Westwego Closes the Curtain on THE SICILIAN BACHELOR 4/25

Jefferson Performing Arts Society concludes its 32nd Season regular season with the closing of the regional premiere of the original comedy THE SICILIAN BACHELOR, on April 25th. THE SICILIAN BACHELOR is on stage at the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, 177 Sala Avenue in Westwego.

Directed by T. J. Castronovo, THE SICILIAN BACHELOR stars JERRY LEE LEIGHTON as the title character Don Cola, THE SICILIAN BACHELOR, with Mary Lee GIBBONS, JAN CHATEGNIER, MARY PAULEY, LENNY MINUTELLO, AUSTIN COATS, ALEXANDRA OLIVIER, BOB SCULLY, CARLOS GONZALEZ and MATTHEW MADDEN.

REGIONAL PREMIERE! Set in a very small town in Sicily in the 1920s, see what happens in this rousing, knee-slapping comedy of errors that revolves around the return of Don Cola Duscio to his provincial hometown of Sicily with his unconventional and independent girlfriend from Rome. Based on a classic Italian farce, audiences are sure to be rolling in the aisles!

Starring as the title character of THE SICILIAN BACHELOR, Don Cola, is Jerry Lee Leighton. Leighton recently directed and appeared as the Narrator in the JPAS production of Richard O'Brien's THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre. A local comedic actor, Leighton has also taken on roles in JPAS' productions of MID-LIFE! THE CRISIS MUSICAL and FLANAGAN'S WAKE as well as lead roles in HISTORY BOYS (Headmaster/FourFront Theatre), JOEY & MARY'S IRISH ITALIAN WEDDING (Stu/Sandi Roads Productions) and OSCAR & FELIX (Oscar/Sandi Roads Productions).

Mary Lee Gibbons stars as Millian, the sassy, brassy and worldly girlfriend of Don Cola. Gibbons reunites with Leighton after also appearing in the JPAS production of MID-LIFE! THE CRISIS MUSICAL. Playing Don Cola's traditional Italian family is Mary Pauley as Maristella, Sister to Don Cola, Lenny Minutello as Don Lucino, husband to Maristella, Austin Coats as their son Michulinu, Alexandra Olivier as their daughter Clementina and Matthew Madden as Tenente, a young army office who is in love with Clementina. This production also features Bob Scully as Don Liborio and the Inspector and Carlos Gonzalez as Don Cola's friend Don Filadelfu.

JPAS is thrilled to work with Scenic Design Geoffrey Hall for THE SICILIAN BACHELOR. Hall recently designed the massive sets for the acclaimed JPAS production of Mel Brooks' THE PRODUCERS. Hall's extensive New York and regional credits in artistic and set design brings a fresh and innovative perspective to this regional premiere production.

JPAS is pleased to once again collaborate with director T.J. Castronovo for another regional premiere comedy. Castronovo directed the hit-comedy VIAGARA FALLS this season for JPAS as well as the hilarious WILD MUSHROOMS. Castronovo is a veteran actor, producer and director. As an actor, he performed in over one hundred TV shows and for three years played Tommy the Bartender in "Taxi". As a television and film producer, his work includes: episodes of the series, "Tales From The Darkside" and the CBS series "Police Brass;" the feature films "Double Revenge" and "The Shipment;" and most recently, "The Boiler Maker." Castronovo received the Drama League Critics Award for directing "Brooklyn USA" at the Actor's Forum Theater. Other directorial credits of stage and film include: the feature film "TheBiz;" several episodes of "Tales From the Darkside;" and the off-Broadway world premiere production of WILD MUSHROOMS.

*PLEASE NOTE, THE SICILIAN BACHELOR WILL BE PERFORMED AS A COMEDY PLAY AND NOT A MUSICAL: In an update from the composer, the new music for THE SICILIAN BACHELOR will not be ready for the April JPAS production. However, this piece will still be performed as the REGIONAL PREMIERE of this comedy-play. We hope you will still join us for a knee-slapping, situational comedy that is sure to have you rolling in the aisles!

THE SICILIAN BACHELOR, A Comedy Farce Based on an original Italian work by Nino Martoglio, Adapted by Lou Cutell, Norma Helms and Tino Trischitta. Directed by T. J. Castronovo. Costumes by Shauna Leone. Scenic Design by Geoffrey Hall. Lighting Design by Diane Bass. Acting Technical Director: Liz Broomall . Production Assistant/Set Construction: William Spratt.

More at Teatro Wego! Theatre and the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre:
Join the Jefferson Performing Arts Society for Champagne & A Show. Before each Sunday Matinee performance in Westwego, enjoy a champagne brunch in Teatro Wego! Theatre. Sunday Champagne Brunch begins at noon. $15 for adults/$8 for children (12 and under). Brunch is not included in price of admission to performance. Space is limited, please call 504.885.2000 to make advance reservations.

More about the Jefferson Performing Arts Society

The 32nd Season of the Jefferson Performing Arts Society is waiting for YOU! Explore a season of Musicals, Comedies and New Works at www.jpas.org! VIAGARA FALLS-THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW-DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST-FOOTLOOSE-NUNSENSATIONS!-THE PRODUCERS-THE SICILIAN BACHELOR

The Jefferson Performing Arts Society is a non-profit arts organization founded by Dennis G. Assaf and Hannah Cunningham dedicated to artistic and cultural enrichment for the Gulf South since 1978. Our mission is to support, produce and promote the performing arts in Jefferson and its surrounding areas. www.jpas.org

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