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Broadway’s Hottest Young Director, Kristin Hanggi, Brings Surf the Musical to Life This Summer at Planet Hollywood

Surf the Musical is the feel-good production that transports audiences back to the happy times of 1960s California beach life, featuring the songs of The Beach Boys. Director Kristin Hanggi has created an upbeat summer production, complete with an all-star cast and crew, fantastic visuals, and of course, great music (Photo © 2012 Robert G. Seketa – Loosepuppy.com). 

Photo © 2012 Robert G. Seketa – Loosepuppy.com.

Hanggi has rapidly made a name for herself in the theater world. She is best known for directing and developing the international smash-hit, Rock of Ages, which was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Direction of a Musical. The film adaptation of the rock n’roll phenomenon is set to hit the silver screen on June 15, starring Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, and a plethora of other A-list stars.

Photo © 2012 Robert G. Seketa – Loosepuppy.com.

Hanggi’s ability to translate rock n’ roll hits into theatrical gold is just one of the many talents that sets her apart. Surf the Musical highlights the fun and energy felt in the music of The Beach Boys and the integrity of the music is always maintained. From RJ Durell¹s celebratory choreography to the fun and flirty costumes, the show transports audiences back to a sunny time when a surfboard and some great tunes were all that was needed to have a good time. With Surf the Musical, Hanggi takes the classic beach party concept, and gives it a modern and relate-able feel, encouraging audiences to fall in love again.

Photo © 2012 Robert G. Seketa – Loosepuppy.com.

Hanggi’s credits also include the popular pop opera Bare, which was rated the #1 production in New York by Zagat audiences and ran to sold-out audiences in Los Angeles, for which she received the Ovation Award Best Musical, LA Weekly Award Best Musical, and Robby Award Best Director. Hanggi also directed Pussycat Dolls Live at the Roxy with special guests Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera and Charlize Theron, among others. Other stage productions include: And the Curtain Rises at the Signature Theater; the New York Fringe Festival winner, Catch The Fish; Brian Crano’s play Twelfth Premise (LA Times Critics Pick); the Los Angeles Premiere of Terrence McNally’s Corpus Christi (2001 Ticketholder Award, Best Production; 2001 Ticketholder Award, Best Director; 2001 Robby Award, Best Director of a Play); Crane, Mississippi (LA Times Critic¹s Choice, Backstage West Critic¹s Pick); among others.

Photo © 2012 Robert G. Seketa – Loosepuppy.com.

As a screenwriter, Hanggi recently adapted the hit book series, “Dear Dumb Diary” into a musical movie, which she is also directing under Executive Producer Jerry Zucker. She is also attached to direct “The Outsiders” as a stage musical for Francis Ford Coppola and American Zoetrope.

Photo © 2012 Robert G. Seketa – Loosepuppy.com.

Surf the Musical promises to be Las Vegas’ hottest new musical extravaganza, as audiences are transported into the magic of the early 1960’s and the sweet sounds of summer.

Photo © 2012 Robert G. Seketa – Loosepuppy.com.

Surf the Musical performs nightly (dark Thursdays) starting June 22 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Show times are 7:00 p.m. except Saturdays at 5:30 p.m., with additional performances on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $144, $104, $84 and $64, excluding taxes and fees and can be purchased in person at the Planet Hollywood Showroom Box Office, online at www.surfthemusical.com and www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000. To purchase tickets for groups of 10 or more, call (866) 633-0195.

Photo © 2012 Robert G. Seketa – Loosepuppy.com.

Photo © 2012 Robert G. Seketa – Loosepuppy.com.

Photo © 2012 Robert G. Seketa – Loosepuppy.com.