Snow White Opening Night Gala To Benefit LA's BEST

Parenting magazine presents a Lythgoe Family Production of the holiday Panto "A Snow White Christmas," running November 30-December 18 at the El Portal Theatre, with opening night gala benefiting LA's BEST.

Starring Glee's Lindsay Pearce in the title role, Star Trek: The Next Generation's Marina Sirtis as The Wicked Queen, Neil Patrick Harris in the onscreen special guest role of "The Magic Mirror," and Erich Bergen from Jersey Boys as the Prince, the production will be helmed by Bonnie Lythgoe from So You Think You Can Dance AU and choreographed by So You Think You Can Dance's Spencer Liff with American Idol's Michael Orland serving as Musical Director. An updated version of the classic tale, in the style of the traditional British family Panto, "Snow White" features family-friendly magic, a comedic twist and modern music. A Panto is known for its interactive style and humor that appeals to fairytale fans of all ages.

"Whether you are 2 years old or 102, ‘A Snow White Christmas' is the perfect present for the family this holiday season," said Magic Pictures International President Kris Lythgoe. "We are so excited to be back at the El Portal this holiday season."

The Grand Opening Fundraiser Gala on November 29, also presented by Parenting magazine, will feature a VIP reception and meet-and-greet with cast members. All proceeds will benefit LA's BEST After School Enrichment Program.

"We're thrilled to join forces with Lythgoe Family Productions to introduce the tradition of holiday Panto to modern families," said Mark Wildman, VP/Group Publisher of The Parenting Group. "Lythgoe's clever, unique way of storytelling - and their work to give back to the community - support Parenting's efforts to help parents and children create new ways to experience the magic of the holidays together."

As part of Magic Pictures' community involvement, buses will be donated to local schools that want to bring kids to the production, with the help of Madame Tussauds, Westfield Culver City, and Bank of America. In addition, the casts of Snow White and the returning "A Cinderella Christmas," along with friends of the production David Burtka, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson will be participating in the Children's Hospital Los Angeles tree lighting ceremony on December 6. The actors will perform and read stories; to help with this effort, Lythgoe Family Productions will be collecting children's books in the El Portal lobby to be donated to the Hospital, throughout the run of both shows.

For more information and for tickets to the Opening Night Gala or for the run of shows, please visit www.mpient.com and "like" Lythgoe Family Productions on Facebook. LA's BEST is a nationally recognized after school education, enrichment and recreation program serving more than 28,000 children with the greatest needs and fewest resources throughout the City of Los Angeles. For more information on LA's BEST, please visit http://www.lasbest.org/.

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