July 20-28: NYMF: Prison Dancer starring Jose Llana, Jeigh Madjus, Marc delaCruz, Catherine Ricafort, Moses Villarama, Cosmo Clemens, Enrico Rodriguez, Albert Guerzon, Andrew Eisenman and Nathan Ramos at Theatre at St. Clement’s

New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) and PRISON DANCER LIVE presents Romeo Candido and Carmen De Jesus’ Prison Dancer The Musical, helmed by Jenn Rapp, with music supervision by Alexander Rovang, at Off-Broadway’s Theatre at St. Clement’s, 423 West 46th Street in New York, Friday, July 20-Saturday, July 28, 2012.

Jose Llana

The cast features Jose Llana (Bdwy: Wonderland, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Flower Drum Song, Martin Guerre) as Christian Bagets, Jeigh Madjus (US Tour 2011 Le Cage Aux Folles) as Lola, Marc delaCruz (1st National Tour: Disney’s High School Musical) as Hookaps, Catherine Ricafort (Bdwy:Mamma Mia) as Cherish, Moses Villarama (Romeo & Juliet, National Theatre Cons.; King Lear, Denver Theatre Co.) as Shakespeare, Cosmo Clemens (Regional: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, McLeod Summer Playhouse, Carbondale, IL; )as Oo Oo, Enrico Rodriguez (Off Bdwy: Fame on 42nd Street, Zanna, Don’t!) as Nana, Albert Guerzon (Bdwy: Ghost the Musical, Mamma Mia!) as Tondo, Andrew Eisenman (Twelfth Night, Leviathan Lab; Mother Courage, Ma-Yi Theatre Company) as Warden, and Nathan Ramos (Fever/Dream, Cleveland Public Theatre) as Swing/Prison Guard.

The lives of eight Filipino maximum-security prisoners are changed forever when a video of their dance-based rehabilitation program becomes a viral Internet sensation on YouTube. As the dark prison suddenly finds itself in the worldwide spotlight, these hardcore criminals are given a second chance to find love and happiness in the most challenging circumstances. A modern inspired-by-a-true-story about how fears can hold us captive – and dreams can set us free to dance!

With scenic design by Josh Zangen, costume design by Sky Switser, lighting design by Betsy Adams, sound design by Jon Weston. Rick Sorderlet is the fight director and Travis Brendle is the production stage manager.

PRISON DANCER Schedule:
Friday, Jul 20th, 2012 at 8:00 pm
Sunday, Jul 22nd, 2012 at 3:00 pm
Sunday, Jul 22nd, 2012 at 8:00 pm
Friday, Jul 27th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Saturday, Jul 28th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Saturday, Jul 28th, 2012 at 9:00 pm

Tickets are $20 and are available online at http://nymf.org/prisondanceror by calling 212-352-3101. Tickets are available for any NYMF show in person at the NYMF HUB: 330 West 42nd Street (Between 8th and 9th avenue). Starting July 9th, you can buy tickets for any NYMF show in person at Theater at St.Clement’s, an hour before the first show of the day.

Theatre at St. Clement’s
423 West 46th Street
New York

Romeo Candido (Composer, Writer, Director) is an award-winning transmedia producer and creator. Candidoʼs credits include a CBC comedy short “ROLLING LONGANIZA,” ANG PAMANA : THE INHERITANCE, the first Philippine / Canadian co- production that was released theatrically in the Philippines to critical acclaim. He produced the Philippinesʼ first mobile only series entitled “ME, MY CEL AND I,” for Globe telecom. He then went on to produce with DDBPhil the viral series ‘SIGHTINGS” which became a viral hit receiving over a million views. He has received 4 Dora Award nominations for his work as a composer / sound designer (Banana Boys, Sinkil, People Power, Lady In The Red Dress). His directorial feature film debut, LOLO’S CHILD, a ‘musical dramedy’, won the prestigious Ishmael Bernal award at the 2002 Cinemanila Film Festival.

