It's Easy Bein' Green: The Devon Theater Presents Monster-Hit Musical Comedy

It's Easy Bein' Green: The Devon Theater Presents Monster-Hit Musical Comedy

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Takes the Stage in September

For Ticket Information For Further Press Information Call 215-338-6300 or Contact Kimberly Reilly, Assistant to the Artistic Director Visit www.devontheater.org E-mail: kreilly@fusemanagement.net For Video, Photo & Behind-the scenes updates: Cell: 484-919-4289 Visit The Devon Theater Facebook Fan Page Philadelphia, PA, August 27, 2009 -The Devon Theater sprouted up in the heart of Mayfair in March of 2009 (after an almost five year gestation period) thanks to the funding and support of the Mayfair CDC and Fuse Management, LLC. The Devon Theater kicks off their sure-to-please 2009-2010 inaugural season with the kooky cult classic LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, on stage September 10th-27th. In this funky fan favorite, a down and out floral assistant becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an ill-tempered, mean-spirited, R&B-singing, carnivorous plant - who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite. Fertilized with a wicked score and witty lyrics from the legendary Disney songwriting team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS was one of Off-Broadway's longest running shows - proving that sometimes it is easy being green! Loosely based on the low-budget cult film by Roger Corman, LITTLE SHOP opened at the Orpheum Theatre Off-Broadway in New York City, and played more than 2,000 performances - becoming the highest grossing and third longest running musical in Off-Broadway history. The Devon invites you to turn over a new leaf by seeing this old favorite in their brand new space. Leading off the cast of LITTLE SHOP is Michael Indeglio as hapless Seymour and Jordi Wallen as the equally unlucky Audrey. Michael is no stranger to the stage, nor to the Greater Philadelphia area. Though Michael has performed almost exclusively in New York in recent years, he has also toured nationally and internationally and actually grew up just minutes from Center City Philadelphia. Michael's tours include TITANIC (2004 International), MAME (2005/6 National), and FOREVER PLAID (2008 Canadian). His regional and New York City credits include Monsters (York Theatre), You're a Good Man Charlie Brown (Charlie Brown), Forever Plaid (Sparky), The Rocky Horror Show (Brad), The Last Five Years (Jamie), The Full Monty (Ethan), Titanic (Barrett), Pippin (Pippin), and the World Premier of Party Animals with Kathie Lee Gifford. Michael also attended The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York and created the role of Bill in the World Premier of the musical "WaistWatchers." Jordi Wallen is a recent graduate of NYU's renowned CAP 21 Musical Theatre Program at the Tisch School of the Arts. Jordi lives in Cherry Hill, NJ, and at just 22 years old, is already a proud member of the Screen Actors Guild and an Equity Membership Candidate. She was last seen in the New Candlelight's productions of Gypsy (Agnes) and Phantom of the Opera (Fleure) and has also worked for The Bucks County Playhouse and The Braodway Theatre of Pitman. Jordi will be featured next summer in the Walnut Street Theatre's production of Fiddler on the Roof. The supporting cast for LITTLE SHOP features talents from across the country. A native of Detroit, MI, William Scott tackles the iconic role of Audrey II (The Plant). Ever since the day he was pulled out of his 6th grade class to sing for his school's legendary alumna Diana Ross, William knew he was born to perform. He attended college at the North Carolina School of the and soon moved to New York to perform. William has been featured in The New York Times for his performance in the Off- Broadway musical, Best of Both Worlds an adaptation of Shakespeare's A Winter's Tale. He has sung back-up vocals for a number of R&B recording artists including Gladys Knight, and in 2006, William released his debut album Who's Afraid of William Scott?. As a songwriter, his work is featured in the movie Two Weeks Notice, starring Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant. In 2008, William was selected as a Top 50 finalist on the most watched television show around the world, American Idol. Andrew Cox from Philadelphia takes on the enormous task of operating 4 different Audrey II puppets, ranging in size from hand-held to full-body (with a footprint of 45 square feet and a height reaching 7 feet tall- it is one monstrous plant puppet!). For a sneak peak at the man-eating plant (and other behind-the-scenes video snippets), visit The Devon Theater Facebook Fan Page . Joe Mallon, a native of Delaware County takes on the demanding role of Orin (The Dentist/All Ensemble). Joe has distinguished himself as a versatile and up-and-coming actor in the Philadelphia theatre scene. Recent local credits include: El Gallo