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Press Page -
Please contact: Maureen McFadden (805)966-0190
momcfadden@aol.com
For Immediate Release *****
CLASSIC FAIRY TALE COMES TO HILARIOUS LIFE AT THE LOBERO THEATRE
"PUSS IN BOOTS, THE PANTO!"
OPENS DEC. 26 for 11 SHOWS ONLY
Something magical is about to happen at the historic Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara....Panto's back for the holidays. "Puss in Boots, the Panto!" opens on Boxing Day, Wednesday, December 26, 2001 and will run through January 6, 2002 with performances at 2 p.m. (except no show on Jan. 1 and Jan. 4 show is @ 6:30 p.m.) presented by Panto Productions.
This Third Annual Professional Family Panto follows the adventures of "Puss in Boots" - the clever cat that manages to win his master a fortune and the hand of a princess. Originally written by Charles Perrault, the beloved fairy tale was included in the Brothers Grimm collection. Perrault, who lived in France from 1628 - 1703, also wrote "Cinderella," and "Little Red Riding Hood."
"Puss in Boots, the Panto!" comes on the heels of the smashing success of "Jack and the Beanstalk, the Panto!" and "Goldilocks, 3 Bears and then some!" This year's edition promises to be the noisiest, funniest, most colorful production of the season. [This year's show was chosen by an audience poll at last year's performances. Puss won paws down!]
Panto Productions is delighted to have many talented folks from previous productions returning. Back for the third time, is Michael Ashton coming all the way from England. Michael has written a hilarious script and will also direct. Ashton is also collaborating with Konrad Kono, musical director of Panto, on the completely original song score.
Karin dela Pena leads the cast of professional loonies as that clever cat, Puss. Having a woman in the part of Puss is pure Panto. And before we go any further, let's give you a thumbnail sketch of what Panto is all about. A holiday custom in Britain for more than 300 years, with a special appeal for family audiences - from two to 102! Panto is a form of British theatre involving standard story lines, slapstick, music, dance, magic, audience participation, spectacular costumes and stage effects. Fairy tale became common Panto themes during the Victorian era, although Panto keeps a multi-layered approach making it just as entertaining for adults as it is for children. Panto conventions include the playing of the Principal Boy by a woman, while a man (usually a comedian or comic actor) is cast as the Dame.
Now, back to the exciting stuff for this year -- the dazzling cast: David
Figlioli returns as Dame Dungeon; Kevin Symons comes back to play Rollo,
the handsome hero; Wesley John reprises his role as the Demon King and
Rachel Levy gives a second wave of the wand as the Good Fairy. Rounding
out the cast are: Nica Eaton, John Carter, Joseph Beck, Jeffery Morse,
Baron Ron Herron, Brian Altarac, and Amy West. Chorus includes: Hannah
Utt, Shelley Harper, Alisha Edmonson, Gabe Kelly Ramirez, Christopher
Clementi who come back for more raucous insanity with first-time pantoettes
Andrea Watson, Sarah Breck, Lindsey Moir, Annie Spirka and Luisa Frasconi.
Behind-the-scenes lurk the outstanding production team including executive
producer, Geoff Hornby; choreographer Victoria Finlayson, assisted this
year by Christie Newman and Zane Wong; costume designer Janet Doran-Veevers
and lighting designer Vickie Scott. All return to create another magical
experience. Brian Rossborough is the stage manager. Production manager
and set designer is Kristie Griffith, who has utilized the talents of
the young men at Los Prietos Boys Camp to paint the backdrops.
Last year's show (Goldilocks) garnered wonderful reviews: The Santa Barbara
News Press critic, Michael Smith said, "The show bowls you over with
its high-spirited velocity...fun for kids and grown-ups alike!" News
Press Columnist Barney Brantingham expecting it to be a boring kid's show
when he brought his granddaughter was caught off-guard admitting "Boy,
was I wrong." He continued, "It's a kick, brilliantly done,
and the most fun I've had since Santa got stuck in the fireplace. Never
have I seen such an outrageous Old Mother Hubbard as David Figlioli"
D.J. Palladino of the Independent wrote: "Panto is Pantastic...fun for the whole family." Partnering with Panto on this production are Sanford Winery, Santa Barbara Bank and Trust, Rusty's Pizza, and Coldwell Banker. For a wonderful stay in Santa Barbara be sure to check out the newest hotel, located right near the Lobero Theatre - Inn of the Spanish Garden (www.spanishgardeninn.com).
Mention you're coming to see Panto and get a special package deal that
includes theatre tickets.
"Puss in Boots, the Panto!" runs at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara for 11 performances. Opening Wednesday, December 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 and January 2, 3, 5, 6 at 2 p.m. On Friday, January 4 the showtime is 6:30 p.m. NOTE: There is no show January 1.
Ticket prices range from $13 to $30 for adults, and $13 to $22 for children under 12. Call the Lobero Box Office at (805)963-0761 or log onto www.lobero.com. Phone orders are also available to Visa, MasterCard and American Express customers. Lobero Box office is open Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and two hours prior to all performances.
For Immediate Release*****
Press Contact: Maureen McFadden
LISTING: THEATRE/FAMILY (805)966-0190
momcfadden@aol.com
FACT SHEET AND SCHEDULE
"PUSS IN BOOTS - THE PANTO!"
At the LOBERO THEATRE in SANTA BARBARA
WHO: PANTO PRODUCTIONS
Executive Producer: Geoff Hornby
WHAT: PUSS IN BOOTS - THE PANTO!
Director & writer :Michael Ashton
Adapted from the original fairy tale by Charles Perrault
Musical director : Konrad Kono
Featuring: Karin delaPena, David Figlioli, Kevin Symons, Wesley John,
Rachel Levy, Nica Eaton, John Carter, Joseph Beck, Jeffery Morse, Baron
Ron Herron, Brian Altarac, Amy West
WHERE: LOBERO THEATRE
33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara
(805)963-0761 or www.lobero.com
WHEN: Wednesday, December 26 - Sunday, January 6
Curtain at 2 p.m. *except Jan. 4 @ 6:30 p.m.
Note: no show on January 1
TICKETS: $30.00 - $13.00 adults
$22.00 - $13.00 children (12 & under)
Lobero Box Office open Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday noon to 5 p.m. and two hours prior to all shows
SYNOPSIS: All original songs in the famous fable about the clever cat that manages to win his master a fortune and the hand of a princess. It's fun entertainment for the entire family. Customized for Santa Barbara, the traditional British holiday show is made memorable with lots of laughs, dancing, singing, and audience participation.
Last year's Panto (Goldilocks) garnered wonderful reviews: The Santa Barbara News Press critic, Michael Smith said, "The show bowls you over with its high-spirited velocity...fun for kids and grown-ups alike!" News Press Columnist Barney Brantingham expecting it to be a boring kid's show when he brought his granddaughter was caught off-guard admitting "Boy, was I wrong." He continued, "It's a kick, brilliantly done, and the most fun I've had since Santa got stuck in the fireplace. Never have I seen such an outrageous Old Mother Hubbard as David Figliolis.D.J.Palladino of the Independent wrote: "Panto is Pantastic...fun for the whole family."
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