Monday, August 29, 2016

MUSICAL NEWS for Monday, August 29, 2016


MUSICAL NEWS
An all-star ensemble joins For The Record when it returns to Los Angeles with a new production, For The Record: Scorsese - American Crime Requiem, kicking off the 2016-17 season at The Wallis, Sept 21-Oct 16. Show will feature Tony Award-winner John Lloyd Young, Tony Award-nominee Carmen Cusack, American Idol’s Pia Toscano, Lindsey Gort (The Carrie Diaries), Grammy Award-nominee B. Slade, and For The Record alums James Byous, Dionne Gipson, Olivia Harris, Doug Kreeger, Justin Mortelliti, Jason Paige, and Zak Resnick. The performance will highlight 40 years of Scorsese’s storytelling through films like GoodFellas, Casino, The Departed, The Wolf of Wall Street and more on a massive four tier stage.

 “Over the past year, we have been expanding the For The Record brand outside of Los Angeles by presenting our 1980’s inspired Brat Pack show on the Norwegian Cruise Line’s Escape, opening Baz (Luhrmann) - Star Crossed Love at The Palazzo Theater in Las Vegas, and most recently announcing a partnership with dick clark productions and ABC to develop the series as live musical events for the network,” said co-creator/Executive Producer Shane Scheel. “We are thrilled to finally be back home in Los Angeles with this new partnership at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.” www.thewallis.org
Cabrillo Music Theatre has never produced Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice’s Evita but that all changes this fall when they stage the classic for the first time, October 14-23. Roger Castellano directs a cast led by Cassandra Murphy as Eva Peron, Marc Ginsburg as Che, David Kirk Grant as Juan Peron, and Bill Ledesma as Agustin Magaldi in the rags-to-riches story of Eva Duarte Peron, actress-turned-First Lady of Argentina. Choreography is by Cheryl Baxter, Dr. Cassie Nickols will music direct, and Dan Redfeld returns to conduct the Cabrillo Music Theatre Orchestra www.cabrillomusictheatre.com
The Garage Theatre brings on the gore with Evil Dead: The Musical based on the iconic films The Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2, and Army of Darkness. When asked whether or not audience members should watch the films before attending, director Matt Kollar says, “Watch them right now, they’re classics! And some are apparently on YouTube, so there’s no excuse. The collective enthusiasm of our design teams, actors, and musicians traces all the way back to The Evil Dead, that low-budget 1981 video nasty that was outright banned in certain countries. Of course, those who haven’t seen the films will still have a great time, but be warned: this ain’t Gilbert & Sullivan!” Cast includes Steven Frankenfield, Jazzy Jones, Hollie Sokol, Austin Book, Nori Tecosky, Timmy Red, and Paul Scott. www.thegaragetheatre.org

 Chromolume Theatre presents Jason Robert Brown’s song-cycle Songs For A New World, directed by James Esposito, with musical direction by Daniel Yokomizo, Sept 9-25. Cast includes Bailey Humiston, Matt Mancuso, Teresa Tracy, Kenny Gary, Samantha Lawrence, James Esposito, and Bonnie Sludikoff. The show is about “one moment, hitting a wall and having to make a choice, or to take a stand, or to turn around and go back.” www.crtheatre.com

Pilobolus' Shadowland. Photo by Ian Douglas

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Pilobolus’ amazing spectacle of inventiveness, Shadowland, returns to Southern California on Sunday, Oct 2 at 3:00pm to kick-off VPAC’s popular Family Matinee Series. Created by famed dance company Pilobolus after years of experimentation with short-form shadow play, Shadowland is part shadow act, part dance, part circus and part concert. It was conceived in collaboration with Steven Banks, lead writer for the playfully surreal animated series SpongeBob SquarePants, and is propelled by a rhythmic original score by David Poe. Shadowland is the storybook journey of a young girl coming of age, funny and sensational, told with Pilobolus’ signature fusion of shadow, theatre and dance. valleyperformingartscenter.org


 The Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation presents the Shanghai Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China on Friday, Sept 23 at 8pm. For over fifty years, the Shanghai Acrobats have proven to be one of the most influential and competitive acrobatic companies in China. The company’s acrobats, jugglers and contortionists create a performance highlighted by specially designed backdrops, lighting and music that promises to entertain and enlighten people of all ages. www.arcadiapaf.org

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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, March 4, 2014

