Photo Flash: First Look at MainStreet Theatre Company's MIRETTE

MainStreet Theatre Company presents the Theatre for Young Audiences premiere of MIRETTE, with book Elizabeth Diggs, music by Harvey Schmidt and lyrics by Tom Jones. School performances begin today, April 18th, with the public opening on April 23rd. The show runs until May 8th, 2016. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Based on the Caldecott winning book by Emily Arnold McCully, Elizabeth Diggs has revised her original book for the musical, and this new version has been pared down to one act, with a cast of eight performers. Casey Stangl directs the Los Angeles-based cast which includes Aly Fainbarg in the title role and Mark Doerr as Bellini, the mysterious, retired high- wire walker with a secret. Tracey A. Leigh, seen in last season's "The Three Little Pigs" is MIRETTE's practical mother, Madame Gateau.

The rest of the cast play various "artistes" who live in the boarding house run by Madame Gateau: Curt Bonnem plays Tabac, a juggler; Ann Marie Lee is Madame Rouspenskaya, a Russian Opera singer; and brother and sister Jonathan Christopher MacMillan and Natalie Hope MacMillan play a pair of acrobats. Arthur Hanket is Max, an impresario.

Thanks to a "Challenge America Grant" from the NEA, MainStreet will host writer Elizabeth Diggs during the rehearsal process, and Rob Mermin, the founder of Vermont's Circus Smirkus, will also be on hand as the Circus Consultant, lending an air of authenticity to the proceedings. Musical Director Janice Rodgers Wainwright will lead the live band.

MIRETTE is the story of a young girl in 1890's Paris who convinces a retired high-wire artist to teach her his trade - and in turn teaches him to overcome his own fear. Children as well as adults will relate to the main character, who is trying to figure out her place in the world. It's a fresh and unique coming- of-age story set in the backstage world of the circus, which celebrates both the joy, and the risks of being a performing artist.

The physical production will include a real "wire" as well as some surprises! Scenery is by Francois- Pierre Couture, Lighting by Jaymi Lee Smith, and Costumes are by Tina Haatainen-Jones.

Single tickets are $18 for Adults and $16 for children up to age 12, and seniors 60 and older. "Foundation Family Flex Packs," where tickets are only $12.00 if they're bought in packs of 4 or more for the same performance are available for all MainStreet Theatre Company productions. Recommended for ages 7 and up. For additional information or to purchase tickets online, visit www.lewisfamilyplayhouse.com or call the Lewis Family Playhouse Box Office at (909) 477-2752 or (877) 858-8422.

Photo Credit: Ed Krieger