Press Release: The Lion

CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR
BENJAMIN SCHEUER’S
CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED MUSICAL MEMOIR
THE LION,
DIRECTED BY SEAN DANIELS

Performances Run SEPTEMBER 29 – OCTOBER 30,
with Opening Night on OCTOBER 6,
Tickets On Sale Now

PHOTO EDITORS: Publicity photos for The Lion are available at:
www.theoldglobe.org/press-room/2016-2017-season/the-lion/

SAN DIEGO (September 19, 2016)—The Old Globe today announced the cast and complete creative team for the highly acclaimed musical memoir The Lion, written and performed by award-winning songwriter Benjamin Scheuer and directed by Sean Daniels. The Lion will play September 29 – October 30, 2016, in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Previews run September 29 – October 5. Opening night is Thursday, October 6 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets start at $29, and are on sale now to the general public.

The Lion, the Drama Desk Award-winning piece written and performed by Benjamin Scheuer, has redefined the genre of musical theatre. Directed by Sean Daniels, the staging keeps the focus on Scheuer, a “mesmerizing guitarist,” whose songs are “awfully well-constructed and exactingly played; there’s a hint of Paul Simon in Scheuer’s easy, knowing lyrics and disciplined musicianship” (The Washington Post). Throughout the production Scheuer plays six different guitars, including a 1929 Martin, a Les Paul, and a Froggy Bottom H-12. Tracing his quest to better understand the emotional intricacies of his father, Scheuer “gets to the heart of the matter” (The New York Times), leading the audience on his heartfelt journey to manhood, sharing the ups and downs of his life through beautifully poignant melodies in an autobiographical 15-song cycle. Much like its hero, The Lion roars.

The creative team is comprised of Neil Patel (Scenic Design), Jennifer Caprio (Costume Consultant), Ben Stanton (Lighting Design), Leon Rothenberg (Sound Design), Dom Ruggiero (Production Supervisor), Mind the Gap Productions (Technical Supervisor), and Maximum Entertainment Productions (General Management).

“I first saw The Lion two years ago, and it knocked me out,” said Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein. “Ben Scheuer is one of the most winning, charismatic performers I’ve seen.  He can do it all: a wizardly guitarist and brilliant singer-songwriter, he’s put together a theatrical memoir that is unique, moving, and hugely uplifting.  He’s performed the play in many cities since its acclaimed New York run, and Ben has won hearts everywhere he’s gone.  I’m so happy to share this special and unforgettable show with San Diego.”

Benjamin Scheuer has released the album Songs from The Lion and music videos for songs “Weather the Storm,” “The Lion,” “Cookie-tin Banjo,” and “Cure,” which have won prizes at the Annecy Film Festival, British Animation Awards, and Encounters Film Festival. The vinyl of Songs from The Lion, and a new animated video—for “Golden Castle Town”—is being released in October 2016. With photographer Riya Lerner, Mr. Scheuer is co-creator of the art book Between Two Spaces, from which 50 percent of proceeds go to the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society (visit BetweenTwoSpaces.com). Mr. Scheuer has toured with Mary Chapin Carpenter and has performed at venues including the Royal Albert Hall in London and Lincoln Center in New York. He has been a writer-in-residence at Goodspeed Musicals, Weston Playhouse, and Johnny Mercer Songwriting Workshop, and he has been commissioned by Williamstown Theatre Festival. A recipient of a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance and a 2015 Theatre World Award, Mr. Scheuer lives in New York City.

Sean Daniels has directed at Manhattan Theatre Club, The Kennedy Center, St. James Theatre (West End, London), Actors Theatre of Louisville, Geva Theatre Center, PlayMakers Repertory Company, Cleveland Play House, Alliance Theatre, California Shakespeare Theater, Portland Center Stage, Southern Rep, Swine Palace, The Neo-Futurists, Aurora Theatre Company, Crowded Fire Theater, and Edinburgh Festival Fringe. He is the Artistic Director of Merrimack Repertory Theatre and an Artist at Large for Geva Theatre Center. Previously he spent several years at the Tony Award-winning Actors Theatre of Louisville as the theatre’s Associate Artistic Director, and at California Shakespeare Theater as the theatre’s Associate Artistic Director/Resident Director. Before all that he spent a decade as the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Dad’s Garage Theatre Company in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Lion is supported in part through gifts from Production Sponsor Theatre Forward, as well as Mandell Weiss Charitable Trust, Artist Sponsor for Benjamin Scheuer.

