Milford-based Pantochino theater company will debut “Tiaras Over Teaneck” on Friday, April 25 at the Milford Arts Council in Downtown Milford. The new musical comedy plays through May 11.
“Tiaras Over Teaneck,” featuring book and lyrics by Bert Bernardi and music by Justin Rugg, follows two beauty pageant contestants and their nagging mothers on their way to Atlantic City. But the merry journey comes to a grinding halt when they find themselves in a roadside motel room in Teaneck, New Jersey where everything that could possibly go wrong does, including the East Coast blackout of 1965. Slamming doors, mistaken identities, bloopers, blunders and a cast of colorful characters are all part of the ridiculously entertaining antics.
“Its fast, funny and full of laughs,” said writer/director Bernardi, “and I think that’s something we all need right now. The characters are so colorful, the situation completely unhinged and the action is just plain frantic.”
The cast includes Pantochino company members Mary Mannix, Shelley Marsh Poggio, Maria Berte, Valerie Solli, Rachelle Ianniello, Jimmy Johansmeyer and Rugg. They are joined by Killian Meehan, Tracey Marble and Katie Durham. The two pageant contestants are played by Sydney Yargeau, who appeared in Pantochino’s “The Rocky Horror Show,” and Leanne Onofrio, who was seen in “Dorothy’s Christmas in Oz” and “Panto of the Opera.”
“Tiaras Over Teaneck” features setting by Von Del Mar, costumes by Johansmeyer, lighting by Jakob Kelsey, sound by Tyler Kittleman, musical direction by Rugg and stage management by T.M. Gadomski.
Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. The show is recommended for adult audiences and those over 13. Seating is cabaret-style and audiences are invited to bring their own food and drink to enjoy during the performance. The MAC is located at 40 Railroad Ave. Parking is free at showtime in all train station lots. Tickets are available online at pantochino.com. Tickets are not available at the Milford Arts Council.