Thursday, July 24, 2014

Musical News for Thursday July 24, 2014

MUSICAL NEWS: The Garage Theatre and Alive Theatre present Bertolt Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera August 1-30 at The Garage Theatre. Often described as brutal, scandalous, perverted; yet humorous, hummable and with a happy ending, it is one of the earliest and most successful attempts to introduce jazz into the theatre. With musical direction by Ellen Warkentine (the mastermind behind LOLpera) and longtime director and managing director, Eric Hamme, this evening is going to get weird...that good kind of weird. The cast and band includes Robert Edward, Mark Piatelli, Ellen Warkentine, Ashley Elizabeth Allen, Thomas Amerman, Sarah Chaffin, Dana Benedict, Lysander Ruesehk, Jason Bowe, Stephani Keith, Lizzie Stride, Ethan Zahn, Sally Nguyen, Jeanine Van Dyke, Travis Guerrero, Matthew Proffitt, Daysmel Muniz, John Robertson, Alanah Ntzouras, Matt Kollar and Sumner LeVeque. Choreography is by Angela Lopez. The Garage Theatre, 251 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90813. www.thegaragetheatre.org

A workshop production of It Happened in Roswell: an intergalactic musical will be presented as part of New Musicals Inc.’s summer series at NoHo Arts Center August 3 – 25. The story follows hard-nosed reporter Scoop who thinks he’s just chasing a story to save his sagging career. But when the alien turns out to be a wide-eyed sexy girl whom the Army wants to capture and dissect in the laboratory, well, Scoop discovers he’s in a big pickle: get the story, or get the girl? The cast includes Rory Dunn as the hard-nosed reporter, with Broadway’s Julie Tolivar as the alien. Nathan Ondracek plays a sweet 4F lad who has been too preoccupied trying to communicate with aliens to notice the love of his life, Bessie, right in front of him in the local diner. Deranged former military man Major Nails is played by John McCool Bowers. The cast also includes Amy Bloom, Emma Sperka, Emerson Boatwright, and Carrie Madsen. Music direction is by Ron Barnett. Co-directed by Terrence Atkins and Scott Guy. It Happened in Roswell is written by Terrence Atkins and Jeffery Lyle Segal. NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd, in North Hollywood. Tickets are $20 at www.nmi.org.

The Festival of New American Musicals presents an ASCAP staged reading of The Front, based on the 1976 Hollywood movie starring Woody Allen and Zero Mostel, August 19 and 20 at 7:30 pm. Barnsdall Gallery Theater, 4800 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90027. Music & Lyrics are by Paul Gordon & Jay Gruska; Book by Seth Friedman; Based on the screenplay by Walter Bernstein. Richard Israel directs the reading, with musical director Keith Harrison. Produced by Marcia Seligson and Michael Kerker. Associate Producer Linda Shusett. For free tickets RSVP to info@lafestival.org

EXTENDED: Chance Theater has extended its run of In The Heights through August 10 with six additional performances. The show was originally scheduled to close on August 3 but will now also play Thursday, August 7 at 8pm, Friday, August 8 at 8pm, Saturday, August 9 at 3pm and 8pm, and Sunday, August 10 at 2pm and 7pm at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center. Tickets: (714) 777-3033 or www.ChanceTheater.com.

 SEASON NEWS: San Diego Musical Theatre has announced its 2015 season at its new home, the historic Spreckels Theatre in downtown San Diego. Shows will include:
West Side Story (Feb. 13 – March 1, 2015) directed by James Vasquez 
Singin’ in the Rain (May 22 – June 7, 2015) directed by Todd Nielson 
La Cage aux Folles (Sept. 25 – Oct. 11, 2015) directed by Larry Raben 
White Christmas (Nov. 27 – Dec. 6, 2015) directed by Todd Nielsen
www.sdmt.org

 FILM: In memory of an incredible talent, Arena Cinema Hollywood will screen the documentary Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me for four showings only. In this bold, hilarious and poignant portrait, the uncompromising Tony and Emmy Award-winner is revealed both on and off stage. Candid reflections about her life are punctuated with words from friends (including James Gandolfini, Tina Fey, John Turturro, Tracy Morgan, Hal Prince, George C. Wolfe, Nathan Lane and Cherry Jones) and archival footage that showcases some of the great moments from her career. The 81-minute Sundance Selects film is directed by Chiemi Karasawa. Screenings takes place Sat. July 26 and Sun. July 27  at 3:00 pm; Tues. July 29 and Thurs. July 31 at 6:15 pm. Admission is $12.00. Arena Cinema Hollywood, 1625 N. Las Palmas Ave., Hollywood, CA 90028. (Entrance at rear gate.) Discounted parking is available with validation at lots adjacent to the venue and across the street. For more information, call (323) 306-0676 or go to http://arenascreen.com.

 CONCERTS/CABARET: Kritzerland Tributes Female Songwriters Sunday, August 3rd at 7:00 pm at Sterling’s Upstairs at the Federal starring Dan Callaway, Jennifer Kranz, Heather Lee, Lisa Livesay and Shannon Warne, with special guest Kay Cole and musical direction by Tom Griep. The show salutes musical theatre lyricists Carolyn Leigh, Lynn Ahrens, Marsha Norman, Gretchen Cryer, Fran Landesman, Amanda McBroom, and Carole Bayer Sager. Reservations: 818-754-8700.

