beaches press release jan 2014

8/12/2019 Beaches Press Release Jan 2014

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 14, 2014

Contact: Jen Buzzell, Director of Marketing and Sales571-527-1830 // [email protected] downloadable photos of Alysha Umphress and Mara Davi (photo credit Chris Mueller) maybe found here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/f2ic6n339birnhw/sHmJZ6qWYO

Signature Theatre Presents the World Premiere Musical

BEACHESMara Davi and Alysha Umpress to star in premiere

directed by Eric Schaeffer

Performances February 18 March 23, 2014Single tickets on sale January 17

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Arlington, VA Virginias Signature Theatre is proud to announce the full cast of this springs worldpremiere musical Beaches, adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Directed bySignature Theatres Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (BroadwaysFollies, Million Dollar Quartet), thisheartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women will star Mara Davi(Broadways A Chorus Lineand The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie and Alysha Umphress(Broadways American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom.

The production, touted by TIMEmagazineas one of the 10 Reasons for Theater Lovers to LeaveNew York in 2014 begins at Signatures MAX Theatre February 18. It will play for five weeks,through March 23. Single tickets go on sale January 17.

Based on the 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart (later adapted into the 1988 movie with Bette Midler andBarbara Hershey) this newly adapted world premiere musical is by a creative team that includes Ms.Dart (book & lyrics) Thom Thomas (book) and David Austin (music).

Beachesfollows two extraordinary friends through 30 years of camaraderie, laughter and sorrow.Vivacious, outlandish Cee Cee and beautiful, privileged Bertie meet as children and become fastfriends. From pen-pals to roommates to romantic rivals, Cee Cee and Berties oil-and-waterfriendship perseveres through even the most tragic trials. With a touching vulnerability, Beachesexemplifies the triumph of the human spirit and the bonds of sisterhood.


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Beachesmarks our third world premiere production this season. Weve assembled anamazing cast along with a terrific creative team to bring this special story to life, stated EricSchaeffer. Iris, Thom and David have created a magical world of memories and friendship in thisheartfelt story for the stage in a very original way.

The creative teamincludes choreography by Tony nominee Dan Knechtges (Broadways Xanadu,Sondheim on Sondheim, 110 in the Shade); Musical Supervisor Mary Mitchell Campbell(Broadways Big Fish, The Addams Family, Company); orchestrations by Lynne Shankel (AlterBoyz, Radio City Christmas Spectacular); Scenic Design by Tony Award-winner Derek McLane(Broadways Breakfast at Tiffanys, Follies); Costume Design by Frank Labovitz; Lighting Design byChris Lee; Sound Design by Lane Elms; Production Stage Manager Kerry Epstein; and AssistantStage Manager Stephanie Junkin. Casting byTelsey + Company.

Davi and Umphress are joined in the cast by Clifton Samuels(Michael Barron; Broadways Follies)and Matthew Scott(John Perry; Broadways Sondheim on Sondheim, Jersey Boys) along withDonna Migliaccio(Leona Bloom; Broadways Ragtime, National Tour, Guys & Dolls, SignaturesGypsy, Assassins, Sweeney Todd), Helen Hedman(Rose White; Signatures My Fair Lady, ShowBoat, Shakespeare Theatre, Arena Stage), Brooklyn Shuck(Young Bertie; Broadways Annie),Presley Ryan(Young Cee Cee; NBCs The Sound of Music, Broadway Youth Ensemble, TVsCelebrity Ghost Story), Maya Brettell (Teen Bertie; Woolly Mammoths Appropriate, Studio TheatresThe Big Meal), Gracie Jones(Teen Cee Cee, Olney Theatre Centers Spring Awakening,Cinderella), Svea Johnson(Karen Lewandowski/Nina), Michael Bunce(Arthur/Melman/ensemble;National Tours of Victor, Victoria, The Scarlet Pimpernel), Bayla Whitten(nurse/ensemble;Signatures Chess, Merrily We Roll Along), Jamie Eacker(ensemble; Signatures Company,Xanadu), Heather Brorsen(ensemble; Broadways Avenue Q), Davis Hasty(ensemble), DanManning(ensemble; Broadways Ragtime, Signatures Gypsy), Ryah Nixon(ensemble; NationalTour of 9 to 5: The Musical) and Robbie Roby(ensemble; Broadways Billy Elliot, Hairspray).

BEACHESBook by Iris Rainer Dart & Thom ThomasMusic by David AustinLyrics by Iris Rainer DartBased on the novel Beachesby Iris Rainer DartDirected by Eric SchaefferFebruary 18, 2014 March 23, 2014The MAX

Beaches is sponsored by the HRH Foundation.Additional Support Provided by Hair Cuttery

Performances run Tuesday through Sunday evenings, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets start at $40. Single tickets are available in person at the Signature Box Office at 4200Campbell Avenue in Shirlington, by calling Ticketmaster at (703) 573-SEAT, and online atwww.signature-theatre.org.

There will be no performance on the evening of Tuesday March 4. This productions Prideperformance is scheduled for Friday March 7. Discussion performances are scheduled forWednesday March 5 and Tuesday March 11.


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Recipient of the 2009 Regional Theatre Tony Award, Signature Theatre is a non-profit professionaltheater company in Arlington, Virginia dedicated to producing contemporary musicals and plays,reinventing classic musicals, and developing new work. Under the leadership of co-founder andArtistic Director Eric Schaeffer and Managing Director Maggie Boland, Signature has presented 43world premiere productions and is renowned for combining Broadway-quality productions withintimate playing spaces.

In addition to hosting the finest talent from the DC metropolitan area and New York, Signature hasbeen home to such theatre luminaries as Chita Rivera, George Hearn, Hunter Foster, Emily Skinner,Ann Reinking, Marc Kudisch, Judy Kuhn, John Kander and Fred Ebb, Cameron Mackintosh,Terrence McNally, and the companys signature composer, Stephen Sondheim. Since its founding in1989, Signature has won 82 Helen Hayes Awards for excellence in the Washington, DC regionsprofessional theater and has been honored with 320 nominations.

Signature Theatre is located at 4200 Campbell Avenue (22206) off I-395 at the Shirlington exit (#6).After the exit, blue Signature signs mark the way to the Theatre. Free parking is available in twoadjacent public garages. Please note that Campbell Avenue. For directions visithttp://signature-theatre.org/map.htm.

Subscriptions/Groups: (703) 820-9771Single Tickets: Ticketmaster (703) 573-SEAT (7328)Signature Administration (571) 527-1860Signature Theatre 4200 Campbell Avenue Arlington, VA 22206http://www.signature-theatre.org

Beachesis part of Signature Theatres 2013/14 season. It plays for 5 weeks, running February 18through March 23 in the MAX Theatre. Tickets go on sale January 17 and start at $40. For moreinformation, visit www.signature-theatre.org.

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beaches press release jan 2014

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