The Lion was originally produced in the United States by the Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director, Barry Grove, Executive Producer, on June 10, 2015. It was developed in part at a retreat at the Weston Playhouse Theatre Company; and at Goodspeed Musicals.

TICKETS to The Lion start at $29 and can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 234-5623, or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. Performances begin on September 29 and continue through October 30. Performance times: Previews: Thursday, September 29 at 8:00 p.m., Friday, September 30 at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, October 1 at 8:00 p.m., Sunday, October 2 at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m., and Wednesday, October 5 at 7:00 p.m. Opening night is Thursday, October 6 at 8:00 p.m. Regular performances: Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.; Thursday and Friday evenings at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. There will be no performances on Sunday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, October 22 at 2:00 p.m., and Sunday, October 23 at 7:00 p.m., and there will be an additional matinee performance on Wednesday, October 19 at 2:00 p.m. Discounts are available for full-time students, patrons 29 years of age and under, seniors, military members, and groups of 10 or more.

Additional events taking place during the run of The Lion include:

INSIGHTS SEMINAR: Tuesday, October 4, at 5:30 p.m.
The seminar series features a panel selected from the current show. Reception at 5:00 p.m. FREE

POST-SHOW FORUMS: Tuesdays, October 11 and October 18, and Wednesday, October 26
Discuss the play with members of the cast and crew following the performance. FREE

LOCATION and PARKING INFORMATION: The Old Globe is located in San Diego’s Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way. Through a special arrangement with the San Diego Zoo, Old Globe evening ticket-holders have the opportunity to pre-purchase valet parking in the Zoo's new employee parking structure. With a drop-off point just a short walk to the Globe, theatregoers may purchase fast, easy, convenient valet parking for just $20 per vehicle per evening. Pre-paid only, available only by phone through the Old Globe Box Office. Call Today: (619) 234-5623. For more information: http://www.theoldglobe.org/tickets/parkingvalet.aspx.

There are numerous free parking lots available throughout the park. Guests may also be dropped off in front of the Mingei International Museum. The Balboa Park valet is also available during performances, located in front of the Japanese Friendship Garden. For additional parking information visit www.BalboaPark.org. For directions and up-to-date information, please visit www.TheOldGlobe.org/Directions.

PLEASE NOTE: To look up online or GPS directions to The Old Globe, please do not use the Delivery Address above. There is only a 10-minute zone at that physical address. For GPS users, please click here for the map coordinates, and here for written directions to The Old Globe and nearby parking in Balboa Park.

2016-2017 SEASON CALENDAR: October Sky (9/10-10/23), The Lion (9/29-10/30), Globe for All Measure for Measure (11/3-20), Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (11/5-12/26), M.F.A. The Two Gentlemen of Verona (11/12-20), Picasso at the Lapin Agile (2/4-3/12/2017), The Blameless (2/23-3/26), Red Velvet (3/25-4/30), Skeleton Crew (4/8-5/7), The Old Man and The Old Moon (5/13-6/18), The Imaginary Invalid (5/27-6/25), Guys and Dolls (7/2-8/13).

PHOTO EDITORS: Digital images of The Old Globe’s productions are available at www.theoldglobe.org/press-room.