UPDATE: Tony Award-nominee Obba Babatundé has been set to host Broadway Under the Stars at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre Aug. 16 at 8:00 pm. The Chris Isaacson Presents production stars Tony Award-winner Jennifer Holliday with Erich Bergen, Rogelio Douglas, Jr., Danny Gurwin and Chad Kimball. David Galligan will direct, and the music director is Gerald Sternbach. Purchase tickets by August 2 and save $5. Discount tickets are available by calling (323) 461-3673 or at www.FordTheatres.org.

 The Grove Theatre in Upland announces a weekend of entertaining tributes to Elton John, Billy Joel and ABBA. On Friday, August 8th, at 8:00 pm, Terry Davies, “The Piano Man,” will present his personal tribute to greats Billy Joel and Elton John featuring a video as the backdrop that will take the audience through the story he sings. On Saturday, August 9th at 8:00 pm, ABBA FAB, featuring Anne Davies, Chelsea Faulds, Scotty Pearson and Nick Davies, performs its tribute to the music of ABBA. Comprised of vocalists and musicians who have toured the world as solo artists and band members, ABBA FAB has come together to create an extremely entertaining ABBA tribute. The Grove Theatre is located at 276 E. Ninth Street, Upland, CA 91786. Tickets: (909) 920-4343, or http://grovetheatre.com/.

 The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony has announced a celebratory concert to commemorate the orchestra’s 20th Anniversary on Sunday, September 7 at 7:30 pm at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood. LAJS will be joined by award-winning and critically acclaimed pianist, actor, playwright, producer, and composer Hershey Felder, who has written an overture specifically for this occasion. With the anniversary concert, LAJS will be making its 11th consecutive appearance in the Ford Summer Partnership Concert Series. Tickets: (323) 461-3673 or www.FordTheatres.org.

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Tuesday, June 3, 2014

MUSICAL NEWS for Tuesday, June 3, 2014

MUSICAL NEWS: La Jolla Playhouse will mount the world premiere of Up Here, a new musical comedy featuring book, music and lyrics by the husband-and-wife composing team of Robert Lopez (The Book of Mormon, Avenue Q) and Kristen Anderson-Lopez (Disney World’s Finding Nemo: The Musical). Up Here will be directed by Tony Award nominee Alex Timbers and will be part of the Playhouse’s 2015/16 season (dates TBA). The musical follows Dan, an ordinary guy with a boring social life, an unused gym membership and a lot going on upstairs. When he finds a potential spark with Lindsay, his attempts at love are jeopardized by his chaotic subconscious mind. Up Here is about moving past ourselves – and those little voices in our head - to find happiness.  www.lajollaplayhouse.org
The Festival of New American Musicals has launched its 7th season, recommending a record 13 new musicals and events in the month of June. Many of them have been featured here on Musicals in LA as well. They are:
The Ghost of Gershwin, an original homage to George Gershwin at the Lonny Chapman Theater, through June 22
Chasing the Song, a world premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse through June 15
For the Record: Quentin Tarantino, the popular cabaret show at DBA in West Hollywood, through July 26
Dog and Pony, a world premiere at The Old Globe in San Diego, through June 29
Nickel Mines, a world premiere at UC Irvine, through June 7.
Elements, a west coast premiere by the Angel City Chorale, June 6 & 7
Melon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, a musical cabaret at the new Fifty-Seven in downtown LA, through June
Werewolves of Hollywood Blvd, premiering at the Hollywood Fringe Festival (Lillian Theatre), through June 28
A Little New Music, the Festival joins in showcasing songs from new musicals at Rockwell in Los Feliz on June 10.
Futurefest, the Festival’s annual marathon featuring talented high school and college talent performing songs from new musicals at Rockwell on June 11.
Artland, the first world premiere musical developed at the LA County High School of the Arts, through June 15.
30 Minute Musicals, musical satires of blockbuster movies – Independence Day and Outbreak, at the Hudson Theatre in West Hollywood, through June.
One Singular Sensation, the Festival expands to Napa for Broadway Under the Stars in June and July. For more information about all of the shows, go to www.lafestival.org.
The Grove Theatre will open Oklahoma! this Sat., May 31 and run for 8 performances through Sunday June 15. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece about a romantic rivalry on the Western frontier boasts a collection of classic songs and a spirit that has made it an enduring favorite. Featuring such Broadway favorites as “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,” “People Will Say We're in Love,” “The Surrey With the Fringe on Top,” and the exuberant title song, this brilliant first collaboration between Rodgers and Hammerstein set box-office records as it ushered in the Golden Age of American musical theater. The Grove Theatre is located at 276 E. Ninth Street, Upland, CA 91786. Tickets: http://grovetheatre.com/

San Diego Musical Theatre will present Next to Normal directed by Nick DeGruccio, starring Bets Malone (Diana), Robert Townsend (Dan) and Eddie Egan (Gabe), Sept.26 - Oct. 12 at the North Park Theatre. The Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical explores how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness as Diane Goodman struggles with bipolar disorder. Tickets: www.sdmt.org.

