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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Wednesday, August 17, 2016

MUSICAL NEWS for Wednesday, August 17, 2016

NEW SEASONS
Valley Performing Arts Center launches its 2016-2017 season with a one night only performance of Jerry Herman’s Dear World starring Tyne Daly as Countess Aurelia, Friday, Sept 30 at 8pm. This concert version of the show was created specifically for VPAC by veteran producer Suzi Dietz and will be directed by Emmy Award winner David Lee. Darryl Archibald will make his VPAC debut as musical director. Daly leads a cast of 13 performers, accompanied by a live 25-piece orchestra and a student chorus. The Broadway Series at Valley Performing Arts Center continues with Kelli O’Hara in concert, October 14, West Side Story, March 10 – 12, 2017 and Man of La Mancha May 5 – 7, 2017. www.valleyperformingartscenter.org

Latino Theatre Company celebrates its 30th anniversary by presenting Evelina Fernández’s award-winning trilogy, Faith, Hope and Charity, in its entirety as one unforgettable tour de force - A Mexican Trilogy: An American Tale. You can choose to experience the epic adventure over the course of two evenings or as one all-day immersive experience (box dinners available for purchase). Directed by Latino Theater Company’s artistic director José Luis Valenzuela, it features musical direction by Rosino Serrano and choreography by Urbanie Lucero. A Mexican Trilogy runs Sept 8 – Oct 9 (opening night 9/15).

A Mexican Triilogy: Faith. Photo by Pablo Santiago

The story follows the Morales family through decades of the Mexican-American experience, from a remote mining town in Arizona during World War II, to the Phoenix family home during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and, finally to Los Angeles following the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005. Compelling, funny, with songs and a splash of magical realism, it touches on aspects of tradition, religion, labor issues, war and the clash between immigrants and their first and second generation American offspring. In just five hours, the twelve-actor ensemble portrays members of the Morales family over the course of 90 years and four generations. As the years fly by, we recognize the music of each era in classic songs ranging from the Andrews Sisters and Glenn Miller, to the Isley Brothers and Elvis, to Jimi Hendrix, all sung live. Cast stars Lucy Rodriguez, Olivia Cristina Delgado, Esperanza America, Ella Saldaña North, Sal Lopez, Kenneth Miles Ellington Lopez, Julio Macias, Sam Golzari, Evelina Fernández, Robert Beltran, Xavi Moreno, and Geoffrey Rivas. For a complete schedule of dates and times visit www.thelatc.org.

Panic! Productions kicks off its 2016-2017 season with Alfred Uhry and Jason Robert Brown’s Parade, Sept 9 – 24 at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts in Thousand Oaks. David Daniels directs, with music direction by Ben Ginsberg, vocal direction by Marilyn Anderson, and choreography by Brance Souza. Broadway veteran Joshua Finkel stars as Leo Frank, with Dana Shaw playing his wife, Lucille. The musical dramatizes the trial of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory owner accused of murdering a young girl in Atlanta, Georgia in 1913. It was sensationalized by the media and aroused anti-Semitic tensions in Atlanta and beyond. www.hillcrestarts.com

 NEW WORKS
Overtone Industries, known for its development of contemporary music theatre and experimental opera, presents the next phase of its epic new multidisciplinary production, Iceland, in concert form, at the Ford Theatres’ newly renovated amphitheatre on Friday, October 7, 8:30pm. The new work is written and composed by O-Lan Jones, in collaboration with acclaimed Irish singer-songwriter Emmett Tinley. It is a modern love story, set in a mythical and timeless world, where ancient creatures challenge the hero and heroine on an archetypal journey. The work begins in an Icelandic airport before journeying off the map of the known world, into the realm of “The Hiddenfolk” and the vast mythic inner landscapes of Iceland.

Cesili Williams and the Hiddenfolk. Photo by Martha Benedict

 I saw the first half hour of the piece during REDCAT’s New Works Festival in 2014 and was quite taken with it. I’m excited to see this next phase of its development. This performance at The Ford will be the first time it will be heard with full orchestration and complete score. The performance is directed and choreographed by Ken Roht, with musical direction by David O. Cast includes Emmett Tinley as Mundi and Cesili Williams as Vala, with Patty Cornell, Matthew McCray, MJ Silva, and Silvie Zamora. www.fordtheatres.org

