L-R: Kenton Duty, Morgan Fairchild, and Davi Santos. Photo courtesy The Pasadena Playhouse
This just in! The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director, Danny Feldman, Executive/Artistic Director) and Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) announces Morgan Fairchild (NBC’s “Flamingo Road,” CBS’s “Falcon Crest”) as The Wicked Stepmother, Kenton Duty (Disney Channel’s “Shake It Up,” ABC’s “Lost”) as The Prince, and Davi Santos (Nickelodeon’s “Power Rangers Dino Charge,” CW’s “Mr. Box Office”) as Dandini in this year’s Panto at The Playhouse A Cinderella Christmas. Valerie Rockey and Paul Karmiryan, two of the top three contestants on “So You Think You Can Dance” will join the ensemble of the production.
The cast also features previously announced Lauren Taylor starring as “Cinderella”(Disney Channel’s “Best Friends Whenever,” Netflix’s “Richie Rich”) and Alex Newell as “The Fairy Godperson” (Fox’s “Glee,” HBO’s “Vinyl,” Opener for Adam Lambert’s “Original High” tour). In addition, A Cinderella Christmas includes previously announced Matthew Patrick Davis as “Buttons” (Broadway revival of Side Show), and returning Panto at The Playhouse favorites Josh Adamson (ABC Family’s “First Landing,” U.S. National Tour of 360 London’s Peter Pan,) and Ben Giroux (Nickelodeon’s “Henry Danger,” CW’s “Hart of Dixie”), as “The Ugly Stepsisters.”
A Cinderella Christmas opens December 8, 2016 and plays through January 8, 2017 at The Pasadena Playhouse.
Returning from last year’s hugely successful Panto at The Playhouse production of Peter Pan and Tinker Bell – A Pirates Christmas will be director Bonnie Lythgoe (“So You Think You Can Dance”), choreographer Spencer Liff (Emmy nominee “So You Think You Can Dance”) and musical director Michael Orland (“American Idol”). The book is by Kris Lythgoe, costume design by Lythgoe Family Panto, and casting by Becky Lythgoe.
Director Bonnie Lythgoe says, “One of the highlights of my year is directing the annual Panto at The Playhouse, and bringing the joy of this magical form of theatre to American audiences. For this very special 5th anniversary production at The Pasadena Playhouse, Becky Baeling Lythgoe has once again assembled an amazing cast for me to work with. It is always a thrill to share and explore this one of a kind art form with very best from the worlds of theatre, music, television and dance, and this season’s cast features standouts from all of these realms.”
Lythgoe Family Panto produces fun, musical theatre the whole family can enjoy and pride themselves on creating a memorable experience a family can share together. Known for their creativity and involvement in television hits “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” the Lythgoes are dedicated to bringing affordable theatre to families across America. Based on the Grimm fairytales and others, each story has been modernized with topical scripts for parents and well known pop songs for kids. A Cinderella Christmas will include such pop hits as,” Meghan Trainor’s “Me Too” and “No,” Kelly Clarkson’s “Breakaway,” Michael Buble’s “Just Haven’t Met You Yet” and Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.”
Panto at The Playhouse is celebrating its fifth year at The Pasadena Playhouse. Past productions at The Pasadena Playhouse include: the world premiere of Peter Pan and Tinker Bell – A Pirates Christmas starring Sabrina Carpenter and John O’Hurley, Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight starring Olivia Holt and Lucy Lawless, A Snow White Christmas starring Ariana Grande and Neil Patrick Harris and Aladdin and His Winter Wish starring Ben Vereen, Jordan Fisher, and Ashley Argota.
A Panto is interactive holiday fun for all ages, and A Cinderella ChristmasS will feature comedy, magic, dancers from “So You Think You Can Dance” and contemporary music from Meghan Trainor to Michael Buble. “Those who have never been to a panto will have a glorious introduction to the form.” – Los Angeles Times.
One hour before every performance, guests and their families are invited to enjoy holiday activities in “Winter Wonderland” located at The Playhouse’s Engemann Family Courtyard.
A Cinderella Christmas will play from December 8, 2016 – January 8, 2017 at The Pasadena Playhouse. The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101. The performance schedule is Tuesdays – Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 12:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays at 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.; Special matinees — Friday, December 23 at 3:00 p.m.; Monday, December 26 at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 28 at 3:00 p.m. and Friday, December 30 at 3:00 p.m.; Wednesday, January 4 at 3:00 p.m. and Thursday, January 5 at 3:00 p.m. (No performances December 25 and January 1.)
Tickets for A Cinderella Christmas range from $25.00 – $125.00. Tickets are required for admission to the production by everyone with the exception of children under the age of 2 who can attend the show without a ticket if they sit on a parent or guardian’s lap throughout the performance.
Golden Tickets are available as an add-on to any child’s ticket for an additional $75.00 each (limit of 10 Golden Tickets available per performance). A Golden Ticket provides the ticketholder (recommended for children aged 4 – 12) with a special onstage sing-a-long experience during the production and a surprise gift bag.
Tickets are available by calling The Pasadena Playhouse at (626) 356-7529, and online 24 hours a day at www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org.
