MSP Presents MISS SAIGON, 9/8-25

Moonlight Stage Productions concludes its 30th Anniversary Summer Season at the Moonlight Amphitheatre with the international sensation MISS SAIGON. Performances are September 8-25 at 7:30 pm. Tickets, priced $22-$45, are on sale through the VisTix Ticket Office at (760) 724-2110 and online at www.moonlightstage.com. MISS SAIGON is intended for mature audiences as it contains mature themes, situations, and language. The creative team on the production includes Steven Glaudini, Director; Carlos Mendoza, Choreographer; Charlie Reuter, Musical Director; and Kenneth Gammie, Conductor.

            From the creators of LES MISÉRABLES Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boubil, MISS SAIGON is a modern re-telling of MADAME BUTTERFLY set during the fall of Saigon. Two lovers, Chris and Kim, an American GI and a Vietnamese girl - are united by love but separated by war - in this Tony Award-winning pop opera. Opening amidst the turmoil of the last days of the Vietnam War, Chris and Kim struggle to find each other in the ensuing years following the war. MISS SAIGON is a moving testament to the human spirit and a raw and uncompromising reflection on the tragedies of war.

            Starring as the lovers are Jennifer Paz as Kim and Douglas Carpenter as Chris. Paz has appeared in MISS SAIGON in the Broadway and national tours of the production and has since reprised the role of Kim for Starlight Musical Theatre, North Carolina Theatre, and Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities where she received the 2008 LA Ovation Award for Best Lead Actress in a musical. Making her Moonlight debut, Paz's other regional credits include the Narrator in JOSEPH...DREAMCOAT for the Fifth Avenue Theatre, Sacramento Music Circus, and North Shore Musical Theatre; Cathy in THE LAST FIVE YEARS (2009 LA Ovation nomination for best lead actress), Maria Elena Holly in BUDDY, Sally Simpson in THE WHO'S TOMMY, Belle in Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and in the title role of EVITA all for Seattle's Village Theatre.

            Douglas Carpenter originated the role of Skip in LIFE COULD BE A DREAM (LA Weekly and LADCC Winner) and performed in the last production at the Pasadena Playhouse as Lancelot in CAMELOT. Other roles include Curly in OKLAHOMA!, and Tony in WEST SIDE STORY both for Fullerton Civic Light Opera; Thief in SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE for Blank Theatre, and the Prince in CINDERELLA for the Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities.

            Featured as The Engineer, the club owner is Johann Michael Camat. Camat reprises the role at the Moonlight after appearing in the role in the US National Tour and the German production (where he also played "Thuy"). He also appeared in the original Canadian MISS SAIGON company in Toronto.
            Playing the role of Chris' American wife Ellen, is Cassandra Murphy. Her extensive Southern California Musical Theatre credits include lead roles in productions at the Orange County Pavilion, The Norris Theatre, the Welk Resort Theatre, Performance Riverside, Musical Theatre West among numerous others.
            The part of Thuy, betrothed to Kim, is Joseph Andreas. His theatrical highlights include appearing alongside Deborah Gibson as Lun Tha in THE KING AND I, Angel in RENT, Thuy in MISS SAIGON, Julio in PAINT YOUR WAGON, and Abel in CHILDREN OF EDEN.
            In the role of John, Chris' friend and accomplice in the search for his lost lover, is Melvin Robert. He is returning to the Moonlight after appearing in WEST SIDE STORY. Other regional credits include Tom Collins in RENT, and roles in THE WIZARD OF OZ, ALEX IN WONDERLAND among others.
            Also appearing in the production of MISS SAIGON are Jebbel Arce, Sam Ayoub, Eric Badique, Marius Beltran, Katherine Brady, Joyelle Cabato, Kathleen Calvin, Kevane La'Marr Coleman, Rocky De Haro, Justin Deater, Jason Evans, Riley Faison, Sheila Ferrari, Nadia Guevara, Chester Lockhart, Nick Lorenzini, Dante Macatantan, Jason Maddy, Klarissa Mesee, Marlene Montes, Kevin Morin, Ian Parmenter, Andrew Ruesch, Matt Takahashi, Mark Velarde, Gabriel Villanueva, Shana Weinstein, and Joyce Yin.

