R. Michael Gros, Artistic Director of PCPA Theaterfest, is pleased to announce that the publication and performance rights to The Wildest!!! Hip, Cool and Swinging, which premiered at PCPA in Summer 2004, have been acquired by Samuel French, Inc., the prestigious play publisher and author representatives.

Based on the musical sounds and styles of the great Louis Prima and Keely Smith, The Wildest was co-conceived by Toni Elizabeth Prima and Luanne Prima, daughters of Prima and Smith, director Randy Johnson and choreographer Thomas Porras. Featuring more than 35 numbers, the show’s score includes such musical gems as “Five Months, Two Weeks, Two Days,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “I Wish You Love,” “Just a Gigolo” and “That Old Black Magic” – and other songs associated with Prima and Smith. The Los Angeles Times hailed the show as “a new high-octane musical….It smokes, daddy-o!” The legendary Keely Smith called it, “a blockbuster!”

Regarding the acquisition, Charles Van Nostrand, President of Samuel French, Inc., stated, “The night the head of our West Coast operation saw the show he called me at 2:00 a.m. New York time saying this was the most crowd-pleasing show he had ever seen….We are delighted to be working with Randy Johnson, the creative team, and the Prima Family on this….Requests are coming in like mad and we have not yet really announced the show….I'm certain The Wildest is going to be a record breaker!”

Leon Embry, West Coast Director, Samuel French Hollywood, went on to say, “When I saw The Wildest in its world premiere, it met with a spontaneous standing ovation. I asked producer, Randy Johnson, about the frequency of standing ovations for the show, and he responded that ‘every night was ovation night.’ I also learned that the box office personnel had the delight of watching audience members head straight to the box office at intermission to buy tickets to come back and see it again. There's not much more you can say about a show like that.”

Representing Prima Entertainment, sisters Luanne Prima and Toni Elizabeth Prima said, “It has always been a dream of ours to create something that would honor the historical contribution of our parents’ music. We are thrilled to have created the The Wildest so that audiences worldwide can experience their music firsthand.”

Director Randy Johnson said, “I am thrilled and honored to have the show in such capable hands and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with such a fine organization." Co-collaborator/ choreographer Thomas Porras added, “The show enters into it's rightful place in the tapestry of American Musical Theatre along side such other musicals in the Samuel French catalogue as Grease, Chicago, La Cage Aux Folles and Nunsense.”

Reflecting on the production’s premiere at PCPA Theaterfest, R. Michael Gros stated, “The energy of the music and dance had our audience members, whether they were eight or eighty years old, tapping their feet and swaying along with the action and the music.”

Founded in 1830 Samuel French pioneered the concept of providing published scripts to theatrical producing groups throughout the world. In addition, Samuel French seeks out the world's best plays and makes them available to the widest range of theatrical organizations. Sources of Samuel French's plays range from Broadway and England's West End to publication of unsolicited scripts submitted by unpublished authors. The Samuel French catalogue includes award-winning musicals, dramas, comedies and one-act plays.

Celebrating its 41st season, PCPA Theaterfest is the only professional resident theatre company on the Central Coast and has trained thousands of actors and theatre technicians over the years. The Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts’ roster of alumni includes Academy Award winners Kathy Bates, Mercedes Ruehl and Robin Williams as well as three-time Tony Award-winning actor Boyd Gaines. The Technical Training program recently saw alumni Sharen Davis receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design for Ray.

The world premiere of The Wildest was presented by PCPA Theaterfest in association with Prima Entertainment, Toni Elizabeth Prima, Luanne Prima and Twentyfour Entertainment, Randy Johnson and Thomas Porras. The production ran July 23-August 7, 2004 at the Marian Theatre located on the campus of Allan Hancock College, Santa Maria, CA. It was followed by an engagement at the Festival Theater, Solvang, CA, August 13-29, 2004.

The musical was directed by Randy Johnson, choreographed by Thomas Porras, and musically directed by Jay R. Wright. The production featured scenic design by Michael J. Dempsey, costume design by Frederick P. Deeben, lighting design by Angeline Summers-Marvel and sound design by Walter T.J. Clissen. Christine Collins served as the Production Stage Manager. The cast was comprised of Andrew Bray, Olivia Braza, Louis Carazo, Lorraine Cink, Jonathan Hoover, Jayme Lake, Brian Patrick Lavelle, Ashley Martinez, Dana Musgrove, Scott Reardon, Emily Rogge and Bryan Seastrom. The production was sponsored by the Community Bank of Santa Maria and the Historic Inn of Santa Maria.

For more information on The Wildest, please visit www.porrasjohnson.com. To inquire about performing rights to the musical please contact Samuel French via their website www.samuelfrench.com. For additional information about PCPA, please view the Theaterfest's website at www.pcpa.org.