SueAnne Lucius to Star in MCC's PIRATES OF PENZANCE, Beginning Feb 28

After a 28 year hiatus, SueAnne Lucius returns to the stage in MCC's presentation of Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance playing February 28 - March 9, 2013 in MCC's newly renovated Theatre Outback.

The Pirates of Penzance with book by W.S. Gilbert and music by Arthur Sullivan premiered in 1879 and confirmed the comic genius of the duo following on the heels of their wildly successful H.M.S. Pinafore. Pirates invade the rocky coast of Cornwall in this topsy-turvy tale of love and duty, highlighted by the famous strains of "Poor Wandering One," "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General," "Oh, Is There Not One Maiden Breast" and "With Cat-Like Tread, Upon Our Prey We Steal."

Katherine Stewart, Artistic Director of Desert Rose Theatre plays "Mabel," music faculty member Andrew Briggs plays the "Pirate King," and Ryan Glover who has performed with the Utah Festival Opera, Phoenix Opera, and the Harrower Opera Workshop plays the role of "Frederic" in the mentor/guest-artist cast which features SueAnne in the role of "Ruth." These guest-artists have four of the eight scheduled performances: Friday, March 1st; Saturday, March 2nd; Monday, March 4th at 7:30pm and Saturday, March 9th at 2:00pm.

SueAnne has taught singing and musical theatre classes at Mesa Community College since 1978 and has performed and guest directed for Scottsdale Symphony Orchestra, Arizona State University's Lyric Opera Theatre and several other musical organizations throughout the valley. She is the recipient of several AriZoni Awards for Excellence in Theatre as a producer, director and for her hair and makeup designs as well.

The production staff has received numerous AriZoni Awards for Excellence in Theatre in their respective fields and includes: SueAnne Lucius (Producer), Jere Van Patten (Director), Marisa Peck (Assistant Director), Dr. Cathy Hauan (Music Director), Kyle C. Greene (Choreography), Dori A. Brown (Scenic Design), Troy Buckey (Lighting Design), Rebecca Willcox (Costume Design), Gary Towne (Sound Design) and Brian Daily (Master Carpenter/Scene Shop Foreman).

Call the box office at (480) 461 - 7172 and reserve your "Date Night Special" and receive
2-for-1 tickets for the performance on Friday, March 1st at 7:30pm!! We offered this deal during our fall production of My Favorite Year and it proved to be so successful we thought we'd bring it back for all MCC Faculty and Staff members as an incentive to not only support the MCC Music Department, but also allow them the opportunity to see SueAnne on stage!

For all other scheduled performances, ticket prices are: General Public: $15; Staff/Faculty/Alumni: $12; Seniors and Students: $10. Call the Box Office at
(480) 461 - 7172, or pick your seats online at www.ezticketlive.com/mcc.

CAST BIOS

Richard Barcelo (Pirate) is happy you're here tonight. Enjoy the show!

Ellen Bouck (Isabel) is happy to be back at MCC for another show. She feels so fortunate to have this opportunity to work with such fun, talented and professional people-too many of you to name- Thank you! She would also like to thank her supportive husband and kids for their willingness to humor her while she tries to act like an actor. You all are the best!!

Andrew Briggs (Pirate King) is an ABD Doctoral student in voice at ASU, where he and his wife Kristin got their Masters in 2010. He has been seen as "Harold Hill" in The Music Man; "Figaro" in Le Nozze di Figaro; "Sweeney Todd/Anthony" in Sweeney Todd (all at ASU), "Lun Tha" in The King and I (Copperstar), and currently sings with the Arizona Opera Chorus, the Scottsdale Choral Artists, and is the Director of Vocal Fix Jazz Entertainment. Andrew teaches voice, choir, and Rock History at MCC, is the father of three: Nathan (5), Carson (2), and Michael (7 mo) and lives and teaches voice in Mesa. Thanks to his wife and family for EVERYTHING. And Jere, too.

Harrison Budge (Pirate/Policeman) is happy to be on stage at MCC for his first time and performing in a musical for the first time in four years. He is currently pursuing a degree in Musical Theatre and is grateful for the opportunity to work with and learn from Jere, Cathy, Marisa, Kyle and, of course, Jenn. BIG thanks to my family (Mom, Dad, Allie, Kennedy, Garrett, and Maddie) for supporting me these past few months.

Anthony Chavez (Frederic) is so excited to be playing Frederic! He was recently seen in Guys & Dolls (MET), My Favorite Year (MCC), and The Secret Garden (Hale Centre Theatre). Thanks to the cast, Kyle, Marisa, Cathy, Jenn & of course Jere for your amazing support and talents! Last but not least he would like to thank his amazing family for being his biggest fans at all times! "Woof Woof."

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