FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 14, 2014 Contact: Jen Buzzell, Director of Marketing and Sales 571-527-1830 // buzzellj@signature-theatre.

org High-res downloadable photos of Alysha Umphress and Mara Davi (photo credit Chris Mueller) may be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/f2ic6n339birnhw/sHmJZ6qWYO

Signature Theatre Presents the World Premiere Musical

BEACHES
Mara Davi and Alysha Umpress to star in premiere directed by Eric Schaeffer Performances February 18 March 23, 2014 Single tickets on sale January 17
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Arlington, VA Virginias Signature Theatre is proud to announce the full cast of this springs world premiere musical Beaches, adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Directed by Signature Theatres Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadways Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), this heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women will star Mara Davi (Broadways A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie and Alysha Umphress (Broadways American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom. The production, touted by TIME magazine as one of the 10 Reasons for Theater Lovers to Leave New York in 2014 begins at Signatures MAX Theatre February 18. It will play for five weeks, through March 23. Single tickets go on sale January 17. Based on the 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart (later adapted into the 1988 movie with Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey) this newly adapted world premiere musical is by a creative team that includes Ms. Dart (book & lyrics) Thom Thomas (book) and David Austin (music). Beaches follows two extraordinary friends through 30 years of camaraderie, laughter and sorrow. Vivacious, outlandish Cee Cee and beautiful, privileged Bertie meet as children and become fast friends. From pen-pals to roommates to romantic rivals, Cee Cee and Berties oil-and-water friendship perseveres through even the most tragic trials. With a touching vulnerability, Beaches exemplifies the triumph of the human spirit and the bonds of sisterhood.

Beaches marks our third world premiere production this season. Weve assembled an amazing cast along with a terrific creative team to bring this special story to life, stated Eric Schaeffer. Iris, Thom and David have created a magical world of memories and friendship in this heartfelt story for the stage in a very original way. The creative team includes choreography by Tony nominee Dan Knechtges (Broadways Xanadu, Sondheim on Sondheim, 110 in the Shade); Musical Supervisor Mary Mitchell Campbell (Broadways Big Fish, The Addams Family, Company); orchestrations by Lynne Shankel (Alter Boyz, Radio City Christmas Spectacular); Scenic Design by Tony Award-winner Derek McLane (Broadways Breakfast at Tiffanys, Follies); Costume Design by Frank Labovitz; Lighting Design by Chris Lee; Sound Design by Lane Elms; Production Stage Manager Kerry Epstein; and Assistant Stage Manager Stephanie Junkin. Casting by Telsey + Company. Davi and Umphress are joined in the cast by Clifton Samuels (Michael Barron; Broadways Follies) and Matthew Scott (John Perry; Broadways Sondheim on Sondheim, Jersey Boys) along with Donna Migliaccio (Leona Bloom; Broadways Ragtime, National Tour, Guys & Dolls, Signatures Gypsy, Assassins, Sweeney Todd), Helen Hedman (Rose White; Signatures My Fair Lady, Show Boat, Shakespeare Theatre, Arena Stage), Brooklyn Shuck (Young Bertie; Broadways Annie), Presley Ryan (Young Cee Cee; NBCs The Sound of Music, Broadway Youth Ensemble, TVs Celebrity Ghost Story), Maya Brettell (Teen Bertie; Woolly Mammoths Appropriate, Studio Theatres The Big Meal), Gracie Jones (Teen Cee Cee, Olney Theatre Centers Spring Awakening, Cinderella), Svea Johnson (Karen Lewandowski/Nina), Michael Bunce (Arthur/Melman/ensemble; National Tours of Victor, Victoria, The Scarlet Pimpernel), Bayla Whitten (nurse/ensemble; Signatures Chess, Merrily We Roll Along), Jamie Eacker (ensemble; Signatures Company, Xanadu), Heather Brorsen (ensemble; Broadways Avenue Q), Davis Hasty (ensemble), Dan Manning (ensemble; Broadways Ragtime, Signatures Gypsy), Ryah Nixon (ensemble; National Tour of 9 to 5: The Musical) and Robbie Roby (ensemble; Broadways Billy Elliot, Hairspray).

BEACHES
Book by Iris Rainer Dart & Thom Thomas Music by David Austin Lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart Based on the novel Beaches by Iris Rainer Dart Directed by Eric Schaeffer February 18, 2014 March 23, 2014 The MAX Beaches is sponsored by the HRH Foundation. Additional Support Provided by Hair Cuttery Performances run Tuesday through Sunday evenings, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets start at $40. Single tickets are available in person at the Signature Box Office at 4200 Campbell Avenue in Shirlington, by calling Ticketmaster at (703) 573-SEAT, and online at www.signature-theatre.org. There will be no performance on the evening of Tuesday March 4. This productions Pride performance is scheduled for Friday March 7. Discussion performances are scheduled for Wednesday March 5 and Tuesday March 11.

ABOUT SIGNATURE
Recipient of the 2009 Regional Theatre Tony Award, Signature Theatre is a non-profit professional theater company in Arlington, Virginia dedicated to producing contemporary musicals and plays, reinventing classic musicals, and developing new work. Under the leadership of co-founder and Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer and Managing Director Maggie Boland, Signature has presented 43 world premiere productions and is renowned for combining Broadway-quality productions with intimate playing spaces. In addition to hosting the finest talent from the DC metropolitan area and New York, Signature has been home to such theatre luminaries as Chita Rivera, George Hearn, Hunter Foster, Emily Skinner, Ann Reinking, Marc Kudisch, Judy Kuhn, John Kander and Fred Ebb, Cameron Mackintosh, Terrence McNally, and the companys signature composer, Stephen Sondheim. Since its founding in 1989, Signature has won 82 Helen Hayes Awards for excellence in the Washington, DC regions professional theater and has been honored with 320 nominations.

DIRECTIONS
Signature Theatre is located at 4200 Campbell Avenue (22206) off I-395 at the Shirlington exit (#6). After the exit, blue Signature signs mark the way to the Theatre. Free parking is available in two adjacent public garages. Please note that Campbell Avenue. For directions visit http://signature-theatre.org/map.htm.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Subscriptions/Groups: (703) 820-9771 Single Tickets: Ticketmaster (703) 573-SEAT (7328) Signature Administration (571) 527-1860 Signature Theatre 4200 Campbell Avenue Arlington, VA 22206 http://www.signature-theatre.org

CALENDAR LISTING
Beaches is part of Signature Theatres 2013/14 season. It plays for 5 weeks, running February 18 through March 23 in the MAX Theatre. Tickets go on sale January 17 and start at $40. For more information, visit www.signature-theatre.org.

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