12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739 • Tel: 909-477-2775 • Fax: 909-477-2774
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MAINSTREET THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS WEST COAST PREMIERE OF "FERDINAND THE BULL" AT LEWIS FAMILY PLAYHOUSE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2009
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. – The MainStreet Theatre Company stages the final production in its third season of high-quality theatre for young audiences, with the West Coast Premiere of "Ferdinand the Bull." The production opens April 18 at Rancho Cucamonga's Lewis Family Playhouse in the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center, 12505 Cultural Center Drive. "Ferdinand the Bull" is based on the 1936 Munro Leaf classic, "The Story of Ferdinand." Book and lyrics are by Karen Zacarias. Music is by Deborah Wicks La Puma.
"Ferdinand the Bull" is the charming story of a bull that would rather smell flowers than fight. Ferdinand will be played by Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper. In this adaptation, Duquito Danilo, a would-be matador who would rather dance than enter the bullring, played by Jesse Carrion, Danilo's father Duque Dodó, played by Armando Ortega, and Cochina, Ferdinand's "punny" pig friend, played by Heather Corwin, round out the cast of characters. The story carries the important message that it is OK to be true to ourselves and to assert our independence.
"Ferdinand the Bull" is set in Madrid and is filled with Spanish influences: classical Spanish guitar is performed by Stephen Dick, choreography features flamenco dancing, and the pun-filled dialogue is peppered with Spanish.
MainStreet has assembled a top-notch creative team to bring the story of Ferdinand to the stage. Director Robert Castro directed "Dreams of Anne Frank" at MainStreet last season, has a long list of credentials and awards, and was Artistic Associate at Mark Taper Forum/Center Theatre Group. Deborah Wicks La Puma, composer/musical director has worked with the likes of the Kennedy Center and Chicago's Goodman Theatre, has two Parent's Choice Awards and is a two-time Actor's Playhouse National Children's Theatre Festival winner. Victoria Petrovich, set and costume designer, has worked with LA Opera, East West Players and is the 2004 L.A. Theatre Critics Circle Award winner for Outstanding Achievement in Set Design. Ben Zamora is lighting designer, John Zalewski is sound designer and Katerina Tomas provides choreography.
"Ferdinand the Bull" opens April 18 and runs Through May 2, Saturdays at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm and one Sunday matinee April 26 at 1:00 pm. The city also runs special weekday matinees for school children. Tickets are $16.50 for general admission, $14.50 for seniors, and $13.50 for youth up to age 12. For tickets, call the Lewis Family Playhouse Box Office at (909) 477-2752, (877) 858-8422 or visit www.lewisfamilyplayhouse.com.
An intimate, 536-seat venue, the Lewis Family Playhouse is the crown jewel of the three-acre, 89,000-square foot Victoria Gardens Cultural Center. The complex is conveniently located off the I-15 at Foothill Boulevard, as a major anchor of Victoria Gardens. The Box Office is open Sunday from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm, Monday through Thursday from noon to 6:00 pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, with free parking available.
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For reservations to the Press Opening, Saturday, April 18, 1:00 pm or 4:00 pm, contact: sandy@aldrichpr.com
CALENDAR
The MainStreet Theatre Company presents the West Coast Premiere of "Ferdinand the Bull," by Karen Zacarias and Deborah Wicks La Puma (ages 5 and up) opening Saturday, April 18 at the Lewis Family Playhouse at the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center, 12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga. Directed by Robert Castro, and based on the book by Munro Leaf, this Spanish-influenced musical play tells the story of the bull who would rather smell flowers than fight, and the would-be matador who would rather dance than fight. Opens April 18 through May 2, Saturdays at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm and one Sunday matinee at 1:00 pm April 26. Tickets: $16.50 General admission, $14.50 Seniors, $13.50 Youth to age 12, (909) 477-2752, (877) 858-8422 or visit lewisfamilyplayhouse.com for tickets.
Contact:
Sandy Smith, Larry Aldrich
Aldrich & Associates, Inc.
(562) 436-5156
or
Annette Mumulo
City of Rancho Cucamonga
(909) 477-2775, ext. 2205