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Casting Announced for the Smash-Hit Parody, THE BOOK OF MERMAN!

Pittsburgh, PA ∙ January 9, 2020 – Casting has been announced for Pittsburgh CLO's exclusive engagement of the hit musical comedy THE BOOK OF MERMAN, part of the Pittsburgh CLO Kara Cabaret Series at the Greer Cabaret Theater January 30 – March 8, 2020. Don’t miss this incredibly original hit fresh from its side-splitting Off-Broadway run!

ABOUT THE SHOW Two Mormon missionaries ring the doorbell of Ethel Merman and hilarity ensues in this new musical comedy. This diva-driven whirlwind features original songs and show-stopping ballads, combining one of Broadway’s smash hits with the larger-than-life persona of the legendary belter Ethel Merman. Mistaking the two young men for door-to-door salesmen, Ethel welcomes the missionaries in after their frustrating day of canvassing the neighborhood for prospective converts. The result — a hilariously heartfelt journey about being true to oneself, as both the Mormons and Merman come to embrace who they really are.

THE CAST CHRISTINE LAITTA (Ethel) Game On, Perfect Wedding, Up and Away, Girls Only - The Secret Comedy of Women, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Forbidden Broadway and Forbidden Broadway: SVU. The Diary of Anne Frank, To Kill A Mockingbird, Hairspray and Ms. Frizzle in The Magic School Bus. She is co-author of The Dramatically Different Classroom and the creator of TV Tunes Sing a Long.

JERREME RODRIGUEZ (Elder Braithewaite) was last seen at the CLO Cabaret originating the role of Kenny in the World Premiere of The Double-Threat Trio and playing Paco in Miss Abigail’s Guide… opposite Paige Davis. Other Pittsburgh credits include: Luke in Dance Nation (Barebones Productions); Looking for Violeta (Quantum Theater), Jimmy Ray in Bright Star (Front Porch Theatricals), Oscar in Sweat (Pittsburgh Public), Lucian in Wig Out! (Pittsburgh Rep.), and several shows with Pittsburgh Musical Theater.

QUINN PATRICK SHANNON (Elder Shumway) is returning for his 12th production with the Pittsburgh CLO. You may have recently seen him as Frankie in this season’s Forever Plaid. Other favorite roles include Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls at the Pittsburgh Public, and Pittman/Etches in Titanic for Pittsburgh CLO.

THE CREATIVE TEAM JOE LANGWORTH (Director/Choreographer) recently helmed the 2019 MacDowell Colony National Benefit at Manhattan's historic Gotham Hall. On Broadway, Joe was the Casting Director and Associate Choreographer of Lincoln Center Theater’s and the Associate Director of Geoffrey Naufft’s Next Fall. Joe directed Tony nominee at Café Carlyle and Tony winner Paulo Szot at the Spoleto Festival in Italy. Regional premieres include Companion Piece by Kevin Armento and Once Upon A Pastime by Terry Cashman. Off-Broadway, Joe directed the NY premiere of The Book of Merman. Joe’s work has been nominated by BroadwayWorld () and the LA Drama Critics Circle (). Awarded Best Director at the 2018 New York Theatre Festival for the new play Suicidal Life Coach.

ROBERT NEUMEYER (Music Director) is returning to the CLO Cabaret for his seventh production. Previous Pittsburgh CLO credits include Altar Boyz, The Toxic Avenger, Xanadu, Up and Away, Game On, The Wedding Singer, The Musical, Titanic and Rock of Ages as well as serving as the music director of the annual Gene Kelly Awards.

Tickets start at $31.25 and are available online at CLOCabaret.com, by calling 412-456-6666 or at the Box Office at Theater Square. Groups of 8 or more can call the Group Sales Hotline at 412-325-1582 to learn more about special discounts and priority seating.

Performance Schedule Wednesdays: 7:30pm Thursdays: 1:00pm* & 7:30pm Fridays: 7:30pm Saturdays: 2:00pm & 7:30pm Sundays: 2:00pm

*Select Thursdays with a buffet lunch. Contact Group Sales for more information.

Pittsburgh CLO graciously acknowledges the generosity of Dolores and Michael Kara for their series support.

Since 1946, Pittsburgh CLO has been the driving force behind live musical theater in Pittsburgh and the entire Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Under the direction of Van Kaplan since 1997, this not-for-profit arts organization appreciates the support of nearly 200,000 patrons yearly who attend its performances at three venues in the Cultural District: a seasonal subscription series at the Benedum Center, A Musical Christmas Carol at the Byham Theater and year-round shows at the CLO Cabaret. Its dedication to the musical theater art form includes educational programs such as the CLO Academy for Performance and Art, the Gene Kelly Awards, the Richard Rodgers Award and The National High School Theatre Awards. As part of its new works development, the organization has been involved with 27 Broadway shows (31 ®), and in 2014 produced the world premiere of An American in Paris, on Broadway (4 Tony Awards®) and in London’s West End. In addition, Pittsburgh CLO launched the SPARK festival for new small-cast musicals in 2018. For more information please visit pittsburghCLO.org.

PITTSBURGH CLO The Benedum Center ■ 719 Liberty Avenue ■ Pittsburgh, PA 15222 ■ 412-281-3973 ■ Fax 412-281-5339 CLO Cabaret Theater ■ 655 Penn Avenue ■ Pittsburgh, PA 15222 ■ CLOCabaret.com Academy of Musical Theater ■ Penn Avenue Place ■ 130 CLO Academy Way ■ Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-281-2234 ■ Fax 412-281-5339 The Construction Center for the Arts ■ 997 Sherosky Way ■ Springdale, PA 15144 ■ 724-558-1016 ■ Fax 724-558-1022 pittsburghCLO.org ■ [email protected]

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