Do You Need More Drama?? We Do!

Pasadena Unified School District's (PUSD) Musical Theater Program announces its first performance of the year with the upcoming debut of "LIFE IS A CABARET." A unique celebration of select music and lyrics from the classic Broadway hits CHICAGO and CABARET by John Kander and Fred Ebb, "LIFE IS A CABARET" is an original production directed and conceived by Ryan Scott Oliver. Oliver is a former alum of the Program who, since 2004, directs the program alongside the original music director, Cindy Abbott. The Musical Theater Program was founded in 1995 by Gayle Bluemel, a long-time teacher and now principal of Sierra Madre School.

Friday, April 3rd at 8 pm
Saturday, April 4th at 2 pm & 8 pm
Washington Middle School Auditorium
1505 N. Marengo Avenue in Pasadena
Recommended ticket donation: $12

Stage Manager: Emily Clark
Company Manager: Jessica Hollins
Costume Designer: Sarah Lefebre
Scenic Designer: Starlet Jacobs
Music Director: David Lamoureux
Choreographer: Anna Schnaitter
Director: Ryan Scott Oliver

As toe-tapping proof of the importance of state funding for the arts in public education, the show will spotlight the singing, dancing and theatrical talent of talented teens and tweens from PUSD. The talent of these young performers makes this a must-see event. Rehearsing only since the beginning of March, Oliver and his team have managed to put together an amazingly professional performance with their young stars. The Program's team of professionals also includes Music Director David Lamoureux and Choreographer Anna Schnaitter.

"Returning to my roots and working with these dedicated young and talented kids is one of the most rewarding aspects of my life." says Oliver now a celebrated professional composer and lyricist residing in New York. And the kids are so inspired by his enthusiasm they work all the harder.

"LIFE IS A CABARET" will open on Friday, April 3rd at 8PM and continues on Saturday, April 4th with two performances at 2PM and 8PM. The location is Washington Middle School Auditorium 1505 N. Marengo Avenue in Pasadena. Recommended ticket donation is $12.00. For more information visit www.summermusicaltheater.com or contact Company Manager Jessica Hollins at 626.793.4112 or jessyann23@yahoo.com

About Pasadena Musical Theater Program

The Program was founded in 1995 by Gayle Bluemel, a long time teacher and now principal of Sierra Madre School. Its mission is to provide quality arts education for gifted and talented students and develop and nurture creative talents in the performing arts. The Program is presented in association with the Pasadena Unified School District's Gifted And Talented Education (GATE) Office and the Pasadena Educational Foundation. In 2004, Ryan Scott Oliver took over the Program and continues to direct it alongside its original music director, Cindy Abbott. For more information visit www.summermusicaltheater.com or contact Company Manager Jessica Hollins at 626.793.4112 or jessyann23@yahoo.com

About RYAN SCOTT OLIVER (Executive Director)

A 2009 Jonathan Larson Grant recipient RSO wrote the music and lyrics for Mrs. Sharp (2008 Richard Rodgers Award Winner, formerly Alive at Ten), Darling (Pace New Musicals 2009), the song cycle Out of My Head, A Day in Space, and Quit India for UCLA. He is a Dramatists Guild Fellow, a Regents Scholar, and the recipient of numerous awards including the first-ever ASCAP Foundation Harold Adamson Award for Excellence in Lyric Writing. Currently he is the Executive Director of the GATE Musical Theatre Program in California, produces The Spotlight Cabaret in New York City, and is working on original musicals with collaborators Kirsten Guenther, B. T. Ryback and Matthew Lopez. For more information visit www.ryanscottoliver.com