The jukebox musical adaptation of the 1988 film Mystic Pizza begins its West Coast premiere at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts January 19 ahead of a January 20 opening night. The run will continue through February 11.
Casey Hushion is back at the helm after staging the musical's 2021 world premiere at Ogunquit Playhouse, and she's brought her three leading ladies from that run as well: Krystina Alabado, Gianna Yanelli, and Kyra Kennedy.
The cast also includes Rayanne Gonzales as Leona Silvia, Jordan Friend as Bill Montijo,
Michael Thomas Grant as Charles Gordon Windsor, Jr., and Chris
Cardozo as Tim Travers with ensemble members Domo D’dante, Michael
James, April Josephine, Louis Pardo, Monika Peña, Alyssa M. Simmons,
Jeff Skowron, Jake Swain, and Rachel Wirtz. Swings are Chachi Delgado
and Tayler Mettra.
Also returning from the Ogunquit run are music director Kristin Stowell, arranger and orchestrator Carmel Dean, scenic designer Nate Bertone, and costume designer Jennifer Caprio. New on the creative team for the California premiere are choreographer Connor Gallagher, lighting designer Ryan J. O'Gara, sound designer Josh Bessom, and hair and makeup designer Kaitlin Yagen.
Adapted from the 1988 film by book writer Sandy Rustin (Clue, The Cottage), the musical follows three working-class young women as they navigate the complex expectations of life, love, and family in a small-town pizza joint serving everyone from townies to the privileged country club set. The score includes hits of the '80s and '90s, including "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," "Addicted to Love," "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now," and "Take My Breath Away" (Ogunquit's production also featured original songs written by Melissa Etheridge). Following the 2021 world premiere, Mystic Pizza was produced at Engeman Theater in 2022 with a wholly new creative team.
The California engagement is presented by Lively McCabe Entertainment, McCoy Rigby Entertainment, Riverside Theatricals, and La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
Visit LaMiradaTheatre.org.
