YMTC TO STAGE MUSICAL "THE MOST HAPPY FELLA", JULY 21–30 at EL CERRITO HIGH SCHOOL THEATER

For a midsummer treat, bursting with song and romance, don’t miss

The Most Happy Fella, Frank Loesser’s classic musical produced by YMTC (Youth Musical Theater

Company). It tells the story of Rosabella, a young woman from San Francisco, who is wooed by Tony, an

aging Italian grape farmer from Napa Valley. Their age difference naturally leads to trouble, but love

prevails. With a gorgeous score of nearly 40 songs, including “Standing on the Corner” and “Warm All

Over,” this richly emotional show will warm your heart!

The Most Happy Fella is such an exciting show for us to do,” says YMTC Artistic Director Jennifer

Boesing, “not just because of its operatic scope and because it’s so rarely done, but because it’s a love

story about the transformative power of kindness and forgiveness. And, at this moment in history, when

so many people feel divided and afraid, it’s hard to think of anything we need more.”

The Most Happy Fella features a cast of 38 performing arts students (ages 13 to 22) from cities

throughout the East Bay. Participation by professional directors, designers, and musicians ensures a

polished result. Jennifer Boesing is the director; David Möschler, the musical director; and Pam Crane,

the choreographer. This production will feature a 30-piece orchestra playing the original orchestrations of

Don Walker.

The book, music, and lyrics were written by Frank Loesser, also the composer of Guys and Dolls and

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Möschler elaborates, “It took Loesser a year to write

the music and lyrics for Guys and Dolls, another year to write the music and lyrics for How to Succeed in

Business Without Really Trying, and five years to write The Most Happy Fella. The work remains

powerful and challenging because of the intense love and craft he put into what many consider his

magnum opus, and more so because the scope of the story transcends his craft as a songwriter with its

message of the power of forgiveness.”

Performances run for two weekends at El Cerrito High School Performing Arts Theater, 540 Ashbury

Avenue, El Cerrito. Friday and Saturday evening shows begin at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday

matinees begin at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.ymtcbayarea.org or at the door one hour

before curtain. Ticket prices are $15–$28, with discounts for students, seniors, military, teachers and

groups.

The matinee on Sunday, 7/23, and the evening performance on Friday, 7/28, will feature a talk one hour

before each show by Resident Musical Director David Möschler on the music of Frank Loesser. YMTC

offers one “pay as you will” performance during every run to provide affordable musical theater to all in

the community. For The Most Happy Fella, this performance will be on Friday, 7/28, when seats will be

offered for cash-only at the box office. Reserved seats can still be purchased online.

ABOUT YMTC

YMTC is dedicated to providing exceptional training to young theater artists through the production of

exceptional musical theater. The organization brings together the Bay Area’s most talented and dedicated

young singer/actors—as well as students of technical theater—with professional directors, designers, and

musicians. They take on challenging and sophisticated musical and dramatic themes, and productions are

always accompanied by a full, live orchestra. Information about training, auditions and upcoming

performances can be found at www.ymtcbayarea.org