Sara Gettelfinger to Star in StageWorks Fresno's GREY GARDENS; Full Cast Announced

This summer Broadway actress Sara Gettelfinger is joined by regional theatre actress Jessie Withers as well as local actors, Tessa Cavaletto, Nicole Dille, Daniel Hernandez, Terry Lewis, Kyla Martin, Harrison Mills, and Mark Rogers in the Central Valley premiere of Grey Gardens at StageWorks Fresno. Joel C. Abels directs the cult-hit film turned musical at the Dan Pessano Theatre for a limited engagement of 11 performances. A musical event that is not to be missed, Grey Gardens opens on July 26, and plays through August 11.

Little Edie is a dazzling socialite on a downward spiral into a life of illusions and hoarded junk. Just exactly how did Jackie Kennedy's cousin end up living in a decaying 42-room mansion full of cats? First captured in a cult-hit documentary, this true-story-turned-musical will take you on an unforgettable journey. Set in the East Hampton mansion of the Beale family, Grey Gardens, and based on the cult-hit documentary of the same name, this award-winning intimate musical follows the spectacular decline and fall of Edith Bouvier Beale, a relative of Jacqueline Kennedy, and her daughter "Little Edie" from a glamorous life of cocktails and house parties to a penniless existence of bizarre co- dependency in the shambles of their once-splendid home. Performed in the intimate Dan Pessano Theatre, Grey Gardens promises to be one of the most memorable musicals of the Fresno theatrical season.

Sara Gettelfinger most recently appeared as "Morticia" in the first national tour of The Addams Family. BROADWAY: "Dona Athene" in John Guare's A FREE MAN OF COLOR at Lincoln Center. Suessical the Musical,The Boys from Syracuse, "Carla" in NINE with Antonio Banderas, "Jolene Oakes" in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels opposite John Lithgow, as well as the first national tours of FOSSE and 101 Dalmatians "Cruella De Vil". Other NYC area credits include: "April" in Company (Helen Hayes), "Fastrada" in Pippin (Papermill Playhouse), Tenderloin and Carnival at City Center ENCORES!, Anything Goes at Lincoln Center, and "Little Edie Beale" in the world premier of Grey Gardens at Playwrights Horizons. In 2009, Sara starred as "Fastrada" in the Deaf West production of Pippin at L.A.'s Mark Taper Forum. Television:The Big C, Georgetown, Guiding Light, Ed, and Without a Trace, Film: 10 to Midnight, Sex In the City, Forbidden Love. In 2006 Sara was signed to DECCA/Universal Records with the classical-crossover trio Three Graces. Their self-titled,debut album was released in stores/online in March 2008,reaching the top 10 on the BILLBOARD/CROSSOVER Charts, followed by a world wide, critically acclaimed concert tour.

Jessie Withers hails from Canada where she originally studied theater & opera and is a recent alumnus of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Past credits include Jerry Springer: the Opera as Shawntel/Eve (Broadway World Nomination Best Featured Actress Musical, Stage Scene LA Best Featured Actress in a Musical) Nerve (Best Performance Lead Actress in a play 2011 OC Registrar), Yum-Yum The Mikado and most recently, Irene Malloy Hello, Dolly!

Additionally, there will be a LIVE Skype talkback with Playwright Doug Wright immediately following the Sunday, August 4th performance. It is open to the public and will begin immediately following the show at approximately 5:00 p.m. Seating is first come-first served and priority will be for those that attend the performance that afternoon.

Tickets to Grey Gardens range from $18.50 to $23.50. Tickets are available online at www.stageworksfresno.com or by calling the box office at 559.289.6622 The Dan Pessano Theatre is located at 2770 E. International in Fresno, CA.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride

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