Mountain Play presents BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and 50th Anniversary Music Festival
By: A.A. Cristi May. 09, 2017
And for the first time in modern Mountain Play history, a special second production featuring Jefferson Starship and the musical HAIR In Concert will be presented in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love and the first ever outdoor rock festival - the Fantasy Fair & Magic Mountain Music Festival.
· DATES: One day only Magic Mountain Play Music Festival on Saturday, June 10, 2017. Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Performances will be on Sundays only - May 21, May 28, June 4, June 11 & June 18.
· TIMES: Magic Mountain Play Music Festival starts at 11am. All performances of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST begin at 2 pm. Please arrive at least one hour prior to show time.
· COST: Tickets range from $25-$40 General Admission. Children 3 and under are always FREE. Ticket sales and information for group discounts and reserved seating are available at the Mountain Play website - www.MountainPlay.org
- RESERVED SEATING AVAILABLE: Cushioned reserved seating is available in both the shade and the sun sections of the amphitheatre with prices starting at $60 for adults. More information can be found at the Mountain Play website - www.MountainPlay.org
- HOW TO GET THERE: The Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre is located in the Mount Tamalpais State Park on scenic Highway 1 in Marin County, CA. Patrons are encouraged to carpool, hike, or bike to the venue as parking is limited. FREE parking is available in Mill Valley with FREE shuttle buses to the theatre. For more information, schedules, directions, tips and details visit the Mountain Play Experience section of the website.
- CONTACT: Visit www.MountainPlay.org or call (415) 383-1100
About Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST:
Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST comes to life through the charming story of Belle, a young woman from a small village, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love another and earn their love in return, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
This beloved tale is filled with spectacular storytelling and an Academy Award-winning score. Toes will tap to the inviting "Be Our Guest" and hearts will warm to the melody and lyrics of the title song "Beauty and the Beast." The Mountain Play's production of this "tale as old as time" is a great opportunity to bring the entire Bay Area community together for family theatre at its best.
About Magic Mountain Play Music Festival & HAIR In Concert:
The Magic Mountain Play Music Festival celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the 1967 Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain Music Festival through the music that gave voice to a generation and provided the soundtrack to the Summer of Love. The original 60s Mount Tamalpais festival included the chart-topping Jefferson Airplane in its line-up of well-known artists of the day.
In response to America's materialism and demand for social conformity, a new consciousness began to rise with the "Human Be-In" held on January 14, 1967 in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. From coast-to-coast during the Summer of Love, young Americans encouraged all to "turn on, tune in, drop out" in an attempt to create a world community of individuals whose senses were activated, interactions were harmonious and who were free from unconscious commitments.
Invigorated by the excitement of what was happening in the streets, James Rado and Gerome Ragni were inspired to bring this experience to the stage and theatre-going public. HAIR The American Tribal Rock Musical was born. HAIR's world premiere took place in October of 1967 as the inaugural performance of Joseph Papp's Public Theater.
HAIR celebrates the sixties counterculture in all its barefoot, long-haired, bell-bottomed, beaded and fringed glory. To an infectiously energetic rock beat, the show wows audiences with songs like "Aquarius," "Good Morning, Starshine," "Hair," "I Got Life," and "Let The Sun Shine." Exploring ideas of identity, community, global responsibility and peace, HAIR remains relevant as ever as it examines what it means to be a young person in a changing world.
Entertainment:
In addition to the headline show, preshow activities and musical acts provide entertainment for the whole family. (HAIR contains adult themes, profanity and sexual situations. Not recommended for children.)
Each day has a special theme with preshow entertainment at 12:30pm (11am on
June 10, 2017) tailored to the interest of the patrons:
· Opening Day (May 21) - preshow entertainment by 'Til Dawn
· May 28 preshow entertainment by Jerry Hannan & Kelly Peterson
· LGBT Day (June 4) - preshow entertainment by Shelley Doty
· Magic Mountain Play Music Festival (June 10) - entertainment starts at 11am with the Matt Kizer Band, 11:45am Shelley Doty X-tet, 1:00pm Jefferson Starship, 3pm HAIR In Concert
· Celebrate the 60s (June 11) - preshow entertainment by Mayflower Chorus - Epic Songs of the 60s
· Father's Day Picnic & Contest (June 18) - preshow entertainment by Marin Summer Theater
On BEAUTY AND THE BEAST performance days, children of all ages will love the puppet shows of Fratello Marionettes. Puppet show times are 11:30 am and 1 pm. Check the website for more information at www.MountainPlay.org.
On June 10, 2017, enjoy the music of emerging female artists in our Songwriter Garden featuring singer-songwriter Olivia Davis and more.
Annual picnic contest on June 18, 2017 with a celebrity judge. Visit www.MountainPlay.org for details.
The poster art for Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST was created by artist Katy Meehan. The poster art for the Magic Mountain Play Music Festival was created by Tuomas Makinen.
