Gem Theatre's CHICAGO Moved to Festival Amphitheatre

A fire that damaged the interior of Garden Grove's historic Gem Theatre on Monday has not dampened the spirits of the cast and crew of One More Productions' staging of the musical Chicago that was scheduled to open in the Gem Theatre on June 4.

The troupe has had to cancel preview performances on June 2 and 3, but the show will still open on June 4 at a new location: the Festival Amphitheatre next door to the Gem Theatre.

"We're fortunate that the Festival Amphitheatre is available for use to use," said Damien Lorton, artistic director of One More Productions, which stages musicals in the Gem Theatre. "The show will go on. We're redoing the costumes that were destroyed and moving the set to the Festival Amphitheatre. This is one of the best shows we've ever presented, so we're determined to get it up and running."

Performances this weekend are Saturday, June 4 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m. Next week's schedule is Wednesday June 8 through Saturday June 11 at 8 p.m. and Sunday June 12 at 7:30 p.m. Additional performance dates and times for Chicago will be announced soon. The show is scheduled to run through June 26.

The Festival Amphitheatre is located at 12852 Main Street in Garden Grove.

Directed by Damien Lorton and featuring a full 14-piece orchestra live on stage, Chicago is set in roaring twenties Chicago, where chorine Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband Amos to take the rap...until he finds out he's been duped and turns on Roxie. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie and another "Merry Murderess," Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the "American Dream" (fame, fortune and acquittal).

The cast for Chicago includes Beth Hansen as Matron Mama Morton, Tim Klaga as Amos, Gretchen Dawson as Roxie Hart, Nicole Cassesso as Velma Kelly, Johnny Fletcher as Billy Flynn, and Daniel Berlin as Little Mary Sunshine. Other cast members include Chris Harper, Stephanie Zellhoefer, Rebecca Silverman, Peggy Magee, Carly Taberski, Gemma Hebson, Scarlett Brais, and Danny Diaz.

Performances

Previews
Cancelled

Gala and Press/VIP Opening:
Saturday, June 4 at 8 pm

Regular run
June 5 - 26

Sunday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 8 at 8 p.m.
Thursday, June 9 at 8 p.m.
Friday, June 10 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 11 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Remaining dates through June 26 and times TBA

Ticket Prices
$35
($45 for Gala Opening night)

Location
The Festival Amphitheatre
12852 Main Street
Garden Grove, CA 92840

One More Productions
The Gem Theater
12852 Main St.
Garden Grove, CA 92840
Box Office: (714) 741-9550, ext. 221
www.onemoreproductions.com

About One More Productions
ONE MORE PRODUCTIONS is one of Southern California's leading musical theater companies. Now in its third season at the 158-seat THE GEM THEATER in Garden Grove, One More Productions has been lauded for its quality productions of Broadway musicals. One More Productions was voted one of the top five theaters in all of Southern California this past year by the Los Angeles Times. They were awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Award by The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International and The Saint James Family Honors Award by the Board of Directors of the Orange County Imperial Court. They received a Resolution from the City of Garden Grove, and an official recognition from the County of Orange.

THE GEM THEATER recently underwent a $180,000 renovation, adding a state of the art sound system, newly refurbished theater seats, and a reconfigured stage. The theater also boasts a new lighting system, three separate lobbies, and two separate concession areas and is ADA accessible. The Gem is just moments away from the Garden Grove Freeway (22) and offers plenty of free parking.