“Lunch” By Grammy And Emmy Winning Authors Performed January 3-19
Meet the Authors Reception and Post-Show Discussion January 4
Anticipation and excitement have been building at Cabrillo Stage as they prepare for Emmy-winner Rick Hawkins and music legends Steve Dorff and John Bettis to descend upon the company for the premiere of their original musical, Lunch.
The heartwarming musical comedy tells the story of Mackenzie Richards, a recently deceased Wall Street specialist who discovers that he will not be allowed access to the Gates of Eternity until he proves himself worthy by working “The Lunch Shift.” As an emissary from heaven, Mackenzie is given one hour to answer three prayers in three separate Manhattan locations during the busy noontime rush. Providing non-stop laughs as he frantically scrambles to carry out his task, along the way Mackenzie learns how the choices we make affect those around us and that the power of friendship, family, and love are timeless.
Multi award-winning legends Steve Dorff, John Bettis and Rick Hawkins will be at Cabrillo Stage for the rehearsal process in December as well as the opening weekend of performances, not only to “shop the show” to New York and Hollywood producers for future productions, but also for the Evening With The Authors events on January 4.
“This is an incredible time for our company,” says Artistic Director Jon Nordgren. “Cabrillo Stage is producing a huge, top-notch production of Lunch, and so fortunate to be able to work with these amazing writers on the premiere. It’s truly a magical experience.”
The January 4 Evening With The Authors events include an intimate pre-show reception with wine and hors d’oeuvres at the historic Cabrillo Sesnon House. The $25 per person reception is a fundraiser for Stage’s 2014-15 season, and will give attendees the opportunity to meet and talk with the authors of Lunch. Following the January 4 performance is a free post-show discussion with the authors, on stage at the Crocker Theater.
Cabrillo Stage welcomes Equity actress and TV star Sherry Hursey to the company this January (Home Improvement, Bring It On, Nip/Tuck), along with such Stage audience favorites Nicholas Ceglio (Groucho in Night at the Nutcracker, Love…Perfect…Change, Scrooge), Max Bennett-Parker (Anything Goes, Chico in Night at the Nutcracker, Forever Plaid) and Ashley Little (Hairspray, Swing, Dorothy in Wizard of Oz). Andrew Ceglio directs the production while Jon Nordgren conducts the full pit orchestra. n
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Evening With The Authors – January 4!
Cabrillo Stage’s Lunch January 3 – 19, 2014. Thursday – Saturday evenings at 7:30 PM, Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM Cabrillo Crocker Theater, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA
TICKETS: Online now at www.cabrillostage.com. Staffed box office at 831-479-6154 opens December 10. Prices $22 – $42 (includes ticket fees). Call for group discounts and student rush tickets.
Evening with the Authors Benefit at $25 per person: Saturday, January 4, 5:30 – 7:00 PM, Cabrillo Sesnon House to benefit Stage’s upcoming season. 831-479-6154 or www.cabrillostage.com for tickets.
About The Authors
Steve Dorff — Composer. Steve Dorff scored major motion pictures, television, theater, an array of # 1 hit songs. As NSAI Songwriter of the Year, Dorff was also honored with more than 40 BMI, and 11 Billboard #1 awards. His dossier includes nine #1 film songs and 15 Top 10 hits, including the Kenny Rogers’ classic “Through The Years” and “I Just Fall In Love Again,” by Anne Murray that captured Billboard’s #1 Song Of The Year honors. His many songs have been sung by some of the greatest artists of our time.
John Bettis — Lyricist. John has written songs sung by some of the most loved artists of our time which includes Michael Jackson, George Strait, Celine Dion, Madonna, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, The Carpenters, Julio Igelsias, Barbara Mandrell, Dionne Warwick, New Kids on the Block, Jennifer Warnes and scores of others. John has been nominated for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, 3 Grammies and 3 Emmys. His list of film work runs from Twilight Zone: The Movie, Vision Quest and Star Trek V to Cocktail and The Godfather Part III. His TV Themes include Growing Pains, Murphy Brown and Empty Nest. Tony winner Ken Waissman, is producing Bettis and Dorff’s Josephine, a musical based on the life of Josephine Baker, for Broadway.
Rick Hawkins — Author. Emmy-winner, Rick Hawkins began his career in television writing for The Carol Burnett Show, where his “Went With Wind” sketch has become one of the most memorable moments in TV history. Hawkins television writing credits span variety, half-hour comedy and drama and have earned him seven Emmy Award nominations, five WGA Writing Award nominations and he twice received the Scott Newman Award. Writing and Executive Producing for twenty-six consecutive TV seasons, Hawkins has worked on such classic series as Welcome Back Kotter, The Love Boat, Dear John, Mama’s Family, Punky Brewster, Sister/Sister, Major Dad, The Wayons Bros., and Soul Food.
Lunch is Hawkins’ first effort with songwriters, Dorff and Bettis, with whom he has also written the musical, Say Goodnight, A Love Story.
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Cabrillo Stage is a non-profit, non-union professional summer stock musical theatre company dedicated to presenting full-scale Broadway musicals to the greater Monterey Bay Area. Each summer since 1981, Cabrillo Stage has provided thousands of Santa Cruz county residents and visitors with unforgettable, critically acclaimed productions. Cabrillo Stage is committed to providing a nurturing, supportive, artistic environment that allows all of its artisans, professional and non-professional, the opportunity to create musicals with high quality production values. Jon Nordgren is Producing Artistic Director.