The Old Globe’s 2016–2017 Season begins with October Sky, a tale of boys, rockets, and big dreams inspired by the beloved 1999 Universal Pictures film and Rocket Boys by Homer H. Hickam, Jr. Book is by Drama Desk nominee Brian Hill (The Story of My Life) and Aaron Thielen (Hero) and music is by Michael Mahler (Diary of a Wimpy Kid). It is directed by Rachel Rockwell and produced in association with Universal Stage Productions. Kyle Selig stars as Homer Hickam, Ron Bohmer as John Hickam, and Kerry O’Malley as Elsie Hickam. Cast also includes Rebecca Bellingham, Joel Blum, Will Branner, James Royce Edwards, Steve Gouveia, Kevyn Morrow, Austyn Myers, Destan Owens, Liam Quealy, Patrick Rooney, Connor Russell, Lance Arthur Smith, Betsy Stewart, Nick Sullivan, and more. Show runs Sept 10 - Oct 23.  www.TheOldGlobe.org

El Molino Viejo celebrates its 200th year with a new adaptation of Zane Grey’s western romance The Light of Western Stars. The two hour world premiere play with music is adapted by Bob Colleary and directed by Billy Gill, produced by Allison Darby Gorjian and Betsy Roth, and developed and presented by Little Candle Productions. Can East Coast socialite Madeline Hammond tame the last corners of the Wild West when she follows in the footsteps of her runaway brother? Set in 1912 Arizona, see what happens when an independent, high-society woman and one of America’s last cowboys tussle. Performances are August 19, 20 & 21 at 7:30 pm at El Molino Viejo, 1120 Old Mill Road in San Marino. www.littlecandleproductions.com

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Sunday, March 27, 2016

First Look: DREAMGIRLS at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts has mounted a terrific revival of Dreamgirls directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom (Broadway: Side Show, Flower Drum Song). After completing its initial run at La Mirada, which plays through April 17, it will move to Valley Performing Arts Center for four performances May 6 – 8. Get your tickets now!
Brittney Johnson, Jasmin Richardson and Danielle Truitt.
All Photos by Michael Lamont

David LaMarr, Scott A. People and John Devereaux (center) and company

L-R: Scott A. People, Jasmin Richardson, Brittney Johnson, Moya Angela,
David LaMarr and John Devereaux

Moya Angela, Jasmin Richardson, Brittney Johnson and David LaMarr

Brittney Johnson, Jasmin Richardson and Danielle Truitt 

The company of Dreamgirls

Brittney Johnson, Jasmin Richardson and Danielle Truitt (center) and company

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Friday, February 20, 2015

Mini-Review: Les 7 doigts de la main (7 Fingers) in Séquence 8


On Thursday, February 19th, Valley Performing Arts Center brought the beauty and artistry of Les 7 doigts de la main to Southern California audiences in a one-night-only performance of Séquence 8. Breathtaking acrobatics, unexpected humor, and exciting innovation are the hallmarks of this mesmerizing piece of storytelling. This is the human connection revealed in all its glory by eight incredibly talented artists who use their unique abilities to reach into the hearts of the audience and fill them with pulsing emotion. It was nothing short of a magical night of wonder. The next time you have an opportunity to see them perform - go! You can check out the complete schedule of musical and theatrical performances at the gorgeous Valley Performing Arts Center at www.valleyperformingartscenter.org.  

 The artists of Séquence 8 included Tom Ammirati, Eric Bates, Guillaume Biron, Ugo Dario, Colin Davis, Devin Henderson, Maxim Laurin, Camille Legris, Tristan Nielsen, and Alexandria Royer.


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Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Les 7 Doigts de la Main Brings Emotional Acrobatics to Southern California


Les 7 doigts de la main returns to Southern California for a one-night-only performance of Séquence 8, a uniquely theatrical production full of the company’s signature acrobatics, at Valley Performing Arts Center on February 19.

You’ve seen them perform at three Olympic Games, in Sochi (2014), Vancouver (2010), and Turin (2006) and watched as they transformed the Broadway revival of Pippin into a Tony Award-winning production with their amazing circus effects. When the national tour played the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood last year, audiences were quite literally blown away by their creation.

I first crossed paths with the company in 2011 when it brought Traces to the Ricardo Montalban Theater. The lyricism of their high-powered acrobatics, inventive dance choreography, and beautiful music created a deeply emotional production set in an apocalyptic scenario that spilled over from stage to audience. In my review of the show I said “Their street take on the traditional circus experience stretches the boundaries of the genre and creates a breathtakingly brash, decidedly urban show.” I was hooked from the very first image.



