Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Photo Flash: OLIVERIO: A BRAZILIAN TWIST at Lewis Family Playhouse
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| Patricia Jewel and Ella Saldana North. All photos by Ed Krieger. |
Join MainStreet Theatre Company at the Lewis Family Playhouse for the west coast premiere of OLIVÉRio: A Brazilian Twist beginning October 12th. This musical retelling of Oliver Twist is set in modern-day Rio de Janeiro and features book and lyrics by Karen Zacarías and music by Deborah Wicks La Puma. A live Brazilian band accompanies the production so get your tickets now at www.lewisfamilyplayhouse.com. Show runs October 12 - 27!
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| L-R: Reuben Uy, Gigi Bermingham, Patricia Jewel, Anthea Neri Best, Janet Greaves, and Max Torrez |
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| Ella Saldana North |
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| Patricia Jewel |
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Tuesday, April 30, 2019
First Look: The Emperor's Nightingale at Lewis Family Playhouse
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| Christine Joy, Shaun Tuazon, Miller Tai, Katy Tang, Reuben Uy and Scott Keiji Takeda. All photos by Ed Krieger |
The Emperor’s Nightingale by Damon Chua, directed by Tim Dang, with original music by Howard Ho and choreography by Tom Tsai. May 4 - 19, 2019. MainStreet Theatre Company at Lewis Family Playhouse. This adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen story is set in China during the Qing Dynasty, and Prince Bao is based on the prince who would one day become one of the greatest rulers of Imperial China. The story includes classical Chinese art forms like calligraphy, music, poetry, and dance, and is filled with humor. There is also a nod to modern hip-hop culture mashed into the classical 18th Century Chinese art forms. It’s a story the whole family can enjoy so get your tickets now at www.lewisfamilyplayhouse.com.
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| Scott Keiji Takeda |
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| Christine Joy |
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| Katy Tang |
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| Christine Joy, Katy Tang, Scott Keiji Takeda, Shaun Tuazon and Reuben Uy |
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Monday, September 29, 2014
First Look: MainStreet Theatre Company's THE THREE LITTLE PIGS
Jessica Kubzansky directs the west coast premiere of The Three Little Pigs, featuring music by George Stiles and book & lyrics by Anthony Drewe. This “very curly musical tail” from the musical team behind Honk! and Mary Poppins is full of witty word play, great music, and a Big
Bad Wolf. When Mother Pig decides it’s time to send her piglets out to make their own way in the world, Cha (the gym-rat) Siu (the environmentalist) and Bao (the bookworm) think they’re too different to live together. Cha builds his house out of sticks, Siu builds hers out of straw, and Bao builds his out of bricks. When the Big Bad Wolf comes to eat them, they realize that if they work together, they can defeat him! For ages 4 and up.
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| Michael Covert, Kyla Garcia and Joe Fria |
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| Michael Covert, Tracey A. Leigh, Joe Fria and Kyla Garcia |
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| Kyla Garcia, Joe Fria, Michael Covert, and Michael Manuel |
THE THREE LITTLE PIGS
October 4 – 19, 2014
Saturdays at 1:00 pm & 4:00 pm, Sundays at 1:00 pm
(No performance Sunday 10/5)
Lewis Family Playhouse in the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center
12505 Cultural Center Drive
Tickets: (909) 477-2752 or
www.lewisfamilyplayhouse.com
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Thursday, August 28, 2014
Musical News for Thursday, August 28, 2014
“I try to break traditions, to look at something we may have all viewed many times before and see it completely differently,” says Ezralow. “With this new company of 9 dancers, I want to build a creative home for the huge amount of repertory I’ve developed around the world. Being an eclectic artist means that I’ve been lucky enough to jump from film to TV to stage, but there’s been no way until now to collect everything into a single body of work.” Tickets: (323) 461-3673 or www.FordTheatres.org. A $5 discount is available with advance purchase by Sept. 6.
