DIVERSIONARY THEATRE ANNOUNCES THE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM
OF THE SAN DIEGO PREMIERE MUSICAL
GIRLFRIEND

It’s 1993 and mixtapes are the language of love. Set in the American heartland during the summer between high school and whatever comes next, college-bound jock Mike and self-assured but aimless Will find themselves drawn to each other. Their rush of first love full of excitement, confusion, and passion, forges an unlikely bond neither were expecting. Told to the power-pop precision of Matthew Sweet’s seminal rock album, Girlfriend is a vibrant new musical about the terror and thrill of discovering yourself, and the life you want to lead.​

WHAT: Diversionary announces the cast of the San Diego Premiere of GIRLFRIEND
WHO: Stephen Brotebeck will direct this San Diego Premiere by Matthew Sweet and Todd Almond.
WHEN: Performances run September 12 – October 13. Performances run Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Opening Night is Saturday, September 21st. 
TICKETS: Are on sale ($15 – $55). Discounts are available to Groups, Students, Educators, Seniors and Military.  To be notified of ticket sales, please sign up for the Diversionary Theatre Email List: http://diversionary.org/mailinglist/

​SPECIAL EVENTS:
Performances run Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. More information can be obtained by calling our box office at 619-220-0097.
Low Cost Previews………….Thursday, September 12th – Friday, September 20th

First Fridays…………………………………..Friday, September 13th at 8pm
To say thank you to those that serve, Diversionary offers complimentary tickets. Email jenny@diversionary.org for more information.

GSA/Youth Nights………………….Friday, September 13th & September 20th at 8pm
Calling all High Schoolers! Join us on either Friday night during Previews for our GSA/Youth nights and get tickets for only $5.00! Call the Box Office for more details!

Opening Night……………………………Saturday, September 21st, at 8pm
Pre and post show festivities – celebrate with the cast and company!

Designer Spotlight………………………..Thursday, September 27th at 6pm
Join us in Fritz’s Lounge before the show to meet the Design Team, see a display of the concepts used in producing the show and hear the influences and process involved. Hosted hors d’oeuvres round out a fun pre-show experience! The party starts at 6pm before the 7pm performance.

Industry Night………………………………..Monday, September 30th, at 7pm
Theatre Professionals enjoy a special discount to our only Monday evening performance!
Pay-What-You-Can at the door, or $10 in advance.

Director Happy Hour ………………………………………………October 3rd at 6pm
Join Director Executive Artistic Director, Matt M. Morrow and Director Stephen Brotebeck in Fritz’s Lounge for hosted hors d’oeuvres and a chance to chat before the show! Pre Show reception at 6pm, performance at 7pm.

Next Act!……………………………………Thursday, October 10th at 6pm
Join Director Executive Artistic Director, Matt M. Morrow and Director Anthony Methvin for a discussion about the next show, Santaland Diaries in Fritz’s Lounge for hosted hors d’oeuvres and a chance to chat before the show! Pre-Show reception at 6pm, performance at 7pm.

​OB Playhouse & Theatre Co. presents Green Day’s:
AMERICAN IDIOT

September 6th - October 6th, 2019

Music by Green Day
Lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong
Book by Billie Joe Armstrong & Michael Mayer
Direction (& co-choreography) by Juztine Tuazon
Choreography by Michael Mizerany
Music Direction by Kirk Valles
Scenic Design by Shaun Tuazon
Lighting Design by Jack Connard
Costumes by Joanna Pearson
Props by Darian Beckstrand
​Stage Management by Lynneah Mojica

OB Playhouse & Theatre Co. presents the high-octane punk rock musical, AMERICAN IDIOT.  Based on Green Day’s Grammy Award-winning multi-platinum album and featuring the hits “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “21 Guns,” “Holiday” and the hit title track, American Idiot boldly took the American musical in a new direction, capturing not just the sound of a generation, but also the frustrations, fears, dreams and challenges of becoming an adult in the media-saturated, new millennial world.

With a book by Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer and lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong, American Idiot tells the story of three lifelong friends who are grappling with the decision to either challenge the status quo and break out of their aimless rut or to remain in the safe confines of their suburban existence. Their quest for true meaning in a new millennial world leads them on a journey of self-discovery, heartache, and revelation. 

At the helm of this production is director, Juztine Tuazon, who staged OB Playhouse’s hit musicals/plays, Reefer Madness, I Love You Because, and Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead. Juztine Tuazon collaborates with acclaimed choreographer, Michael Mizerany, on bringing this punk rock score to life in a brand new staging, that aims to fully immerse the audience in a truly experiential piece that will move and sock you at your core. 

