Elijah Alexander, Pamela J. Gray and More Star in Pasadena Playhouse's FALLEN ANGELS, 1/29-2/24

The Pasadena Playhouse has announced the cast and creative team for Noël Coward's comedy classic FALLEN ANGELS. Directed by Art Manke, performances will begin January 29 through February 24, with an official press opening on Sunday, February 3, 2013, at 5:00 p.m. at The Pasadena Playhouse. Single tickets are now on sale.

"This Noël Coward comedy is a light-hearted and delightful way to start the New Year," said Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps. "Art Manke has brought together a cast with the requisite wit, charm and cleverness to deliver this winning play in great style."

"I'm delighted to be returning to The Pasadena Playhouse, where I've had the privilege of directing two other No ë l Coward plays (his masterpiece, Private Lives, and the American premiere of Star Quality) and Somerset Maugham's The Constant Wife," said director Art Manke. "The Playhouse has a long history of staging the works of 'The Master' - as Coward became known in his lifetime - and I'm proud to be a part of that tradition. No dated the antics of Lucy and Ethel in this play and added - as only he could do - the sparkling ë l Coward pre- comic banter that all of his great plays are known for."

The cast for FALLEN ANGELS features (in alphabetical order):

- Elijah Alexander (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, "Summerland") as "Maurice Duclos"
- Pamela J. Gray ("Sons of Anarchy," The Roundabout's Present Laughter) as "Julia Sterroll"
- Mary-Pat Green ("The Middle," The Break-Up) as "Saunders"
- Loren Lester ("Hung," "The Young & the Restless") as "Willy Banbury"
- Katie MacNichol ("Law & Order: Criminal Intent," Julie Taymor's The Green Bird) as "Jane Banbury"
- Mike Ryan (Denver Center's The Three Musketeers, Julie Taymor's The Green Bird) as "Fred Sterroll"

In addition to director Art Manke the creative team for FALLEN ANGELS includes scenic design by Tom Buderwitz (The Playhouse's Art), lighting design by Peter Maradudin (Broadway's The Kentucky Cycle), sound design by Steven Cahill (The Playhouse's Intimate Apparel) and costume design by David K. Mickelsen (Off-Broadway's Around the World in Eighty Days).

FALLEN ANGELS is Noël Coward at his inimitable best - debonair, sophisticated and insanely hilarious. Julia and Jane are the best of friends and happily married to Fred and Willy. But before tying the knot, they each had a brief affair with Maurice, a handsome and charming Frenchman. While their husbands are away for a day of golf, guess who is back in town and requesting the pleasure of the ladies company? Giddy with anticipation of seeing their former lover and terrified of having their husbands discover their secret, Julia and Jane drink, quarrel and nervously await Maurice's arrival. FALLEN ANGELS is a champagne cocktail of wit, charm and high comedy that set the stage for such classic female comedic duos as Lucy and Ethel; Laverne and Shirley; Patsy and Edwina as well as inspiring current hit shows like "Sex and the City" and "Desperate Housewives." "Since it was written, it has become one of Coward's more popular comedies." - The New York Times

While Noël Coward's plays may seem light and fun on the surface, in actuality there is always a layer below the laughter and silliness that gives way to characters chomping at the bit of their social, sexual, political or spiritual confinement. The comedic antics that unfold become enormous fun as traditional boundaries that society has set are gleefully poked fun at. As a gay man, Coward also wove in clues within his works that his gay audience members could recognize in between the lines and see a world where their sexuality was joyful and normal. Strong female characters are also a dominant force in most Coward plays. At a time when women's rights were a hot-button political and social topic, he created roles for very strong and funny actresses that transcended traditional boundaries. Noël Coward's career as a playwright, composer, director, actor and singer spanned six decades. Known for his wit, flamboyance, and what Time magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and chic, pose and poise," his works remain as universal and relevant as ever and continue to influence pop culture today.

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