CONCERTS/CABARET: Rockwell Table and Stage announces the world premiere of ROAR, choreographed by Ambrose Respicio III, musical direction by Brian Kennedy and conceived/directed by VP Boyle. Previews September 5 & 6, show opens Friday, September 12 at 8:00 pm. The cast includes Sebastian La Cause, Matt Magnusson, Briana Cuoco, Nicci Claspell, Emily Morris, Joe Donohoe, Kyra Selman, Bianca Giselle and Lexie Galante. ROAR is an immersive theatrical event with a sexy, edgy and kinetic cast that delivers gut-wrenching vocals from songs by Katy Perry, Demi Lovato, Taylor Swift, Pink, Shakira, Rihanna, Lorde, Sia, Lady Gaga, Sara Bareilles and many more. Three young women discover what it means to be truly human when they must battle for survival in their messy, private world as it crumbles. Lover. Husband. Partner. Friend. No one is left untouched as they face the strangers they thought they knew. Rockwell Table and Stage is located at 1714 N. Vermont in Los Feliz. Tickets: (323) 669-1550 x 20 or www.rockwell-la.com.
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Labels: ford amphitheatre, lewis family playhouse, pantages, rockwell
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Review: The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Brings a Classic to Life
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| Amanda Pajer, Michael Faulkner, Doug Harvey and Josey Montana McCoy Photos by Ed Krieger |
An hour and a half east of L.A. in Rancho Cucamonga, The MainStreet Theatre Company puts on a Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) season at Lewis Family Playhouse. Of that season, one of the shows is specifically chosen for the very youngest audience members and this year it’s The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley. During the curtain speech, the producer asked who was familiar with the book and a room full of hands shot up in the air. It would be an exciting day for these young people who were eager to see how the company would bring their beloved Stanley to life.
Based on the wildly popular book by Jeff Brown, the musical follows the adventures of Stanley Lambchop (Doug Harvey), a normal young boy whose only desire is to “travel the world doing things no one has ever seen before.” One night while clowning around with his brother, Arthur (Josey Montana McCoy), Stanley makes a wish and a star falls in the sky, bringing the bulletin board above his bed to life. It falls on him while he’s asleep and, in the morning, he magically wakes up flat as a pancake.
Soon Stanley is off to see the world, thanks to the postal service, and his new ability to fit in an envelope. On his journey he meets a director in Hollywood, helps catch an art thief in Paris, and films a surfing movie in Hawaii. Everything is great…until he realizes that he misses his family and really wants to go home.
Harvey has a natural charm and a bright singing voice that makes him a likable main character. His relationship with McCoy provides some of the best comic moments in the show as they spar with lightsabers, pretend to have super powers, and make each other laugh as only little boys can. The standout musical number is their enthusiastic duet, “I Wish I Were,” an energetic pop rock song that expresses the boys’ desire to be a hero and do something great. Another is McCoy’s Hollywood Agent production number “Talent,” which is his advice to Stanley about what it takes to make it in Hollywood, complete with hats and canes and a big finish. (All of the cast members, except for Stanley, play several roles.)
The show is a perfect piece for a young audience, bringing the source material to life with broad strokes both in design and performance. The brightly colored set is a bold mix of geometric shapes made of dual-functioning movable pieces with surprising touches. Dwight Richard Odle is responsible for the versatile set as well as the three-dimensional and flat costumes. Stanley is a sight gag best viewed from the front so sit toward the middle of the house if at all possible. From the sides the optical illusion doesn’t have quite as much impact unless Stanley is further upstage, and his flatness is too much fun to miss.
The direction is crisp, dialogue and lyrics are easily understood, and there is enough audience interaction that the one-hour musical moves at a pace brisk enough to keep the kids engaged. They loved the physical jokes and the abundance of laughter throughout the show was proof positive that Stanley had succeeded in making its target audience happy.
The cast and creative team also includes Michael Faulkner (Mr. Lambchop), Ann Marie Lee (Mrs. Cartero), Amanda Pajer (Mrs. Lambchop), Janice Rodgers Wainwright (musical director), Kevin Cochran (director), Lisa Hopkins (choreography), Tom Ontiveros (lighting design) and Kevin Williams (prop designer).
