For Immediate Release: June 10, 2015 Contact: Toni Robin, (858) 483-3918 [email protected]

CYGNET THEATRE LAUNCHES SEASON 13 WITH THE MUSICAL ‘’ Movie-turned-Musical Takes on Love, Friendship and Self Discovery in Wartime 60’s

“Easily the most delicate, surprising and musically satisfying score since Spring Awakening.” - Time Out New York

"Dogfight is something special! Studded with impressive songs, an unexpected love affair, and a genuine and charming soul." - Associated Press

"An intimate little heart-breaker of beguiling freshness." - Newsday

SAN DIEGO, CA– Cygnet Theatre will kick off its13th season in July as director Sean Murray mounts the West Coast Premiere of Dogfight, a romantic and comic musical adaptation of the 1991 movie with and . Winner of the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical in 2013, Dogfight represents the new generation of voices in creation. The San Diego premiere runs July 16 - August 23. Opening night for media is July 25.

Featuring music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and (called “heirs to Rodgers and Hammerstein” by Variety), and a book by , Dogfight wowed the critics when it premiered at New York’s Second Stage in 2012. Cygnet Theatre’s San Diego premiere features Patrick Osteen (It’s a Wonderful Life: The Live Radio Play) whose credits include the North American Tour of War Horse. Osteen is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Dogfight marks the Cygnet debut of Caitie Grady in the pivotal role of Rose. Grady is a familiar face in San Diego and is well known as a member at Lamb’s Players Theatre (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Mixtape).

The story begins on November 21, 1963. On the eve of their deployment to a small but growing conflict in Southeast Asia, three young Marines set out for one final boys’ night of debauchery, partying, and maybe a little trouble. But when Corporal Eddie Birdlace meets Rose, an awkward and idealistic waitress he enlists to win a cruel bet with his fellow recruits, she rewrites the rules of the game and teaches him the power of compassion.

“I was drawn to this musical not only by the beautiful songs, but what it communicates about human behavior,” explained Murray. “So many issues surface as these characters go through the story and come out changed at the other end.” He added, “I think we can all relate to being pressured to behave in a certain way and learning where we belong.”

Rounding out the cast are several actors who have made their mark in recent critically acclaimed productions, including Charles Evans, Jr. (My Fair Lady, A Christmas Carol, Spring Awakening), Alex Hoeffler (Sons of the Prophet) and Debra Wanger (My Fair Lady, Spring Awakening). New to the Cygnet stage are Mel Domingo, Sarah Errington, Bryan Charles Feldman, Ben Gibson, Scott Nickley and Eric Von Metzke.

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The production team features music direction by Terry O’Donnell, choreography by David Brannen, costume design by Jacinda Johnston, set design by Sean Fanning, lighting design by Chris Rynne, sound design by David Scott, and properties design by Syd Stevens. Maria Mangiavellano will stage manage.

Performances are July 16 through August 23. Show times are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 8:00pm, Saturdays at 3:00pm and 8:00pm, and Sundays at 2:00pm and 7:00pm.

For more information regarding tickets, please contact the box office at 619-337-1525 or visit www.cygnettheatre.com. Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office located at 4040 Twiggs Street. Discounts are available for students, active-duty military, seniors and groups of 10 or more.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM

BENJ PASEK and JUSTIN PAUL’s projects include A Christmas Story (National Tour 2011, 5th Ave Theatre 2010) and James and the Giant Peach (Goodspeed 2010). Other works include (licensed by Music Theatre International, with over 150 productions worldwide from South Korea and Australia to South Africa and the Philippines), Sesame Street, Johnny & the Sprites (Disney TV series), Duck for President and If You Give a Pig a Pancake (Theatreworks USA). In addition to the 2011 Award for Musical Theatre, which they received for Dogfight, they have received the 2011 Sundance Institute Fellowship, 2011 ASCAP Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award, 2011 ASCAP Songwriters Fellowship Award, 2007-2008 Dramatists Guild Fellowship, 2007 Award, 2010 Fred Ebb Award Finalists, Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project, and "50 to Watch" from Dramatist Magazine. They both received BFAs from the University of Michigan in Musical Theatre.

Book writer PETER DUCHAN co-wrote the screenplay for Breaking Upwards, released by IFC Films in 2010. He also served as Associate Producer of the movie, which premiered at South by Southwest in 2009. He co-wrote a short, "Unlocked," an Official Selection of the Tribeca Film Festival, among others.

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DOGFIGHT FACT SHEET

WHAT: Cygnet Theatre presents DOGFIGHT

WHERE: Cygnet Theatre 4040 Twiggs St. in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

WHO: Music and Lyrics Composed by Benj Paske and Justin Paul Book by Peter Duchan Director: Sean Murray Music Director: Terry O’Donnell Choreographer: David Brannen Scenic Designer: Sean Fanning° Costume Designer: Jacinda Johnston Lighting Designer: Chris Rynne° Sound Designer: David Scott Properties Designer: Syd Stevens Stage Manager: Maria Mangiavellano*

CAST: Mel Domingo - Ruth Two Bears/Ensemble Sarah Errington - Marcy/Peggy Charles Evans, Jr. - Fector/Ensemble Bryan Charles Feldman* - Lounge Singer/Ensemble Ben Gibson - Gibbs/Ensemble Caitie Grady* - Rose Fenny Alex Hoeffler* - Boland Scott Nickley - Bernstein Patrick Osteen* - Eddie Birdlace Eric Von Metzke - Stevens/Ensemble Debra Wanger - Mama/Suzette/Ensemble

* Member of Actors' Equity Association, °Resident Artist

DATES: Previews begin: Thursday, July 16, 2015 Press Opening: Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 8:00 pm Closes: Sunday, August 23, 2015

Performance Schedule Wednesday - Thursday at 7:30pm Friday at 8:00 pm Saturday at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm Sunday at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm

CYGNETURE EVENTS • 7/21 Designer Showcase (Creative team forum) • 7/24 Social Media Night & Tequila Tasting • 7/25 Opening Night • 7/29 Out Night (LGBT Pre-show mixer) • 7/31 Theatre on Tap & Friday Forum (Pre-show beer tasting and post-show forum) • 8/6 Wine Night (Pre-show Wine tasting)

PRICES: Prices start at $39 (Discounts are available for preview performances, children, seniors, students, active-duty military, under 30 & groups)

HOW: Phone: (619) 337-1525 Online: www.cygnettheatre.com In Person: 4040 Twiggs St., San Diego, CA 92110

ABOUT CYGNET THEATRE Cygnet Theatre Company produces a year-round season of professional Off-Broadway-style theatre as well as thought-provoking and engaging educational programming. Cygnet is committed to maintaining high standards of artistic and fiscal integrity, and serves more than 40,000 patrons annually from San Diego and beyond. Cygnet performs its mainstage productions at the state-of-the-art theatre in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. An active member of the San Diego community, Cygnet has outreach programs serving tens of thousands of students and community members annually. For more information, visit www.cygnettheatre.com.

CYGNET THEATRE MISSION STATEMENT Believing in the power of theatre to startle the soul, ignite debate and embrace the diversity of the community it serves, Cygnet Theatre Company is fearlessly committed to the dissection, examination and celebration of the human story through the medium of live theatre.

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