“A pulsating portrait of wasted youth that invokes all the standard genre conventions — bring on the sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll, please! — only to transcend them through the power of its music and the artistry of its execution, the show is as invigorating and ultimately as moving as anything I’ve seen on Broadway…”
– The New York Times


“…the furious, alienated and unshowered youth of Green Day’s ‘American Idiot’ comes to explosive life on the Broadway stage in a heart-pounding, punk-rock opera that sounds the unmistakable siren of a generational shift.”
– The Chicago Tribune

The rockin’ cast includes:

Andrew: Andrew Aguilar 
St. Jimmy: Amanda Blair (*Juztine Tuazon at select performances)
Whatshername: Tyra Carter 
Joshua: Diego Castro 
Theo: Mario Arambla-Damian 
Libby: Sydney Joyner 
Johnny: Wade Kilbarger 
Chase: Levani Korganashvili 
The Extraordinary Girl: Sutheshna Mani 
Alysha: Megan Mattix 
Aurie: Roxie Peters 
Tunny: Kevin Phan 
Will: Dakota Ringer 
Heather: Doniella Sebastian 
Lesli: Kaitlyn Summers 

Shaun had the pleasure and seemingly impossible task of swinging into closing weekend of a show with only one put-in rehearsal! It happened, and no one died- Phew!

"What an incredible way to make my East West Players debut! I've been a fan of this theatre for years and just haven't had many opportunities to audition for the company. Founded in 1965, East West Players is the is the nation’s longest-running professional theater of color and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work. 

I  am so thankful for the cast & crew for making me feel so welcome and comfortable to be onstage with you all like I had been there from day one. Special thanks to Dance Captain, Nicole Santiago, for taking the time to get me prepared and for being a BEAST and learning an entire new track on top of your own. What a whirlwind experience and I am forever grateful.

This year, I told myself to challenge myself- do things that scared me. Jumping into an ensemble track with all the dance numbers, costume changes, quick changes for others (!!!WET SUIT AND FLIPPERS ONSTAGE!!!), was certainly terrifying but incredibly rewarding. And (by the 2nd performance) a whole lotta fun! Cheers to this beautiful family that is #EWPMammaMia. I am in awe of your artistry, your love for each other, and your love for what you/we do. THANK YOU!"

​MAINSTREET THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS
The Emperor's Nightingale

By Damon Chua 
Produced by special arrangement with Plays for Young Audiences 
Directed by Tim Dang

Take a famous tale by Hans Christian Andersen, add historical research and humor, and you have a timeless story that still resonates today. This adaptation is set in eighteenth century China, where two young princes must compete to be the next Emperor. It will take nothing less than bravery, empathy, and a magical bird to teach them the meaning of leadership. MainStreet Theatre Company is thrilled to be producing the West Coast premiere! For ages 6+

General: $18.00
Senior/Youth: $16.00

​The San Diego Theatre Critics Circle is pleased to announce the nominees of its 2018 Craig Noel Awards. Now in its 17th year, the Craig Noel Awards honor the achievements of professional theaters in San Diego County. 

Founded in 1983 and re-established in 2002, the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle is an independent, nonprofit organization of print and online theater critics dedicated to open and honest dialogue about theater in San Diego County and to honoring artistic excellence. The members of our organization are professional critics writing for daily newspapers, magazines, entertainment trade publications and websites in San Diego County. In 2002, the awards were renamed in honor of Craig Noel, longtime artistic director at San Diego's Old Globe Theatre and the founding father of San Diego's theater community, who passed away in 2010.

World Premiere
The Loneliest Girl in the World
​Book & Lyrics by Gordon Leary
Music by Julia Meinwald
Directed by Matt Morrow

Starring

• Allison Spratt Pearce*
• Sam Heldt*
• Steve Gouveia*
• Marci Anne Wuebben*
• Lauren King Thompson
• Shaun Tuazon*

*Members of Actors' Equity Association 

Production Sponsor: Rob Granat & Al Mazur
Events Sponsor: Jay Henslee & Christian St. Croix

May 24-July 1, 2018 // Opening June 2

After the lauded World Premiere of The Boy Who Danced On Air, Diversionary is proud to produce the World Premiere of another groundbreaking new musical.

Following the life and evolution of Anita Bryant and her biggest fan, Tommy, The Loneliest Girl in the World magically charts the emergence of the gay rights movement on urgently intimate terms. By turns delightful and provocative, this inspiring new musical is a reminder of a battle yet won, the purpose of pie, and the power of an individual voice.
​
The Loneliest Girl in the World was featured in the National Alliance for Musical Theatre’s Festival of New Musicals Fall 2016. Leary and Meinwald’s musicals have been seen at Ars Nova, The Director’s Company, Joe’s Pub, Lincoln Center Directors Lab, Prospect Theater Company, Weston Playhouse, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and the York Theatre Company. Leary is the recipient of the 2009 Richard Rodgers Award.

This production is generously supported in part by The Arch & Bruce Brown Foundation and the National Alliance for Musical Theatre’s National Fund for New Musicals.

Tickets are available at www.Diversionary.org or by calling the Box Office at 619-220-0097. 🥧 🌈