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| Josey Montana McCoy, Doug Harvey, Amanda Pajer and Ann Marie Lee |
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| Doug Harvey as Flat Stanley |
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| Josey Montana McCoy, Michael Faulkner, Amanda Pajer, Doug Harvey and Ann Marie Lee |
THE ADVENTURES OF FLAT STANLEY
February 1 - 16, 2014Mainstreet Theatre Company
Lewis Family Playhouse
12505 Cultural Center Drive
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739
Tickets: 909-477-2775 x 5 or
www.lewisfamilyplayhouse.com
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Friday, June 7, 2013
What's Happening Around Town for June 7, 2013
Alan Stillson, creator of I Remember Lou presents the world premiere musical Thank You, Minerva July 23 – August 18 at The Secret Rose Theatre. In it, the beautiful Goddess Minerva is summoned down to earth by her parents Jupiter and Juno to inspire lyricists to create the hit songs we know today. The show also features original music by Alan Stillson. The cast stars Rachel Berman as Minerva, John McCool Bowers as Jupiter and Julia Shear Kusherner as Juno, along with Jackson Smith, Jonathan Byram, and Rachel Howe playing American lyricsts. The creative team includes Alan Stillson (producer/writer), Alissa-Nicole Koblentz (director), Bonnie Janofsky (musical director), Patrick T. Rogers (production manager) and Natasha Baumgardner (costume designer). Performances take place at the Secret Rose Theatre, 11246 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601 in the heart of the NoHo Arts District. Tickets are available at www.stillsonworks.com or call (818) 884-4284.
The MainStreet Theatre Company will present a world premiere, a west coast premiere, and a family friendly musical, all based on children’s literature for its 2013 – 2014 season. All three shows will be performed in the beautiful City owned and operated 536 seat Lewis Family Playhouse. The season includes:
Aesop in Rancho Cucamonga
Oct. 26 – Nov. 10, 2013
By Luis Alfaro
Directed by Robert Castro
The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley
Feb. 1 – 16, 2014
Book by Timothy Allen McDonald
Music by McDonald, Jonathan K. Waller, David Weinstein & Stephen Gabriel
Lyrics by McDonald & Waller
Directed by Kevin Cochran
The Magic Finger
May 2 – 18, 2014
Adapted by David Wood
Directed by Abigail Deser
Musical Direction by Janice Rogers Wainwright
The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley is based on the popular book by Jeff Brown and tells the story of Stanley Lambchop, a normal boy in all respects, who wants to do something amazing. One night, the bulletin board above his bed falls right on top of him– and he wakes up flat! This fun musical follows Stanley’s adventures around the globe as he mails himself to places he’s always dreamed of, including Hollywood, Paris and Honolulu, until he finally finds his way back home and becomes a three‐dimensional boy once more. For tickets and more information go to www.lewisfamilyplayhouse.com or call (909) 477‐2752.
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Thursday, February 14, 2013
What's Happening Around Town for February 14, 2013
Right Together, Left Together, an original musical by Pamela Eberhardt & Will Collyer will be presented by The Unknown Artists, February 21 – March 2 at Grove Theater Center. The new musical features book & lyrics by Eberhardt and music by Collyer, and will be directed by Nicole Dominguez, with music direction by Carmen Dominguez. The cast will feature Lucas Alifano, Jeff Scot Carey, Emily Clark, Jeni Incontro, Tripp Pettigrew-Rolapp, Katrina Rennells, and Bob Simpson. Taylor is getting married, and on the eve of her wedding, her friends come together for the rehearsal dinner to see her off… despite the fact that there’s a storm on the horizon. The charming musical combines elements of Friends, Will and Grace, Dawson’s Creek, and pretty much every late 90′s rom-com, with a piano-driven pop score, and a few inappropriate jokes for good measure. Right Together, Left Together is a guest production at GTC Burbank, 1111-b West Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA 91506. Click Here for tickets or visit http://iamanunknownartist.wordpress.com/ for more information.
♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫
The Little Engine That Could Earns Her Whistle
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts continues its 2012-13 Programs for Young Audiences series with ArtsPower’s The Little Engine That Could Earns Her Whistle, an original, new musical based on Watty Piper’s beloved children’s book, The Little Engine That Could. This 55-minute, song-filled adventure is recommended for audiences ages 4 and up. Performances are Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm.
Little Blue Engine dreams of someday leaving the train yard to pull the big cars on the main line track. But can she convince Big Silver that she is worthy of being a main line engine in this timeless tale about hard work, determination, and the meaning of true friendship. The show features a dynamic, Broadway-style score and colorful, inventive sets and costumes. It is adapted and directed by ArtsPower’s artistic director Greg Gunning, who also wrote the lyrics, while Richard DeRosa created and orchestrated the musical score. Tickets are available at www.LaMiradaTheatre.com or by calling (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310. The theatre is located at 14900 La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada, CA.
MainStreet Theatre Company will end its 7th season with an adaptation of Norton Juster’s beloved children’s classic, The Phantom Tollbooth, directed by Jessica Kubzansky. The Phantom Tollbooth will run March 30 - April 14. Often compared to Alice In Wonderland because of its wonderful wordplay and sense of playfulness, the novel has been a children’s favorite since 1962. This musical version captures all the fantasy and delight of the original and brings it vividly to life. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in Milo’s room, he follows the directions and drives through, only because he’s bored and has nothing better to do. But on the other side, things are very different. He gets stuck in the Doldrums, befriends a ticking watchdog named Tock, meets the feuding kings of Dictionopolis and Digitopolis, and goes on a quest to rescue then princesses Rhyme and Reason in order to restore harmony to the land. Along the way, Milo defeats his demons, and discovers that everything we learn has a purpose and whatever we do affects everything and everyone.
The adaptation’s book is by novelist Norton Juster and Broadway veteran Sheldon Harnick, with lyrics by Harnick, and music by Arnold Black. Sarah Gorman will provide choreography and the show’s 3 piece band will be led by musical director Janice Rodgers Wainwright. The cast includes Doug Harvey as Young Milo and Amanda Pauer as his alarm‐clock‐dog best friend, Tock, along with Gregrory North, Tim Cummings, Jane Noseworthy, Sammi Smith, and Amir Levi, all of whom will play multiple roles. The Phantom Tollbooth is appropriate for ages seven and up, and perfect for families to attend together. For tickets and information, please visit www.lewisfamilyplayhouse.com or call (909) 477-2752.
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Labels: la mirada theatre, lewis family playhouse
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Mainstreet Theatre Company Announces 2012-2013 Season
The first show of the season will be Pinkalicious the Musical, based on the bestselling book for the younger set! The show’s book is also written by book authors Elizabeth Kann & Victoria Kann, with music by John Gregor. Pinkalicious the Musical will be directed and choreographed by Sha Newman, who will add her own razzle‐dazzle to the proceedings.
The story, about a little girl who eats too many cupcakes and turns pink, has been delighting youngsters since its publication in 2006, and the musical celebrates everything pink while reminding kids that sometimes too much of a good thing is… too much!. Pinkalicious, recommended for ages 5 and up, runs October 6 - 21, 2012.
In January, MainStreet will produce the west coast premiere of an imaginative re‐telling of a much‐loved tale. Aladdin’s Luck by Janet Stanford, uses audience participation and imaginative staging to tell the familiar story with only three actors. A clever street urchin called Aladdin falls madly for the Princess Leilah when they meet by chance at the bazaar. Determined to impress her, he embarks on a search for fortune and instead finds a dingy oil lamp. But this is no ordinary lamp; it houses a magical genie who helps Aladdin masquerade as a Grand Emir to win Leilah’s hand. Leilah, however, fell for the street urchin, not the Grand Emir. Frustrated that Aladdin won’t admit who he really is, Leilah gives the lamp to an unscrupulous magician and ends up his prisoner. Now Aladdin must travel across the desert to rescue Leilah by doing the thing that scares him the most...being himself. Aladdin’s Luck, recommended for ages 5 and up, will be directed by Robert Castro, who directed MainStreet’s Ovation Recommended production of A Wrinkle in Time.