The Tony Award-winning Old Globe is one of the country’s leading professional regional theatres and has stood as San Diego’s flagship arts institution for over 80 years. Under the leadership of Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein and Managing Director Michael G. Murphy, The Old Globe produces a year-round season of 15 productions of classic, contemporary, and new works on its three Balboa Park stages: the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the 600-seat Old Globe Theatre and the 250-seat Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, both part of The Old Globe’s Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, and the 605-seat outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, home of its internationally renowned Shakespeare Festival. More than 250,000 people attend Globe productions annually and participate in the theatre’s education and community programs. Numerous world premieres such as the 2014 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Bright Star, Allegiance, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and the annual holiday musical Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! have been developed at The Old Globe and have gone on to enjoy highly successful runs on Broadway and at regional theatres across the country.

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THE CRITICS HAVE RAVED!

“The first must-see of the season.”
—BroadwayWorld

“An irresistible winner. Benjamin Scheuer beams charisma.”
—New York Daily News

“The Lion is quite the charming beast!”
—Entertainment Weekly

“Benjamin Scheuer might be singing about his life,
but really, he’s singing about all of us.”
—TheaterMania

“Sweet and satisfying, with songs you’ll find yourself humming for days!”
—TheaterMania

“Spellbinding! See it now. See it again. The best musical I’ve seen this year!”
—The Huffington Post

“Poignant and unexpected! Benjamin Scheuer’s songs are
powerful, charismatic, and easy to become lost in.”
—NBC New York

“An irresistible winner... deeply moving.”
—Joe Dziemianowicz, New York Daily News

“Only the hardest hearted could resist.”
—Charles Isherwood, The New York Times

“The best musical I’ve seen this year!”
—Michael Giltz, The Huffington Post

“Lifts the spirit!”
—Time Out New York

“The audience roars!”
—The New Yorker

 
CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

Neil Patel (Scenic Design) Mr. Patel’s designs are well known on and Off Broadway and at regional theatres and opera houses in the U.S. and abroad. His recent New York credits include Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play; Stage Kiss; Indian Ink; and Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3). His other work includes production design for the HBO series “In Treatment” and the feature films Some Velvet Morning (Tribeca Films) and Loitering with Intent (Parts and Labor).

Jennifer Caprio (Costume Consultant) Ms. Caprio’s Broadway credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and her West End credits include The Lion (St. James Theatre). She is currently represented by the national tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Her select New York credits include Tail! Spin! (Culture Project), The Lion (Manhattan Theatre Club and on tour), Little Miss Sunshine (Second Stage Theatre), In Transit (Primary Stages, Lucille Lortel Award nomination), Fugitive Songs (Dreamlight Theatre Company), and Striking 12 (Daryl Roth Theatre). Her opera credits include Florida Grand Opera, Minnesota Opera, Opera Colorado, and Mill City Summer Opera. Her costume designs have been seen at over 60 U.S. regional theatres.

Ben Stanton (Lighting Design) designed Broadway’s Fun Home (Circle in the Square Theatre, Tony Award nomination), An Enemy of the People (Friedman Theatre), and Seminar (Golden Theatre). His recent Off Broadway credits include Fun Home (The Public Theater, Lucille Lortel Award nomination), The Nether (MCC Theater, Lortel nomination), Our Lady of Kibeho (Drama Desk nomination), Kung Fu, and Angels in America (Signature Theatre Company), Murder Ballad (Manhattan Theatre Club and Union Square Theatre, Lortel nomination), Belleville (New York Theatre Workshop, Lortel nomination), Into the Woods (Delacorte Theater), and The Whipping Man (MTC, Lortel Award, Drama Desk Award nomination). His select regional credits include The Old Globe, Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, Kirk Douglas Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, South Coast Repertory, Goodman Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Hartford Stage, Long Wharf Theatre, Dallas Theater Center, Huntington Theatre Company, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Paper Mill Playhouse, McCarter Theatre Center, Intiman Theatre, and Actors Theatre of Louisville. Mr. Stanton has designed concerts and tours for Regina Spektor, Sufjan Stevens, Beirut, St. Vincent, and the touring lighting design for The National (summer/fall 2014). He is a 2015 Obie Award winner for Sustained Excellence of Lighting Design.