Musical News for Tuesday, March 4, 2014

OPENINGS: The Visceral Company has announced its 2014 season production schedule. Included in the lineup are a fresh from off-Broadway west coast premiere (Recall), an LA premiere and the company’s first musical production (Zombies from the Beyond), plus two world premiere productions developed by The Visceral Company (The Call of Cthulhu and a still-in-development holiday show). You can read all about the shows on their website but Zombies from the Beyond looks especially hilarious. This rarely performed musical comedy is a sendup of 1950s B-movies and takes a satirical look at American ideals and foibles in the Eisenhower era. Cold War and space race paranoia threaten the good folks at the fictional Milwaukee Space Center in 1955 when a flying saucer lands. The craft is piloted by Zombina, a buxom alien aviatrix bent on procuring he-specimens to repopulate her planet. The show brings the 1950s nostalgically and hilariously to life with a tuneful, toe-tapping score. Its long-delayed LA debut will be part of the 2014 Hollywood Fringe Festival, May 30 – July 20. Book, music, and lyrics are by James Valcq (co-writer of the musical The Spitfire Grill) and the show will be directed by Dan Spurgeon, with musical direction by Garth Herberg and choreography by Anna Safar. The company performs at the Lex Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave., Hollywood, CA. www.thevisceralcompany.com

Chromolume Theatre has announced its cast for Altar Boyz, directed by Kristin Towers-Rowles, featuring choreography by Samantha Whidby and musical direction by Richard Berent. The show runs April 4 – May 11. Purchase now and save 20% off by using the code AB20 (through March 15). Altar Boyz is a foot-stomping, rafter-raising, musical comedy about a fictitious Christian boy-band on the last night of their national “Raise the Praise” tour. The Boyz are five all-singing, all-dancing heartthrobs from Ohio: Matthew (Craig McEldowney), Mark (Michael Marchak), Luke (Jason Chacon), Juan (Joey Acuna, Jr.) and Abraham (Tyler Vess). With their tight harmonies and spectacular choreography, the Altar Boyz will delight you as they perform their signature hits such as "Rhythm In Me," "The Calling," and "I Believe." The Boyz question their loyalty to each other and ask whether or not faith is really holding them together. Will they deliver a message of unity or go their separate ways as many of their boy-band brethren have? Attend their final concert and find out! Click Here for tickets.
    
The Garage Theatre in collision with Alive Theatre are celebrating 10 years on 7th Street in Long Beach with a diverse 2014 lineup that includes Bertolt Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera. Dates for the show are August 1 – 30 and the production will be directed by Eric Hamme, with musical direction by Ellen Warkantine. Often described as brutal, scandalous, perverted and humorous; The Threepenny Opera is one of the earliest and most successful attempts to introduce jazz into the theatre. Season Subscriptions are on sale at www.thegaragetheatre.org or by calling (562) 433-8337. Single tickets go on sale Monday, March 10th. The season will also include:

 Sans Merci by Johnna Adams, directed by Katie Chidester
April 4 – 26, 2014

 Night And Her Stars by Richard Greenberg, directed by Matthew Anderson
May 30 – June 28, 2014

 Pink Milk by Alex Paul Young, directed by Ashley Allen
Oct. 3 – Nov. 1, 2014

 11th Annual Holiday Melodrama, written and directed by Jamie Sweet
December 5 – 20, 2014
CABARET/CONCERTS: Join Color & Light Theatre for an evening of music and a round of pints during A St. Patty’s Day Celebration, an Irish concert of tunes from the lucky isle, including songs from Hansard’s Once. Bringing a bit of Ireland to the blessedly-warm SoCal, this show offers a rollicking and heartwarming way to ring in the holiday the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day. The jamboree is a toast to what riles us up, what knocks us down, and what makes us happy to be alive. Tickets: www.ColorandLightTheatre.org

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Sunday, December 2, 2012

What's Happening Around Town for December 2nd


Actors Co-op Christmas Cabaret
Join Actors Co-op for their Christmas Cabaret, an evening of holiday standards with a Broadway Twist, sure to put your heart in the Christmas spirit. Now through - December 9th Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2:30 pm [*SPECIAL Saturday matinee performance December 8 at 1:30 pm in the Crossley Theatre. Tickets are a suggested donation of $10. Free admission for Actors Co-op 2012 - 2013 season subscribers. CLICK HERE for reservations or call 323.462.8460 x 300.