The final show of the season is the TYA musical version of The Phantom Tollbooth, based on the much loved book by Norton Juster. Often compared to Alice In Wonderland because of its wonderful wordplay and sense of playfulness, the novel celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011.
This musical version captures all the fantasy and delight of the original and brings it vividly to life! When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in Milo’s room, he follows the directions and drives through, only because he’s bored and has nothing better to do. But on the other side, things are very different! He gets stuck in the Doldrums, befriends a ticking watchdog named Tock, meets the feuding kings of Dictionopolis and Digitopolis, and goes on a quest to rescue the princesses Rhyme and Reason! Somewhere along the way, Milo realizes that life is far from dull – in fact, it’s exciting beyond his wildest dreams! The musical’s book is by Norton Juster & Sheldon Harnick, with music by Arnold Black and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. MainStreet’s production will be directed by the prolific Jessica Kubzansky.
All three productions will run for three weeks each, with performances on weekends for family audiences, and weekday morning performances for school groups. Subscriptions are available for the 2nd and 3rd weekends of each show’s run at 20% off the single ticket price.
In an effort to have more personal engagement with MainStreet’s growing audience base, the company is also starting the MainStreet Club for children and their families. Members of the club ($20 a year for one adult and 1 child) will receive a button and membership card, have access to special events related to each show, and will learn the “secret handshake”.
The Lewis Family Playhouse is conveniently located off the I‐15 at Foothill Blvd. For more info visit www.lewisfamilyplayhouse.com or call (909) 477‐2752 or (877) 858‐8422.
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Labels: lewis family playhouse
Monday, December 5, 2011
Cast and Creatives Announced for Sleeping Beauty: The Time Traveler
MainStreet Theatre Company has announced the cast and creative team for the next show of their 6th Season. Sleeping Beauty: The Time Traveler, with book by Janet Stanford, Lyrics by Andrea Dodd and Music by Deborah Wicks-La Puma, makes its west coast premiere January 28 -February 12, 2012 at Rancho Cucamonga’s Lewis Family Playhouse. Award winning director Art Manke directs, with musical direction by Janice Rodgers Wainwright.
The musical, geared to girls and boys ages 5 and up, updates the Sleeping Beauty story by sending a modern-day 5th grader who is obsessed with the Nintendo game “Zelda” back in time to the age of Charlemagne, where he meets a young Princess Aurora. Aurora longs to be a knight and go off on adventures, and doesn’t understand why her parents have never let her leave the castle walls. The two friends end up not only finding out about the curse put on Aurora when she was young, but with the help of the magic spindle, end up both living in our 21st century world – the “land of computers.”
Musical Director Janice Rodgers Wainwright will lead a 3 piece live band perched above scenic designer Michael C. Smith’s set, which will magically transform from a present day museum to a medieval castle. The creative team also includes costume designer Angela Balough Calin and lighting designer Jaymi Lee Smith.
The cast of four will star Mary Kate Wiles, last seen as spunky red-head Anne Shirley in MainStreet’s Anne of Green Gables, as Princess Aurora, and Jeffrey Todd as Rolly, the 5th grader who is more interested in Nintendo than school work. Ann Marie Lee and Gary Lamb play Aurora’s parents in the age of Charlemagne and double as Rolly’s parents in the age of computers.
Sleeping Beauty: The Time Traveler runs Saturdays at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm and Sundays at 1:00 pm (no performance on January 29th). The matinee on February 5th will be interpreted in American Sign Language. The Playhouse also runs special weekday matinees for school children, and study guides for teachers and parents are accessible on the Lewis Family Playhouse website. Click Here for ticket prices, information, and directions or call 909-477-2752 or 877-858-8422.
The Lewis Family Playhouse is located off the I-15 at Foothill Boulevard in the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center. The box office is open Monday through Friday from noon to 6:00 pm and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
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Labels: lewis family playhouse