LET'S MISBEHAVE to Run 1/22-2/16 at International City Theatre

It's delightful. It's delicious. It's de-lovely! International City Theatre opens its 29th season with the California premiere of Let's Misbehave: The Music and Lyrics of Cole Porter, conceived by Karin Bowersock (book) and Patrick Young (musical arrangements) and directed and choreographed by Todd Nielsen. With musical direction by Darryl Archibald and starring triple-threats Lindsey Alley, Marc Ginsburg and Jennifer Shelton, Let's Misbehave opens Jan. 24 at International City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Two low-priced previews take place on Jan. 22 and Jan. 23.

Let's Misbehave weaves together over 30 classic songs by Cole Porter to tell the story of three single friends in 1930s New York who make a pact to find true love. Their quest is all in good fun - until the two women, Alice and Dorothy, find they both have eyes for Walter. It's clever, funny, and irresistibly romantic, featuring songs like "Night and Day," "Begin the Beguine" and "Anything Goes" from one of America's most beloved and prolific musical theater composers.

"I like the fact that Let's Misbehave isn't just a revue," says Shelton, an ICT regular who audiences will recognize from productions of Master Class, Ain't Misbehavin', Songs for a New World, Five Course Love, The Story, Honk! and Swinging on a Star. "The book is solid, and it's written in such a way that the song lyrics move the plot forward. The words take on a whole new meaning when they're telling a story. It's very witty and a lot of fun. All the old Cole Porter favorites we know and love are there - but there are also some obscure songs that many people won't recognize."

Joining Shelton on stage are first-time ICT performers Lindsey Alley, a recent Ovation nominee for her performance in the world premiere musical Having It All, and Marc Ginsburg, whose recent L.A. credits include Sunset Boulevard at Musical Theatre West and The Deep Throat Sex Scandal at the Zephyr.

Todd Nielsen is back at ICT for his eighth production, having previously directed critically acclaimed productions of Don't Dress for Dinner, Master Class, The Robber Bridegroom; How the Other Half Loves; Frankie and Johnnie in the Claire de Lune; Ray Cooney's Tom, Dick and Harry; and HONK!

Set design for Let's Misbehave is by JR Bruce; lighting design is by Donna Ruzika; costume design is by Kim DeShazo; sound design is by Dave Mickey; props are by Patty and Gordon Briles; wigs are by Anthony Gagliardi; production stage manager is Henry Fernandez; and casting is by Michael Donovan Casting.

Let's Misbehave: The Music and Lyrics of Cole Porter runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., Jan. 24 through Feb. 16. Two preview performances take place on Wednesday, Jan. 22 and Thursday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $42 on Thursdays and $47 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, except opening night (Jan. 24) for which tickets are $52 and includes a post-performance dessert reception with the actors, or $125, which also includes a pre-show dinner and short talk about Cole Porter (tables for 10 available for $1000). Preview tickets are $32.

International City Theatre is located in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center at 300 E. Ocean Blvd. in Long Beach, CA 90802. For reservations and information, call the ICT Box Office at 562-436-4610 or www.InternationalCityTheatre.org.

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