In this current show, the company explores the role of the “other” and how we define ourselves through and against it. Every aspect is heightened, with the visual landscape working vertically as the artists carry their emotional and physical dynamics to a point of explosion and propulsion. Séquence 8 was created in 2012, coproduced by Les Nuits de Fourvière (Lyon, France) and the TOHU (Montréal). Direction and Choreography is by Shana Carroll and Sébastien Soldevila with Eric Bates, Ugo Dario, Colin Davis, Devin Henderson, Alexandra Royer , Maxim Laurin, Camille Legris, and Tristan Nielsen on stage.

Les 7 doigts de la main translates as “the 7 fingers of the hand” (from the French idiom “the five fingers of the hand”), which represents its 7 members moving as one toward a artistic common goal. The company was founded in Montreal in 2002 by seven veterans of Cirque de Soleil with the goal to bring circus to a human scale. These 7 founding directors (Isabelle Chassé, Shana Carroll, Patrick Léonard, Faon Shane, Gypsy Snider, Sébastien Soldevila and Samuel Tétreault) combined their distinct talents and experiences, to work toward their common artistic goals with the beautifully awkward dexterity of a 7-fingered hand. Since then they have expanded their artistic reach and passed on their collaborative and unique 7 Fingers process to a new generation of circus artists.






Séquence 8 - Les 7 Doigts de la Main
February 19, 2015 at 7:30 pm
Great Hall at Valley Performing Arts Center
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street Northridge, CA 91330-8448
Directions and Parking 
Click Here for tickets ($35 - $65)

Top 2 photos: ©Studio Pastis
Bottom 5 photos: ©Sylvie Ann Paré

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Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Musical News for Tuesday, August 19, 2014

MUSICAL NEWS:  International City Theatre trumpets its 30th Anniversary in 2015 with a season of five plays celebrating famous people, fiery stories and fun adventures. ICT will pay homage to two icons of the American musical, kicking off the season in February with End of the Rainbow, Peter Quilter’s tour de force musical drama about Judy Garland, and finishing the year in October with the Los Angeles premiere of Sondheim on Sondheim, the James Lapine-conceived musical revue that offers an inside glimpse into the artistic process of Broadway’s foremost composer/lyricist.

 The three other plays include the west coast premiere of Abigail/1702 in which Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa picks up the tale of Arthur Miller’s child-villain Abigail Williams ten years after The Crucible; a 30th anniversary production of August Wilson’s modern American classic, Fences; and the Los Angeles premiere of David Ives’ adaptation of Jean-François Regnard‘s 18th century French classic, The Heir Apparent. For more information and to subscribe to the 2014 season, please call (562) 436-4610 or go to www.InternationalCityTheatre.org.

Laverne and Shirley star Cindy Williams will star in Laguna Playhouse’s run of Menopause The Musical®. The cast will also feature Sandra Benton, Beth Buczkowski and Playhouse favorite Marsha Waterbury. Menopause previews on September 17, opens on Thursday, September 18 at 7:00 pm and runs through September 28. Inspired by a hot flash and a bottle of wine, writer Jeanie Linders created the show as a celebration of women who find themselves at any stage of “The Change.” The laughter-filled 90-minute production gets audience members out of their seats and singing along to parodies from classic pop songs of the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. www.lagunaplayhouse.com


Valley Performing Arts Center on the campus of California State University, Northridge presents the OBI-Award winning SITI Company’s Café Variations on Tuesday, September 30 at 7:30 pm. SITI was founded in 1992 by Anne Bogart and Tadashi Suzuki to redefine and revitalize contemporary theater in the United States through an emphasis on international cultural exchange and collaboration. SITI combines theater, dance and the music of George and Ira Gershwin in its six-actor version of Café Variations, a theatrical  exploration of life, love and identity in an unabashedly romantic celebration of café culture. Shown in the intimate Plaza del Sol, tickets range from $55 to $65. For tickets and a complete calendar of VPAC events visit www.valleyperformingartscenter.org.

Cyrano meets The Sopranos in Serrano, the Musical, a new musical based on the French classic Cyrano De Bergerac set in New York’s Little Italy directed by Joel Zwick, featuring book & lyrics by Madeline Sunshine and music by Robert Tepper. Click Here to check out their Indiegogo campaign. For more about the musical visit www.serranothemusical.com.