Mountain Play's Reserved Seating:
The Mountain Play offers 4 special reserved seating sections as well as added benefits for reserved seating patrons. It's a way for you to give a little more and to get more from your Mountain Play experience. With Reserved Seating Tickets you'll receive additional benefits such as priority bus tickets for the first wave of shuttles down the mountain, cushioned seating with backrest, and free and easy ticket exchange (waiver of $10 fee.) Reserved Seating levels are Club Circle, Orchestra Sun Circle, Director's Circle, and Patron's Circle. Patron's Circle reservations include the "Dining in the Woods" a gourmet catered lunch in Madrone Grove near the theatre. Please view Mountain Play's website for price information. www.MountainPlay.org
NEW This Year: Reserve a parking space at the Air Force Parking Lot for $15 ($20 at lot gate). Carpooling is encouraged. Purchase at www.MountainPlay.org
Dining on the Mountain:
The Mountain Play isn't just a wonderful theatre and outdoor experience; it can also be an incredible dining experience. Patrons are encouraged to pack a picnic with their favorite spirit, enjoy the "rustic elegance," fine wines and gourmet lunch of Dining in the Woods as part of their Patron Circle Reserved Seating package, or enjoy a variety of delectable foods at the Mountain Play Café, prepared onsite by Robert Meyer's Mangia Nosh. Patrons can also purchase adult beverages from Barefoot Wines and Lagunitas Brewing Company at theTamalpais Tavern. Dining in the Woods gourmet lunch is prepared by Debbie Ghiringhelli Catering.
Amphitheatre Shade Structure:
With the generous support of donors, the Mountain Play has provided shade structures for the amphitheatre that shade seating for over 500 General Seating patrons and 300 Reserved Seating patrons. Please arrive early for a seat in the general shaded area as seating is on a first come, first served basis. Shaded Reserved Seating is available by calling 415-383-1100.
Activities for kids:
PLAYland - A fun filled area for kids on Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST performance days.
MEET MEMBERS OF THE CAST - Following each performance meet members of the cast in front row of the amphitheatre.
About Jefferson Starship:
Jefferson Starship rose from the ashes of another legendary San Francisco band, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees, Jefferson Airplane.
Founder Paul Kantner (who died in January of 2016 at age 74) knew that combining powerful creative forces, personalities and talents could create something far greater than the sum of its parts.
Between 1974 and 1984, Jefferson Starship released eight gold and platinum selling albums, twenty hit singles, sold out concerts worldwide and lived out legendary rock and roll escapades.
"Jefferson Starship was my creation...and it has this nice fluidity about it that allows any number of people to come in and do things with whatever Jefferson Starship is." - Paul Kantner
Today's Jefferson Starship remains dedicated to breathing new life into the living catalog of the Jeffersonian legacy, going to the edge, pushing the sonic boundaries and staying true to the original spirit of the music.
Featuring original and historic members David Freiberg (also a founder of San Francisco luminaries Quicksilver Messenger Service) and drummer Donny Baldwin, along with longtime members Chris Smith on keyboards and synth bass, Jude Gold on lead guitar and GRAMMY Nominee Cathy Richardson anchoring the female lead vocal spot made famous by the inimitable Grace Slick. Richardson was invited by Ms. Slick to sing in her place when Jefferson Airplane accepted their Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2016 GRAMMY Merit Awards Concert and Telecast in April.
The band keeps a hectic touring schedule bolstered by several television recent appearances including My Music: 60s Pop, Rock and Soul on PBS and live with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra on AXS Network. The Freiberg-penned 1979 hit Jane is the theme song for the Netflix Original Series Wet, Hot American Summer. In 2014-15, the band played a series of free concerts for America's Veterans and was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the US Department of Defense. Jefferson Starship has traveled the world playing in 20 countries across the globe in the last 3 years alone.
The music that defined a generation and spanned decades is alive and well and more relevant than ever in pop culture- songs such as Volunteers, White Rabbit, Wooden Ships, Somebody to Love, Today, Miracles, Count on Me, Fast Buck Freddie, Jane and Find Your Way Back continue to reverberate throughout the collective consciousness today.
About the Staff:
Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Director Jay Manley is delighted to return to the mountain again this year for his third outing. He officially joined the Mountain Play Family in 2013, directing its 100th Anniversary Production of The Sound of Music, and returned last year for West Side Story. Those joyous experiences rank among his most treasured theatrical memories, so he is thrilled to be back helming this great musical story about a strong, intelligent and compassionate woman who changes her world. By play's end, our Gaston might call her a "nasty woman," but we think she is right on course! Jay is an award-winning director whose musicals and plays throughout the Bay Area have garnered repeated praise and numerous citations from the Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle and Dean Goodman "Choice" Awards. He founded and ran for over 25 years Foothill Music Theatre in Los Altos, California, and was recipient of a special citation from the Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle for his work there. For more than 30 years, with his husband Vance Martin, Jay has led popular theatre tours to New York, Ashland, London, and other major theatre production centers, with their company, New York Theatre Tour: nytheatretour.com. Jay directs throughout the Bay Area, most recently at Ross Valley Players and Tabard Theatre in San Jose, where he will return this fall to direct the adventurous prequel to the Peter Pan story, Peter and the Starcatcher.
