Southern California's recent productions of CARRIE: THE MUSICAL, will play "Eve" and "Mama Noah;" Kevin McMahon, fresh from six years on the national tour of WICKED, portrays "Adam" and "Noah;" and Norman Large, of Broadway's LES MISERABLES and Cabrillo's ANNIE, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, and CINDERELLA, plays "Father." Joining them is an extraordinary array of young talent, many of whom will be musical theatre mainstays for years to come: Ryan J. Driscoll ("Cain/Japheth"), Barnaby James ("Abel/Ham"), Natalia Vivino ("Yonah") and Paul DiLoreto ("Seth/Shem"). In all, a cast of nearly fifty and a full professional orchestra will bring CHILDREN OF EDEN to vibrant life.

Directing CHILDREN OF EDEN is Cabrillo's Artistic Director Lewis Wilkenfeld, celebrating his tenth year in this leadership position with Cabrillo. Choreography is by Michelle Elkin, and Musical Direction by Ovation Award nominee and Cabrillo favorite Cassie Nickols, who will conduct the Cabrillo Music Theatre Orchestra.

"CHILDREN OF EDEN is one of musical theatre's most moving, funny and charming shows," says Director Wilkenfeld. "By focusing on these stories of Adam and Eve, and Noah and the Ark, EDEN manages to say something about all parents and all children. Adds Wilkenfeld, "As a parent of older teens, the themes that run through the show - parents knowing when to hold on, parents knowing when to let go - speak directly to me. I believe that everyone will see themselves inCHILDREN OF EDEN."

In addition to the onstage cast, CHILDREN OF EDEN will feature an offstage choir, which will enhance the experience for audiences. To that end, Cabrillo Music Theatre is partnering with local high schools and universities, whose vocal students will become the voices of EDEN. Thousand Oaks High School has signed on already, with more to come.

Cabrillo Music Theatre's brand-new production of CHILDREN OF EDEN is appropriate for all ages, and is a wonderful show for families to see together. And, as with all Cabrillo shows, will feature a signed performance for the deaf and hard-of-hearing on Friday, April 15th, at 8:00PM. We promise that you'll come out of the Kavli Theatre surprised and happy. Let Cabrillo Music Theatre surprise you this spring, when we introduce you to CHILDREN OF EDEN.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM:

LEWIS WILKENFELD (Director/Artistic Director) has produced 43 shows across ten seasons as Artistic Director of Cabrillo Music Theatre. Under Lewis' leadership, Cabrillo has received 52 Ovation Award nominations and 8 wins. As director, Lewis' Cabrillo shows include: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way To The Forum, Mary Poppins, Oklahoma! (both times), Bye Bye Birdie (both times!), Annie, The Sound of Music, Cinderella, The King and I, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and The Music Man. Lewis has also directed 9 productions for L.A.'s prestigious Musical Theatre Guild. Lewis' proudest "productions" are the two he shares with his wife, Serena: son Jesse and daughter Melody.

CASSIE NICKOLS (Musical Director/Conductor) An LA native, Cassie has become a sought-after accompanist, musical director, performer, teacher, and coach, winning such accolades as Most Outstanding Graduate from the Thornton School at USC. Her performances have taken her to New York and London and range from classical recitals to rock concerts to musical theatre. Credits: Music Director: Company (Cabrillo), Memphis (Cabrillo-Ovation Award Nominee), In the Heights(Candlelight Pavilion), The Fantasticks (Pierce College), Cabaret (Repertory East Theatre); Assistant Musical Director: In the Heights (Cabrillo), Next to Normal (La Mirada). Cassie has also been the pianist and music director for multiple musical theatre cabarets, classes and workshops in LA.

MICHELLE ELKIN (Choreographer) Choreographic credits include: TV Land show "Younger"; musical numbers featuring Tony Award winner Sutton Foster with special guest Joshua Henry for the NSO at Kennedy Center, New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, and the Houston Symphony; ABC Family's "Baby Daddy;" TNT pilot "Dawn" directed by Sam Raimi; Little Shop Of Horrors in Tampa, FL. Feature films "Wild Hogs" and "What Just Happened;" Emmy award winning television shows "Boston Legal," "Weeds," Lifetime's reality show "Your Mama Don't Dance", "Kristin" starring Kristin Chenoweth, and tap sequences in ABC Family's "Bunheads." Associate Choreographer credits include; "Dancing With The Stars," Sister Act at Pasadena Playhouse, Emmy Awards with Jane Lynch, Academy Awards with Hugh Jackman and the Broadway show, Wonderland.