Carmen De Jesus (Writer) has written for film, television, stage, web and mobile web content. She began her career understudying the role of Kim in the original Canadian cast of Miss Saigon and co-wrote the feature length film ANG PAMANA: THE INHERITANCE with Romeo Candido. She also has been featured in Script Magazine, Fudge Magazine and was dubbed the “Patient Zero” user of Friendster.com, by Inc. Magazine, for introducing the pioneering social networking site to Filipinos in the Philippines. Carmen has worked in Social Media Marketing, high-tech advertising (JWT), and online marketing. She also helped to develop and launch the popular online video viewing community and content portal, SoulgardenTV as Director of Community Development, where she also developed online edutainment. She is a native Californian, splitting her time between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Carmen and Romeo met when they were both cast in the original Canadian production of Miss Saigon, which premiered at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto. With both the feature film ANG PAMANA: THE INHERITANCE and PRISON DANCER: THE MUSICAL, their collaborations center around creating artistic projects that elevate Filipino culture and talent, and take modern storytelling to the next level.

Jeigh Madjus (LOLA) Born and raised in Toronto, Jeigh Madjus is currently playing Jacob in the 1st National Broadway tour of La Cage aux Folles. Past theatre roles include Mark in Altar Boyz (Angelwalk-Dora nominated), Chip Tolentino in Spelling Bee (STC) and Man 3 in Myths and Hymns (TIFT). Film/TV : Servitude. Madjus has been involved with the project since it’s initial workshop in Toronto.

Jose Llana (CHRISTIAN) most recently appeared as President Ferdinand Marcos in David Byrne and Fat Boy Slim’s Here Lies Love (dir. Alex Timbers) at the Williamstown Theatre Festival prior to its World Premier at The Public Theater in Spring 2013. Broadway: El Gato in Frank Wildhorn’s Wonderland (dir. Gregory Boyd), Chip Tolentino in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling (dir. James Lapine, Drama Desk Award), Wang Ta in Flower Drum Song (opposite Lea Salonga, dir. Bobby Longbottom), Angel in RENT (dir. Michael Grief), Jessie-Lee in Streetcorner Symphony and Lun Tha in the 1996 Revival of The King and I opposite Lou Diamond Phillips and Donna Murphy. Off-Broadway: Adam in Falling For Eve at The York Theatre, Gabey in On the Town (dir. George C. Wolfe, Delacorte/NYSF) and Adam Guettel’s Saturn Returns (dir. Tina Landau, Public Theater). Regional: Cameron Mackintosh’s Martin Guerre(Guillaume, Guthrie Theater), Ballad of Little Jo (dir. Tina Landau, The Steppenwolf Theater, Jefferson Nomination – Best Supporting Actor) andCandide (The Prince Theater, Barrymore Nomination – Best Actor). Workshops: Love’s Labour’s Lost (dir. Alex Timbers), Ever After (dir. Kathleen Marshall), The Kid (dir. Scott Elliott), Allegiance (dir. Stafford Arima), Tales of the City (dir. Jason Moore), Havana (dir. Nilo Cruz), The Long Season (dir. Peter duBois), Kafka’s Songs (dir. Diane Paulus), Melchior in Spring Awakening (dir. Michael Mayer), among others. TV/film appearances include HBO’s “Sex and the City” opposite Margaret Cho and Hitch opposite Will Smith. Besides numerous cast albums and benefit CD’s, Llana is a best-selling recording artist in his native Philippines releasing his self-titled solo album under the VIVA Philippines label. www.josellana.com

Catherine Ricafort (CHERISH) is currently appearing on Broadway as “Ali” in Mamma Mia!! Other favorite projects include NBC’s “The Sing-Off”, in which she appeared as a member and featured performer of “The Backbeats” who placed in the Final 3. She also enjoyed touring the country playing the principal role of Connie with the Broadway National Tour of A Chorus Line. Catherine originated the role of Cherish in Prison Dancer: The Interactive Webmusical.

