The Mountain Play Association to Present 101st Season with SOUTH PACIFIC, 5/18-6/15

The Mountain Play - 'A Great Outdoor Theatre Adventure' and the San Francisco Bay Area's most magical outdoor theater experience, is proud to present the Tony Award-winning musical South Pacific directed by Linda Dunn for its 101st season in 2014.

Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize winning novel "Tales of the South Pacific" by James A. Michener, Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific is set in an island paradise during World War II. The play tells of two parallel love stories, one between the spunky Ensign Nellie Forbush (Taylor Chalker) and local French plantation owner Emile de Becque (Peter Vilkin), and the other between Lieutenant Joseph Cable (Tyler Costin) and a young native woman Liat (Mia Klenk). With a backdrop of 1940's sailors and nurses trapped in the middle ground between war and peace, the story candidly and sensitively explores the issue of racial prejudice.

The cast also features Randy Nazarian as Luther Billis, Lily Tung Crystal as Bloody Mary and James Dunn as Captain George Brackett.

South Pacific is family musical entertainment at its best.

Performances will be on Sundays, May 18, May 25, June 1, June 8, June 15 and Saturday June 7. All shows begin at 2 pm. Please arrive at least one hour prior to show time. Tickets range from $20-$40 General Admission. Children 3 and under are always FREE. Ticket sales and information for group discounts and reserved seating are available at the Mountain Play website: www.mountainplay.org.

• RESERVED SEATING AVAILABLE: Cushioned reserved seating is available in both the shade and the sun FAN Club sections of the amphitheatre with prices starting at $60 for adults. More information can be found at the Mountain Play website - www.mountainplay.org

• HOW TO GET THERE: The Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre is located in the Mount Tamalpais State Park on scenic Highway 1 in Marin County, CA. Patrons are encouraged to carpool, hike, or bike to the venue as parking is limited. FREE parking is available in Mill Valley with FREE shuttle buses to the theatre. For more information, schedules, directions, tips and details visit the Mountain Play Experience section of the website.

Visit www.mountainplay.org or call (415) 383-1100 for more information.

About the Play: This Tony award-winning, critically acclaimed Broadway classic first came to the Broadway stage starring Mary Martin and Ezio Pinza in 1949. Based on two stories from the Pulitzer Prize winning "Tales of the South Pacific" by James A. Michener, the musical also claimed its own Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1950. Considered one of the greatest musicals of all time, it has seen numerous productions and award winning revivals. The musical was adapted into a film in 1958 which starred Mitzi Gaynor and Rosanno Bratzi. South Pacific is musically rich with songs that have become popular standards such as "Bali Ha'i," "Younger Than Springtime" and the beautiful "Some Enchanted Evening."

Entertainment: In addition to the headline show, preshow activities and musical acts provide entertainment for the whole family.

Each day has a special theme with preshow entertainment at 12:30pm tailored to the interest of the patrons:

· Kids & Family Day (May 18) - preshow entertainment by Sharon Boucher's Future Stars of Marin

· Military Veteran Day (May 25) - preshow entertainment by Singers Marin

· LGBT Day (June 1) - preshow entertainment by The Lollipop Guild - An Ensemble from the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus

· Singles Day (June 7) - preshow entertainment by 'Til Dawn

· GLEEK/Musical Theatre Geek Day (June 8) - preshow entertainment by Marin Summer Theater

· Luau Day (June 15) - preshow entertainment/Hawaiian Music and Dance

Children of all ages will love the puppet shows of Fratello Marionettes. Puppet show times are 11:30 am and 1 pm daily.

Annual picnic contest on June 15, 2014 with celebrity judge Anna Haight, food writer for Bread and Butter, Marin Independent Journal.

An ASL professor at the College of Marin for many years, Pat Sirianni celebrates her 33rd year with the Mountain Play. Pat will perform and sign for the hearing impaired at four performances - May 18, May 25, June 1 and closing day June 15.

Mountain Play's FAN Club Reserved Seating: The FAN Club offers 4 special reserved seating sections as well as added benefits for FAN Club patrons. It's a way for you to give a little more and to get more from your Mountain Play experience. By joining the FAN Club, you'll have your seats reserved and receive additional benefits of membership such as red priority bus tickets for the first wave of shuttles down the mountain, cushioned seating with backrest, and free and easy ticket exchange (waiver of $10 fee.) FAN CLUB levels are Club Circle, Orchestra Sun Circle, Director's Circle, and Patron's Circle. Patron's Circle reservations include the "Dining in the Woods" a gourmet catered lunch in Madrone Grove near the theatre. Please view Mountain Play's website for price information. www.MountainPlay.org

Dining on the Mountain: The Mountain Play isn't just a wonderful theatre and outdoor experience; it can also be an incredible dining experience. Patrons are encouraged to pack a picnic with their favorite spirit or enjoy the gourmet Dining in the Woods Reserved Seating experience featuring wines from Jamieson Ranch Vineyards, or enjoy a variety of delectable foods at the Mountain Play Café, prepared onsite by Fred Martin Events. The Mountain Play's Tiki Bar features selections from Barefoot Wines and Lagunitas Brewing Company.

