Press Contact: FELIX SCHMITTDIEL / 310-748-9075
pr@smclo.org

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE SANTA MONICA CIVIC LIGHT OPERA
ANNOUNCES THEIR 2005/06 SEASON FEATURING
"ALL SINGING, ALL DANCING, ALL MUSICALS"
WITH PRODUCTIONS BY THE SANTA MONICA HIGH SCHOOL (SMHS) THEATRE PROGRAM AND ITS COMBINED PROFESSIONAL-ALUMNI-STUDENT ENTITY, THE SMCLO.
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OPENING THE 05/06 SEASON IS
"GUYS AND DOLLS"
FEATURING A CAST OF 30!
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SMCLO'S ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, DR. FRANK X. FORD IS SET TO DIRECT THE HIGH SCHOOL PRODUCTION IN THE SCHOOL'S INTIMATE 200-SEAT VENUE, THE HUMANITIES CENTER THEATER IN SANTA MONICA
**
PERFORMANCES BEGIN NOVEMBER 10, 2005
FOR 14 PERFORMANCES OVER FIVE WEEKENDS

SANTA MONICA, CA (September 30, 2005) Santa Monica High School Theatre's professional producing partner, The Santa Monica Civic Light Opera (SMCLO) presents a charming staging of the classic American musical Guys And Dolls, based on "The Idyll of Sarah Brown" and characters by Damon Runyon." It features many of the lead roles "double-cast" to give more of Samohi's theatre students opportunities to showcase their talents. The story is about a fly-by-night gambler, Sky Masterson, who woos Sgt. Sarah Brown, the uptight Salvation Army lass, and a showgirl, Miss Adelaide who perpetually pursues Nathan Detroit, the founder of "the oldest, established, permanent, floating crap game in New York."

Most recently, a Guys And Dolls revival opened in London, featuring screen actor Ewan McGregor as Sky Masterson. Peter Gallagher played the role of Sky in the 1994 New York revival. Gallagher can now be seen on Fox's, "The O.C." The original New York production ran for 1,200 performances in 1950. The 1955 movie version featured Marlon Brando as Sky, Frank Sinatra as Nathan Detroit, and Jean Simmons as Sarah Brown.

After last season's successful run of seven different productions, artistic director Dr. Frank Ford (who begins his 21st year teaching at Samohi) decided that an "all musical" season was in order, which will feature three book musicals and one musical revue. SMCLO's 05/06 theatre season opens with Guys And Dolls (Nov 10 thru Dec 17), followed by the ever-endearing Annie (Mar 23 thru Apr 8) in the restored Barnum Hall Theater. Samohi Theatre's "Musical Theatre Workshop" class will present a musical revue called Showstoppers (May 26 thru Jun 3), "with all the hit songs to all the hit shows, you can't get tickets to!" The season will close with SMCLO's spectacular summer production and tour (title to be announced; but under consideration is either Chicago or The Sound of Music).

"Musicals are a testament to the resiliency of the human spirit" said Dr. Frank X. Ford, SMCLO's Artistic Director and director of the show. "Trying times like these do not call for despair. We need something to look forward to: four fabulous musicals... a year of joy! Samohi Theatre and the SMCLO doing what they do best. Don't miss it!"

Guys And Dolls previews on November 10 at 8pm, and plays November 11, 12, 18, 19, December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17 - for 14 shows only! - in the troupe's smaller, more intimate performance space, the Humanities Center Theater. Those familiar with the venue will be surprised by the theater's new configuration as well as patron upgrades that were made over the summer to enhance the audience experience. As always, concession items are sold at all performances at the Humanities Center Theater.

From the more than 90 students who auditioned, 45 were called back, and 30 were cast. Joining the cast, as always, will be a live, 15 piece orchestra, giving the show that extra musical energy that SMHS Theatre and SMCLO musicals have been known for.

