San Diego Playbill - Theatre News

Vista’s Broadway Theater kicks off 6th Season with San Diego Premiere of NEW Neil Sedaka Musical

Since opening its doors in June of 2004, the Broadway Theater has made it a point of debuting no less than 2 new works every year. Thursday night they open their 6th season with a San Diego Premiere; BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO.

BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO is the story of Marge and Lois, two young ladies from Brooklyn who have come to Esther’s Paradise Resort in the Catskills for Marge’s Honeymoon. You see, two days earlier Marge was left at the alter by her fiancé, Leonard. So, her friend, Lois, decides “its a shame to let a good honeymoon go to waste”, so off they go. While there, the duo join the cabaret show at ‘Esther’s Paradise Resort’ and fall in love – sort of. “This is such a fun show,’ states director and theater owner Randall Hickman, “It’s set in the late 60’s and features some outrageous costumes, bigger than life characters and over a dozen Neil Sedaka hits woven together to move the plot along”.

Some of Sedaka’s hits featured in the musical are WHERE THE BOYS ARE, CALENDAR GIRL, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET 16, LAUGHTER IN THE RAIN, LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER and many more.

Hickman continues, “Over the past 10 years a trend in musical theater has been to create scripted shows based on the music of a particular artist or group. MAMA MIA features the music of ABBA; WE WILL ROCK YOU features the music of QUEEN, etc. Some shows are more successful others, BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO is one of those shows. It played for several years in Branson to packed houses. It’s a feel good show that features amazing songs and unforgettable characters”.

Starring as the night club heart-throb, Del Delmonaco, is UCLA graduate Jacob Silva. Marge is played by Texas transplant, Venessa Kramer. In the role of Marge’s friend Lois is former Washington DC resident Nadia Guerera. Rounding at the cast are Paul Halem as Harvey, David Thomas Gentry as Gabe and San Diego stage veteran Eliane Weidour is Esther.

BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO is perfect for all ages and plays February 11th through March 7th. Tickets are $17.50 and can be purchased by calling the box office at (760) 806-7905. The Broadway Theater is located at 340 East Broadway in Vista, CA 92084. For additional information visit the ADULT SHOW page of the Broadway Theater web site at www.broadwayvista.com

PHOTO ATTAHCED: Three person photo (L to R) Nadia Guerrera, Jacob Silva and Vanessa Crammer