Sunday, August 22, 2010
FNAM Closes with Jason Robert Brown Concert and a 2011 Preview
The Festival of New American Musicals wrapped up a phenomenal 2010 season with its closing party on Saturday, August 22nd honoring Jason Robert Brown. Set in the backyard garden of a private home in Pacific Palisades, guests celebrated the composer’s birthday (belatedly) and were treated to a fantastic concert by Brown and some of his favorite musicians and singers.
What an afternoon it was! Beginning with “All Things in Time” followed by a kickass version of “When You Say Vegas” from his musical Honeymoon in Vegas, he and a great line-up of talented artists let loose for over an hour.
The set list included many favorite songs from his musicals The Last Five Years, Songs For A New World, Parade and 13 featuring guest artists Adam Pascal, Lara Pulver, Nita Whitaker and Graham Phillips, plus The Theatre Geeks of America. Brown closed the program with “Caravan of Angels,” “Moving Too Fast” and a touching encore of “Someone To Fall Back On.” What a great way to celebrate – with music that speaks to the heart.
Congratulation to co-executive producers Marcia Seligson, Bob Klein and Linda Shusett for an outstanding event and exciting 2010 season of new musicals. And now on to next year…
Here is a first look at some of the shows that will be part of the 2011 season.
Paradise Lost: Eric Whitacre’s contemporary musical returns to Los Angeles in concert at Disney Concert Hall.
Easter Rising: Michael Arden’s new musical about making up for lost time will have its world premiere in southern California.
Lonesome Traveler: A journey down the rivers and streams of American folk that will have its world premiere at the Rubicon, starring Lilias White.
Bash’d!: The gay rap opera at the Celebration Theatre.
The Last Starfighter: The Festival and College of the Canyons present the 2nd annual summer course, TH193, in creating a new musical.
Moscow, Cherry Town: It’s not new. It’s not American. But we just couldn’t resist. This satirical musical comedy of bureaucratic corruption by Dimitri Shostakovich premiered in 1959 at the Mayakovsky Operetta Theatre in Moscow. In 2011 it will have its California premiere on May 15, 2011 at Opera Long Beach.
The Difficulty of Crossing a Field: By David Lang, based on a story by Ambrose Bierce. It centers around a slave owner in the pre-civil war American South who walks across his field in bright daylight and disappears in plain view of his family, his neighbors and his slaves, forever altering the relationships among them.
Hello Louisiana: Returning from their triumph at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, the marvelous Marquez 5th grade kids perform more of their American History Musicals.
Alice in Wonderland: An “Alice” for today’s generation. New songs. State of the art graphics and techno-production, commissioned by the Norris Center.
Krunk Fu Battle: East West Players presents a hip-hop musical extravaganza. May 12 – June 26, 2011.
Beautiful: A modern day adaptation of Hedda Gabler set in the deep south world of pageants and folk/rock.
Summer of Love: Musical Theatre West returns to the 60’s for a summer of love.
Tempest Toss’d: The kids from PUC Charter Schools are back to amaze and entertain you with their pop musical take on Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
Plus, the ASCAP Festival Songwriter Showcase and Staged Reading Series, 5 evenings with the new generation of musical theater songwriters at Show at Barre, The Sunset Players, Futurfest, a second Way Out of Nowhere, Crossroads School - The Next Generation II, and the Academy for Young Professionals.
I can hardly wait!
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