Brett Fisher, SMCLO's managing director, oversees the entire production operation and serves as the show's producer. "I am very excited about this season," said Fisher, a Samohi alum ('95). "The casting of this production truly embodies some of Samohi Theatre's core values. We are very excited to be able to represent Samohi's student body with our cast. With that, I hope many patrons will come out to see how great Samohi's students are! This season's new pricing structure should make theatre more accessible to both Samohi students and our community."

The musical's book by Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser is packed with memorable songs, including "Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat," "A Bushel And A Peck," "Luck Be A Lady," "Fugue For Tinhorns," "Marry The Man Today," and the title song.

The cast of Guys And Dolls features Anthony Alvarez as Nathan Detroit, Mike James and Nick Mayer as Sky Masterson, Louisa Levy and Hana Schmittdiel as Sgt. Sarah Brown, Morgan Mills and Alex Pucci as Miss Adelaide, Collin Hurst and Perry Schmittdiel as Nicely-Nicely Johnson, Hannah Bernstein and Ariana Holland as Arvide, Taylor Brinckerhoff as Benny, Casey Corn as General Cartwright and accompanied by the ensemble: Zoey Baldwin, Ashleigh Cahn, Felipe Garcia, Cristina Gerla, Hannah Getz, Jonathan Lawrence, Michael Leonard, Nick Leonard, Danielle Lips, Katrina Lopez, Claire Medsker, Leah Robinson, Antonio Russo, Rory Stillman, Shannon Theus, Jessica Weitzenhoffer, and Natalie Yadagar.

Tickets - including Group Discounts/Fundraisers and Season Subscriptions - are available by phone through the SMCLO production office at 310-458-5939. Single tickets are always available online at www.smclo.org. There are no fees when purchasing tickets online.

The Santa Monica Civic Light Opera, a sponsored educational activity of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, serves as a partner to SAMOHI's Theatre Arts Program, enhancing the student experience through mentoring by alumni and theatre professionals and developing productions for the Humanities Center and Barnum Hall stages.

This past summer, SMCLO sold-out the historic Avalon Casino Theater in Catalina with their summer production of My Fair Lady. Producer Brett Fisher took the show to Catalina upon special invitation by Mayor Ralph Morrow and the Santa Catalina Island Company.

This past February, SMCLO received two coveted NAACP awards for Best Lighting and Best Sets, out of eight nominations for their acclaimed production last summer of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." SMCLO joins the elite ranks of the Geffen Playhouse, the Theatre at Boston Court, Troika Entertainment, and the Mark Taper Forum/Center Theatre Group, whose productions were also nominated.

SAMOHI is proud of its illustrious alumni, including actors Glenn Ford, Gene Nelson, Oscar-winner Gloria Stuart, Oscar-winner Sean Penn, Oscar-nominee Robert Downey, Jr., Rob Lowe, Charlie Sheen, Emilio Estevez, Holly Robinson, Dean Cain, Ryan D. Hurst, Wallace Smith, Tessa Thompson, Matt Walker, Keith Coogan, John Augustine, Amber Tamblyn, and Colleen Ford; and writers/producers Meredith Stiehm and Zack Estrin, among many others.

The SMCLO gratefully acknowledges Samohi and SMMUSD staff members: Dr. Ilene Straus, Chief Educational Officer/Principal, Catherine Baxter, Administrative Dean at the entire Samohi Performing Arts Department, and Dr. John Deasy, Superintendent of the SMMUSD for the generous and continuous support of the SMCLO and Santa Monica High School Theatre Arts Program.

The SMCLO is also grateful for the support of many community partners, most notably presenting season sponsor Washington Mutual, and season sponsors, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, Santa Monica Daily Press, and our newest sponsor, Gelson's, the super market.

For additional information about the Santa Monica Civic Light Opera and the Samohi Theatre Arts Program, contact Brett Fisher, Producer and Managing Director, at 310-458-5939.

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CALENDAR LISTING for
NOVEMBER 10 thru DECEMBER 17, 2005