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AVALON, CATALINA ISLAND - The Avalon Theatre in the historic Catalina Casino will provide audiences with an opportunity to blast back to the past when the Santa Catalina Island Company Theatrical Series presents the 1950s musical comedy, "Grease," live on stage in the 1100 seat art deco theater, Sept. 5 and 6. Produced and directed by Steven Sabel, with music direction by Judith Johansen, the full-scale theatrical production will feature a live orchestra, professional sets, and a talented cast of regional performers.
Open call auditions produced an ensemble of performers with theatrical credits from throughout the Southern California region. The cast of 15 will come together to sing the songs and create the memorable characters that audiences have come to know and love.
"We're thrilled with the talented group of performers we have assembled for this inaugural production," said Sabel, who announced the cast this week.
Leading the ensemble as Danny Zuko is Fernando Acevedo, who has an extensive background in musical theater. Having performed such roles as Conrad Birdie in "Bye Bye Birdie" and Jawan in "Kismet," Acevedo's credits include performances for the Candlelight Pavilion, Moonlight Amphitheater, Fullerton Civic Light Opera, and Downey Civic Light Opera.
Opposite Acevedo is Emily Melton in the role of Sandy. A fine arts graduate of UCLA, Melton is a trained opera singer and musical theater star with a long list of credits, including performances at Royce Hall, the Rose Center, and Carnegie Hall in New York. Her favorite performances include productions of "The Music Man," "Rent," "Grease," "Bye Bye Birdie," and "Oliver."
"We have two powerhouses of talent leading the show, backed by an impressive ensemble with show credits a mile long," said Sabel.
Additional cast members include Dahni Piro ("Ragtime," "Thoroughly Modern Millie"), Reggie DeLeon ("Sweeney Todd," "Man of La Mancha"), Dayna Price ("Gypsy," "Oliver!"), Kimberly Roberts ("The Music Man," "Pajama Game"), Shafik Wahhab ("A Chorus Line," "Guys and Dolls"), Mirna Carbajal ("Once On This Island," "Into The Woods"), and Katie Horwitch ("Grease," "Oklahoma!").
"Grease is the word on Catalina Island in September. Visitors can escape to Avalon, and blast back to the past at the Avalon Theatre," Sabel said.
Produced by special arraignment with Samuel French, Inc., the Avalon Theatre production of "Grease"
will be presented for two nights only, 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, and Saturday, Sept. 6. General admission tickets are priced at $18 per person. Special "Grease" Fifties Weekend getaway packages including transportation, lodging, and tickets to the show will be available for visitors to the island. Additional information is available by phone at (800) 322-3434.
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