Amphitheatre Shade Structure: With the generous support of donors, the Mountain Play has provided shade structures for the amphitheatre that shade seating for over 500 General Seating patrons and 300 Reserved Seating patrons. Please arrive early for a seat in the general shaded area as seating is on a first come, first served basis. Shaded Reserved Seating is available by calling 415-383-1100.

NEW for 2014: FREE General Seating Tickets to Opening Day, May 18, 2014 for ALL Children ages 4-13. Select the free ticket option in the Mountain Play's online shopping cart. FREE parking in the Air Force Parking Lot for ALL Hybrid and Electric Cars. Carpooling is encouraged. Daily Hawaiian shirt contest at 12 noon. The shirt with the most Aloha spirit wins.

About the Staff:

Director Linda Dunn celebrates her 26th year with the Mountain Play Association. She has received a Dean Goodman Choice Award for her direction of Once Upon a Mattress as well as a Bay Area Theater Critics Circle Nomination for her direction of Mrs. Warren's Profession, all with the Ross Valley Players, where she also serves on the board of directors. Linda is an administrator, educator, professional director, stage manager and playwright. With over fifty shows to her directing credit, some favorites include the critically acclaimed Dixie Swim Club, Greater Tuna, Quilters, Shadowlands, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, The King and I, On Golden Pond, Our Town, Amadeus, The Miracle Worker, and Once Upon A Mattress. Linda has previously taught at the College of Marin, Marin Primary & Middle School, Mill Valley Middle School and Marin Catholic.

Musical Director Debra Chambliss is a vocalist, pianist, instructor and Music Director who has worked in the Bay Area for over 25 years. She became Music Director for the Mountain Play in 2007, but she has been playing the keyboard in the orchestra since 1991. She has worked as an accompanist and music director at dozens of theaters, including The Willows, Contra Costa Musical Theater, and Woodminster. Highlights have included playing keyboards at the Post Street Theatre for the national tour of The 20th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and at the Orpheum Theatre for Edward Scissorhands, as well as directing music for the West Coast Premiere of Children of Eden. Debra has an affinity for children's theater, and served as Resident Music Director of KD Musical Theater for several years, as well as directing many performance workshops, musicals and summer training programs at places such as ACT, Yes, and Marin Theatre Company. She cantors and plays for churches throughout Marin County, and is the music instructor at St. Anselm and St. Isabella schools as well as teaching at her private piano studio.

Choreographer Barbara Bernardo has performed, choreographed, and taught in the SF Bay Area for over 25 years in musical theatre, dance, opera, film, and TV. She has worked with SF Playhouse, 42nd St. Moon, Woodminster Summer Musicals, Mountain Play (South Pacific, Brigadoon, Anything Goes), American Musical Theater of San Jose, Palo Alto Players, Santa Rosa Players, North Bay Lyric Opera and Wine Country Theater in musicals including The Fantasticks, Cabaret, Evita, West Side Story, Man of La Mancha, Most Happy Fella, Follies, My One and Only, On the Town, Jerry's Girls and the opera Carmen, receiving BATCC choreography nominations for Cabaret and Anything Goes. Originally from Connecticut, she trained in NYC with Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey, Martha Graham, Luigi, and Chuck Kelly, among others. Barbara teaches musical theatre dance workshops throughout the SF Bay Area most recently for Alonso King LINES Dance Center in San Francisco. Barbara is thrilled to be back working with the Mountain Play! www.barbarabernardo.com

This marks Scenic Designer Ken Rowland's twenty-seventh year as the Mountain Play's Scenic Designer, during which he has received five Bay Area Theatre Critic's Circle awards, including the 1996 production of My Fair Lady. Ken's design venues include Marin Theatre Company, Theatre Artists of Marin, Berkeley Opera, Marin Shakespeare Company and the Ross Valley Players Barn Theatre, where he has been a resident designer. To date, Ken has logged 220 scenic designs for various Bay Area Theaters. In addition to his design efforts, he has directed extensively for the Ross Valley Players and Berkeley Opera. Ken's performance roots are in opera, giving way in recent years to musical theater and drama, where he has played leading roles in over a dozen musicals and as many plays including Henry Higgins in the MPA's 1996 and 2004 productions of My Fair Lady.

Costume Designer Jeff Hamby is a recent graduate of the San Francisco State University Theatre Design MFA program. He currently resides in Rohnert Park, CA and is excited to join the Mountain Play production team. Previous Design Work: The Unmentionables, Why We Have A Body, Lorenzaccio, Atonal Aves, Adventures in Wonderland (San Francisco State University), Xanadu (New Conservatory Theatre Center), Passion Play (Actor's Ensemble of Berkeley), Marry Me A Little (Theatre Rhinoceros), Company, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (Durham Academy), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Southern Baptist Sissies (Winston Salem Theatre Alliance), Our Country's Good and Fool for Love (UNC Charlotte).

Building on a century of tradition, the Mountain Play Association produces enriching theatrical experiences that stimulate creativity, engage our community, and foster a lifelong enjoyment of the performing arts. Our pinnacle event is a spectacular, outdoor production that also nurtures an appreciation for the unique beauty of Mount Tamalpais. The Mountain Play is a non-profit (501c3) organization that has been serving the Bay Area community since 1913. www.mountainplay.org

Pictured: Randy Nazarian as Luther Billis, Lily Tung Crystal as Bloody Mary. Photo by Ed Smith.

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