This spring, CM Performing Arts Center in Oakdale will be summoning summer a little bit early with their Main Stage run of “Escape to Margaritaville,” from March 29 through April 12.
For the Jimmy Buffett production, Jason Furnari and Ruben Fernandez are making their Main Stage debut as director and choreographer, respectively.
In December, Furnari directed the family theatre production of “Frosty’s Big Day,” while Ruben previously choreographed the Family Theater’s New York premiere of “Goosebumps the Musical.”
Two former CM performers were in the original Broadway cast: Nick Sanchez, who is currently touring with the Broadway tour of “Hamilton,” and Mike Millan, who made his Broadway debut with “Margaritaville.”
CM board member Malika Batchie -Lockhart is making her triumphant return to the stage as Marley in the show.
Batchie-Lockhart and Ellen Dumlao, a fellow board member, are also two of the vocalists in the Jimmy Buffett tribute band Barometer Soup, which will also be playing at CM on April 12 at 4:30p.m. “for any parrothead looking to double up on their Jimmy Buffett fix,” according to Brendan Noble, director of marketing.
“The CM Gems, CM’s donor club, often play a part in the theatre’s ability to continue producing quality productions at affordable pricing due to their financial contributions,” said Noble. “For this show, however, they had a bit more involvement hands on in assisting with some of the props you see on stage as part of their most recent Behind The Scenes Workshop, where they get a hands-on feel for the different departments that go into making a production happen.”
On March 6, the theatre’s scenic designer, John Mazzarella, and scenic painter, Kim Lecker, guided the Gems members through fabricating props.
“Almost every margarita cup prop you see onstage was made by them,” said Noble.
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