HAIR Director Jeff Wiesen is delighted to welcome in the sanctity of Mt. Tamalpais once again. This is Jeff's 3rd Mountain Play as an actor, having appeared as Berger in HAIR (2007) and Captain Hook in Peter Pan (2015). Other theater credits include: Othello (Cassio - Marin Shakespeare Company), Los Angeles: Hamlet (Hamlet), Green Grow the Lilacs (Curly), King Lear (Edgar), Romeo & Juliet (Romeo) Television: Without a Trace, All My Children, Big Time Rush. This season also marks Jeff's directorial debut with The Mountain Play, as he is helming the production of HAIR in Concert for the Magic Mountain Play Music Festival. Directing credits in the Bay Area include: Beauty & the Beast (IAM), Sweeney Todd (IAM), Secret Garden (IAM).
Music Director David Möschler is an award-winning freelance conductor and musical director based in the San Francisco Bay Area and is thrilled to return for his second show with Mountain Play after conducting last year's West Side Story. Recent music direction credits include Ray of Light Theatre productions (The Rocky Horror Show, LIZZIE, Into The Woods and Assassins), Lamplighters Music Theatre (Patience, H.M.S. Pinafore), American Conservatory Theater and Guthrie Theater (Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play), San Francisco Playhouse (Promises, Promises), Douglas Morrisson Theatre (Candide), West Edge Opera (Hydrogen Jukebox), San Jose Repertory Theatre (One Night with Janis Joplin), Shotgun Players (Woyzeck, Assassins, The Threepenny Opera), Broadway by the Bay (Evita), and Center REPertory Company (Spring Awakening), among many others. Möschler has won two Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards for Best Musical Direction with Ray of Light Theatre as well as a Theater Bay Area Award for Outstanding Music Direction with Lamplighters Music Theatre. He is Resident Musical Director for YMTC Berkeley where he's conducted twenty full productions and has been a member of the music staff for College Light Opera Company since 2005. He serves on the faculty for Academy of Art University and is active as a guest lecturer on musical theater. In 2013 Möschler founded the Awesöme Orchestra Collective, which he conducts every month. More information can be found at davidmoschler.com.
Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Choreographer Nicole Helfer is a Bay Area native and a graduate of San Francisco State University. Choreography credits include: Peter Pan and West Side Story for Mountain Play, In the Heights for Broadway By The Bay (Theatre Bay Area Award-winner), Dogfight for OMG Productions, Tarzan for Contra Costa Musical Theater (Shellie Award nominee), Rent for Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre Company, Measure for Measure for San Francisco State University, 8 Track: The Sounds of the 70s, Six Women With Brain Death, and You're A Good Man Charlie Brown (Shellie Award nominee) for Willows Theatre Company. She has also choreographed Click Clack Moo and the very successful Pinkalicious for Bay Area Children's Theater. In addition to performing regularly in regional musical theatre productions, she has taught dance and theatre classes for Young REP, Kid Stock, Inc., Dance Mission Theatre, Marilyn Izdebski Productions, YMCA and Spindrift School of Performing Arts. Currently, Nicole is happily teaching a variety of dance classes at the Ballet School in Walnut Creek and is theatre faculty at Oakland School for the Arts. She is so honored to be working with such an amazing creative team and would like to thank her friends and family for their love and support.
HAIR Choreographer Zoë Swenson-Graham returned to the states in 2015 after living in London for nearly 7 years, where she worked as an actor, dancer, and trained as a stage combat instructor and fight choreographer. She is thrilled to be returning to the Mountain Play, after choreographing the fights for West Side Story and Peter Pan. Before leaving London, she was the leading role in the English Premiere of Neil LaBute's Autobahn at The Kings Head Theatre, London. Other acting credits include: Our Town (Emily). The Trojan Women (Helen), The Toll (Edinburgh Festival), and Twelfth Night (Viola). She received an Off-West End Best Actress nomination for
At the Broken Places, a new American play that premiered in London. She has served as a stage combat choreographer and teacher around the UK, including the Royal Opera House, Soho Theatre, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Southwark Playhouse
and the British American Drama Academy. Since returning to the Bay, Zoe has choreographed for and taught with The American Conservatory Theatre, Berkeley Rep School of Theatre, Oakland School of the Arts, Sierra Repertory Theatre Company, East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, Ross Valley Players, YMTC, Palo Alto Children's Theatre, and Stapleton School of the Arts.
Rooted in more than a century of theatrical tradition, the Mountain Play Association provides enriching live performances that stimulate creativity, engage our community and foster a lifelong enjoyment of the arts.
Our signature event is a spectacular outdoor production that celebrates musical theatre and nurtures respect for the unique natural beauty of Mount Tamalpais.
The Mountain Play is a non-profit (501c3) organization that has been serving the Bay Area community since 1913.
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