Albert Guerzon (TONDO) is currently in Ghost on Broadway. Fav credits include Mamma Mia! (Broadway and 2nd National Tour), The Times They Are A-Changin’ by Twyla Tharp, The Wiz (La Jolla), Cutman (Goodspeed), David Byrne’s Here Lies Love (Public Theater), and Flower Drum Song(50th Anniversary). Guerzon choreographed for Kaci Battaglia feat. Ludacris, Emii feat. Snoop Dogg, and NY Fashion week.www.albertguerzon.com

Moses Villarama (SHAKESPEARE) Regional credits include Arabian Nights(Kansas City Rep); Elephant Man, Working, King Lear, A Christmas Carol, Amadeus, Season’s Greetings, 1001, and The Ladies of the Camellias(Denver Center); and Fornicated From The Beatles (A.R.T.’s Emerging America Festival). New York productions include One Fat Day In Babylon, Lifetime Fairytale, Romeo & Juliet and In The Zone (Columbia Stages); andHenry VI, Part 3 (Wide Eyed Productions). He received his training at the National Theatre Conservatory and is a regular performer in Shotz with aMios Theater Company. This summer you can catch a remount ofFornicated From The Beatles in New York .www.fornicatedfromthebeatles.com

Marc delaCruz (HOOKAPS) New York credits include various readings, concerts and workshops such as David Byrne’s HERE LIES LOVE (dir. Alex Timbers, The Public Theater), Jason Ma’s GOLD MOUNTAIN (Hunter College), PhilDev’s SUITES BY SONDHEIM (Lincoln Center), Timothy Huang’s AND THE EARTH MOVED (CAP21) and Will Parker in OKLAHOMA!(dir. Baayork Lee, National Asian Artists Project). Other credits include Dara in the world premier of WHERE ELEPHANTS WEEP in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the first national tour of Disney’s HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL and work in several regional houses such as the 5th Avenue Theatre, Village Theatre, San Jose Repertory and North Carolina Theatre.

Cosmo Clemens (NANA) is a recent graduate of Indiana University (BFA in Musical Theatre). His regional credits include: Chip Tolentino (Spelling Bee), Gangster No. 1 (The Drowsy Chaperone), The Wiz (The Wiz). Collegiate credits include: Rent, West Side Story, Anything Goes.www.CosmoClemens.com

Enrico Rodriguez (OO OO) Broadway/Off-Broadway: BIG-THE MUSICAL(Original Bway Cast), RENT (Steve, Angel u/s), ZANNA DON’T! (Mike, original cast), FAME on 42nd St (Joe Vegas u/s), RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR; National Tours: MAMMA MIA! (Pepper), RENT (Angel u/s, Benny Tour), MISS SAIGON. Regional: MISS SAIGON (Walnut Street Theatre, Houston TUTS, Pittsburgh CLO), FOOTLOOSE (Ren, North Shore Music Theatre), CRAZY FOR YOU, BYE, BYE BIRDIE, WEST SIDE STORY(Pittsburgh CLO). Cast recordings: ZANNA DON’T, FAME, BIG. Readings/workshops: ALLEGIANCE (Young Sam), SKIPPYJON JONES(Skippyjon), Maury Yeston’s PEONY PAVILION, BRING IT ON.

Andrew Eisenman (The WARDEN) has worked with NYSF/Public Theater, Ma-Yi Theater, National Asian American Theater Company, Lark Theatre, IMUA! Theater, The New Group, Immigrants’ Theater Project, Diverse City Theater, Fluid Motion Film & Theater, Living Image Arts, American Bard Theater Company and Leviathan Lab. TV & Film credits include “The Sopranos,” Rigodon, Cardiac Arrest, Missy, The Vanished, Johnny Loves Dolores, Pagpag.

Nathan Ramos: (GUARD) spent the last two years as an Actor/Teacher at the Great Lakes Theater. NY Credits: THE AWESOME 80′s PROM Regional Credits Include: FEVER/DREAM (Cleveland Public Theatre), ANYTHING GOES, MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, DRACULA (Monomoy Theatre), BFA in Theatre Performance from Ohio University.

Ana Serrano (Producer) is a three-time Canadian New Media Award-winner, including Visionary of the Year, Serrano is best known as Founder of CFC Media Lab, the world-renowned and award-winning institute for interactive storytelling she created in 1997 at the Canadian Film Centre. To date, she directed the development of over 130 interactive media projects, mentored over 50 start ups and produced some of Canada’s seminal works in interactive media including Late Fragment the first interactive dramatic feature film to be featured at the 32nd Toronto International Film Festival. In her capacity as an independent consultant and producer, Serrano has advised and worked with clients as diverse as the public sector, Fortune 500 companies, start ups and advertising agencies.

Website:http://nymf.org/prisondancer or http://prisondancer.com