Leon Rothenberg (Sound Design) recently designed the Broadway productions of Violet, The Realistic Joneses, and The Nance (Tony Award). His select Off Broadway and New York credits include Culture Project, Primary Stages, Second Stage Theatre, Tectonic Theater Project, Women’s Project Theater, Manhattan Theatre Club, The Public Theater, LCT3, and New York City Center. Mr. Rothenberg’s select regional credits include The Old Globe, Arena Stage, Seattle Repertory Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, New York Stage and Film, Two River Theater, North Shore Music Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, McCarter Theatre Center, Intiman Theatre, and Theatre By The Sea. His International credits include Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza and Wintuk, the National Theatre of Cyprus, and the Dijon Festival.

Dom Ruggiero (Production Supervisor) Mr. Ruggiero’s Broadway credits include The Gathering starring Hal Linden, Borscht Belt on Broadway starring Bruce Adler and Mal Z. Lawrence, and Ain’t That a Kick in the Head – The Music of Sammy Cahn directed by Chet Walker. His first national tours include The Cole Porter Songbook starring Melba Moore, The Irving Berlin Songbook starring Carol Lawrence, and Greetings! Shalom Aleichem Lives starring Judy Kaye, Bruce Adler, and Theo Bikel. Mr. Ruggiero has worked on various productions in many capacities from stage management to general management and producing. His projects have taken him across the U.S., Europe, South America, and Australia with Ain’t Misbehavin’, Phantom, Anything Goes, and Song & Dance, among many others.

Mind the Gap Productions (Technical Supervisor) is a Brooklyn-based production company specializing in custom fabrication, production management, and production logistics. Their notable projects include On the Town (Broadway), Hand to God (MCC Theater), And I and Silence and A Particle of Dread (Signature Theatre Company), Sex with Strangers and The Substance of Fire (Second Stage Theatre), Romeo and Juliet and The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Classic Stage Company), and The Tribute Artist, Poor Behavior, and While I Yet Live (Primary Stages).

Maximum Entertainment Productions (General Management) is a producing, developing, and management company founded by Avram Freedberg, Mary Beth Dale, and Eva Price, and joined by Managing Director/General Manager Carl Flanigan. Select credits on Broadway, Off Broadway, and on tour include Small Mouth Sounds, Carefree: Dancin’ with Fred & Ginger, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons On Broadway, Verso, The Lion, The Hip Hop Nutcracker, 50 Shades! The Musical, Ivy + Bean The Musical, Voca People, and Colin Quinn: Long Story Short.

Eva Price (Producer) Ms. Price’s recent and upcoming credits include Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons On Broadway, Found – A New Musical (Philadelphia Theatre Company), Dear Evan Hansen (Broadway), and Small Mouth Sounds (Off Broadway and on tour). Select Broadway credits include On Your Feet!, Peter and the Starcatcher (five Tony Awards), Annie (Tony Award-nominated 2012 revival), The Merchant of Venice starring Al Pacino (Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations), and The Addams Family. Noted solo shows and concerts include Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin and Broadway engagements of Lewis Black, Carrie Fisher, Kathy Griffin, Colin Quinn (directed by Jerry Seinfeld), and The Temptations/Four Tops. Ms. Price was recently named one of 40 Under 40 Rising Business Stars by Crain’s New York Business.

Manhattan Theatre Club (Originating Theatre) Under the dynamic leadership of Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Producer Barry Grove, MTC has become one of the country’s most prominent theatre companies. Productions at its Broadway and Off Broadway venues have earned numerous awards including 19 Tony Awards and six Pulitzer Prizes to date. MTC’s world, Broadway, and New York premieres have included the world premiere of The Lion, Constellations, Casa Valentina, Outside Mullingar, The Assembled Parties, Heisenberg, Choir Boy, Murder Ballad, Venus in Fur, Good People, The Whipping Man, Ruined, Blackbird, The Explorer’s Club, The Columnist, Rabbit Hole, Doubt, The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, Proof, Love! Valour! Compassion!, and Ain’t Misbehavin’.


