FANCY NANCY, THE MUSICAL Returns By Popular Demand To Chance Theater

Chance Theater, Anaheim's official resident theater company, is delighted to present an encore presentation of Fancy Nancy, The Musical as part of its fourth TYA Family Season. Book and lyrics by Susan DiLallo, music by Danny Abosch and directed by Alex Bueno, based on original staging by Kelly Todd, Fancy Nancy, the Musical will preview from October 5 through October 7; regular performances will begin October 7th and continue through October 28 on the Cripe Stage at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center.

Based on the popular Fancy Nancy book series by Jane O'Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, this delightful new show follows Fancy Nancy and her friends Bree, Rhonda, Wanda, and Lionel as they prepare to perform in their very first show -- "Deep Sea Dances." Nancy is positive (that's fancy for "100 percent sure"), that she and Bree will be picked to be mermaids. When another girl wins the coveted role, Nancy is stuck playing a dreary, dull tree. Can Nancy bring fancy flair to her role, even though it isn't the one she wanted?

The Fancy Nancy book series has been a star in the children's literature world since its first book in 2005. That book, titled simply Fancy Nancy, spent nearly 100 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller List and launched a series of more than 70 other adventures about the plucky young heroine who likes to be fancy in all aspects of her life. Overall, the books in the Fancy Nancy series have spent 330 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller List, been translated into over 20 languages, and sold over 29 million copies.

In 2012, the Vital Theatre Company produced Fancy Nancy, The Musical Off-Broadway. The show is based on Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet, featuring original songs by Susan DiLallo and Danny Abosch, who also co-wrote the script.

Chance Theater has produced this crowd-pleasing musical for the last three years, and we are very excited to bring Nancy and her friends back to the Cripe Stage for more tea parties, dance recitals and life lessons. A delight for the whole family, as children of all ages learn to deal with both joy and disappointment along with Nancy.

MEET THE TEAM

Susan DiLallo (Book & Lyrics) is a recipient of the coveted Kleban Foundation Award, given annually to "the most promising librettist in musical theater," as well as a 2008 Jonathan Larson Award. She wrote book and lyrics to an original comedy, Once Upon a Time in New Jersey, which won a Richard Rodgers Award, given by the American Academy of Arts & Letters (Stephen Sondheim, Chairman), as well as The Global Search for New Musicals Competition, Cardiff 2005. It has had several regional and international productions. Other credits include: book and lyrics for the Mattel/Clear Channel production of Barbie Live! In Fairytopia (based on the best-selling DVD); lyrics for That's Life (Outer Critics Circle nominee); book and lyrics for Pinocchio, a Family Musical About Adoption (winner, KIDDSTUFF New Play Competition, 2003); and the librettos for Hear Our Song (Harmony Entertainment Group) and Iron Curtain (2006 NYC Innovative Theater Award, Best Production of a Musical), which was selected to be part of the 2008 O'Neill Music Theater Conference. She is currently working on the libretto for the Broadway-bound A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Susan has taught classes in creative writing (for children) and presentation techniques (for adults). She has worked as a dramaturg and editor for several playwrights and authors, was a humor columnist for The Rye (New York) Record,

and has won various Clios, Effies and Andys for her work in advertising.

Danny Abosch (Music & Lyrics) is a composer/lyricist whose musicals include Fancy Nancy, The Musical (Off-Broadway 2012-2014, National Tour 2013-2015, Cast Recording available on Ghostlight Records), Placebo (winner of the 2012 PMTP Development Award, fully produced workshop at The Pasadena Playhouse directed by Ryan Scott Oliver, additional workshops at the University of Michigan, Oklahoma City University, Emerson College, and Pace University), Off The Wall (First Prize winner of NMI's 2014 Search for New Musicals, upcoming workshop and concert in Los Angeles), and Miles & Me (2014 workshop at the Musical Theatre Factory in NYC). Originally from Deerfield, IL, Danny is a graduate of the University of Michigan (B.M. in Music Education), and of NYU's M.F.A. Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program. Danny studied musical theatre writing as one of twelve participants in the Johnny Mercer Songwriter's Project at Northwestern University, where he worked closely with Broadway composers Lin-Manuel Miranda and Craig Carnelia. Three of Danny's songs have been chosen by William Finn for his concert series "Songs By Ridiculously Talented Composers and Lyricists You Probably Don't Know, But Should". Danny's music has been featured on the TV shows "Dance Moms" and "Last Call With Carson Daly" as well as in the films "Waiting in the Wings" and "Missed Connections". His songs have been performed in many concert venues, including Joe's Pub and 54 Below. Danny lives in New York City and is currently working on two new musicals. www.dannyabosch.com