 TELEVISION: KCET will present two shows for musical fans this week. On Thurs, June 3, 2014 at 10:00 pm, they will air A Broadway Lullaby, a new documentary from award-winning director Barbara Rick. The documentary provides an unprecedented inside look at Broadway’s brightest performers, all uniting to combat breast cancer through the beauty and power of music and art. The film captures the inspiration, rehearsals, recordings and creative process of artists including Victoria Clark, Raul Esparza, Sutton Foster, Marva Hicks, Nikki M. James, Judy Kuhn, Rebecca Luker, Audra McDonald, Donna Murphy, Laura Osnes, Vanessa Williams, Charles Randolph-Wright, Stephen Schwartz, David Shire, and Jules, and musicians Larry Campbell, Dave Eggar, Taylor Eigsti, Gil Goldstein, Fred Hersch, Julian Lage, and many more.  The documentary will also stream online at www.kcet.org. Click Here for more about the documentary and view the teaser below.


 Then on Friday, June 6 at 8:30 pm, Dialogue With Doti, hosted by Chapman University president Jim Doti, will debut. The talk show profiles today’s leaders in business, science, the arts and more. Doti’s first episode features four-time Tony Award®-winning playwright Terrence McNally (Master Class, Ragtime, Kiss of the Spider Woman). McNally will share stories and memories of his life and discusses his play Mothers and Sons which has been nominated for a Tony Award®.

 YOUTUBE: News from across the pond - Episode one if Don’t Let Go is now available on YouTube. The musical film is by Jacob William, a recent Goldsmiths University graduate, and is produced by Seth Chan and directed by Bella Barlow. Don’t Let Go tells the story of Tom (played by William) who, after a car accident leaves him in a wheelchair, fights to save the girl he loves (Annie Kirkman) from an abusive relationship (Roy Ryan). Featuring ten original songs performed live and characters like a reggae-singing Grandma (played by Juliette Kaplan of BBC’s Last Of The Summer Wine), Don’t Let Go is a heartwarming and heartbreaking story about embracing life and love in the face of sheer adversity. For more information, go to www.dontletgo.co.uk or www.jacobwilliam.co.uk or check out the video below.


CABARET: Eric Petersen and wife Lisa Marie Morabito will co-host A Little New Music 5 at Rockwell: Table & Stage, June 10 at 8:00 pm. The evening will showcase songs by award-winning writers Buck & Acquisto, Michael Gordon Shapiro, Drew Fornarola, Adam Gwon, Andrew Gerle, Michael Finke, Rosser & Sohne, Atkins & Segal, Salmond & Aronson, Defoe & Sinutoke, Wilmott & Stevens, Sankoff & Hein, and Daniel Maté, with special appearances by musical comedy duo Schoolcraft & Murray, and Milburn & Vigoda. Performers include Julie Tolivar, Anne Torsiglieri, Jennifer Hubilla, Joey Haro, Sophie Oda, Joseph Morales, Amanda Kruger, Daniel David Stewart, Elise Dewsberry, Kailey Swanson, Cassidy Barnes, Travis Joe Dixon and more. Musical Director is Bryan Blaskie. Doors open at 6:30. www.alittlenewmusic.org

ANMT NEWS: The Academy for New Musical Theatre presents three brand new 15-minute musicals on June 23 and 24 at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood. The annual 15 Minute Musicals are a decades-long tradition at ANMT and conclude each season’s Core Curriculum of the writers’ workshop, which has been in existence for over 40 years. This season’s theme is Can’t Get Enough: three short musicals about addiction. Shows featured includes The Lover: A Tale of Obsessive Love by Grace Jasmine (book & lyrics) and Ron Barnett (music), Smartest Zombie at Harvard by Bryon Richards (book), Natalie Elder (lyrics) and Marc Macalintal (music); and Spoilers! by Mitch Glaser (book), Mike Shapiro (lyrics) and Erik Przytulski (music). The cast features Noel Britton, Sara Gonzales, Jeffrey Landman, and Kevin Yee, directed by Joshua Finkel, and music directed by Ron Barnett. Tickets are $25 at www.anmt.org.

 SEARCH FOR NEW MUSICALS: July 15 is the submission deadline for ANMT’s annual Search for New Musicals. Entries are accepted from around the globe and winners receive awards worth up to $25,000 in workshop productions, concert readings, feedback, and developmental support. All entries will receive constructive dramaturgical feedback, and will be entered in the Search contest. The winner of the 2014 Search will be announced by November 15, and will receive a workshop with the Academy Repertory Company, detailed feedback from the ANMT staff, and will be given a concert reading in Los Angeles. Writers may submit their shows electronically via ANMT's website, or submit materials by mail after completing an online submission form. For more info go to www.anmt.org.

 ANMT’s BIZ OF THE MUSICAL THEATRE BIZ CONFERENCE will take place July 18-20 at the NoHo Arts Center in North Hollywood. Sign up by June 15 and take advantage of the $100 off early registration discount. Every other year, NMI & ANMT host a prestigious conference on the business side of the musical theatre business. Panelists include award-winning writers, artistic directors, commercial producers, entertainment lawyers, agents, union reps, and social media marketing experts. For information go to www.newmusicalsinc.net and click on DEVELOP and then CONFERENCE.

