Justin’s debut performance at Firehouse 12 in New Haven was a great success. He gave an outstanding performance of his anything but predictable songbook, moving the audiences to laughter and tears. This was a great warm up for his New York city premiere!

Joining Justin at the Duplex is Broadway’s own Jenn Gambatese, who will perform one of his newest works, “I Love You, Stay Beautiful…”  Jenn appeared on Broadway as Jane “Tarzan,” “All Shook Up,” “Hairspray,” and “A Year With Frog and Toad” to name just a few. Here in Connecticut, she’s been see at The Goodspeed (“Annie Get Your Gun”), Westport Country Playhouse (“Lips Together Feet Apart”) and the Yale Rep (“We Have Always Lived in the Castle”).

We’re very excited to present Justin and Jenn and hope you’ll all join us at The Duplex! Details and reservations are available on our website. It’s going to be an amazing night!

Justin Rugg & Jenn Gambatese

In the show, the Brothers Grimm themselves take to the stage to enact their best-loved stories, and to debut a new, untold tale. In the spirit of Pantochino, they are joined by a sparkling sequined and feathered Showgirl, who helps to tell the stories and add to the excitement.  Why a Showgirl??? Well…why not!  Expect to see spoofs and goofs of Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Rapunzel to name a few. This neat little show is chock full of jokes, sight gags, songs and super fun surprises.

We hope you’ll join us for the most happy-ever-after musical you’ll ever see!

“Predictable Heart: The Music of Justin Rugg” is Pantochino’s first offering in 2012. Best described as an evening of story songs about life and love, Rugg’s melodies are stirring, passionate and exciting, and his lyrics are honest, fresh, funny and often biting. This  informal evening around the piano marks his cabaret debut and is also Pantochino’s first ‘grown-ups only’ entertainment.

This special event debuts at New Haven’s Firehouse 12 on Thursday, February 23rd and will continue in New York City’s Duplex Cabaret Theatre on Thursday, March 1st.

We’re thrilled to bring Justin’s music to our audiences. His musical style and personality is exactly what Pantochino looks for–Something different and off-beat, yet entirely engaging and appealing. His songs about the modern relationship are packed with emotion both funny and sad. We can all relate as his songs speak to us.

Calling himself the original and final ‘post-hipster,’  Jusin is a New Jersey transplant now living in Connecticut. He attended Lebanon Valley College where he double-majored in Music Theory Composition and Percussion Performance.  He is an actor, singer, composer and retail slave. His musical influences include Amanda Palmer, the Decemberists and Jukebox the Ghost. He is also at work composing music for Pantochino’s next show, “The Brothers Grimm and a Showgirl.”

Leave the kids at home this time and come listen to Justin’s predictable heart. Full details are available at www.pantochino.com

We’re very excited here at Pantochino Headquarters. Rehearsals have been lots of fun and the show promises many surprises. It’s not your average, everyday holiday show—its so much more! Evan Faram from New York City leads the cast as Chris, Teen Santa himself. He’s funny, charming and has a great rock voice! Joining him are Adrienne Griffiths, Marci Bing, Shelley Marsh Poggio, Pantochino’s own Jimmy Johansmeyer, Stavros Koumbaros, Hillary Perrone and Scott Redmond. They play all the characters in the real world and the comic book world of the show.

Justin Rugg’s musical score is simply outstanding..filled with comedy and lots of emotion and played by the teen band Nothing2Simple.  Did you catch them on Channel 8′s Connecticut Style promoting the show?

Teen Santa is a wonderful holiday treat for the entire family. Tickets are selling super-fast!! Be sure to visit our online box office at www.teensanta.com and get your tickets now!  Rock on!

Christmas has never been this awesome! Bert Bernardi & Justin Rugg have created a new pop musical unlike any other. It’s all about a seventeen-year-old boy who discovers he has super-hero powers, not unlike Santa Claus! He uses his powers in the name of faith, hope and charity to save the spirit of Christmas–and the world! The heartwarming story is given a fresh, fun and decidedly edgy take as a live, on-stage teen band rocks out the songs! This is not your average, everyday Christmas story. It’ s so much more fun!

A few weeks back, the new musical was given a developmental reading. And now it’s ready to rock and roll!

Pantochino will set up the new show at an exciting venue called “The Off-Broadway Theatre at Yale.” It’s a great space–state of the art in every way. It’s located just behind Toad’s Place and the new Apple Store in New Haven. Perfect!!

More details about the show are available at www.teensanta.com and tickets are on sale now!

On Friday night, October 21st, the residents of that magical graveyard, Boneyard Acres, set up shop in New Haven for a two-week run. The opening night audience was enthusiastic and we are all looking forward to the remaining performances. Von Del Mar’s fetching set, Jimmy Johansmeyer’s eye-popping costumes and the spooky lighting of Seth Harris transform Arts Hall into the frightfully delightful world of Robert D. San Souci’s book. The cast is superb! Blogochino readers, our new show is a must-see!

Spread the word….Pantochino has arrived in New Haven!

Mary Mannix as Cinderella Skeleton.

Pantochino is teaming up with Food Network’s Cupcake Wars winner, Sugar Bakery and Sweet Shop in East Haven, Connecticut for its upcoming production of “Cinderella Skeleton, the Musical.”

Sugar’s Brenda DePonte and her talented team will be whipping up specialty cupcakes to celebrate the debut of our new musical in New Haven. The “Cinderella Skeleton” cupcake will be available for purchase in the store and at intermission at each performance of the show.  This is a great connection–we do ridiculously entertaining theatre, and Sugar makes ridiculously delicious cupcakes, its perfect!

Visiting Sugar Bakery in East Haven, it’s like being a kid in a candy store (Yes, they sell candy too). The variety of cupcakes is simply amazing. Pantochino has sampled a good many of them and is so honored to have “Cinderella Skeleton” among them.

In the coming days and nights, every scene and song will be staged and choreographed. Within a week, the actors will be “Running Through” the show from start to finish in preparation for technical rehearsals which will come a little later!

Meanwhile back at Pantochino Headquarters, sets are being created and painted and the costume shop is busy sewing some eye-popping creations!

“Cinderella Skeleton, the Musical” is underway! Get ready New Haven!!

Tickets are available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at www.cinderellaskeleton.com