Davis Gaines Joins Musical Theatre West's 1776

Davis Gaines, known by most Southern California theatergoers for his portrayal of the titular character in Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, will be joining the previously announced Steven Glaudini (John Adams) and Tami Tappan Damiano (AbiGail Adams) as Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia in 1776.

Musical Theatre West is excited to be producing as powerful a musical as 1776, with one of the best scripts of the genre (so good, that you'll wonder if they'll ever get it together to sign the Declaration of Independence). And to have Mr. Gaines, one of the foremost talents in musical theatre, involved is just icing on the cake!

In addition to being Los Angeles' longest-running Phantom of the Opera, Mr. Gaines has appeared throughout the Southland in PARADE (Mark Taper Forum), SIDE BY SIDE, BY SONDHEIM (Pasadena Playhouse), and SWEENEY TODD (Reprise! at the Ahmanson Theatre). For more information please visit www.davisgaines.com.

Tami Tappan Damiano, recently headlined Musical Theatre West's spring fundraiser, A FINE ROMANCE...IN SONG AND DANCE alongside David Engel. Ms. Damiano returns to Musical Theatre West after appearing in their productions of CRAZY FOR YOU, NEVER GONNA DANCE, I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE, and THE FULL MONTY. She has also been seen on Broadway in CYRANO, and on tour in MISS SAIGON.

MTW's Artistic Director/Producer, Steven Glaudini takes the stage to reprise his 2004 Ovation Award winning role as John Adams. Previous to becoming MTW's Artistic Director, Mr. Glaudini was the Executive Director/Producer for Performance Riverside, where he performed such roles as Finch in HOW TO SUCCEED..., Fagin in OLIVER!, and the Narrator in THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW.

1776 will be directed by Ovation Award winner Nick DeGruccio (MTW's RENT, THE ANDREWS BROTHERS, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES) with musical direction by Matthew Smeadle (Cabrillo Music Theatre's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS).

More casting to be announced shortly.

1776 will perform July 9-25, 2010.

All performances at the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 E. Atherton Street, Long Beach 90815 (on the CSULB Campus)

For more information, call the box office at (562) 856-1999 x4 or visit www.musical.org.

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