 ANMT BOOT CAMP: The Academy for New Musical Theatre is offering three courses this summer for musical theatre bookwriters and lyricists as part of the annual Musical Theatre Summer Boot Camp. They are: 

 BEATING BROADWAY - August 5, 7, 12, 14
Instructor: Scott Guy 
Tues/Thur for 2 weeks; 7-10pm 
Using Steve Cuden's book Beating Broadway, these four sessions will detail the 'beats' of the plot line of several successful Broadway musicals

 BOOK LAB - July 12, 26, August 2, 9, 16, 23 (note no July 19)
Instructor: Elise Dewsberry 
Six Saturday mornings from 10am-2pm 
The Book Lab is designed as an introduction to writing the book of a musical while also outlining the collaborative steps involved in creating a new musical with the whole team.

 OUTLINING ANYWHERE! - July 14, 21, 28; August 4, 11, 18
Instructor: Elise Dewsberry 
Six Monday evenings from 7pm-10pm 
The Outlining Lab is available in-person OR online (or a combination of the two!) Video lectures, exercises, handouts, and tests are all available online.

 For complete course details, prices, early bird discounts and registration info go to www.anmt.org and click on BOOT CAMP.

AWARDS: The Nederlander Organization and Hollywood Pantages Theatre have announced the winners of the 3rd Annual Jerry Herman Awards. KABC 7 Eyewitness News Entertainment Reporter George Pennacchio served as the master of ceremonies for the evening. Grand prize winners include Joshua Velez from HArts Academy (Pippin) and Ayla Stackhouse from Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual & Performing Arts (In The Heights). Best actor & actress runners up are Sawyer Patterson from John Burroughs High School, Kelsey Smith from Los Angeles County High School of the Arts, Nick Sparks from Oakwood High School and Julia McDermott from Mira Costa High School. Notre Dame Academy’s Luelle Robles won the “No Small Parts” Award for her role in Hairspray.

 Other award recipients include Sheldon Donenberg and Holly Gould for Best Actor and Actress respectively; Santa Monica High School (Pippin) for Best Musical Staging or Choreography; Marina High School (Crazy for You) for Best Costumes; The Academy of Music at Hamilton High School (Anything Goes) for Best Orchestra; Agoura High School (Into the Woods) for Best Scenic Design; and Chaffey High School (Monty Python’s Spamalot) for Best Technical Crew. www.JerryHermanAwards.com

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Friday, May 2, 2014

Musical News for Friday, May 2, 2014

OPENINGS: The Colony Theatre has announced its 2014-2015 season, which will include the Los Angeles premiere of Words by Ira Gershwin, April 15 – May 17, 2015 (opening night April 18). Featuring a book by Joseph Vass and lyrics by Ira Gershwin, with additional lyrics from Porgy and Bess by DuBose Hayward, music by Harold Arlen, Vernon Duke, Jerome Kern, Kurt Weill, and George Gershwin. Meet the man behind the lyrics of songs like “Fascinating Rhythm,” “The Man That Got Away,” “I Got Rhythm,” and many more as the other half of the famous Gershwin duo guides us on a trip through some of the greatest American songs ever written. Insights and tales about his legendary collaborations all frame this fascinating and inspiring evening of music and theatre. For a complete look at the Colony’s upcoming season, visit www.colonytheatre.org or call (818) 558-7000.
The Old Globe has announced the cast of Dog and Pony, a new musical with book by Rick Elice and music & lyrics by Michael Patrick Walker. From the award-winning talents behind Jersey Boys, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Altar Boyz, Dog and Pony is a romantic musical comedy that follows Mags and Andy, a successful screenwriting team, as their professional relationship evolves into something more. Tony Award winner Roger Rees will direct a cast that includes Heidi Blickenstaff (Jane, Annie), Beth Leavel (Rhoda, Doris), Eric William Morris (The Host, Jeff, Joe), Nicole Parker (Mags), and Jon Patrick Walker (Andy). May 28 – June 29. Opening night is Thursday, June 5 at 8pm. Tickets: (619) 23-GLOBE or www.TheOldGlobe.org.
The Festival of New American Musicals has announced its 7th season with 10 recommended May shows. Included are 4 world premieres: The Ghost of Gershwin, May 9-June 22 at the Lonny Chapman Theater in North Hollywood; Chasing a Song, May 13-June 15 at La Jolla Playhouse; The Witch of Blackbird Pond, May 18 at the Odyssey Theater; Dog and Pony, May 28-June 19 at The Old Globe in San Diego; and Nickel Mines, May 31-June 29 at UC Irvine. Also included among the Festival recommendations for May are: Jason Robert Brown’s The Trumpet of the Swan, May 3 & 4 at the Wallis Annenberg Center in Beverly Hills; Zack Zadek and Friends, May 4 at Rockwell Table and Stage in Hollywood; Citrus Singers’ Broadway, May 17& 18 at Citrus College in Glendora; For the Record: Quentin Tarantino, continuing at DBA in West Hollywood; and U-sical, the Improv Musicals, every Friday night at Comedysportz in Hollywood. www.lafestival.org

 The Hollywood Pantages announces a lottery for tickets to Green Day’s American Idiot, which returns to L.A. for a limited one week engagement; May 13 – 18, 2014. www.hollywoodpantages.com/Lottery

 BENEFITS: Pasadena Playhouse has confirmed some of the guests who will be in attendance for its premiere gala – Take The Lead at the Playhouse on Sunday, May 4 at 5:30 pm. They include
Nigel Lythgoe, Bonnie Lythgoe, Kris Lythgoe, Becky Baeling Lythgoe, Mandy Moore, French Stewart, Mario Lopez, Mary Murphy, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, Lindsay Arnold,  Allison Holker, Ben Vereen, Adam Shankman,  Spencer Liff, Patricia Ward Kelly, Du-Shaunt “FIK-SHUN” Stegall. Tickets: www.pasadenaplayhouse.org.

