Emily Morris to Star in PINKALICIOUS at MainStreet Theatre, 10/6-21; Full Cast Announced

The MainStreet Theatre Company has announced the cast for the first show of its 2012/2013 season: Pinkalicious the Musical. The musical, based on the best selling book for the younger set, is also written by book authors Elizabeth Kann & Victoria Kann, with Music by John Gregor. The story, about a little girl who eats too many cupcakes and turns pink, has been delighting youngsters since its publication in 2006, and the musical celebrates everything pink while reminding kids that sometimes too much of a good thing is... too much!. Pinkalicious, recommended for ages 5 and up, runs October 6 – 21, 2012.

Children who love the original book and all of its spin-offs will recognize all their favorite characters. Spunky, precocious Pinkalicious will be played by Emily Morris. Emily is originally from Atlanta and has a BFA in Musical Theatre from Webster University in St. Louis. Since coming to Los Angeles, she has starred in several plays all around the LA area including the long running popular children's show Princess Bean's Messy World and a workshop of The Sherman Brothers' newest Broadway Musical, Merry Go Round. She also can be seen in several episodes of Disney's The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and Suite Life on Deck.

Pinkalicious' brother Peter will be played by Christopher Davis Carlisle. Christopher's credits include the Off-Broadway production of With Glee (Also written by Pinkalicious composer John Gregor) and the LA premieres of Twist, and Thrill Me.; Mr. and Mrs. Pinkerton will be played by Christopher Carothers (Broadway National Tours of Les Miserables, Grease, Phantom, The Scarlet Pimpernel, and Jesus Christ Superstar, among many other credits) and Megan O'Neill; Dr. Wink, the pediatrician, will be played by MainStreet favorite Ann Marie Lee, who was seen last season as the Queen in Sleeping Beauty: The Time Traveler as well as Joey's mother in Honus and Me. The cast is rounded out by Melinda Vaggione as best friend Alison, and Alex Mendoza. The entire cast will also portray an assortment of bees, birds, and butterflies who mistake Pinkalicious for a flower.

Pinkalicious the Musical will be directed and choreographed by Sha Newman, who will add her own razzle-dazzle to the proceedings, including some snazzy production numbers. Ms. Newman is an award-winning director/choreographer whose credits include: 2011 and 2010 Desert Theatre League Awards (Anything Goes & Music Man, McCallum Theatre), Ovation, Garland & Robby Awards for West Side Story, Evita, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Guys & Dolls, Paint Your Wagon, and Cabaret. Other credits include the West Coast Premieres of Tin Pan Alley Rag & Gilligan's Island, the Musical, and the world premieres of Love Sweet Love and Petticoat Rules, among many others.

MainStreet is known for the imaginative ways it tells all sorts of stories for children and families, and the team for Pinkalicious is creating a colorful confection for the characters to inhabit! The prolific Dwight Richard Odle will be designing the sets and the costumes for the production, including a revolving set which will depict the many locations in the story, but will also provide ample space for our tap and Charleston dancing birds, bees and butterflies! Kevin Williams will provide the props, including the famous pink cupcakes Pinkalicious devours; Keith Smith will design the lighting, and Julie Haber is the Production Stage Manager.

Musical direction is by Janice Rodgers Wainwright, who will be leading a live three piece band for every performance.

To kick off MainStreet's 12/13 season, the company is throwing a family-friendly Carnival in the Bank of America Imagination Courtyard at the Cultural Center on Saturday, September 29th. Families will be able to participate in old fashioned carnival games, be entered in contests, and join in on some fun activities. There'll be face painting, cupcake decorating, caricature artists, photo opportunities, and more! Patrons will buy tickets to play the games and participate in the activities. Actors from past MainStreet shows will be on hand to meet and greet the kids – and be dunked in a dunk tank – all to help raise money and awareness of the Theatre Company. There will also be information about MainStreet's shows as well as the brand new MainStreet Club!

The MainStreet Club is a membership club for kids and their families who want to have more interaction and "behind the scenes" experiences with MainStreet. Members of the club ($20 a year for one adult and 1 child) will receive a button and membership card, have access to special events related to each show, and will learn the "secret handshake".

For additional information or to purchase tickets online, visit www.lewisfamilyplayhouse.com or call the Lewis Family Playhouse Box Office at (909) 477?2752 or (877) 858-8422.
"Like" MainStreet on Facebook for more up to the minute details about the production and the additional special events at www.facebook.com/MainStreetTheatreCompany.

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