ABOUT THE CAST:

MISTY COTTON (Eve/Mama Noah) is thrilled to be back at Cabrillo Music Theatre, having performed in their productions of Marvelous Wonderettes as "Missy" & Happy Days as "Pinky Tuscadero." Most recently she was seen in the hit production of Carrie as "Margaret" at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & downtown at the Los Angeles Theatre. She also recently performed the one-woman show Song and Dance in Santa Barbara at Ensemble Theatre Company. Broadway/National Tours- Miss Saigon as "Ellen," LES MISERABLES as "Eponine," Joseph... Dreamcoat as "Narrator" opposite Donny Osmond. Off-Broadway-Marvelous Wonderettes as "Missy." Regional: Into the Woods as "Witch" Utah Shakespeare Festival, Snow Queen as "Gerta" Troubadour Theatre Co., Side Show (LA Premiere) as "Violet" Colony Theatre-Ovation & Garland awards, Little Night Music as "Petra" ETC & South Coast Rep- LADCC Award-Best Featured Actress. Tommy as "Mrs. Walker" Moonlight Amphitheatre, Last Five Years as"Cathy" Pasadena Playhouse, Winter Wonderettes as "Missy" Milwaukee Rep, Wonderettes-Caps and Gowns as "Missy" Laguna Playhouse, Annie Get Your Gun as "Annie" SBCCLO, Spitfire Grill as "Percy" Utah Shakespearean Festival & Laguna Playhouse, Macbeth, Peg O My Heart, Johnny Guitar at USF. Misty can be heard on the original cast recordings for Winter Wonderettes andWonderettes-Caps and Gowns.

NORMAN LARGE (Father) has enjoyed an extremely varied career from principal artist with The New York City Opera, to ten LA Ovation award nominations. From symphony engagements under Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa, to playing more different guest starring roles on "Star Trek" than anyone in all of the series combined. From voicing characters in numerous Disney animated features, to being recorded live at Carnegie Hall. From numerous original Broadway casts including Les Miserables ("Bishop," "Javert," "Thenardier,") to playing scenes with Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman". From dancing as star of CATS, to playing opposite Leslie Nielson in "Repossessed," to standing by for Michael Crawford in The Phantom of the Opera. From recurring as a judge on "NYPD Blue," to touring Europe as Tony in West Side Story.

KEVIN McMAHON (Adam/Noah) most recently appeared in the L.A. premiere of Sondheim on Sondheim at International City Theatre. For the previous six years, he was featured in the musical phenomenon Wicked. Other major credits include national tours of City of Angels, The Fantasticks, Forever Plaid and the Off-Broadway revival of Little Moon of Alban. Favorite regional credits include The Full Monty (Musical Theatre West - Ovation Nomination), Sweeney Todd (Sacramento Music Circus), A New Brain (Musical Theatre Guild), Rocky Horror Show (Tropicana, Vegas and Fonda Theatre), A Little Night Music (South Coast Repertory & Ahmanson), Sweet Charity (Moonlight), Singin' in the Rain (Paper Mill Playhouse) and Children of Eden (Utah Musical Theatre). A Boston Conservatory graduate, Kevin has appeared in film, television and commercials. His acclaimed solo CD, "Mirror" is available on iTunes.

CHILDREN OF EDEN will open on Friday, April 8th, 2016, and run through Sunday, April 17h. Performances are Thursday at 7:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00pm. A post-show discussion with cast, staff, and audience will follow the Saturday, April 9th, 2:00pm performance. A signed performance for the deaf and hard-of-hearing will be on Friday, April 15th, at 8:00PM.

All tickets may be purchased at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Box Office located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks, or through any Ticketmaster location, or by phone (800) 745-3000. For groups of 10 or more, call Group Sales, Cabrillo Music Theatre at (805) 497-8613 x3. Ticket prices range from $35-$75. For ticket and theatre information, call (805) 449-ARTS (2787). CHILDREN OF EDEN performs exclusively at the Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Bank of America Performing Arts Center, at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

Cabrillo Music Theatre is the Ovation Award-winning Resident Musical Theatre Production Company of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, and a non-profit theatre organization. For over three decades, Cabrillo has been enriching the cultural life of Ventura and Los Angeles Counties and the surrounding areas by providing an extraordinary performing arts experience through live, Broadway-quality productions of musical theatre. It is Cabrillo's mission to provide the highest quality musical experience, to foster educational opportunities, and to promote cultural and artistic enrichment to enhance the quality of life in Southern California. By creating opportunity for up-and-coming performers and artists, Cabrillo has launched hundreds to success in theatre, movies, television and music, including Adam Lambert, Katharine McPhee, and Tony nominee Stephanie J. Block. In addition, Cabrillo Music Theatre goes "Beyond the Footlights" with Outreach programs to give back to the community, and to provide enhanced theatre experiences for all audiences. Since the inception of "Beyond the Footlights," over 46,000 underserved children, in-need seniors, and active military have enjoyed Cabrillo Music Theatre's productions at no charge. In addition, Cabrillo provides ASL signed performances of every production; talkbacks with cast and staff; and Cabrillo's Animal Rescue program, which raises funds and awareness for homeless and abused dogs and cats.

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