 Rubicon Theatre invites you to An Evening with Megan McGinnis and Krysta Rodriguez on Monday, May 12 at 7pm. Tickets are $125 ($75 is tax-deductible). Limited to 70 attendees. Click Here for details and reservations.

 On May 15, Rogue Machine will host its annual Benefit Gala, which will celebrate theatre through song. One Night in Santa Monica will take place 6pm – 10pm at the Santa Monica Bay Women’s Club, 1210 Fourth Street, Santa Monica, CA 9040 featuring live music, cocktails, a silent auction, and MORE. Tickets: www.roguemachinetheatre.com.   

 CABARET/CONCERTS: Due to popular demand, Jeremy Jordan’s concert, with special guest Ashley Spencer, has added a third performance at Hollywood’s Catalina Bar & Grill on Tuesday, May 6 at 8pm in addition to the two shows scheduled for Mon. May 5 at 7:30 & 10pm. Tickets: www.ChrisIsaacsonPresents.com

 Miscast’s next show will takes place on Monday, May 19 featuring Mandy Kaplan, Todd Sherry, Will Collyer, Patrick Gomez, Wendy Rosoff, Netta Most, Mona Chatterjee, Marc Hawes, Tom Metz III, and Kathryn Lounsbery. We've got 2 new singers in songs from shows like Chicago, Les Miserables and Frozen. Seating is first come, first served. Dinner and Drinks at 6:30pm, Show at 8pm. $19 Cash Only at the door. Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal, 5303 Lanksershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA. Reservations: (818) 754-8700. Proceeds go to Project Angel Food.

 Mary Wilson, indelibly known as one of The Supremes, joins the cast of STAGE Goes to the Movies, which takes place on Saturday, May 10, at the historic Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. Tickets: www.stagela.com

 The Oak Ridge Boys will appear at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts for two performances only, May 17 at 2pm and 8pm. Tickets: (562) 944-9801 or www.lamiradatheatre.com.

 Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation presents The Temptations, for the final performance in its inaugural season, on Saturday, June 7 at 8pm. Tickets:  www.arcadiapaf.org or call (626) 821-1781. The theatre is located at 188 Campus Drive at North Santa Anita Avenue, Arcadia CA 91007.

 Venice, the band created by and consisting of members of the Lennon Sisters family will appear at the Grove Theatre one night only, May 18 at 6pm. Tickets: (909) 920-4343 or www.grovetheatre.com. The Grove Theatre is located at 276 E. Ninth Street, Upland, CA 91786.

 The men of Black Hi-Lighter (the Highland Park, glitter-garage psych rock band) are set to take the stage on Saturday, May 17 at the Viper Room in West Hollywood for the second installment of their buzzworthy residency series, The Black Hi-Lighter Affair. They will be joined by Toy Bombs and Washing Machines for this appearance. www.blackhi-lighter.com

 CLASS: Pat Whiteman will offer her Summer Musical Performance Workshop Sunday afternoons in June and July (June 15, 22, 29 and July 6 13). 1:30-4:30 pm at Madilyn Clark Studios, 10852 Burbank Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601. Ron Snyder at the piano. Cost: $395/six week class ($150 deposit will hold your space). Work on any type of material you’d like (pop, rock, musical theater, country, standards) for  anything you want: audition pieces, studio work, upcoming performances, cabarets, one/two person shows or acts, or just getting your voice out into the universe  in a safe, supportive environment, etc. The class will culminate with a performance at a local club. www.patwhiteman.com

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Saturday, January 18, 2014

Musical News for Saturday, January 18, 2014

MUSICALS: The Festival of New American Musicals will present a reading of Going Hollywood on Jan. 22 & 23 starring Vicki Lewis, Adam Wylie, Anneliese Van Der Pol, and Tim Martin Gleason. Going Hollywood is a jolly, hilarious and very musical version of the brilliant Kaufman and Hart comedy, Once in a Lifetime, featuring book by Joe Leonardo & David Zippel, lyrics by David Zippel, and music by Jonathan Sheffer. The reading will be directed by Joe Leonardo, with musical direction by Gerald Sternbach. To reserve FREE tickets, email info@lafestival.org with date you’d like to attend (January 22nd or 23rd) and the name(s) of each person in your party. You will receive an email confirmation. Showtime is 7:30 pm at Barnsdall Gallery Theatre 4800 Hollywood Blvd. LA 90027. (2 blocks West of Vermont Ave.) www.lafestival.org.
A one-night-only concert performance of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera has been set for Tuesday, February 4 at 8:00 pm at Hollywood’s legendary King King Club. The concert will take place just a few days before the start of the 2014 Olympics, which is also the 20th anniversary of the lead pipe assault heard ‘round the world and their subsequent skate-off at the 1994 Winter Olympics. The librettist is Elizabeth Searle and music is by Michael Teoli. The concert version of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera will be choreographed and directed by NAACP and Ovation Award-winner Janet Roston. Proceeds from the evening will go to support Celebration Theatre. 

