Press Release: Grand Hotel

FOR BEST PLAY OF THE YEAR PRESENTS

THE THIRD PRODUCTION OF THEIR 2004 - 2005 SEASON...

Grand Hotel
The Musical

Book by Luther Davis
Music & Lyrics by Robert Wright and George Forrest
Additional music and lyrics by Maury Yeston

Musical Direction by Michael Reno
Choreography by Cate Caplin

Directed by Peter Schneider

Check-in begins Saturday October 16th at 8pm at the Colony Theatre in Burbank

"People come, people go, wave of life overflowing,
Come, begin in old Berlin, you're in the Grand Hotel."

September 14, 2004…Burbank, CA…The Colony Theatre Company, winner of back-to-back Ovation Awards for Best Play - presents the third production of their 2004 - 2005 season, the musical GRAND HOTEL, book by Luther Davis, music and lyrics by Robert Wright and George Forrest. Additional music and lyrics by Maury Yeston. GRAND HOTEL will be choreographed by Cate Caplin, with musical direction by Michael Reno and will be directed by Peter Schneider. GRAND HOTEL will preview October 13th, October 14th and October 15th and will open on Saturday, October 16th and continue through Sunday, November 14th at the Colony Theatre, 555 North Third Street (at Cypress) in the Burbank Media Center.                                                              

Check-In and live…

It is 1928 in Berlin, Germany. What schemes and dreams lie behind each of the doors of Europe's most opulent and extravagant hotels -- at one of history's most dangerous and thrilling times? Come, spend a night or two. Perhaps you will find your fortune there, perhaps you will find true love, perhaps all of your dreams will come true…perhaps. . .

Passing through the golden light and dark shadows of the GRAND HOTEL are the fading, still-beautiful Prima Ballerina; the charming young Baron, out of money, riding on his looks; the ambitious Hollywood hopeful; the mortally ill bookkeeper, meeting society before his grave; the honest, hardworking father-to-be; and the doctor, whose cynical tone foreshadows the looming Depression. Behold these vibrant dramas as they spring to life in a whirlwind of music and dance. As the wealthy, poor, innocent, bitter, kind and cruel, all reveal their lifelong desires and passions, you'll bask in the shimmering elegance that is…GRAND HOTEL!

Inspired by Vicki Baum's period novel, book writer/playwright Luther Davis (Kismet, Timbuktu!) collaborated once again with the prolific, distinguished composer-lyricist team Robert Wright and George Forrest (Kismet, Timbuktu!, Magdelena, The Anastasia Affaire). Together, they created a seamless musical that boasts an engaging, non-stop book and a powerful score that is sure to sweep you away with all of the lavishness of the 1920s.

Barbara Beckley, Artistic Director of the Colony Theatre, comments, "Isn't this grand? An extraordinary, rarely revived musical with one of theatre's most moving books and gorgeous scores. Peter Schneider, Michael Reno, Cate Caplin, a Broadway-caliber cast and one of the largest undertakings the Colony has attempted in its 29-year history. I feel so fortunate to be a part of this marvelous team and to bring Southern California a musical theatre experience they won't soon forget."

The director of GRAND HOTEL is Peter Schneider. Mr. Schneider has had a diverse theatrical career, playing an integral part in the off-off Broadway movement in the seventies, directing productions at the WPA, Playwrights Horizon and Circle Rep, being the managing director of The St. Nicholas Theater, one of Chicago's leading off loop theatres. After joining the Walt Disney Company, he and Thomas Schumacher produced The Lion King and Aida on Broadway. As President of Animation and Chairman of the Studio for the Walt Disney Company he was responsible for creating and distributing over 50 movies, including Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Toy Story, The Lion King, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Remember the Titans and The Princess Diaries. He was the Associate Director of the 1984 Olympic Arts Festival and now runs his own theatrical production company and just finished directing Julie Andrews in a Live action/Animation short celebrating the 40th anniversary of Mary Poppins. GRAND HOTEL marks his Los Angeles theatrical directorial debut.

The cast of GRAND HOTEL features (in alphabetical order): Cynthia Beckert, Cate Caplin, Chris Dupre, Gary Franco, Jason Graae, Mike Irizarry, Samuel B. Kivi, Larry Lederman, Natalia Lind, Beth Malone, Dore Marott, Michael McCarty, Alex Miller, Dink O'Neal, Michael Parillo, Dana Reynolds, Rachel Strutt, Robert J.Townsend, Virginia Weber and Bob Wood.

GRAND HOTEL has assembled an award-winning design team. The set design is by David Potts. The costume design is by Garry D. Lennon. The sound design is by Drew Dalzell. The lighting design is by Don Guy. The casting is by Michael Donovan, C.S.A.

Performances for GRAND HOTEL will be Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, and Sundays at 2:00pm and 7:00pm. Additionally there will be performances on Saturday, October 23rd and Saturday, October 30th at 3:00pm; and also Thursday, November 4th and Thursday, November 11th at 8:00pm. There will be no 7:00pm performance on October 17th. Ticket prices range from $30.00 - $40.00 (student and senior discounts are available). Preview performances will be Wednesday, October 13th, Thursday, October 14th and Friday, October 15th at 8:00pm - all tickets $20.00. Opening night performance with reception - all tickets $60.00. There will be two Talk-Back performances with the cast on Friday, October 22nd and Thursday, November 4th immediately following the performance. For tickets, call the Colony Theatre Box Office at 818/558-7000.    

In partnership with the Los Angeles Radio Reading Service, The Colony now offers Audio Description for one performance during each production. The service provides a rich description of the show, giving our visually impaired patrons the full Colony experience. Audio Description will be available on Saturday, October 30th at 3:00pm. To make a reservation for this performance, call the box office and ask for Audio Description Saturday.

For more information or for press comps, please contact David Elzer/DEMAND PR at 818/508-1754 or at ELZERD@aol.com.

The Colony Theatre Company is a 29 year old organization dedicated to bringing the finest quality theatrical productions to Los Angeles. The theatre is located at 555 North Third Street, at the corner of Cypress, in the heart of the Burbank Media Center. For further information, call (818) 558-7000. Fax number: (818) 558-7110. E-mail: colonytheatre@colonytheatre.org. Or visit our website at www.colonytheatre.ORG.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONTACT: David Elzer
818/508-1754