Vital Theatre's FASHION ACADEMY THE MUSICAL to Close Next Sunday

Vital Theatre Company's production of FASHION ACADEMY, THE MUSICAL will play its final performance next Sunday, February 21st. The original cast included Brie Cassil, Luke Doyle, Alexis Marquardt, Rachel Newman and Kayla Weinerman.

The production, with book by Sheryl Berk and Sabrina Chap, music and lyrics by Sabrina Chap, based on the book Fashion Academy by Sheryl Berk and Carrie Berk, authors of the popular chapter book, Peace, Love, and Cupcakes: The Cupcake Club and directed by Sam Viverito, opened on Friday, October 2nd at the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater where it ran for 11 performances.

The production moved to The Theater at Blessed Sacrament, 152 West 71st Street, just east of Broadway, on Sunday, November 29th where it and will continue performances on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:30 pm, through February 22st.

In FASHION ACADEMY, THE MUSICAL, MacKenzie "Mickey" Williams is the new student at FAB Middle School (The Fashion Academy of Brooklyn), a training ground for future fashion designers. But her "out of the box" thinking and colorful style make her a "walking Fashion Don't." So, in order to fit in, Mickey decides it's time for a major makeover. The new, trendy "Kenzie" is able to blend in like a true fashionista. But will gaining acceptance come at the price of losing herself? Appropriate for ages 7 and up.

Tickets are $30.00 for regular seats and 40.00 for premium seats. For reservations and information visit www.vitaltheatre.org or call (212) 579-0528.

Carrie & Sheryl Berk (Book Authors): Sheryl Berk (co-book) is a New York Times bestselling author and has collaborated on numerous celebrity books including Soul Surfer with Bethany Hamilton, Stages and Heart to Heart with Britney Spears, Between U and Me with Zendaya and Choosing Glee with Jenna Ushkowitz. But her "sweetest" coauthor by far has been her 12-year-old daughter Carrie Berk. Together, they write the bestselling Cupcake Club book series for Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky. Carrie dreamed up Book 1, Peace, Love, and Cupcakes: The Cupcake Club, in her second grade class at PS 6, sprinkling it with her friends, teachers, and experiences. She is a well-known food critic in her own right, with a popular blog (www.carriescupcakecritique.shutterfly.com) and Facebook page that boasts 90K followers (www.facebook.com/PLCCupcakeClub).

Sabrina Chap (co-book, music, lyrics) is a Brooklyn-based songwriter, playwright and cabaret artist. Her two CDs, "Oompa!" and "We Are the Parade," have been called "guaranteeably vaudevillian chic and undeniably impressive", establishing her as a musical force in the current neo-burlesque/cabaret revival. Primarily a cabaret artist, she enjoys writing in a variety of musical styles, and is excited to rise to the pop challenge in Fashion Academy. Currently, she writes/performs for the shadow puppet musical, Midnight Radio Show, the electro-pop band Soft Sirens, the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus and her own electric guitar radio musical, Postcards from Nevermore. sabrinachap.com

Sam Viverito (Director) has directed and choreographed shows all over the world. Productions include: (Seoul, Korea) Urinetown, Hairspray, Quiz Show, Batboy, Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame, King & I and the first American company of A Chorus Line. (Brighton, England) Brighton Cares. (Toronto, Canada) A Touch of Broadway. (Malaysia & Japan) Charles Bach's The Wonder Show. National tours: Man of la Mancha, Gypsy, A Chorus Line, Angelina Ballerina and Fancy Nancy. Regional: La Cage aux Folles, Funny Girl, Sweet Charity, Annie, 42nd Street, Evita, Buddy, Broadway Bound, Opa!, Corps of Discovery, and for 21 years, the Shoji Tabuchi Show, in Branson, MO. For Vital Theatre Company Sam has directed and choreographed: Angelina Ballerina (NYC, Toronto and tour), Angelina Ballerina Very Merry Holiday Show (NYC & tour), Fancy Nancy (NYC & tour), Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas and The Bully.

Jaime Clegg (Music Director) is a New York City-based director, music director, pianist, orchestrator, and composer whose work has been seen across the US. Previous music direction credits include NYC: Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas, The Bully, Breakup (reading), An Intolerant Vaudeville (Unfringed); Regional: Parade, Songs for a New World, The Last Five Years, Into the Woods, Pippin, Seussical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Flora the Red Menace, Oliver, Godspell. Jaime is currently at work writing a new musical to receive its first reading in the spring. Current projects also include new music to be featured on Jaime's first album release as a songwriter. Occasionally, Jaime is also seen on stage. Favorite roles include Jesus in Godspell, Helsa in The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, and Frankenfurter in The Rocky Horror Show.

Featured in the cast are Luke Doyle, Marie Eife, Strom Lever, Hana Slevin and Kayla Weinerman. The design team includes sets by Kyle Dixon, lights by Carl Skovgaard and costumes by Juliann E. Kroboth. Shani Murfin is the stage manager.

Vital Theatre Company is dedicated to producing entertaining and educational theatre for young audiences and commissions three to five musicals for children each season. Since its founding in 1999, Vital Theatre Company has been honored with the 2012 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Family Musical, two Awards for Excellence by the Off-Off Broadway Review, and has received high acclaim from audiences and critics alike for being "a wonderful place for parents to introduce their kids to the glories of live theatre, done well and at modest prices" (Off-Off Broadway Review). Entering its 18th season, the company has presented over 96 original productions for over 500,000 children and their families.