Thursday, October 10, 2013
L.A. Musical News for October 10, 2013
OPENINGS: When You Wish: The Story of Walt Disney has its world premiere at the Freud Playhouse beginning Oct. 11. The inspiring musical is the story of how a young dreamer became the Walt Disney who changed the world. It features an original score with music and book by Dean McClure, direction by Larry Raben, and choreography by Lee Martino. Pat Boone co-produces with Dean McClure and Robert Rudolph. The cast of 20 includes Tim Martin Gleason as Walt Disney and Andy Umberger as Roy Disney, Brandi Burkhardt, Melissa Fahn, Norman Large, and Louis Pardo. Also featured are Kade Pait as young Walt and Jake Davidson who makes his Los Angeles theater debut as young Roy. The ensemble includes Jennifer Brausell, Kate Harvey, Aurore Joly, Lorenzo King, David Michael Laffey, Morgan Marcell, Garett Marshall, Louis A. Williams (Dance Captain), Thomas Adoue Polk, Kirklyn Robinson, Nick Tubbs, and Salvatore Vassallo. Oct. 11 - Nov 3 with opening night on Wed, Oct. 16. Tickets: www.Ticketmaster.com or by call the UCLA Central Ticket Office at (310) 825-2101.Laguna Playhouse announces adjustments to its 2013- 2014 season. Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks starring Leslie Caron will move from its originally scheduled November opening to the Spring 2014 slot to accommodate Ms. Caron’s schedule. In its place the Playhouse will present the heartwarming musical, A Christmas Memory. Based on the beloved short story by Truman Capote, it features a cast of seven in a tender portrait of a rare friendship across generations, during a time when life was much simpler. With a musical score that will bring love and light to your hearts, this show is sure to you in the holiday spirit. Additionally, The Year of Magical Thinking (originally announced for April/May) will be included in the 2014-2015 season and Val Kilmer will join the Playhouse for five nights only, Nov. 21 – 24, to perform his one-man show, Citizen Twain, based on the life and writings of Mark Twain. Subscriptions are available to Laguna Playhouse’s season by calling (949) 497-2787 (ARTS) or online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com.
Theatre Americana presents Mary of the Avenue, an original musical about family and life on the streets in NYC, October 25, 26 & 27 at the Shakespeare Clubhouse, 171 So. Grand Ave., Pasadena. Featuring book and lyrics by Neil Scanlan, and music by Greg Wood. Directed by Donna Scarantino. Set during the dead of winter on the streets of New York City it follows Carrie, an eager and engaging young woman as she sets out from her Midwestern town to find her mother who, years before, left without notice. With some help from the local press, she connects with Mary who is now homeless. Determined to bring her mom back home, Carrie begins to explore life on the streets, as Mary introduces her to a cast of colorful characters. Tickets: $25 for reserved seating available at www.brownpapertickets.com or www.shakespeareclub.org
The Grove Theatre announces the opening of Bye Bye Birdie on October 25. One of the most captivating musical shows of our time, it tells the story of Conrad Birdie, a rock and roll singer who is about to be inducted into the army. Conrad’s agent concocts one final national publicity stunt before his induction - Conrad will bid a typical American teen-age girl goodbye with an all-American kiss. Bye Bye Birdie is a satire done with the fondest affection and gives insight into the everyday life that is very much a part of us all. The show runs Oct. 25 – Nov. 10. For tickets call (909) 920-4343 or go to www.grovetheatre.com. The Grove Theatre is located at 276 E. Ninth Street, Upland, CA 91786.
CABARET: Sacred Fools presents His Royal Hipness Lord Buckley one night only Monday, Oct. 14 at 8:00 pm. Don’t miss this swirling mix of comedy, be-bop and cabaret. Creator and star Jake Broder (co-writer & star of Louis & Keely Live at the Sahara) transports you back in time with his spellbinding portrayal of 1950s counter-culture icon American Comic Lord Richard Buckley. Emerging from the speakeasies of Chicago into the counterculture lounge scene of 1950s New York, Buckley’s charismatic hipster-aristocrat persona inspired generations of cultural icons including Bob Dylan, Ken Kesey, George Harrison, Tom Waits, Dizzy Gillespie, Robin Williams, Johnny Depp, Whoopi Goldberg, George Carlin, Richard Pryor, and Lenny Bruce. Tickets: www.sacredfools.org
Reminder that Miscast is back Monday, October 21 with songs from Phantom of the Opera, Grease, Spring Awakening and more. The show will star Mandy Kaplan, Todd Sherry, Jennifer Hall, Will Collyer, JP Karliak, Mandy Fabian, Chris Carlisle, Mona Chatterjee, Netta Most, Jeffrey Landman, Tom Metz III, and Brett Ryback. Reservations: (818) 754-8700. Dinner & drinks 6:30 pm, Show at 8:00 pm. Sterling’s Upstairs at the Federal, 5303 Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood.
Rockwell Table and Stage presents a one night only preview of Emily Bergl’s new cabaret show, Til I Get It Right, in at Rockwell Table and Stage Tuesday Oct. 29 at 8:00 pm. The show exposes the lengths we go to in our search for love and what we do when we don’t find it, or even more frightening, when we do. In her signature nouveau cabaret style, Bergl uses the past to illuminate the present, blending together Irving Berlin with Blondie, Rodgers and Hammerstein with Tracey Chapman & even Noel Coward with Britney Spears. You’ll be treated not only to an evening of diverse songs, but a full cast of characters all personified by this veteran Broadway actress. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets: www.rockwell-la.com or call (323) 661-6163. Rockwell Table and Stage, 1714 N. Vermont, LA 9002
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