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Super Sidekick: The Musical Free Downloads
Michael Gordon Shapiro has released two new cast albums for Super Sidekick: The Musical – both available as free downloads. These recordings reflect your favorite children's-musical-with-ninja-koalas as performed at the 2010 Festival of New American Musicals and subsequently at the 2011 Hollywood Fringe Festival. He is offering these albums as a thank you to the many fans, sponsors, patient parents/chauffeurs of young cast members, and supporters who helped along the road from inception to publication. Enjoy!
CLICK HERE to download the 2010 cast album (then click on “free download”)
CLICK HERE to download the 2011 cast album (ditto)

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John Michael Coppola Single to Benefit Hurricane Sandy Relief
Former Chicago Jersey Boys cast member John Michael Coppola has announced the release of his new digital recording, Billy Joel’s “New York State Of Mind.” All proceeds from the sale of the single will benefit the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and the American Red Cross. Backed by a five-piece band featuring some of Chicago’s top musicians, the track includes musical contributions by Paul Langford (piano), Bob Lizik (bass), Kraig McCreary (guitar), Bob Parlier (drums), and Tom Van Kanegan (sax). Coppola’s digital single is now available at http://cdbaby.com/cd/johnmichaelcoppola. For more information on John Michael Coppola, please visit www.johnmichaelcoppola.com.

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The Garage Theatre Presents 9th Annual Holiday Melodrama
Steam Powered Rocket Ride to the Moon or Ground Control to Ging and Rod, a holiday melodrama written & directed by Jamie Sweet, now through December 16. The Garage Theatre proudly carries on its holiday tradition of providing a non-denominational holiday experience that is fun for the whole family. Free ice cream (and tofuti) will be served at intermission and we invite kids of all ages to come draw on our walls, throw (soft cloth) tomatoes at the villain and cheer your heads off for our Hero, Rod McGirdlebutt and his friends as we take a journey back in time to Long Beach circa 1933. The Garage Theatre, 251 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90810. Tickets: $12 Big Kids, $5 Little Kids. Cash at the door - first come first served. For reservations and information to to www.thegaragetheatre.org or call (866) 811-4111.

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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

ROCCOPELLA with George Spielvogel at The Garage Theatre

The Garage Theatre in Long Beach presents ROCCOPELLA, a one-man musical written by and starring George Spielvogel, star of the wildly popular Point Break Live!.

Rocco and his zany friends take you on a wild journey with laughter, music, and dancing. Watch as Rocco prepares in his bedroom for his Rock debut, and eight hysterically colorful characters enter his sorld, joining in with their comical tales and musical antics. Rock n' roll? Hip hop? Etc.? Rocco and his bunch do it all! Get yer groove on to their A-capella (nah, Rocco-Pella) song stylings and nasty wicked music videos.

ROCCOPELLA will play March 2nd and 3rd at 8:00 pm at The Garage Theatre, 251 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90810. Tickets are $10 cash at the door. Click Here for more information or call 866-811-4111.

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Monday, December 5, 2011

Terror at the Pike Returns to The Garage Theatre


Melodrama is back at The Garage Theatre with Terror at the Pike or How Come There Aren't Any Waves in Long Beach? by Jamie Sweet. Hop on the Cyclone Racer and follow the adventures of Rod, Dixie, Ging and Tricia as they match wits and witticisms with Ian Sidious. Enjoy free ice cream, partake in carnival-themed activities, and come early if you want to have your face-painted!

Originally intended as a 5 part episodic work, Jamie Sweet (Founding member and Technical Director of the Garage Theatre) went back and re-wrote part I in such a way as to ensure that the susbsequent parts needed to be tweaked a bit, too. The result? Essentially 5 new plays! Join us for Part I - TAKE 2. Plus, the show even includes musical numbers composed by one of the creators of LOLPERA, Ellen Warkentine.

The Garage Theatre proudly carries on its holiday tradition of providing a non-denominational holiday experience that is fun for the whole family. Free ice cream (and tofuti) will be served at intermission and kids of all ages are invited to come draw on the walls, throw (soft cloth) tomatoes at the villain and cheer your heads off for the Hero, Rod McGirdlebutt, and his friends on this journey back in time to Long Beach circa 1918.

The show runs through December 18. $12 Big Kids, $5 Little Kids. Click Here for reservations or call 866-811-4111.

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