in The Fantasticks (Kimmel Center), Drake in Honk (Theatre Horizon), Alan in Picnic (Montgomery Theater), Wachtel in KidSimple (Azuka Theatre), and Lt. Jack Ross in A Few Good Men (Ritz Theater). Joe dreamed of a career as an actor since his days at St. Joseph's Preparatory School, where he was an active member of the school's Cape and Sword Drama Society. After graduation, Mallon attended NYU, where he focused his studies on Musical Theatre in the CAP 21 Program. Mallon also studied on-screen acting at Stonestreet Film and Television Studios in NYC, and even found himself a bit part on an episode of Saturday Night Live. He then moved to Los Angeles for two years and did commercial and voiceover work, most notably for MTV. Mallon returned to the East Coast to be closer to his family. Mallon burst on to the Philadelphia theatre scene as El Gallo in the Kimmel Center's Broadway Series production of The Fantasticks, directed by Philadelphia's beloved Tony Braithwaite. Mallon has even returned to his alma mater, assistant directing for Braithwaite at St. Joe's Prep, and spends much of his time teaching. Ayana Major Bey joins us from New York City to play Chiffon. Ayana is a recent graduate of Montclair State University, where she earned her BFA in Musical Theatre. Ayana's regional credits include: Hairspray at the Lyceum Theater (Dynamite), Our Lady of 121st Street (Inez), The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Saint Monica/Ms. Iscariot), Elmer Gantry: The American Opera (Keeley Gospel Singer). Tiffany Dawn Christopher joins us from Delaware to play Ronette. Tiffany is a graduate of Howard University in Washington, DC, where she majored in Communications with a minor in Theatre. Tiffany also attended Cab Calloway School of the Arts in Delaware, and has been performing since the tender age of 3. She studied dance extensively at the Jean Ferrill School of Dance and Precision Dance Center. Additionally she received her vocal training from the Golden Voice Studio. In an effort to share her love for performing, Tiffany teaches dance at Stage Lights Dance Studio. Her love for the arts has grown and thus she has been active in various performances which include: Jesus Christ Superstar, The Wiz, Into the Woods, Weber-Prianti's A Christmas Story, A Broadway Christmas, Home for the Holidays, Christmas Around the World, West Side Story, South Pacific, King and I, Broadway Fever, and BIG. Bill Arthur returns to The Devon stage after performing as a member of the Barbershop Quartet in The Devon Summer Community Theater Production of THE MUSIC MAN. Bill is a native and resident of Mayfair attended University of the Arts. He has performed in over 100 shows with companies including THE VOGUE PLAYERS, STUDIO Y, and ENPOINTE, and has toured with American Family Theater. Bill works for the Philadelphia Department of Recreation in the performing arts office, directs for Young Performers Theater Camp, is the assistant director for the Vogue Junior Theater Group and for Father Judge High School. The production team for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is led by Artistic Director Michael Pickering, along with Musical Director Chris Ertelt and Choreographer Amy Pickering. The set design is courtesy of Brad Helm with lighting design by Jeff Cebula, sound design by Foster Childers, and production stage management by Veronica Aglow. Fresh off the success of The Devon's widely-acclaimed professional production of NUNSENSE, their sold-out community theater production of THE MUSIC MAN, and a standing-room only comedy showcase featuring Joe Conklin, LITTLE SHOP provides yet another opportunity for the community to experience live theatre in the newly renovated, state-of-the art performance space. Conveniently located on Frankford Avenue, The Devon provides incomparable value, professional performers, impressive scenic design, and high quality entertainment to communities in the Northeast and the Greater Philadelphia area. In addition to in-house theatrical productions, the Devon presents concerts, comedians, family attractions, dance, and educational programming throughout the year. "We believe the community is the heartbeat of this theater and we will engage them not only as patrons but also participants in as many ways as imaginable," says Artistic Director, Michael Pickering. Evening performances will run Thursday - Saturday at 7pm, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. The run of LITTLE SHOP will also feature a special mid-week matinee on Thursday 9/17 - a perfect performance for large groups! Order early and save by purchasing a five-show season subscriptions at the unbelievable value of just $100. Subscribe today and you will receive a Devon Theater Membership (a $200 value) for FREE. You will receive preferential seating, advance notice of upcoming events, special deals, promotions, and more! Subscribe online at www. devontheater.org or call 215-338-6300 for more information.

