PETER PAN Opens Tonight at Music Circus

The 65th Music Circus season continues with Peter Pan, a high-flying, magical journey to Neverland that critics call "purely delightful...ageless...a wonderful tradition." The cast includes Broadway veterans, Music Circus audience favorites, and talented actors making their Music Circus debut this season. Performances are tonight, July 21 through Sunday, July 26.

Peter, Tinker Bell and the Darling children take to the skies in this beloved musical about the boy who wouldn't grow up. With Broadway's award-winning direction and choreography, it has enchanted audiences of all ages for decades. Featuring the songs "I'm Flying," "Never Never Land" and "I Won't Grow Up."

A special children's price is available for Peter Pan: All tickets are $40 for children age 4 - 12. Regular price tickets range from $40-$83. Tickets are available by phone at (916) 557-1999, online at Tickets.com, or in person at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office, 1419 H Street in Sacramento. Evening performances July 21-26 are Tuesday through Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances are Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. For more information, visit SacramentoMusicCircus.com.

Leading the adventure in the title role is Jenn Colella, who was most recently seen on Broadway in If/Then opposite Idina Menzel, and who played in the Joseph Gorden-Levitt film "Uncertainty." Jennifer Hope Wills, who earned critical acclaim for her portrayal of Eileen in the revival of Wonderful Town and also performed on Broadway as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera, is returning to Music Circus for her fourth season to play Mrs. Darling. Reprising his role as Mr. Darling/Captain Hook from the 1998 Broadway production is Paul Schoeffler, who marks his eighth season at Music Circus, and who has also performed on Broadway in Rock of Ages, Sweet Charity, Nine, Beauty and the Beast, Victor/Victoria and Cyrano - The Musical. Playing Wendy will be Lori Eve Marinacci, who toured in Little House on the Prairie and Kiss Me, Kate and played in the Broadway production of Hairspray. Brothers John and Michael Darling will be played by Aidan Winn, who performed earlier this year at Dallas Summer Musicals in The King and I, and Joshua Davis, a frequent performer at El Dorado Musical Theatre where he also played the role of Michael.

Playing Liza/Tiger Lily in her Music Circus debut is Desireé Davar, who played Anita in the Broadway revival and international tour of West Side Story, and was a dancer for "Glee." No stranger to Neverland, Korey Buecheler, playing Curly, recently played Tootles in Pittsburgh CLO's Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby. Returning to Music Circus after her 2010 performance in 42nd Street, Sarah Marie Jenkins, who was in the first national tour of Legally Blonde, will play 1st Twin, a role she performed in a previous production also directed by Glenn Casale. Michael McGurk, who has appeared on Broadway in The Wedding Singer and The Music Man, is back for his seventh season at Music Circus to play 2nd Twin. The role of Slightly will be played by Andy Richardson who was a member of the original Broadway casts of Newsies, Gypsy starring Patti LuPone and Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Maria Briggs, who toured in Irving Berlin's White Christmas and performed in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, made her Music Circus debut this season in Bye Bye Birdie and will be playing Tootles/Jane. Michael Nostrand, who is reprising his Broadway and A&E film role of Smee, toured in Jelly's Last Jam, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Dracula.

The ensemble for Peter Pan includes the following actors: Kim Arnett is returning for her eighth season at Music Circus, where she performed in last year's A Chorus Line, Mary Poppins, South Pacific and Brigadoon. Jake DuPree danced with two acclaimed contemporary dance companies in New York City and returns to Music Circus after performing in last season's A Chorus Line and Mary Poppins. Steve Geary has been seen on Broadway in The Producers, Aida, Contact, Cats and Miss Saigon. Garett Hawe made his Broadway debut playing Neleus in Mary Poppins and since performed in Newsies and Matilda. Adam Lendermon toured nationally in Cats, internationally in West Side Story and sang Children of Eden in concert at The Kennedy Center. Rod Roberts has performed on Broadway and in the tours of both Beauty and the Beast and Peter Pan. Heidi Latsky Dance Company member Steve Schepis performed on Broadway in Pricilla Queen of the Dessert and Finian's Rainbow. Brian Steven Shaw is performing at Music Circus for his third season after performing in the world premiere of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice: A Musical. Shannon Stoeke has toured nationally in Camelot and Peter Pan and internationally in Hair.

The Director for Peter Pan, Glenn Casale, has been Artistic Director for California Musical Theatre since 2008 and has directed more than 50 productions for Music Circus and Broadway Sacramento over the past 20 years. Award-winning Choreographer Patti Colombo, whose production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is currently touring the UK, is bringing her Emmy Award-nominated choreography to Music Circus for this production. Musical Director Jeff Rizzo has conducted over 80 productions for Music Circus and has traveled the world conducting tours including the Japanese tour of Joseph ... Dreamcoat and the Chinese and national tours of 42nd Street.

Music Circus is produced under the leadership of Artistic Director Glenn Casale and Executive Producer Scott Klier. California Musical Theatre President and CEO is Richard Lewis.

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