By Adam Hetrick
30 Apr 2008

Casa Maņana president and executive producer Denton Yockey has announced that he will not renew his contract with the Ft. Worth, TX, theatre.

Yockey, who has served as the executive producer of Casa Maņana since 1997, will exit his position Aug. 31. Yockey leaves the company to assume the same duties for the Starlight Theatre Association in Kansas City. Yockey replaces Bob Rohlf, who is retiring after 28 years with the Starlight Theatre Association.

"I am truly thankful for the opportunity to have led such a prestigious organization as Casa Maņana," Yockey said in a statement. "I look forward to this summer's historic milestone, our series of celebration events, and then to a smooth transition that ensures Casa Maņana's success for the next 50 years and beyond."

Casa Maņana's executive committee has already begun the search for a new president and executive producer. The intention is to have Yockey's successor in place before Yockey begins his duties at the Starlight Theatre on Sept. 1.

Summer in Ft. Worth begins with Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones' The Fantasticks, starring Golden Globe nominee Lorenzo Lamas as El Gallo. Jones, the musical's lyricist, will stage the production from June 3-8 at Casa Maņana Theatre.

The national tour of Avenue Q makes its North Texas premiere July 8-13 at Bass Performance Hall. The 2004 Tony Award-winning Best Musical is penned by Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty, with direction by Jason Moore.

Tony nominee Lou Diamond Phillips will take on the devilish role of Applegate in the Tony Award-winning musical Damn Yankees. Penned by Richard Adler, Jerry Ross and theatre impresario George Abbott, the Faustian baseball musical will run Aug. 12-17 at Casa Maņana Theatre.

The hit international jukebox musical Mamma Mia! arrives at Bass Hall Sept. 9-14. The audience favorite, featuring the hits of ABBA, has a book by Catherine Johnson and is staged by Phyllida Lloyd.

Concluding Casa Maņana's summer season will be the return engagement of Tuna Does Vegas at Casa Maņana Theatre. The 21-city tour, starring Joe Sears and Jaston Williams, arrives in Ft. Worth Oct. 21-26.

Tickets for the 50th anniversary season at Casa Maņana are currently on sale by phoning (817) 332-2272 or by visiting www.casamanana.org.