FACT SHEET FOR LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Produced by Fuse Management & The Mayfair CDC @ The Devon Theater PERF. DATES/TIMES: 9/09/09 - Preview Performance, 7PM 9/10/09 - Opening Night, 7PM 9/11/09 - Friday Evening, 7PM 9/12/09 - Saturday Matinee, 2PM 9/12/09 - Saturday Evening, 7PM 9/13/09 - Sunday Matinee, 2PM 9/17/09 - Thursday Matinee, 2PM 9/17/09 - Thursday Evening, 7PM 9/18/09 - Friday Evening, 7PM 9/19/09 - Saturday Matinee, 2PM 9/19/09 - Saturday Evening, 7PM 9/20/09 - Sunday Matinee, 2PM 9/24/09 - Thursday Evening, 7PM 9/25/09 - Friday Evening, 7PM 9/26/09 - Saturday Matinee, 2PM 9/26/09 - Saturday Evening, 7PM 9/27/09 - Sunday Matinee, 2PM THEATRE: Produced by Fuse Management, LLC & The Mayfair CDC at the Devon Theater LOCATION: Devon Theater, 6333 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19135 TICKET PRICES: $25, all performances SPONSORS: Coca-Cola Philadelphia Bottling Company PRESS INFORMATION: Kimberly Reilly, Assistant to the Artistic Director: kreilly@fusemanagement.net TICKET INFORMATION: Buy online at www.devontheater.org; Call 215-338-6300; Purchase in person at our box office: 6319 Frankford Ave, Phila. PA 19135. For Video, Photo & Behind-the scenes updates: Visit The Devon Theater Facebook Fan Page ABOUT THE DEVON: The Devon Theater was established in 2009 to serve its community, enhance the physical environment, increase the economic vitality and improve the quality of life in the Mayfair Community and beyond. Local community goals include developing and implementing programs that encourage commercial partnerships, creating employment opportunities, and developing cultural programs for the population of Mayfair. The Devon Theater will be a part of the community and collaborate with other organizations to attract programs and services that will enhance the community and all its residents. We are committed to providing programming that will entertain, engage, educate, and inspire our audiences through a vital and dynamic program of theater, entertainment, performances, projects, and events the whole family can enjoy, making an essential contribution to the quality of the arts and life in our community and beyond. CREATIVE STAFF MICHAEL PICKERING, Director KIM REILLY, Assistant to the Director CHRIS ERTELT, Musical Director VERONICA AGLOW, Stage Manager PERFORMERS BILL ARTHUR, Mr. Mushnik AYANA MAJOR BEY, Chiffon TIFFANY CHRISTOPHER, Ronnette ANDREW COX, Audrey II Puppeteer MIKE INDEGLIO, Seymour JOE MALLON, Orin & Others WILLIAM SCOTT, Audrey II Voice JORDI WALLEN, Audrey DESGINERS JEFF CEBULA, Lighting Designer FOSTER CHILDERS, Sound Designer BRAD HELM, Set Designer KATIE RAUCH, Costume Designer

For more information, Contact: Kimberly Reilly
Assistant to the Artistic Director
Fuse Management, LLC
6333 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19135-3033
215-338-6300 office
484-919-4289 cell
215-338-6302 fax
kreilly@fusemanagement.net
www.devontheater.org