Wednesday, February 20, 2013
What's Happening Around Town for February 20, 2013
Out of the Box Theatre Company presents the Santa Barbara premiere of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, now through February 24, featuring music and lyrics by Michael Friedman and book by Alex Timbers. The musical redefines America's controversial seventh president; the man who invented the Democratic Party, drove the Indians west, and ultimately doubled the size of our nation, with a raucous blend of outrageous comedy, anarchic theatricality and an infectious emo punk rock score. Using contemporary humor and possessing a razor-sharp political edge, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson explores our country’s teenage years and – out of our desire to be understood and fairly represented by our government – the effects of Populism.
The cast includes Mike Chen (Bandleader/Guitarist), Samantha Eve (Rachel), Cole Evers (Lyncoya), David Goren (Martin Van Buren), Connor Gould (Male Soloist), Anne Guynne (Storyteller), Maggie Hill (Toula), Skyler Jones (Black Fox), Conner Lewis (James Monroe), Terry Li (Naomi), Marc Nicolas (John Quincy Adams), Emily Segal (Erica), Steven Stone (Andrew Jackson), and Dillon Yuhasz (John Calhoun). For tickets, call (805) 963-0408 or go to www.centerstagetheater.org. This show contains adult themes and language, and is recommended for mature audiences.
The Kentwood Players present Ragtime March 15 – April 20 at the Westchester Playhouse, based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow, with book by Terrence McNally, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty. The show will be directed by Susan Goldman Weisbarth and features musical direction by Bill Wolfe and choreography by Victoria Miller. Ragtime is the quintessential American musical that paints a powerful portrait of life at the turn of the century. Three stories are woven together to poignantly illustrate the struggle Americans faced dealing with class, race, money and justice in a country still struggling to find balance as they moved from the 19th to the 20th century. It was a tumultuous time when immigrants were looking to find hope in America, when former slaves and their children, now freed, were trying to establish their hold on the American dream, and the white upper middle class society struggled to maintain their lifestyle and expectations. Intertwined with the fictional characters are historical figures including Harry Houdini, Evelyn Nesbit, Harry K. Thaw, Stanford White, Emma Goldman, Henry Ford, Booker T. Washington, and J.P. Morgan. Visit www.kentwoodplayers.org for tickets and information.
Margaret M. Spirito, best known in LA for her performances in the For the Record series at Rockwell Table & Stage and her summer tribute to Amy Winehouse, debuts at the Coterie in Hollywood on February 28. Spirito will sing tunes by legends such as Janice Joplin and Patsy Cline, as well as superstars of today, like Pink, Lauryn Hill, Adele, and more. The show is directed by Meredith Scott Lynn and accompanied musically by Anthony Starble and Devin McNichol. Click Here for tickets. Please note that a $20 food/drink minimum per person applies for each dining room ticket.
Kritzerland at Sterling’s Upstairs at the Federal will host a special Saturday night performance, Billy! A Celebration of Billy Barnes, on March 2nd at 7:00 pm. The show will star Susanne Blakeslee, Chelsea Emma Franko, Caitlynne Medrek, Jane Noseworthy, and Robert Yacko with special guests Nancy Dussault and JoAnne Worley. Music direction is by Lloyd Cooper. Billy passed away last year and this is Kritzerland’s tribute to one of the most delightful songwriters ever. Billy created a series of revues that were brilliantly witty, sophisticated, and filled with charm – The Billy Barnes Revue, The Billy Barnes People, Billy Barnes’ LA and more and he hit gold when a young Barbra Streisand recorded his beautiful and haunting, “(I Stayed) Too Long at the Fair.” Billy eventually became the King of Special Material – creating hilarious ditties for Laugh-In, The Carol Burnett Show, the Academy Awards, and a whole series of songs for some of the best divas around, including Nancy Dussault and JoAnne Worley. Reservations: 818 754-8700. Sterling’s at The Federal, 5303 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601.
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Labels: coterie, kentwood players, kritzerland, out of the box