 This high energy and darkly comic show takes the audience on a wild, hilarious, and insightful ride. The true over-the-top tale contains operatic themes with twists so outrageous they seem invented as the piece explores our celebrity-crazed-society, the public’s hunger for salacious scandal, and the media’s drive for tabloid fodder. The concert staging will include a full rock band, vocals, and visuals and star Michael Ballestero, Jordan Kai Burnett, Sarah Chaney, Joe Donohoe, Michael Shaw Fisher, Maegan McConnell, Jesse Merlin, Suzanne Petrela, Michael Shepperd, Jeff Sumner, and Laura L. Thomas. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the show. Doors open at 7pm for bar service. A live DJ will be spinning before and after the performance. The King King Club is located at 6555 Hollywood Blvd in Hollywood, 90028. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased online at www.celebrationtheatre.com or by phone at (323) 960-9234.

The west coast premiere of the new musical Battledrum will take place March 7 – April 19 at Sierra Madre Playhouse. Gala opening nights are Fri., March 7 and Sat., March 8 at 7:00 pm and include a champagne reception. Set during the Civil War, Battledrum depicts the stories of three drummer boys serving in the Union Army. There’s Rufus, a Kentucky war orphan recruited after his home has been burned to the ground; Jackson, bound into service by his parents; and George Washington, a runaway slave who got lost on the path of the Underground Railroad. Drummer boys were pivotal to the conduct of a skirmish, but the three lads are nonetheless youths, thrown into the heat of the bloodiest conflict ever conducted on American soil. Battledrum embraces an important segment of American history, a traumatic chapter when courage, brotherhood and patriotism could keep you alive.

 Book & lyrics are by Doug Cooney and music is by Lee Ahlin. Battledrum is directed by Christian Lebano and is double-cast. The company includes Joseph Ahearn, Tara Bopp, Will Cespedes, Kaitlin Cornuelle, Patrick Dillon Curry, DJ Harner, Jon Monastero, Mark Ostrander and Alexandra Wright. Each performance will include a post-show talk led by a historian on California’s role in the Civil War and featured actors from the show. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024. www.sierramadreplayhouse.org
GENE KELLY: The Pasadena Playhouse Theatre is pleased to present Gene Kelly: The Legacy, An Evening with Patricia Ward Kelly for two performances only – Saturday, March 1 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, March 2 at 2:00 pm. During a unique evening, Patricia Ward Kelly - his widow, biographer and the person who knew him best - presents an intimate portrait of this dynamic and innovative artist who created some of the most memorable and iconic scenes in film history. Patricia Kelly’s compelling presentation combines rare and familiar film clips, previously unreleased audio recordings, personal memorabilia, and insights culled from her hours of interviews and conversations with her husband. Tickets are priced from $15 - $70. Also, available is a VIP ticket which includes a Preshow Meet & Greet with Mrs. Kelly and a reception for $150.00. For tickets call (626) 356-7529 or go to www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org. Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101.

 WIN TICKETS: The Book of Mormon is giving you an opportunity to win a pair of tickets to the show by participating in a social media scavenger hunt on Saturday Jan 18 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm PST. They will be sharing clues on Facebook, Twitter and Instragram teasing the locations of hidden doorbells around Los Angeles. To play along, follow The Book of Mormon on Twitter (@BookOfMormon), Instagram (TheBookOfMormon) or Facebook (TheBookOfMormonOnBroadway) and the hashtag #BOMHunt. One entry is allowed per person. Winners must show valid ID at The Pantages box office.
AUDITIONS: Director/choreographer Miriam Durrie-Kirsch is having another day of auditions for the role of JIMMY in Conejo Players Theatre’s upcoming production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. You don’t even need to prepare a song (although having a selection in your back pocket is always a good idea). Just head over to Conejo Players on Sunday, Jan. 19 at 10:00 am. You’ll learn some of Jimmy’s music, as well as a short dance combo. Come ready to move, or bring a change of clothing. There may also be some cold reading from the script. Character description: Jimmy Smith: (Male mid 20s-40s) Self-assured, quick-witted, and charming with a good sense of comedic timing. Tenor with solid high A. Good mover; dancer a plus. www.conejoplayers.org
CABARET/CONCERTS: Ryan O’Connor and Musical Mondays Los Angeles have announced the upcoming appearance of Broadway’s Eden Espinosa (Wicked, Brooklyn, Rent) in a Free performance at Eleven Nightclub in West Hollywood on Monday, January 20 at 10:00 pm. Espinosa is making appearances throughout the U.S. to celebrate the release of her award winning debut solo album , Look Around, now available on iTunes, Amazon, Cd Baby, and www.EdenEspinosa.com. Eleven Nightclub is located at 8811 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069. For more info visit www.eleven.la