Cabaret at The Merc closes its inaugural 2014 Summer Series with a developmental workshop production of The Untitled John Mayer Project directed by J. Scott Lapp with choreography by Steven Cardona. Featuring the music and lyrics of Grammy Award winning songwriter John Mayer, an original book by Jordan Beck, and new arrangements by the show’s musical director Leonard Patton. The cast includes Taran Gray as John, Emily Lopez as Sara, Joshua David Cavanaugh as Chad, Jennifer Sun Bell as Olivia, with Daniel J. Filippi (Patrick), Nick Wuebben (Blake) and Hayley Marian (Chloe). The show will play Friday, Sept. 12 – 15 at The Merc in Temecula, 42051 Main St. Temecula, California 92590. www.CabaretAtTheMerc

 CABARET/CONCERTS: Reaching for the Stars: A Cabrillo Cabaret will take place on Monday, August 25 at 8:00 pm at the Lyric Theatre, 520 N La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036. Stars from Cabrillo past and present will join forces for this evening of entertainment to raise funds for the company. Performers include Kelli Provart, Jim J. Bullock, Harley Jay, Shannon Warne, Jeffrey Scott Parsons, Zachary Ford, Natalie Storrs and many more. Musical direction is by Cassie Nickols. Tickets are $20 at www.cabrillomusictheatre.com.

 Rockwell Table and Stage has announced its September line-up. Highlights include:

 Disney Dreams: Broadway Sings Disney (Sept. 4, 11, 18 & 25 at 8:00 pm)
Broadway performers share the love of Disney through songs and storytelling immediately followed by You Sing Disney – Open Mic at 11:30 pm.

 Broadway Barre (Monday, Sept. 8 at 8:00 pm)
Hosted by Kate Pazakis with Brian Kennedy at the Piano, this monthly event is where LA’s vibrant musical theater community comes together to enjoy each other’s company as well as perform for each other.

 A Little New Music 6 (Tuesday, Sept 23 at 8:00 pm)
This fast-paced hour of the newest or unheard musical theatre material is hosted by Jordan Kai Burnett and 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. Special appearances by musical comedy duo Schoolcraft & Murray, and back by popular demand, Milburn & Vigoda.

 For reservations and info about Rockwell’s complete schedule of performances go to www.rockwell-la.com.

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Thursday, April 10, 2014

Musical News for Thursday, April 10, 2014

OPENINGS: Actors Co-op will close its 22nd Season with 110 in the Shade (book by N. Richard Nash, music by Harvey Schmidt, & lyrics by Tom Jones). Richard Israel directs, with Bryan Blaskie as musical director and Julie Hall as choreographer. The ensemble includes Skylar Adams, Emily Armstrong, David Crane, Alex Denney, Michael Downing, Julie Hall, Rachel Hirshee, Tim Hodgin, Jason Peter Kennedy, Rory Patterson, Courtney Potter and Treva Tegtmeier. In the middle of a heat wave in 1930’s Texas, Lizzie Curry is on the verge of becoming an old maid when a charismatic rainmaker turns her life upside down. 110 in the Shade opens Friday, May 9 and runs through June 15 at Actors Co-op, 1760 N. Gower Street, located on the ground of First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood. Tickets: (323) 462-8460 x 300 or www.ActorsCo-op.org

Fraggled Productions will open The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at The Cupcake Theater in Hollywood on May 2, continuing through May 24, on Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm. Spelling Bee is directed by Ryan Foy and follows an eclectic group of six young contestants vying for the spelling championship title of a lifetime. It is a quirky and interactive tale of adolescence, expectations, achievements, and the realization that being true to yourself is more important than winning. Since its creation in 2012, Fraggled Productions has produced a number of projects, including cabaret performances featuring talented Broadway alums, original staged readings, and musicals such as The Last Five Years, Anne Frank: The Musical and Urinetown. Tickets: www.cupcaketheater.com.

Teatro Máscara Mágica (TMM), in residence at La Jolla Playhouse, will present its second project, Misa Azteca: A Prophetic Poem Fulfilled June 11 – 22. This world premiere features a story by Monique and Joseph Julian Gonzalez, music by Joseph Julian Gonzalez, and is directed by TMM artistic director William Virchis. Played internationally as an orchestral, choral piece, Misa Azteca has delighted audiences throughout the world, however, the prophetic poems and mysteries it is built upon have never been brought to light. Now, for the first time, the piece will receive an eerie dramatization as it foretells the fall of the Aztec Empire, the rise of an unknown God, and a miracle that will transform a nation. Dance, multi-media and song are combined to tell a story that will inspire and uplift the human spirit. Tickets: (800) 838-3006 or BrownPaperTickets.com. For more information, go to http://teatromascaramagica.org/.