            Returning to the Moonlight to stage MISS SAIGON are the award-winning team of director Steven Glaudini and choreographer Carlos Mendoza. At the Moonlight Amphitheatre, they have helmed the critically acclaimed productions of CATS and WEST SIDE STORY (2007 San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award as Outstanding Resident Musical). Glaudini's other Moonlight directing credits include LES MISÉRABLES (2008 San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Direction of a Musical), CHILDREN OF EDEN (2003 Patté Award for Best Musical, 2003 Robby Award for Best Musical and Best Director), and the critically acclaimed production of CABARET. Glaudini serves as Artistic Director and Producer of Musical Theatre West where he recently directed LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, the California regional premiere of Mel Brooks' THE PRODUCERS, the US Regional Premiere of ALL SHOOK UP (10 2008 LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award nominations), THE PAJAMA GAME, THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE (starring Rex Smith), the Southern California Regional Premiere of THE FULL MONTY, and their upcoming production of ANNIE.

            Choreographer Carlos Mendoza presently serves as Artistic Director of Starlight Musical Theatre and of the Hispanic Arts Theatre, a new and innovative theatre company promoting Hispanic cultural awareness. One of his main projects has been to create and serve as the Producer of THE NEW MAMBO KINGS, a musical revue with a blend of Latin cultural through voice, music, and dance. He recently completed directing and choreographing Starlight's THE PAJAMA GAME. Other directing and choreographic credits include ANNA IN THE TROPICS, RAGTIME, THE HOT MIKADO, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: ON STAGE, AIDA, MY FAIR LADY and NINE among numerous others.
            After appearing in Moonlight's award-winning production of LES MISÉRABLES two seasons ago, busy actor and musician Charlie Reuter makes his Moonlight musical direction debut on MISS SAIGON. A 2008 graduate of San Diego State University with an MFA in musical theatre, Reuter has served on the musical staffs at the Old Globe Theatre and the La Jolla Playhouse. He has served as Musical Director for the San Diego premiere of TICK, TICK...BOOM!, and conducted the San Diego premiere of THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA for Lamb's Players Theatre. In New York, he worked as a pianist for New York University and the Chelsea Opera and as the music director for the Lee Strasberg Institute.
            Returning for his 30th year at the Moonlight, Conductor Ken Gammie is one of the original founders of Moonlight Stage Productions. He has conducted more than 60 productions at the Moonlight Amphitheatre. Gammie is a respected music educator in the Vista Unified School District where his work has been recognized for its excellence on a local, regional and state-wide level.
            Completing the production staff for MISS SAIGON are Christina L. Munich, Lighting Designer; Peter Hashagen, Sound Designer; Roslyn Lehman, Carlotta Malone, and Renetta Lloyd are Costume Coordinators; Sue Givens, Properties Coordinator; Stanley D. Cohen, Stage Manager; and Tim Jones, Assistant Stage Manager. Scenery and Costumes are provided by Fullerton Civic Light Opera.

            The Moonlight Stage Productions christened a new state-of-the-art stage house at the Moonlight Amphitheatre with improved theatre amenities in 2009 after presenting musicals, concerts, and special events on its original stage for 28 years. The Amphitheatre is one of the most unique theatre-going experiences in the region by offering two types of seating: lawn-style seating and reserved seats. In what has become a favorite summer tradition, audiences are welcome to bring their own picnic suppers into the Amphitheatre before the performance then enjoy the show right from their picnic spot. Chairs are provided by theatre with the purchase of a lawn ticket. For those wanting a traditional experience, reserved seats are also available for purchase. Dining options include a pre-show buffet dinner on the Moonlight Patio, as well as traditional fare offered from concessionaire "Feliccias at the Moonlight." For Buffet Dinner reservations, call (760) 758-9167. Gates to the Amphitheatre open at 6:00 pm for picnicking and dining.
            Moonlight Stage Productions is the cultural arts program of the City of Vista and is partially funded by its non-profit fund-raising arm the Moonlight Cultural Foundation. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Kathy Brombacher and Managing Director Daniel Kays, Moonlight is an award-winning theatre company receiving accolades from the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle and the Patté Awards for Theater Excellence among others. In addition to its popular Summer Season outdoors at the 2000-person capacity Moonlight Amphitheatre, the company moves indoor each winter to present a three-show season of intimate plays and musicals at the 300-seat AVO Playhouse located in the Vista Village.