Upcoming concerts at the Grove Theatre in Upland include legendary Grammy Award winner Bryan Duncan, on February 1 at 7:00 pm. Duncan brings his powerful voice and charming humor to a family-friendly concert featuring classic hits like “Maybe I’m Amazed” and “Love You With My Life” along with new songs like “I See You.” Then on February 8, R&B singer Virgil Gibson headlines Remember the Magic, a concert that brings back the great sounds of the doo-wop era featuring tunes like “Only You,” “Up On The Roof,” “In The Still Of The Night,” “You Send Me,” “My Girl,” “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” and many more. http://grovetheatre.com/

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Tuesday, March 5, 2013

What's Happening Around Town for March 5, 2013

Little House on the Prairie-oke!
Little House on the Prairie-oke!, a musical mashup of the beloved television series with karaoke hits of the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and beyond opens April 5th at Cavern Club Celebrity Theater. Conceived, written, and directed by Dane Whitlock with choreography by Joseph Corella, Little House on the Prairie-oke! combines iconic episodes of the beloved television series with cross generational karaoke standards that will surely appeal to all – Party in the U.S.A., Call Me Maybe, Sweet Child O’ Mine, Love Shack, Sweet Caroline, Total Eclipse of the Heart, Hit Me With Your Best Shot - and more. Laura Ingalls, Ma, Pa, Almanzo, Nellie Oleson have never looked or sounded so good. The cast features comedy and internet sensation Drew Droege as Nellie Oleson with international Broadway musical star Tom Lowe as Almanzo Wilder, along with Sydney Blair, Mark Rowe, Jennifer Blake, Frances Chewning, Brad Griffith, Rae Dawn Hadinger, Matthew Herrmann, Amy Procacci and Libby Baker as Laura Ingalls. Produced by Joseph Chianese and Vickie Mendoza, Little House opens April 5 for a limited engagement at the Cavern Club Celebrity Theatre at Casita del Campo, 1920 Hyperion Avenue, Silverlake CA 90027. Performances are Friday and Saturday night at 9:00 pm. For tickets go to www.brownpapertickets.com or visit www.cavernclubtheater.com.

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Show Search Finals!
Want to watch the Finals of the Festival of New American Musicals’ Show Search coming up March 23rd? Tickets are free and you can also join in the fun at the reception following the competition. (Tickets are $10 paid at door). Show Search is a national search for the best 10-minute musical, written by 13 - 25 year olds, hosted by FNAM Spokesman, Darren Criss. They will perform one night only at the beautiful Cortines Arts High School in Downtown Los Angeles. The musicals will be judged on storytelling, musicality, performance, and originality. Director Richard Israel has staged each of the musicals with an equity ensemble, and the Judges will award one “Best Musical” Scholarship to the 16-18 year olds and one to the 19 - 25 year olds. CLICK HERE for more details.  Here are the six finalists:

 TODAY'S THE DAY: (Garrison Hall and Alexa Russo)
Best friends, Sam, Molly, and her twin brother, Mike, are quickly approaching high school graduation when they realize there are some things they each need to confess to each other before their lives change forever. This story, filled with friendship and newfound vulnerability, explores the possibilities of deciding that “Today's The Day.” 

 OCCUPY! THE MUSICAL: (Alex Karukas)
A farce on the modern social movement, Occupy! tells the story of a lone man who goes on a whirlwind adventure through New York City to find his place in the world. On the way, he meets a kooky cast of characters and learns all about the Occupy Wall Street movement...and himself! 

 NORA, I ADORE YA: (Bob Kelly and Kelly Pomeroy)
David, a shy high school freshman struggles to work up the courage to ask Nora to dance at the upcoming winter formal. Nora, elated because the most popular boy in school has bumped into her, is completely oblivious of David's intentions. 

 JOHNNY THE PAPERBOY: (Dayna Smith, Amanda Baschnagel, Alex Smith)
Johnny is a musical set in the near future where all communication is through computers and technology. When the Internet is stolen, a group of kids must connect in a way they never have before to get it back - through paper! 

 PRE-SCHOOL: (Oliver Houser and James Zebooker)
The sweet and nurturing preschool teacher Ms. White is challenged when the compassionless Teacher Turner is brought in to teach alongside her. 

 INEXPERIENCED LOVE: (Jacob Tischler, Benjamin Viertel)
Take this fast-paced plunge into the mystery of new love with Jameson and Ruthie. He has always considered himself unworthy romantic material, but she has obsessed over Jameson for fourteen wishful years. Now they must battle their deep-seeded insecurities as fate flings them together.

 Good luck all!

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Don’t Tell Mama LA Needs Pianists
The brand new venue, Don’t Tell Mama Los Angeles, is looking for pianists who have the following skills:
- must be a great sight reader of every style of popular music (broadway, pop, rock, jazz, etc.)
- must have accompanying skills for vocal talent
- must be able to sing and entertain a room
- must have an extensive repertoire of a variety of music
- must be able to field requests (from Gershwin to The Beatles to Katy Perry). 

 Tips can be substantial and there is a lot of flexibility. Contact Ryan O'Connor at 917-225-4446 or roco24@gmail.com.