Tony Monaco’s one-man musical, The Road to Damascus, comes to Los Angeles just in time for Easter and Passover, opening April 11 at the Little Victory Theatre in Burbank. Inspired by the dramatic conversion of Rabbi Saul of Tarsus – the man who turned from murderer to saint (the Apostle Paul) – and the persecution of Jesus’ followers after his crucifixion, Monaco’s historical portrayal incorporates music, song and dance with Biblical themes, bringing to life this world-changing story in a characterization that shows why biographers refer to the Apostle Paul as “The man who shook the world.” The original production was backed by Monaco’s friend and fellow actor, Buddy Ebsen. Now LA director/choreographer Joshua Finkel has worked with Monaco to update the original direction, staging, and choreography. Performances are April 11 – 27 at The Little Victory Theatre, 3326 W. Victory Blvd. in Burbank, 91505. Tickets: (800) 838-3006 or www.TheRoadtoDamascus.net.

The California Lutheran University Music and Theatre Arts departments will present Duncan Sheik’s Tony Award-winning musical Spring Awakening at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza April 25 – May 4, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:30 pm. “It is perhaps the boldest play we’ve done at CLU in terms of material,” said director Ken Gardner. “The essential problem in it is that children are treated more like possessions than family and parents simply don't communicate or connect with them, much like the infamous ‘generation gap.’” Based on a controversial 1891 German play, the musical portrays teen sexual awakening and deals with suicide, abortion and abuse, both sexual and physical. It is for adult audiences only due to explicit sexual situations and language. Leading the 18-member cast are Brenden MacDonald, a psychology major from Simi Valley as the fearless, dreamy Melchior; Nolan Monsibay, a music major from Burbank as his troubled friend, Moritz; and Samantha Winters, a history major from Ventura as the beautiful Wendla. Heidi Vas is vocal director and Jeff Wallach is choreographer. Tickets are $25: (805) 449-2787.

DANCE: Ballroom with a Twist, a new fusion of Broadway, classical and international-style song and dance, directed by international choreographer and competitive dance champion Louis Van Amstel, will light up the stage at the Valley Performing Arts Center at 8:00 pm on Saturday, May 17. The spectacle is highlighted by Dancing with the Star’s Kym Johnson and Tristan MacManus. American Idol finalists Gina Glocksen-Ruzicka and Von Smith will also join along with So You Think You Can Dance finalists Legacy, Jonathan Platero and Randi Lynn Strong. Tickets: (818) 677-3000 or www.valleyperformingartscenter.org.

CONCERTS/CABARET: Jeremy Jordan will make his solo concert debut in Los Angeles on Monday, May 5 at the Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood. There will be two shows only at 7:30pm and 10:00 pm presented by Chris Isaacson and Upright Cabaret. Recounting decisive moments from his budding career, Jordan will perform songs that have defined his swift rise to stardom, including music from Broadway’s Newsies, NBC’s Smash, the upcoming feature film The Last 5 Years, and many of Jordan’s own personal favorites. Doors open at 6:00 pm for cocktail and dinner service (minimums apply). Admission is $30, and VIP seating ($40) is available. You can get $5 off before April 28, and online purchases will receive priority seating. Tickets: www.ChrisIsaacsonPresents.com, or (866) 468-3399. Catalina Bar & Grill is located at 6725 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, 90028.

Ryan Black’s 88’s presents The Songs of Boublil & Schonberg, Les Mis and Saigon at Don’t Tell Mama Los Angeles, 8279 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, 90046. Free, but there is a $10 suggested donation at door for Unicef & Philippines disaster relief fund. www.thereforthephilippines.org Come early to have dinner and drinks or have dinner and drinks during the show (2 item minimum for seats). Showtime is 8:00 pm. Click Here for reservations or call (323) 380-7209. The show stars Joan Almedilla, Melissa Bailey, Evan D’Angeles, Zachary Ford, Cliffton Hall, Deedee Magno Hall, Cassie Simone Harlow, April Malina, Cassandra Murphy, Kevin Odekirk, William Martinez, Sheldon Morley and Kevin Story, and is directed by Ryan Black, with musical direction by Gregory Nabours. Also featuring Scott Firestone on drums and Jean Sudbury on violin. Open mic after the show from 10pm-2am so bring your music. For parking instructions and more info, visit the show’s Facebook page Here.

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