Thursday, September 30, 2010
Johnson and Pickard, Together Again for Stiltz!
Wayland Pickens and Deborah Johnson
Deborah Johnson and Wayland Pickard have collaborated on a number of shared musical projects, in addition to their individual live performance and recording careers. They were 2009 Grammy contenders and they also tour the country with their comedy/variety act, Double Grandé, which plays corporate events and concert venues.
She has contributed additional lyrics to his two-person musical comedy, eLove, and he is currently directing (along with Doug Engalla), her new show, Stiltz! The Musical, now playing at Actors Forum in North Hollywood through October 17.
Photo: Doug Engalla
Stiltz! is a contemporary twist on the familiar Rumplestiltskin fairy tale, but rather than spinning straw into gold to save her father (Ross Kramer), this modern day princess (Alli Miller) must turn his ineffective financial software program into a money-making stock market success for a greedy businessman (Larry Lederman) before time runs out.
Her only hope appears to be striking a deal with disgusting computer nerd, Robert Moon, but with the help of a handsome hero (Daved Wilkins), the office secretary (Suzan Soloman), and her best friend (Gwendolyn Druyor), all may not be lost.
Book and additional lyrics are by Paula Miller, and Michelle Bernath provides the choreography. Actors Forum Theatre is located at 10655 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, 91601. For more information call 323-822-7898 or visit http://www.stiltzthemusical.com/.
In addition to Stiltz! Johnson is working on another original musical, Tsarina, based on the true story of Nicholas and Alexandra, the last of the Romanov Russian monarchs. Tsarina will have its world premiere at the Grove Theatre in Upland in March 2011, directed by Joshua Finkel.
Pickard’s Polyester The Musical, (book by Phil Olson) was recently published by Samuel French in New York and is now available for licensing.
Johnson and Pickard also have several local dates coming up for Double Grandé:
October 21: Group Rep in NoHo
www.thegrouprep.com
November 6: Grove Theatre in Upland www.grovetheatre.com
November 20: Norris Center for the Performing Arts www.norristheatre.org
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