Coronado Playhouse's CARNIVAL! to Benefit Ronald McDonald House, 6/28-8/4

The Coronado Playhouse, the community's theatre, has launched an effort to help one of San Diego County's most established non-profit organizations, Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego. Founded in 1980, the local Ronald McDonald House provides a "home away from home" to families with children being treated at area hospitals for serious, often life-threatening conditions. Nearly 20,000 guests a year receive housing, meals and other crucial care and services while dealing with health crises.

This summer, the Coronado Playhouse is producing the classic musical, "CARNIVAL!" It's a timeless story about a young orphan girl named Lili who runs away to join a circus traveling the European countryside. Audiences will be thrilled by the music, magic and mystery that unfolds on stage with elaborate puppetry and an eclectic cast of characters. During the run of the production June 28th-August 4th, CPH has launched a new clothing drive to benefit families staying at San Diego's Ronald McDonald House. Because many of the hospitalized children have compromised immune systems, only new clothing or financial donations to pay for clothing can be accepted. There is a particular need for socks, underwear, sweats and t-shirts. Along with children's sizes, clothing in all adult sizes is also appreciated.

The exciting partnership between the charity and theatre company will also include "Family Day at the CARNIVAL!" on Saturday July 6th from 12noon-2pm. The Coronado Playhouse will be transformed into an open house of circus themed fun for all ages with face painting, a bounce house, a visit from Ronald McDonald and a musical showcase presentation of highlights fromCARNIVAL!, featuring the romantic ballad, "Love Makes the World Go 'Round". Financial donations of any amount will be accepted at the family day event. As an added fundraiser throughout the run of the show, audiences attending each performance will have the opportunity to visit Schlegel's Cirque de Paris side show tent filled with amusements and freakish wonders. A suggested donation of $3 or more to benefit the clothing drive is appreciated.

CARNIVAL! director, Charles Peters, says "our particular production will bring a new flavor to the award winning musical with plenty of thrilling sights and sounds and some real surprises for audience members who run away with us for a couple of hours of fantasy." The Coronado Playhouse and its cast and crew are delighted to be working with the Ronald McDonald House in a collaboration of the arts and healthcare community efforts to help children and families in need. Ronald McDonald House Corporate and Community Development Coordinator, Amanda Dove, tells us "We get a lot of families who are here in an emergency situation for an unexpected long stay. As such, they are not always prepared with necessities. The theatre's clothing drive and promotions for our organization will save our families precious time and resources that can be dedicated to their child." For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego and how you can help, please go towww.rmhcsd.org.

To learn more about special group rates and ticket discounts, contact the box office at 619-435-4856. There are several event opportunities that include Opening Night Dinner & Show, Carnival Happy Hour and a private LGBT OUT Night reception performance July 11th. Find details at our website, www.coronadoplayhouse.com. Also, join us as some of the CARNIVAL! cast members and families from the Ronald McDonald House march in this year's Coronado Independence Day Parade July 4th.

The production runs June 28-August 4, 2013, Thursdays - Saturdays @ 8pm, Sundays @ 2pm. (No show on 4th of July). Tickets: $20-$28 general admission; Military / Senior / Student discounts; Excellent group rates are available. Coronado Playhouse is located at 1835 Strand Way, Coronado, Calif. Contact the box office at boxoffice@coronadoplayhouse.com or by calling 619-435-4856.

Cast and production members are available for interviews and video opportunities. Still pictures of the production, Ronald McDonald House and clothing collection can also be provided. Please contact M.G. Perez for specific media interest and needs.

Both Ronald McDonald Charities of San Diego and the Coronado Playhouse are qualified 501(c)3 non-profit organizations. CPH is San Diego County's longest running community theatre.