The Pasadena Playhouse And Lythgoe Family Productions Announce Casting And Creative Team For Panto At The Playhouse's A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS

PASADENA, Calif., Sept. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Charles Dillingham, Interim Executive Director) and Lythgoe Family Productions, announced today casting and the creative team for A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS, featuring Ariana Grande (Nickelodeon's "Victorious") as "Snow White," an on-screen appearance by Neil Patrick Harris as "The Magic Mirror" and Charlene Tilton ("Dallas") as "The Wicked Queen."  This inaugural "Panto at The Playhouse" production of A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS will be directed by Bonnie Lythgoe ("So You Think You Can Dance") with choreography by Spencer Liff (Emmy nominee "So You Think You Can Dance") and musical direction by Michael Orland ("American Idol"). Performances will begin December 13 through December 23, with a gala press opening night on Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. at The Pasadena Playhouse.

Lythgoe Family Productions produces fun, musical theatre the whole family can enjoy. 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, each story has been modernized with topical scripts for parents and well known pop songs for kids. The Lythgoes pride themselves on creating a memorable experience a family can share together.    

"It brings me great delight to welcome Lythgoe Family Productions and their wonderful Panto productions into our Playhouse family, said Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director of The Playhouse.  "Their family-friendly, interactive shows are a perfect fit to our season and our community.  We look forward to a very long partnership in bringing a new holiday tradition of live theatre to our patrons."

"We are truly honored to be working with the prestigious Pasadena Playhouse in continuing the introduction of American Panto to families," said writer/producer Kris Lythgoe.  "It has always been a goal of the Lythgoe family to work with a theatre that shares in our ambition of encouraging young audiences to attend theatre and to bring families together at the holiday season. We believe The Playhouse is the perfect LA home for Panto and we look forward to "Panto at The Playhouse" for many seasons to come!"

An updated version of the classic tale, in the style of a traditional British family Panto, A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS features family-friendly magic, with a comedic twist, dancing (with "So You Think You Can Dance" alumni), a live miniature pony and contemporary music from Katy Perry's "Firework" to Huey Lewis and the News' "Power of Love" to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and more. A Panto is known for its interactive style and humor that appeals to everyone from ages 2 – 102!  Before every performance, guests and their families are invited to enjoy a "Winter Wonderland" event sponsored by Parenting Magazine in The Playhouse's Engemann Family Courtyard, complete with holiday carolers, crafts, activities, games and photo opportunities.

The full cast for A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS features:

• Ariana Grande as "Snow White" (Nickelodeon's "Victorious")
• Neil Patrick Harris as "The Magic Mirror" ("How I Met Your Mother")
• Charlene Tilton as "The Wicked Queen" ("Dallas")
• Jonathan Scott Meza as "Muddles" ( "The Jumpitz")
• David Figoli as "Herman the Huntsman"
• And "Snow White's Prince" to be announced soon

The "Seven Dwarfs" will be cast from local children and auditions will be held on October 6 – 7, 2012, at a location to be announced.

In addition to director Bonnie Lythgoe, the creative team for A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS includes choreography by Spencer Liff (Emmy nominee for "So You Think You Can Dance"), musical direction by Michael Orland ("American Idol"), book by Kris Lythgoe, scenic and costume design by Lythgoe Family Productions creative department with additional costume design by designer Julia Clancy, Donna Maas and Kleev Guessford, additional scenic design by J.J. Wickham  (LFP producers include Kris Lythgoe, Bonnie Lythgoe, Becky Baeling and Jason Haigh-Ellery).

A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS will play from December 13 - 23, 2012 with a gala press opening on Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at 7:00 p.m.  The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101.  The performance schedule is Tuesday through Friday at 7:00 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.  Single show ticket prices for A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS range from $32.00 - $72.00, with Premium Seating available for $100.00.  Child single tickets are available for Rear Orchestra and Rear Mezzanine seating ranging from $22.00 - $47.00.  Golden Tickets are available for an additional $100.00 each and are limited to 10 Golden Tickets per performance.  A Golden Ticket allows the ticketholder (children only) a special on-stage experience during the production.  Service and theatre restoration fees apply to all purchases.  Tickets are available by calling The Pasadena Playhouse at 626-356-7529 or by visiting The Pasadena Playhouse Box Office, Tuesday – Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. during non-performance dates.  On performance dates the Box Office is open Tuesday – Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday.  Tickets are available 24 hours online at www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org.  Group Sales (8 or more) are available by calling 626-921-1161. For additional information visit www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org.

Full bios for the cast and creative team of A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS are available upon request.

 

SOURCE Lythgoe Family Productions