CMTO / Craterian Performances announce AUDITIONS for the Broadway Hit, Once On This Island !

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:

John Taylor,

Artistic Director

Children’s Musical Theatre of Oregon

(541) 778-3365

cmtoregon@gmail.com

http://www.cmtoregon.org

Children’s Musical Theatre of Oregon / Craterian Performances announces AUDITIONS for the Broadway hit musical “ONCE ON THIS ISLAND”, at the Ginger Rogers Craterian Theatre.

Medford, Oregon – May 5, 2009 — Children’s Musical Theatre of Oregon (CMTO) continues their track record of hits at the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater with their Summer ’09 hit musical, “ONCE ON THIS ISLAND”. Fresh from the recent triumphs of “Broadway II” and “Oklahoma !” in Spring of 2009 and Summer 2008 respectively at the Craterian, as well as the their Summer ’08 segment in the ABC / Disney Television reality series, “High School Musical – Get In The Picture”, CMTO, in partnership with Craterian Performances, are taking things even higher with their exciting presentation of this wonderful Broadway hit musical. This production, packed with blockbuster song and dance numbers, will be produced in the same high-production style that CMTO is renowned for, and will once again feature a local cast of over 60 incredibly talented young performers on the Craterian Theater stage.

The Children’s Musical Theatre of Oregon’s policy of casting ALL young people who complete the audition process, ensures that all youth, (including those with experience as well as those “first-timers”), that desire the experience of being in a professional-level production, can indeed realize that dream.

The “ONCE ON THIS ISLAND” production will feature over 60 talented performers ages 8 to 21. The show will be presented at the beautiful Craterian Ginger Rogers Theatre. Four (4) performances will be presented, and will run August 19, 20, 21, and 22. Showtimes are at 7 P.M. for all dates, except for the Saturday the 22nd performance, which will begin at 3 P.M. The August 19th performance will be a “CMTO Discount Outreach” Show, with tickets available for donation-pricing TBA. On the other performance dates, very affordable tickets pricing is to be announced at the Craterian website and Box Office, and will be available on-line at the Craterian website (www.craterian.org), or phone the Craterian Box Office at 779-3000.

Now in it’s 4th Season, CMTO/Craterian’s “ONCE ON THIS ISLAND” is directed by CMTO Artistic Director and Co-Founder John Taylor, with production management by CMTO Co-Founder Rhonda Taylor. Choreography and assistant direction is by veteran CMTO choreographer and performer Cailen McCandless. With over 30 years as a professional keyboardist, pianist, musical director, composer, and producer, Mr. Taylor is the former musical director and conductor of Cirque du Soleil’s “O” at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, as well as serving as Musical Director for Oregon Cabaret Theatre’s productions of Five Guys Named Moe, Forever Plaid – Plaid Tidings, and the Summer 2008 production of “Archy & Mehitabel”. Choreographer Cailen McCandless is a Rogue Valley favorite, who was recently seen on-stage and choreographing CMTO’s “Broadway II”, “Oklahoma !”, “Broadway I” and the ABC / Disney segment of “High School Musical”, airing last Summer. Costume Designer Sue Quackenbush and Scenic Designer Don Zastoupil return to CMTO for their 2nd season. CMTO is thrilled to have all of these accomplished artists on its staff for this third production on the Craterian stage.

CMTO also scored triumphs with CMTO’s previous productions of “Broadway II”, “Oklahoma !”, “Peter Pan”, “Broadway I – A Musical Journey”, “High School Musical”, and “The Wizard of Oz”. John and Rhonda Taylor have created CMTO as a way of providing the experience of theatre for all young people who audition, and for those who want the education, training and foundation that only a professional theater environment can give.

CMTO/Craterian Performances will produce a Broadway-based Holiday Show Concert as its’ Winter 2009 production, and will also be presenting “The Will Rogers Follies” in the Spring of 2010. Auditions for these production will be announced soon on the CMTO website at www.cmtoregon.org

A complete video presentation of CMTO, as well as scenes from recent shows, are available to view on-line at www.cmtoregon.org

CMTO’s unique family environment and policy of casting ALL who complete the audition process, is vital to giving the Rogue Valley’s youth the opportunity to make their performing and theatrical goals and dreams, a reality.

“ONCE ON THIS ISLAND” is great fun FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY !!  For ticket purchase Information, go to the Craterian website at www.craterian.org.

For additional information, contact:

John Taylor,

Artistic Director

Children’s Musical Theatre of Oregon

(541) 778-3365

cmtoregon@gmail.com

http://www.cmtoregon.org

Children’s Musical Theater of Oregon is committed to providing excellent, accessible musical theater training, education, and youth theater performances for young audiences, families and the entire Rogue Valley region. CMTO provides a positive, family environment in which youth can learn teamwork and communication skills and experience the pride of accomplishment.