Sunday, August 4, 2013
What's Happening in Musical News for August 4, 2013
OPENINGS: Broadway In The Park and Gensler present The Wizard Of Oz August 8, 9, 10 &11 at El Segundo Recreation Park Softball Field. Over 2,000 Southern California residents attend the festival, now it its fourth year. Guests bring their own blankets, chairs, and picnic dinners to a ball field that has been transformed into a turn-of-the-century town square with costumed characters and themed dining. Returning this year is Broadway In The Park’s popular outreach program Charity Partners, where local non-profits will be featured at the festival and 10% of the gate sales will be donated to their cause. Over 300 tickets are also being donated to underprivileged children and families who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford a night out at the theatre. (Underwriting provided by Gensler and ArcLight Cinemas). El Segundo Recreation Park Softball field, at the corner of Eucalyptus Dr. and Grand Ave. in El Segundo. Gates open 6:00pm, Community Pre-Show at 7:00pm, and The Wizard Of Oz starts at 7:30pm. www.esbroadway.com.30MM’s Hook comes to The Third Street Theatre August 10 – 25. This latest original work from 30 Minute Musicals features all original music, thrilling adventure, and some surprising elements you’ve never seen from 30MM before. Featured in the cast are Tom Lenk as Peter Pan, Daisy Eagan, Derek Carter, Taylor Coffman, Natalie Cook, Tom Detrinus, Julianne Dowler, Tamara Fernandez, Ryan Garcia, Evan Gaustead, Darren Giglio, Hannah Johnson, Randy Wade Kelley, Elaine Loh, Gianna Masi, Todd Masterson, Dylan Rourke, Samantha Scanlan, Brooke Seguin, and Huntley Woods. Tickets: $15, Pre-sale Tickets: $12. Hook is adapted/directed by Brooke Seguin, produced by Tom Detrinis, with music by Brooke Seguin and Dan Wessels. Click here for info.
Opening Night: The Improvised Musical!®, will play Friday nights at 9:00 pm at IO in Hollywood. The original musical theater improv show is a Broadway-style musical made up on the spot, based on audience suggestion, now in its fourteenth year. Led by director Shulie Cowen, the cast combines the Chicago-style improvisation of the iO and The Second City with the Broadway stylings of Rodgers & Hammerstein, Gilbert & Sullivan, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Bob Fosse, and many more. For info, click here.
La Jolla Playhouse has announced casting for its re-imagining of Henry Krieger (music) and Bill Russell’s (book & lyrics) Side Show, produced in association with the Kennedy Center. Directed by Bill Condon and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast, it will run in the Mandell Weiss Theatre Nov. 5 – Dec. 15. Tickets go on sale September 8. Erin Davie (Grey Gardens) and Emily Padgett (Rock of Ages) will play conjoined twins Violet and Daisy Hilton, respectively. The cast will also include Manoel Felciano as Terry Connor, Matthew Hydzik as Buddy, David St. Louis as Jake, and Keala Settle as Fortune Teller, Brandon Bieber (Freak), Javier Ignacio (Houdini), Robert Joy (Sir), Kelvin Moon Loh (Freak), Zonya Love (Hottentot), Barrett Martin (Ray/Freak), Don Richard (Martin Arnold/Freak), Blair Ross (Bearded Lady/Auntie), Matthew Patrick Davis (Freak), Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper (Freak/Dr. Weldon), and Lauren Elder & Hannah Shankman as ensemble members. www.LaJollaPlayhouse.org
Patrick Burns brings his one-man autobiographical musical From Foster Care To Fabulous to the New Helvetica Theatre Aug. 30-31. The show chronicles his teenage years in and out of foster care. “Sometimes the truth is horrifying; sometimes it's hilarious. But it’s never cliché. It’s never preachy. It’s just the truth,” says Burns. His self-written, self-performed musical details this experience featuring a myriad of songs (both well-known and original), a plethora of jaw-dropping and side-splitting anecdotes, and a bizarre cast of horrific, hilarious, and ultimately heartbreaking characters. Graham Sobelman will provide accompaniment. New Helvetia Theatre, 1028 R Street, Sacramento, California 95811. Click here for tickets.
Norris Center for the Performing Arts presents Xanadu, a Norris student production, August 9 – 18, directed and choreographed by DJ Gray, the associate choreographer for the original Broadway production. http://www.norriscenter.com/
Elite Theatre Company’s youth acting camp presents Disney’s Aladdin Jr. Aug. 8 – 11. Call 805-483-5118 to reserve tickets. www.elitetheatre.org/youth-acting-camp.html
EXTENSIONS: Chance Theater has announced that its sold-out run of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson will be adding six performances, with a new closing date of August 11. www.chancetheater.com
CONCERTS/CABARET: The California Philharmonic’s Festival on the Green concert series continues with two upcoming musical theatre performances. On August 10 it’s Rodgers, Hammerstein & Gershwin featuring Broadway’s Kim Huber & James Barbour, and pianist Bryan Pezzone. The program includes selections from Oklahoma!, Sound of Music, South Pacific, Carousel and “Rhapsody in Blue” from An American in Paris. On August 24, 2013 the program features Les Miz & Bernstein, with singers Randal Keith & Melissa Lyons, stars of Les Miz on Broadway and the National Tour, plus the Cal Phil Chorale. Selections include songs from Les Misérables, Candide, On the Town, and Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. Both concerts begin at 7:30 pm. Gates open at 5:30 pm for dining & live jazz. Click here for tickets.
A concert reading of the new musical New York Society for the Suppression of Vice will take place on August 7th at 8:00 pm at The Academy for New Musical Theater, 5628 Vineland Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91601. When circumstances ‘out’ All-American athlete, Jack Cusack, he is forced to confront narrow minds, fear, and evil. Rallying the forces against him is the spirit of Anthony Comstock, a turn-of-the-previous-century social reformer whose vice grip on American society lasted decades. Written by Joel Bailey (book), Patricia Zehentmayr (lyrics), and Jake Anthony (music), it is inspired by real life events that happened at Burbank High School and numerous other schools around the country. Click here for info.
Hillary Rollins presents Christine Lavin & Julie Gold at the M-Bar in Hollywood. Two shows only, Saturday, August 17th at 7pm and 10pm. Reservations: Call the M-Bar at 323-856-0036. Click here for info.
Lauri’s List presents the final concert of its inaugural 2013 season of unSUNg: Songs Uncommon and New, August 11th at 6pm. Information and tickets: www.laurislist.com/unsung
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