The production team for Fancy Nancy includes director Alex Bueno (Fancy Nancy), music director Robyn Manion (Big Fish), scenic designer Megan Hill (James and The Giant Peach), lighting designer Jon Hyrkas (Fancy Nancy), costume designer Christina Perez (Dogfight), sound designer Josh Cardenas (Fancy Nancy), props designer Masako Tobaru (Big Fish), and stage manager Lindsay Marsh (Parade).

The cast includes Chance Theater Resident Artists Rachel Oliveros Catalano (Big Fish) and Monika Peña (Violet), as well as returning Fancy Nancy cast members Jillian Batt (Alice in Wonderland) and Angela Griswold (The Big Meal). They are joined by returning Chance artists Liz B Williams (A Chorus Line) and Matt Takahashi (Big Fish). Megan McCarthy is making her Chance debut with this production.

The Executive Producer for this production is Robert Berman. Bette & Wylie Aitken are the Season Producers for the entire 2018 schedule.

Tea Parties with Fancy Nancy illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser

Join us for an exclusive TEA PARTY in our Fancy Nancy-bedecked studio with Nancy, Bree, and hosted by Fancy Nancy illustrator, Robin Preiss Glasser. Party & Show Tickets include a reserved seat to the performance and lavish spread (which is fancy for tasty tea sandwiches and divine desserts)! Choice of pink lemonade, strawberry milk or fruity punch (and for our adult guests... enjoy champagne mimosas)! Do come dressed in what makes you feel most exquisite, such as your best tiara, opera gloves, boas, butterfly wings, ballerina tutu, fairy princess gown or all of them ("More is better!" as Fancy Nancy says)! Original artwork and giclee prints from the books will be on sale with all proceeds used to support Chance Theater. Join Robin Preiss Glasser and the entire cast! Get the full schedule at www.ChanceTheater.com/fancy-nancy-musical.

Special "Relaxed Performance" on Saturday, October 13 at 11am

Continuing the initiative that started with the inaugural Theater for Young Audiences Series, the Chance will be presenting a special "relaxed performance" on October 13 at 11am. This special performance is specifically designed to welcome people that will benefit from a more relaxed environment, including children under 4 years of age, people with an Autism Spectrum Condition, sensory and communication disorders, or a learning disability. There will be minor alterations made to some technical elements, and the house lights will be left on at a dim level to create a conducive environment for all audiences to enjoy the story. There is also a designated "relaxing and activities area" set up in the lobby for any audience members who may need to take a break during the performance.

ABOUT CHANCE THEATER

Proud to be one of the leading ensemble-driven theatre companies in Southern California, CHANCE THEATER recently received a National Theatre Company grant from American Theatre Wing. The Chance has won six Ovation Awards, including two for Best Production of a Musical - Intimate Theater for its West Coast premiere of Triassic Parq - The Musical and Southern California premiere of Jerry Springer - The Opera, as well as four LADCC Awards, including the Polly Warfield Award for Outstanding Season. The Anaheim City Council named Chance Theater "the official resident theater company of Anaheim", and Arts Orange County has twice named the Chance as "Outstanding Arts Organization". Known for using bold and personal storytelling to promote dialogue and connection within the Southern California theatrical landscape, the Chance is committed to contributing to a more compassionate, connected and creative community. As a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group, Network of Ensemble Theaters, and the LA Stage Alliance, Chance Theater continues to bring national attention to the Southern California and Orange County theater scenes.

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