New Musical AN EXTRA PENNY to Make World Premiere at JPAC

By: Jun. 13, 2017
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Come be part of musical theatre history with the world premiere of An Extra Penny at the Seby B. Jones Performing Arts Center (JPAC) on July 26- August 6.

Presented in association with Louisburg College and with support of the Franklin County Tourism Board.

An Extra Penny is packed with connections to the Carolinas. Produced by Conwell Worthington II (originally from Greenville, NC), it is a full length musical drama told in two acts with original book and score. Written and conceived by CindyLu Mancini (resides in Stantonsbug, NC) incorporating the music of 21st century composer Mary Lee Taylor Kinosian (from Columbia, SC) ... this unorthodox and imaginative new production recounts the memories of young Jessie Larson and is the expanded view of one woman's journey back in time. An emotionally charged and timeless story of universal compassion, An Extra Pennyoutlines the shared remembrances of uncommon friends who support each other through the trials of war.

The title, An Extra Penny, evolved over time from playwright Cindy Mancini's deeper understanding of how the rising cost of postage affected people in 1917. As a wartime measure to fund its troops, the US Government doubled the price of postcards from one cent to two and raised the cost of letters from two cents to three. An Extra Penny for a stamp may not seem like much today, but 100 years ago.... that was an exorbitant increase.

Food was scarce and very expensive. Months passed without news from loved ones. Letters confirmed life... but also verified death. People scheduled their lives around mail deliveries because letters changed lives.

The show opens in 1942. WWII is underway and a United States Naval Officer boards a train. As her husband disappears, Jessie watches their young daughter wave and she is overwhelmed by memories that stretch back 25 years... to the day her own father left on the very same train... to fight for his country in WWI.

Advanced tickets are $30 for adults, $10 for children under 12, and $15 for military with proper military id, and $20 for groups of 10 persons or more. VIP tickets are available on Friday, July 28th for $50 and include an invitation to the cast party, food & drink, a special meet & greet and photo opportunities.

Ticket are on sale now online at anextrapenny.com/ticket-sales.html, and by phone at 252-238-2192, Monday - Thursday from 10am until 2pm.

Visit www.anextrapenny.com for more information.

About CindyLu Mancini (Writer/Director) - Born and raised in Scotch Plains, NJ, Mancini began her professional career as a dancer right out of High School. She eventually returned home and joined the New Jersey Ballet Company where she stayed for several years and met her husband, Joseph Carow.

Drawn to musical theatre, Mancini departed from ballet and was cast in both American and European Tours of West Side Story. Cindy and her husband moved to North Carolina in 1990 where she established Dancespace, a performing conservatory that eventually led to Signature Inc, a professional company of performers, some of which she trained from an early age. As Artistic Director of Signature Inc, and through other freelance commissions, Mancini has created, directed and produced many original projects in both dance and theatre.

An Extra Penny has been seven years in the making and fueled by Mancini's never ending passion for exploring a new and original platform of theatrical storytelling. It is by far her most ambitious project to date.

About Conwell Worthington II (Producer) - Conwell Sellars Worthington, II attended East Carolina University and earned a B.F.A. degree in Management & Design Directing. He also focused on the University's B.M.A. program with a major in Voice & a minor in Piano. Throughout his 35 year career as producer, director, manager, and stage manager of live theatre and live entertainment throughout the country including on New York City's Broadway, he has worked and studied with Martin Charnin, Morton DeCosta, Jamie Hammerstein, Billy Hammerstein, Larry Kasha, Michael Kidd, Manny Kladitis, Mitch Leigh, Marsha Mason, James Nederlander, George Plimpton, Harold Prince, Jerome Robins, Richard Rodgers, Joe Ropso, Donald Sadler, Paul Sills, Leonard Soloway, Lee Strasberg, FRed Walker, MerEdith Wilson, and Yuriko. Currently producing Dirty Dancing, The Love Boats on Stage, Pre-Broadway, Exit Laughing, a 6 character play off Broadway, Dusty, Henry Sweet Henry Tour. He recently completed the redesign and opening of a new theatre in Orange County. He consults with numerous theatres throughout the US and the world. For more information, visit www.jbtheatricalproductionsllc.com.

 

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