Award-winning Pantochino Productions Inc. has announced its exciting 2017/18 season which includes three original musicals for family audiences, a Teen Theatre production and the third season of it’s Nite Spot Nights series produced in conjunction with the Milford Arts Council.
Producers Bert Bernardi and Jimmy Johansmeyer are ecstatic with the response and growth of their company which debuted in 2010. “We’re excited to see our shows always filled to capacity and are thrilled to watch the continued growth of our Teen Theatre and After School Drama programs,” said Bernardi. “We’re the only company in Connecticut dedicated to original musical theatre for family audiences, and we are super excited to feature such a strong and varied roster for our seventh season,” added Johansmeyer.
In October, the season opener is “How To Be A Good Witch,” a new Halloween story about a magical book and the wild and wonderful wizardly witchcraft it brings. “It’s a friendly and funny tale about a family of witches,” said Bernardi who is writing the book and lyrics with an original score by Pantochino’s Justin Rugg. The show plays October 20 - 29.
For the holidays, the company offers “School for Elves,” a merry and mirthful new musical about making the grade at Santa’s Yule School. “Our holiday show is the centerpiece of our season and we are thrilled to bring this cheerful and engaging story to life. ” confided Johansmeyer. The original musical plays December 1 - 17.
February marks the return of Pantochino’s popular Teen Theatre. This year, the young actor company will present “Shark Attack, The Musical: The Unauthorized Sharknado Parody” with music and lyrics by Jordan Wolfe and book by Patrick Robert Kelley. This new musical is a sharp, irreverent and meteorologically inaccurate comedy about a freak hurricane of sharks raining down on Los Angeles! Sponsored by The Milford Bank, performances are in February 24 and 25th.
The third original musical from the pen of Bernardi and Rugg is a “Italian Wedding Soup,” a delicious new musical about love, marriage, food and family. This new story about the Italian-American experience is a follow-up to last season’s sold-out engagement of “Noni Cimino’s Kitchen.” “We’re urging audiences to get tickets early for this three-week engagement,” said Bernadi. “This one is a must-see!,” he added. The show runs April 20 - May 6.
In addition, Pantochino will continue its Summer Theatre Camps, After School Drama Clubs, April Vacation Camp and Master Classes. This year, Pantochino Productions Inc. won 14 BroadwayWorld Awards for the Connecticut region including Best Musical and Best Original/New Work.
Pantochino’s Nite Spot Nights Series, produced in conjunction with the Milford Arts Council, will continue for a third season offering unique musical performances by top notch New York talent. The Center for the Arts is transformed into a club-like setting with tables and chairs and patrons may bring their own food and drink to enjoy during the performances. “We’re the only venue in Connecticut to feature the hottest talent of New York’s cabaret scene and audiences love these performances.” said Johansmeyer. The popular series is always a sell-out. This year’s roster includes Scott Coulter, “You’ve Got A Friend: Carol King, Neil Sedaka and the Music of the Brill Building “ (September 9 ), Tori Scott (November 4), “Harmonious Holidays featuring Duchess” (December 9 ), Devin Bing (March 3), “A Woman Left Lonely: The Music of Janis Joplin featuring Amy Lynn and the Honey Men (April 7) and New York City’s drag darling, Paige Turner: Confessions of an Un-Natural Blonde(May 12).
Details and further information on all of Pantochino’s 2017/18 season can be found on their website, www.pantochino.com.