Monday, March 31, 2014

Musical News for Monday, March 31, 2014

OPENINGS: The full cast has been announced for Pasadena Playhouse production of Vanessa Claire Stewart’s STONFACE. The production, which enjoyed a run in 2012 at Sacred Fools Theatre Company, will play at The Playhouse June 3 - 29, with a press opening on Sunday, June 8. The almost original cast includes French Stewart (Third Rock From The Sun) as Buster Keaton, Jake Broder (Joseph Schenck), Tegan Ashton Cohan (Natalie Talmadge), Conor Duffy (Edward Sedgewick/George Jessel), Joe Fria (Young Buster), Scott Leggett (Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle), Guy Picot (Charlie Chaplin), Rena Strober (Eleanor Norris/Norma Talmadge) and Pat Towne (Louis B. Mayer). Joining them will be Tony Award-winning actress, Daisy Eagan as Mae. STONEFACE is directed by Jaime Robledo, with music by Ryan Johnson, choreography by Natasha Norman, stunt choreography by Andrew Amani, and projection design by Ben Rock & Anthony Backman.

 Chronicled through the lens of his own silent films, STONEFACE recreates some of Buster Keaton’s most memorable gags live on stage, capturing the legend of a bygone era and telling the tale of the redemption of one of Hollywood’s greatest performers. You can read my review of the Sacred Fools production Here. It was a theatre highlight of the year and I highly recommend that you get your tickets now for what is certain to be a terrific version at The Playhouse. The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101. Tickets (626) 356-7529 or www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org.
Congrats to One More Productions at The GEM Theatre, who has officially reopened after a two-year hiatus caused by a devastating fire. Their next production is VIOLET, the story of a young woman on a quest to find beauty and love after a childhood accident left her scarred. In hopes that a televangelist can heal her, she hops on a Greyhound bus and embarks on the journey of a lifetime. Violet features a hit gospel, rock, country, and rhythm & blues score by Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and Brian Crawley. The show runs April 12 – May 4, Thurs. – Sat. at 8pm and Sun. at 2pm. The new season also includes Evita (June 26 – July 20), Gypsy (Aug. 21 – Sept. 14), Assassins (Oct. 9 – Nov. 2), and The Holiday GEM (Nov. 28 – Dec.21). For tickets and information call (714) 741-9550 x. 225 or visit www.onemoreproductions.com.

 EXTENDED: Wild Songs and Naked Souls has extended through May 18 at T.U Studios in North Hollywood. This world premiere engagement of a new musical revue, conceived and directed by Gloria Gifford, features writings of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Robert Browning, Napoleon Bonaparte, George Sand, Isadora Duncan, Lord Byron, Omar Khayyam, Sei Shonagon and Wanda Gag with music by John Scott and Gloria Gifford. Saturdays at 8:00, Sundays at 7:30. Tickets: (310) 366-5505 or www.tix.com.
CHILDREN’S SHOWS: Creating Arts brings back its one hour mini-musical versions of Snow White and Wizard of Oz in April. The productions incorporate their trademark “flexible fourth-wall” which allows some scenes to be viewed like a “regular” theatrical musical or play with audience members watching the performers on stage, and other scenes experienced interactively, encouraging the audience to participate with the performers in the scene. They are perfect for very young children, the first time patron, or anyone who loves to sing along.

 Snow White, a Pint Size Play for Ages 3 and up, runs April 12 – May 11 (Saturdays 12:00 – 1:00 pm & Sundays 1:00 – 2:00 pm). It combines film and projection with live action and music for a play that pulls you right in, plus blackouts, strobe-lights and fog for special effects. Wizard of Oz, a Mini Musical for Ages 3 and up, runs April 12 – May 11 (Saturdays 2:00 – 3:00 pm & Sundays 3:00 – 4:00 pm). This fun show is a cinematic-theatrical-interactive-musical experience that blends film and screen technology with live action for a unique show that parents and kids will all enjoy. Come boo for the witch, cheer for Dorothy and her friends, sing, dance and interact while introducing your children to a classic. All performances take place at Promenade Playhouse, 1404 3rd St. Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Tickets ($12.00 for children and  $20.00 for adults) are available  by calling (310) 804-0223 or visiting www.creatingarts.org.

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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Musical News for Tuesday, February 25, 2014


Musical Theatre West has announced its 2014-2015 “Big Broadway” season of shows. Season tickets are available now by calling (562) 856-1999 x 4 or online at www.musical.org. The season will include:

 BIG FISH (first production since its Broadway debut)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 16, 2014
Book by John August, Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Based on the film by Tim Burton
Featuring the original Broadway sets and costumes

 SOUTH PACIFIC
Feb. 12 – March 1, 2015
Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein
Book by Oscar Hammerstein and Joshua Logan

 LES MISÉRABLES
April 10 – 26, 2015
Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer
Book by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg

 SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN
July 10 –26, 2015
Based on the MGM Film with
Choreography by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly

 The new revue Wild Songs and Naked Souls (an evening of music and poetic license) will have its world premiere at T.U. Studios in North Hollywood March 1 – April 6 (opening night Sat. March 8th at 8:00 pm). Gloria Gifford directs the production which features the writings of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Robert Browning, Napoleon Bonaparte, George Sand, Isadora Duncan, Lord Byron, Omar Khayyam, Sei Shonagon and Wanda Gag, with music by John Scott and Gloria Gifford. It is produced by Jamaica Moon Productions and The GGC Players. Wild Things features dramatic interpretations of classic musings on love and life from great writers and poets of the past few centuries, along with some songs. It’s an evening of romance and fun, and despite the title, there’s no nudity involved…only the emotions are naked here. The cast includes Lauren Plaxco, Chad Doreck, Jade Warner and Bill Stevenson, as well as a revolving cast of other members of the GGC Players. Tickets: (310) 366-5505 or www.tix.com.

 The Torrance Theatre Company will present A Man of No Importance written by Terrence McNally, with music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Mar 14 – Apr 12, directed by Glenn Kelman. Musical direction is by Jared Scott. A Man of No Importance tells the story of Alfie Byrne, a bus driver in 1964 Dublin, whose heart holds secrets he can’t share with anyone but his imagined confidante, Oscar Wilde. When Alfie attempts to put on an amateur production of Wilde’s Salome in the local church hall, he must confront the forces of bigotry, shame, and the fears of others. It is a tender and beautifully woven tale of love, friendship, and coming to terms with who we are. There will be a Q&A session following the April 10th performance with the cast following the show. Tickets: (424) 243-6882 or www.torrancetheatrecompany.com
The upcoming west coast premiere of the new musical Battledrum at Sierra Madre Playhouse will feature a double cast. The “Gettysburg” cast includes Joseph Ahern, David Crane, Will Cespedes, DJ Harner, Donzell Lewis, James Simenc and Alexandra Wright. The “Vicksburg” cast includes Tara Bopp, Will Cespedes, Chris Clower, Kaitlin Cournelle, Patrick Curry, Mark Ostrander and Damone Williams. Drum master and choreographer is Ovation Award winner Ameenah Kaplan. Performances place March 7 – April 19 at Sierra Madre Playhouse with gala opening nights on Fri., March 7 and Sat., March 8 at 7:00 pm. Book & lyrics are by Doug Cooney and music is by Lee Ahlin. Battledrum is directed by Christian Lebano. 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. www.sierramadreplayhouse.org

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Sunday, September 29, 2013

Upcoming Shows Around Town for September 29, 2013

OPENINGS: 3-D Theatricals presents Legally Blonde the Musical, directed by David F.M. Vaughn, musically directed by John Glaudini and featuring choreography by Linda Love Simmons Oct. 11 – 27 at Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton and Nov. 1 – 3 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. Based on the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name, it tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner. She discovers how her knowledge of the law can help others, and successfully defends exercise queen Brooke Wyndham in a murder trial.

 Featuring music & lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin and book by Heather Hach, it stars Stephanie Wall as Elle Woods, Matt Bauer as Emmett Forrest, along with Lindsey Alley (Paulette), Jamison Lingle (Margot), Tory Trowbridge (Pilar), Micaela Martinez (Serena), Matthew Benedict (Warner Huntington III), Carly Nykanen (Vivienne Kensington), Christopher Carothers (Professor Callahan), Emma Degerstedt (Brooke Wyndham), Kristen Pickrell (Enid), and Frankie (as Bruiser). The ensemble includes Nick Adorno, Sydney Blair, Brad Fitzgerald, Melissa Glasgow, Amy Glinskas, Laleh Khorsandi, Madison Mitchell, Robert Ramirez, Jake Saenz, Cameron Sczempka, Brian Steven Shaw, Christian Villanueva, Drew R. Williams, Matthew Williams, Stephanie Wolfe. Tickets: (714) 589-2770 x 1 or www.3DTshows.com 

 T.U. Studios will be filled with music Oct. 5 – Nov. 10 as the venue plays host to two new musical revues. Saturdays at 8:00 pm Liquid Love features love songs performed by established vocal stars including Lucy Walsh (daughter of The Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh) on Oct. 5 and Oct. 19; Chad Doreck (from the reality TV series “Grease: You’re The One That I Want” on Oct. 26 and Nov. 2; and Gloria Gifford (WB recording contract singer) on Oct. 12 and Nov. 9. Musical director: Stuart Elster.

 Sundays at 7:00 pm All I Want Is Magic presents a dozen terrifically talented twenty-somethings who are up-and-comers in the world of vocal music. The cast includes Jolee Blon, Kelly Britain, Kevin Ferris, Niousha Jafarian, Zach Kilian, Abigail Kochunas, Christian Maltez, Tahlia McCollum, Lauren Plaxco, Cynthia San Luis, George Steeves and Shiela Tejada. Musical director: Jeff Rizzo. T.U. Studios, 10943 Camarillo St. North Hollywood, CA 91602. Tickets: (310) 366-5505 or www.tix.com 

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