ZORRO World Premiere Begins Rehearsals at Alliance

Rehearsals began this week in Atlanta, GA, for the ALLIANCE THEATRE's production of ZORRO, a thrilling new musical. Zorro, "the fox," was created in 1919 by the writer Johnston McCulley for his serialized novel "The Curse of Capistrano," and went on to be immortalized in print, on film, in television and even video games. Now, the legendary character will appear in a swashbuckling new musical set to the thrilling flamenco sound of The Gipsy Kings.

"Zorro" tells the story of Diego de la Vega, the man behind the masked outlaw fighting to restore order in Spanish colonial California. When Diego returns home from Spain, he discovers his father is dead and his brother is running Los Angeles... badly. Diego must resort to extreme measures to free the people from his brother's oppressive rule without being discovered. The theatrical origin story of this legendary hero is told through the lens of flamenco culture.

"Zorro's" creative team is led by Tony nominated Director Christopher Renshaw ("Taboo"; "The King and I"), who has been involved with the production since its inception in 2001. "The production is full of special effects, sword fighting, stunts and magic," said Renshaw. "And all these elements are steeped in the passionate, earthy and sexually charged world of flamenco."

This musical production of ZORRO consists of more than twenty songs by flamenco-rumba icons The Gipsy Kings and Tony Award winner John Cameron ("LES MISERABLES"), including Gipsy Kings favorites "Bamboleo" and "Djobi Djobi," as well as new musical numbers created for the show. Music Director Fred Lassen ("South Pacific") will lead an ensemble of live musicians who will accompany the production each performance.

Leading the cast in the role of Diego de la Vega/Zorro is Broadway veteran Adam Jacobs ("The Lion King"; "LES MISERABLES"). Also joining the cast in principle roles - Nicholas Carrière ("The Lion King" National Tour) as Ramon; Natascia Diaz ("Man of La Mancha"; "Carousel") as Inez; Andrea Goss ("Once"; "Rent") as Luisa; Benjamin Harding as Young Ramon; Mark Kincaid as Alejandro de la Vega; Royce Mann as Young Diego; Eliseo N. Roman ("Leap of Faith"; "In the Heights") as Sergeant Garcia; and Mary Stewart Sullivan as Young Luisa.

The ensemble actors in "Zorro" are among the best flamenco dancers and performers in the country and include Dance Captain Sara Erde (TheMetropolitan Opera - "Carmen"; "La Traviata"); flamenco dancer Glenda Sol Koeraus (TheMetropolitan Opera -"La Traviata"); flamenco dancer Peter Suarez; and flamenco guitarist Cristian Puig. The dancers will be guided by Choreographer Rafael Amargo and Flamenco Consultant Saulo Garrido.

"It's such a delight to be able to bring this truly international team of artists to our global city," said ALLIANCE THEATRE Artistic Director Susan V. Booth. "This story is loved around the world, so it seems only fitting that brilliant artists from around the world have assembled to tell it here in Atlanta."

"'Zorro' is romantic, funny, swashbuckling adventure that has at its core the truly American belief, that each of us has in us the ability to become anything we want to be," said Director Christopher Renshaw. "Apart from anything else, 'Zorro' has a huge heart, and in the world of musical theater, is a truly unique and very Latin experience."

Performances are Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30pm, Fridays at 8:00pm, Saturdays at 2:30pmand 8:00pm, and Sundays at 2:30pm and 7:30pm, April 3 - May 5, 2013. Opening Night is April 10, 2013. *There will be no 2:30pm performance on April 6, and no 7:30pm performance on Sunday, April 7.

Matt Tamanini received a BA in Journalism/Communications from The Ohio State University, where he served as the Sports Director for Buck-i-TV and was an intern for the Kirk Herbstreit and Ian Fitzsimmons show on 1460 The Fan WBNS AM. Upon graduation, Matt wrote for the Big Ten Conference and served as the Media Relations Director for the Chicago Bandits professional softball team. In 2007, Matt moved to the Atlanta area and began teaching at Creekview High School, where he is currently the theatre teacher and director. You can connect with Matt through Twitter: @ATLTheatreMatt.

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