Sally Struthers Joins Pittsburgh CLO's ANNIE; Creative Team Announced

Pittsburgh CLO has announced the creative team for the 2012 Summer Season, running June 5 through August 5 at the Benedum Center.  Three Pittsburgh CLO veterans and one newcomer highlight this group selected to helm the organization's 66^th year of bringing Broadway's best to Pittsburgh's Cultural District.  The season includes the National Tour of Come Fly Away (June 5-10), A Chorus Line (June 15-24), Annie (June 29-July 8),  Fiddler on the Roof (July 13-22), Sunset Boulevard (July 24-29) and the National Tour of The Addams Family (July 31–August 5). 

Pittsburgh CLO will also welcome Sally Struthers back to Pittsburgh in 2012 to star as Miss Hannigan in the family favorite Annie.  Ms. Struthers last appeared as Carmen Bernstein in Pittsburgh CLO's 2010 production of Curtains.  The remainder of the cast for Annie will be announced in the coming weeks. 

2012 Pittsburgh CLO Summer Season Creative Team (in alphabetical order):

Jack Allison (Director, Fiddler on the Roof) returns to Pittsburgh CLO after directing over a dozen productions for the organization between 1978 and 1987.  He has directed at most of the major regional theaters in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, including: The Walnut Street Theatre, Coconut Grove Playhouse, Cincinnati Opera and the North Shore Music Theatre. In New York, he has staged acclaimed productions at the Manhattan Theatre Club and The Circle Repertory Company. He premiered Cabaret at The National Theatre of Belgium.  Mr. Allison has received prestigious awards for his direction, including three Florida Carbonell Awards and three Boston Globe Best of Season Awards.  He received a B.A. degree from New Jersey City University.  He received his M.A. degree from Catholic University and studied for a Ph.D. degree from the University of Denver.  Mr. Allison serves as Head of Musical Theatre at Point Park University, is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and was recently inducted into the National Society of Arts and Letters.

Mark Esposito (Choreographer, Fiddler on the Roof) has choreographed several Pittsburgh CLO productions includingThe Sound of Music, Brigadoon, Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, She Loves Me, The Music Man, Tommy, Carousel andOklahoma!  He has also choreographed for North Shore Music Theatre in MA, Sacramento Music Circus in CA, Blowing Rock Stage Company in NC, The York Theatre Company and Signature Theatre Company in NYC and in LA at The Hollywood Bowl choreographing South Pacific starring Reba McEntire and Brian Stokes Mitchell. He is also the choreographer for the annual holiday show Yuletide Celebration starring the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra with Sandi Patti and has served as associate director/choreographer for the Radio City Christmas Show starring The Rockettes. Mr. Esposito also served as the consultant choreographer for Walt Disney Global Casting and hired talent for their shows in Tokyo Disney Resorts. He has performed in over 16 Broadway and National Tours and has assisted or worked for Jerome Robbins, Michael Kidd, Agnes De Mille, Michael Bennett, Rob Marshall and Bob Fosse.

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