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LAWTF’s A Perfect 20!
The Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival will present a star-studded Emerald Anniversary, A Perfect 20! marking 20 years producing close to 500 extraordinary multicultural and multi-disciplined solo performers from around the globe. The Festival will be held March 21 – 24 at the Renberg Theatre located at the LA Gay & Lesbian Center, 1125 McCadden Place, Hollywood, CA 90038, and on March 27 at Ivy Substation at 9070 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232. For a complete look at the fabulous entertainment for the event, as well as a list of performances that are part of the Festival, go to www.lawtf.org.

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The 2013 L.A. Stage Talks Series

Exploring the cultural landscape of Los Angeles. Events will include members of the creative community, engaging in a moderated dialogue with each other and the attendees of the event (both in person and online)! Talks begin at 7:00pm and are also planned to be livestreamed on LASTAGETimes.com. Topics include:

 March 19: Professionalism in the American Theatre: What does it mean in Los Angeles and Beyond?

 April 22: Artistic Philanthropy in Los Angeles: What motivates our Philanthropists to support the Theatre?

 June 24: Religion and the Arts: How can they Connect to One Another – and What Stops Them?

 July 1:  What am I Hearing? The Aural Life of the Theatre.

 August 6:  Choreographic Transformation: How is Dance Created and Integrated Across Styles and Mediums?

 CLICK HERE for details about all of the talks.

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Tuesday, January 29, 2013

What's Happening Around Town for January 29, 2013

Musical Fools Premieres
Ramon C. Cortines High School for the Visual and Performing Arts is proud to present Neil Simon’s Musical Fools, a world premiere musical version of Fools, Neil Simon’s funny tale of a Russian village that is under a strange and wacky curse. Performances will take place at 450 N. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA  90012. Parking is free. Show times are January 31st (4:00 pm), February 1st (7:00 pm), and February 2nd (2:00 pm & 7:00 pm)  
General Admission Tickets are $12; Students $7
Purchase tickets at the box office or www.seatyourself.biz.
For more information, call (213) 217-8600.
MusicalFools is part of the Festival of New American Musicals.

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Lost Moon Radio Conducts Experiment in Comedy
Lost Moon Radio presents its all-new show Lost Moon Radio: Episode 13, February 8 - 16 at Cafe-Club Fais DoDo. Audiences will experience an evening of original sketches and songs exploring the theme of Science and Technology. From Darwin’s diary to artificial intelligence, this episode will make you question why you ever stopped watching Mr. Wizard. Each performance is followed by a musical set from one of Los Angeles's most talented indie bands.

The episode features actors Ryan Harrison, Dan Mahoney, Frank Smith, Dan Oster, and Jen Burton as well as musicians Rich Ramberg, Michael Wells, Dylan Ris, and Brenton Kossak. Lost Moon Radio is written by Ryan Harrison, Frank Smith, Dylan Ris and Dan Oster, directed by Martha Marion, produced by Trish Hadley, and stage managed by Gianna Masi. Cafe-Club Fais Do-Do, 5257 West Adams Blvd.,  Los Angeles, CA 90016. Tickets are $15 online or at the door. Valentine’s Weekend Packages are offered at $50/couple and include reserved seating, a free CD and number of other surprise treats. Tickets and information are available at www.lostmoonradio.com.

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Who’s Tweeting?
Looking for some Southern California theatre folks to follow on Twitter? Here are a few we think are just great.


 Theatres & Theatre Companies:
The Pantages  @Pantages
Center Theatre Group  @CTGLA
Colony Theatre  @ColonyTheatre
The Old Globe  @TheOldGlobe
Sacred Fools  @SacredFoolsLA
La Mirada Theatre  @LaMiradaTheatre
International City Theatre @ICTLongBeach
Theatre at Boston Court  @BostonCourt
Coeurage Theatre Co. @coeurage
3-D Theatricals  @3DTShows

Theatre & Entertainment News:
Footlights Publishers Inc @Footlights LA
Bitter Lemons  @LABitterLemons
LA Stage Alliance  @LAStageAlliance
BroadwayWorld LA  @BroadwayWorldLA
Lisa Fung, The Wrap @lfung
Performing Arts Live  @PALive
Huffington Post Arts & Culture  @HuffPostArts
Arts Orange County  @SparkOC
Audra Stafford  @SDEntertainment
LA Arts Commission  @LACountyArts

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 Nuttin’ But Hutton Premieres
Nuttin’ But Hutton, LLC presents a world premiere musical event, Nuttin’ But Hutton, A Musical Tribute To The Songs Of Betty Hutton! Conceived by Diane Vincent, with book by Diane Vincent & Sam Kriger, musical direction by Sam Kriger, choreographed by Lee Martino and directed by Larry Raben. The musical features over 20 show-stopping musical numbers, sophisticated 1940’s style vocal arrangements, a multi-media look at her legendary life while using a fresh approach in telling the superstar’s story and all backed by a powerhouse six-piece band. The cast will feature Diane Vincent as Dee Dee, Nathan Holland as Buster Heymeister, Chad Borden as Tom, Daniel Guzman as Dick and Jeffrey Scott Parsons as Harry. Nuttin’ But Hutton will begin previews on Friday, March 8 and will open on Saturday, March 16 at 8pm and will run for seven weeks through Sunday, April 28 at the NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd. (at Lankershim) in North Hollywood. For tickets, please call 1-800-595-4849 or visit www.nuttinbuthutton.com.

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