Diaz, Stanek, La Cause, Etc. Set for D.C.'s 'Carnival'

Natascia Diaz, Sebastian La Cause and Jim Stanek will be among the stars of the Kennedy Center's production of Carnival, the whimsical 1961 Bob Merrill musical that will run from February 17th through March 11th, 2007 at the Eisenhower Theatre.  It will open on February 24th.

"Based on the MGM motion picture Lili, this lovely musical follows a naïve young orphan girl who eagerly joins a traveling French circus. Falling for the troupe's manipulative magician, she also enchants a disillusioned puppeteer, who can only show his love through his whimsical creations. Colorful characters and puppets, wonderful dance sequences, and memorable songs like 'Love Makes the World Go 'Round' make Carnival! a mesmerizing story about love in all its permutations," state Kennedy Center notes.

Featuring a book by Michael Stewart (Hello, Dolly!) and music and lyrics by Bob Merrill (Funny Girl), the production will be directed and choreographed by Tony-nominee Robert Longbottom (Mister Roberts at the Kennedy Center). 

Carnival will star Ereni Sevasti as Lili, Stanek (Jacques Brel..., Lestat) as Paul, La Cause (Chicago, The Rocky Horror Show) as Marco, Díaz (Jacques Brel, Man of La Mancha) as Rosalie, Jonathan Lee Iverson as Schlegel and Seán Martin Hingston (Contact, Swing!) as Jacquot.

The creative team will include: Andrew Jackness (sets), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Ken Billington (lighting), Edward Christie (puppets) and Joe Eddie Fairchild (magic), with Bob Billig as conductor.

Visit www.kennedy-center.org for tickets and more information.