THE LION
Written and Performed by Benjamin Scheuer
Directed by Sean Daniels

RUNS: September 29 – October 30, 2016
Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre
Conrad Prebys Theatre Center

TICKETS: Single tickets start at $29, on sale now.

SYNOPSIS: This Drama Desk Award-winning piece has redefined the genre of musical theatre. The staging keeps the focus on Scheuer, a “mesmerizing guitarist,” whose songs are “awfully well-constructed and exactingly played; there’s a hint of Paul Simon in Scheuer’s easy, knowing lyrics and disciplined musicianship” (The Washington Post). Throughout the production Scheuer plays six different guitars, including a 1929 Martin, a Les Paul and a Froggy Bottom H-12. Tracing his quest to better understand the emotional intricacies of his father, Scheuer “gets to the heart of the matter” (The New York Times), leading the audience on his heart-felt journey to manhood, sharing the ups and downs of his life through beautifully poignant melodies in an autobiographical 15-song cycle. Much like its hero, The Lion roars.

CAST: Benjamin Scheuer

CREATIVE TEAM: Neil Patel (Scenic Design), Jennifer Caprio (Costume Consultant), Ben Stanton (Lighting Design), Leon Rothenberg (Sound Design), Dom Ruggiero (Production Supervisor), Mind the Gap Productions (Technical Supervisor), and Maximum Entertainment Productions (General Management).

BOX OFFICE WINDOW HOURS: Noon to final curtain Tuesday through Sunday. American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and VISA accepted.
(619) 23-GLOBE [234-5623].

LOCATION: The Old Globe is located in San Diego’s Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way. Free parking is available throughout the park. Valet parking is also available, pre-paid with your evening ticket in the Zoo Employee Parking structure ($20).

INSIGHTS SEMINARS: Tuesday, October 4 at 5:30 p.m.
The seminar series features a panel selected from the artistic company of the current show. Reception at 5:00 p.m. FREE

POST-SHOW FORUMS: Tuesdays, October 11 and October 18, and Wednesday, October 26.  Discuss the play with members of the cast and crew following the performance. FREE


PREVIEW PERFORMANCES:
Sept 29  THU 8:00pm
Sept 30  FRI 8:00pm
Oct 1  SAT 8:00pm
Oct 2  SUN 7:00pm
Oct 4  TUE 7:00pm (Insights Seminar)
Oct 5  WED 7:00pm

OPENING NIGHT: Oct 6  THU 8:00pm
REGULAR PERFORMANCES:
Oct 7  FRI 8:00pm
Oct 8  SAT 2:00pm
Oct 8  SAT 8:00pm
Oct 9  SUN 2:00pm
Oct 11  TUE 7:00pm (Post-Show Forum)
Oct 12  WED 7:00pm
Oct 13  THU 8:00pm
Oct 14  FRI 8:00pm
Oct 15  SAT 2:00pm
Oct 15  SAT 8:00pm
Oct 16  SUN 2:00pm
Oct 16  SUN 7:00pm
Oct 18  TUE 7:00pm (Post-Show Forum)
Oct 19  WED 2:00pm
Oct 19  WED 7:00pm
Oct 20  THU 8:00pm
Oct 21  FRI 8:00pm
Oct 22  SAT 8:00pm
Oct 23  SUN 2:00pm
Oct 25  TUE 7:00pm
Oct 26  WED 7:00pm (Post-Show Forum)
Oct 27  THU 8:00pm
Oct 28  FRI 8:00pm
Oct 29  SAT 2:00pm
Oct 29  SAT 8:00pm
Oct 30  SUN 2:00pm
Oct 30  SUN 7:00pm


PHOTOS: Digital images of Globe productions are available at TheOldGlobe.org/pressroom.

PRESS CONTACTS:
Susan Chicoine (619) 238-0043 x2352 / 325-9416
   schicoine@TheOldGlobe.org
Mike Hausberg (619) 238-0043 x2355
   mhausberg@TheOldGlobe.org