FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 29, 2013 Coronado Playhouse & Ronald McDonald House Charities CONTACTS: M.G.

Perez-Media Coordinator (619) 261- 1200 Amanda Dove-RMH Charities (858) 598-2421 Sven Salumaa-Producer (619) 573-2405 Coronado Playhouse Box Office (619) 435-4856

Hospitalized children and their families helped at the CARNIVAL!

The Coronado Playhouse, the communitys theatre, has launched an effort to help one of San Diego Countys most established non-profit organizations, Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego. Founded in 1980, the local Ronald McDonald House provides a home away from home to families with children being treated at area hospitals for serious, often life-threatening conditions. Nearly 20,000 guests a year receive housing, meals and other crucial care and services while dealing with health crises. This summer, the Coronado Playhouse is producing the classic musical, CARNIVAL! Its a timeless story about a young orphan girl named Lili who runs away to join a circus traveling the European countryside. Audiences will be thrilled by the music, magic and mystery that unfolds on stage with elaborate puppetry and an eclectic cast of characters. During the run of the production June 28th-August 4th, CPH has launched a new clothing drive to benefit families staying at San Diegos Ronald McDonald House. Because many of the hospitalized children have compromised immune systems, only new clothing or financial donations to pay for clothing can be accepted. There is a particular need for socks, underwear, sweats and t-shirts. Along with childrens sizes, clothing in all adult sizes is also appreciated. The exciting partnership between the charity and theatre company will also include Family Day at the CARNIVAL! on Saturday July 6th from 12noon-2pm. The Coronado Playhouse will be transformed into an open house of circus themed fun for all ages with face painting, a bounce house, a visit from Ronald McDonald and a musical showcase presentation of highlights from CARNIVAL!, featuring the romantic ballad, Love Makes the World Go Round. Financial donations of any amount will be accepted at the family day event. As an added fundraiser throughout the run of the show, audiences attending each performance will have the opportunity

to visit Schlegels Cirque de Paris side show tent filled with amusements and freakish wonders. A suggested donation of $3 or more to benefit the clothing drive is appreciated. CARNIVAL! director, Charles Peters, says our particular production will bring a new flavor to the award winning musical with plenty of thrilling sights and sounds and some real surprises for audience members who run away with us for a couple of hours of fantasy. The Coronado Playhouse and its cast and crew are delighted to be working with the Ronald McDonald House in a collaboration of the arts and healthcare community efforts to help children and families in need. Ronald McDonald House Corporate and Community Development Coordinator, Amanda Dove, tells us We get a lot of families who are here in an emergency situation for an unexpected long stay. As such, they are not always prepared with necessities. The theatres clothing drive and promotions for our organization will save our families precious time and resources that can be dedicated to their child. For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego and how you can help, please go to www.rmhcsd.org. To learn more about special group rates and ticket discounts, contact the box office at 619-435-4856. There are several event opportunities that include Opening Night Dinner & Show, Carnival Happy Hour and a private LGBT OUT Night reception performance July 11th. Find details at our website, www.coronadoplayhouse.com. Also, join us as some of the CARNIVAL! cast members and families from the Ronald McDonald House march in this years Coronado Independence Day Parade July 4th.

DATES: TIMES:

June 28-August 4, 2013 Thursdays - Saturdays @ 8pm, Sundays @ 2pm (No show on 4th of July) TICKETS: $20-$28 general admission Military / Senior / Student discounts Excellent group rates are available. Coronado Playhouse 1835 Strand Way Coronado, CA 92118 boxoffice@coronadoplayhouse.com Box Office: 619-435-4856 Cast and production members are available for interviews and video opportunities. Still pictures of the production, Ronald McDonald House and clothing collection can also be provided. Please contact M.G. Perez for specific media interest and needs. Both Ronald McDonald Charities of San Diego and the Coronado Playhouse are qualified 501(c)3 non-profit organizations. CPH is San Diego Countys longest running community theatre.