Cygnet Theatre's PRIVATE LIVES Cast Announced, Begins Performances 5/27

While Artistic Director Sean Murray's Sweeney Todd is currently slashing up the Cygnet Theatre stage, final casting has been completed for the upcoming production of Noël Coward's Private Lives. Co-Directed by Cygnet Artistic Director Sean Murray and Associate Artistic Director Francis Gercke, the cast includes Manny Fernandes, Annie Hinton, Jessica John, Sean Murray and Shana Wride. Private Lives will run May 27th through July 3rd, 2010 at Cygnet's Old Town Theatre. Press Opening is June 5th at 8pm. The production is sponsored in part by Dr. Ronald and Susan Heller.

Considered one of the enduring successes of modern comedic theatre, Noël Coward's Private Lives introduces its audience to divorced couple Elyot and Amanda who meet on then-respective honeymoons to second spouses. Realizing they are still in love with one another, they abandon their new spouses and run off together, only to find themselves plagued with the same violent arguments that originally ended their first stormy marriage. As their new spouses join forces to track them down, Coward's sharp wit, absurd irreverence and dark comedy play out in high style.

The cast of Private Lives includes Cygnet Theatre Resident Artists Manny Fernandes (Mauritius, A Christmas Carol, Communicating Doors) as Victor and Jessica John (Noises Off, Mauritius, Love Song) as Sibyl. Annie Hinton (A Christmas Carol, The Book of Liz) plays French maid, Louise. Portraying the dueling on-again, off-again lovers, Cygnet Theatre's Artistic Director Sean Murray takes to the stage as Elyot Chase and is delighted to play opposite former San Diego Rep Christmas Carol alum, Shana Wride as Amanda Prynne. Ms. Wride returns to San Diego where she began her acting career more than 20 years ago. Most recently Shana directed the highly-lauded Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolfe at Compass Theatre and could be heard on the Kathy and Mo Show with LA based actor/writer Mo Gaffney.

Coward's Private Lives received its Broadway debut in 1930 with Coward, himself, playing the contemptuous Elyot Chase. The production, which dealt with the conventions and social rituals by which a person presents their "public' self to the world-and with the "private" passions and motivations that lie beneath the veneer of etiquette and respectability, remains one of Coward's best-loved comedies. Subsequent revivals on Broadway and the West End have earned nominations and major theatre awards including Drama Desk Awards, World Theatre Awards and Tony Awards. Indeed, the topic remains bitingly relevant today in a world filled with tabloid scandals and celebrity journalism.

The production team includes the co-direction of Artistic Director Sean Murray and Associate Artistic Director Francis Gercke; Set Design by Andrew Hull; Lighting Design by Resident Artist Eric Lotze; Sound Design by Resident Artist Matt Lescault-Wood; Properties Design by Resident Artist Bonnie L. Durben; Costume Design by Resident Artist Shirley Pierson; Wig and Makeup Design by Resident Artist Peter Herman; and Stage Manager, Heather Brose.

Performances of Private Lives are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Friday at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm and Sundays at 2pm and 7pm on Cygnet's Old Town Stage located at 4040 Twiggs St. in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Tickets are $17 - $42. Discounts are available for seniors, students and military.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting Cygnet's website at www.cygnettheatre.com or calling the box office at 619-337-1525. Tickets can also be purchased in person by visiting Cygnet's box office located at the Old Town Theatre.