The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse proudly presents the WORLD PREMIERE of Build Me Up Buttercup - The Musical! Author and Composer, Tony Macaulay, has written this incredible new musical featuring many of his top hits, as well as, beautiful new music that he created for this premiere production!

Author & Composer, Tony Macaulay has sold more than fifty-two million records/CDs of his songsworldwide. Twenty-four of his songs were Top Twenty hits in the USA - four topped the charts. Sales include fifteen platinum albums. Tony has won The Academy Award (BASCA - The Ivor Novello Award) in his native Britain nine times - twice as 'Songwriter of the Year'. Eleven awards celebrate a recording ofhis receiving a million plays on American radio. This is only a small amount of information regarding Tony Macaulay. Director and Producer, Dr. Anastacia Hawkins-Smith states, "Build Me Up Buttercup - The Musical is the beginning of what will prove to be a successful musical both nationally and internationally. This is just the beginning of the success that Tony Macaulay will have with this production. You will leave our theatre knowing that you saw it first and enjoying every moment of the script and the music.”

The Music in this production is performed by a LIVE orchestra led by J. Thomas Black, Jr. who also provided the musical arrangements for Macaulay. Familiar songs throughout the production include the hits “Build Me Up Buttercup,” “Baby, Now That I’ve Found You,” “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes),” “Don’t Give Up On Us Baby” and “Last Night I Didn’t Get To Sleep At All.”  The score also premieres BRAND NEW songs by Macaulay, destined to become classics as well.

STORYLINE

The Musical is set in the music industry, in the Los Angeles of the early seventies - when pop music was young, and rock still ruled the world. The gold rush, started by The Beatles, was in full ferment and everyone wanted in.  Those with talent - the inspired, the innovators - were almost crushed in the on-slaught as every crook and carpetbagger, who could pull together the price of a ticket west, jumped on the bandwagon. Opportunism flourished. Wet-behind-the-ears hopefuls were flung centre stage with the braces still on their teeth. No trick was too shabby when it came to selling rank amateurs as seasoned pros. Getting a hit record was hard; getting paid, harder. Powerbrokers thieved. Deejays took bribes. Fortunes were made, lost, and made again.

Costume Designs by Daniel Hill bring the characters of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s to life. The audience will experience the world of the L.A. music industry with original scenic design by Ian Cook and choreography by Pamela Larson.

The Cast includes Rick Roach of Rockledge as Shel Feldman. Feldman leads us through the storyline of the band “Arizona” in their rise to fame. Band members include James Spiva of Merritt Island as Andy, Lawrence M. Mazza II of Cape Canaveral as Josh, Garrett Hinton of Melbourne as Fish and Chris Walker of Cocoa as Rehab. The role of Suzy Butterfield is portrayed by Lisa Marie-Rhodes of Cocoa. Hayley Ver Valin of Viera portrays Rosie. Stephan Snyder of Cape Canaveral portrays the hilarious role of radio DJ, King Connelly. With a cast of 60 Playhouse performers bringing this energetic musical comedy to life!

Performance Dates: February 1st through February 23rd, 2013, Friday & Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m., Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. (Note: No Saturday Evening Performance on February 9th, 2013 due to Mardi Gras in Cocoa Village) with additional performances on Thursday, Feb 7th at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb 10th at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb 14th at 7:30 p.m. & Thursday, Feb 21st at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets Prices: $26 General Admission, $24 Student/Seniors/Military & $18 Children (12 years & under).Prices include a $2 service fee. Tickets are available online at www.cocoavillageplayhouse.com. Reservations can also be made by phone at (321) 636-5050 or by visiting our box office, Tuesday – Friday,10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Credit cards accepted.

The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse, in its 23rd season, serves over 55,000 audience viewers each year, with an extremely active schedule, including but not limited to seven large musical productions and three children's productions. Along with a small paid staff, the core of the Playhouse is our standing cast of over 600 VOLUNTEER performers, artists, technicians, and ushers that give more 100,000 accredited community service hours each year.