Monday, May 21, 2012
Glendale Center Theatre Celebrates With ANNIE
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| Peter Husmann as Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks and Emma Howard as Annie. Photos by Nathan J. Milisavljevich |
At opening night of Glendale Center Theatre’s production of ANNIE I was reminded just how much an overture prepares the audience for what it’s about to see. It sets the tone, introduces significant songs you’ll hear in the show, and in the case of ANNIE, reminds you why Charles Strouse (music) and Martin Charnin (lyrics) won a Tony Award (one of 7 the musical received in 1977) for their score. ANNIE’s overture includes three of the very best and most recognizable crowd-pleasers, “It’s a Hard Knock Life,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” and “Tomorrow,” and from the way the kids in the audience bounced and swayed with every note and the adults’ faces lit up as each song was featured, the overture hasn’t lost its touch.
Glendale Center Theatre made a good choice in adding ANNIE to its 65th anniversary season. The musical will celebrate its 35th anniversary as one of America’s best-loved musical comedies with a revival on Broadway later this fall and GCT’s own leading lady, 11-year old Santa Clarita Valley resident Emma Howard was one of the 7 finalists, out of a staggering 5000, in the running to play the title role. It’s not hard to see why. She’s a vibrant singer who can belt out a showtune without pretention and her earnest performance is full of genuine charm.
In truth, this musical belongs to the kids, and no matter what else happens, if you find the right set of orphans and redheaded ringleader, their energetic exuberance will do most of the work for you. In the case of director Michael Sterling’s youthful casting, he’s hit a home run. They are Asia Aragon (Pepper), Bella Briscoe (Duffy), Lucy Taylor (July), Katherine Marie West (Tessie), Brooke Lynn Boyd (Kate), and Leah Schraff as the littlest orphan, Molly. The feisty personalities of the girls combined with their well-tuned bright voices (musical director Steven Applegate shows them off well) will make sure you’re always fully dressed with a smile yourself. “Hard Knock Life” is especially sassy and fun as Jerry Evans puts the girls through his enthusiastic bucket and broom choreography and his staging for the ensemble’s “NYC” is also fast-paced and creative.
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| Miss Hannigan (Dynell Leigh), Rooster (Clayton Ferris), and Lily St. Regis (Christa Hamilton) |
Both Evans’ choreography and Sterling’s direction play well in GCT’s theatre in the round. The efficient scene changes are smooth extensions of the action, with Tim Deitlein’s lighting subtly directing your attention to precise locations that disguise the changeovers. Costume choices by Angela Wood & Glendale Costumes are excellent.
Thomas Meehan’s book, which also won a Tony Award, still holds up as an example of great musical theatre writing today as well. GCT’s actors have the benefit of a solidly constructed story, jokes that land no matter what, and characters whose intentions are well-defined, though I was less enamored with some of the adult performances. Peter Husmann, who made an exceptional John Adams in GCT’s 1776 is over-the-top here with an affected vocal mannerism that doesn’t feel authentic, and his two leading ladies, Dynell Leigh as the villainous Miss Hannigan and Heather Dudenbostel as the effusively perky Grace Farrell, play the obvious rather than explore a deeper interpretation of their characters. Conversely, Don Woodruff’s Franklin D. Roosevelt is a comforting presence with his steady grounded portrayal of the Depression-era President.
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| Peter Husmann, Emma Howard and Heather Dudenbostel (Grace Farrell) Photo credit: Deborah Dubin |
ANNIE is at its very best when its orphans fearlessly break into their song and dance. Whether they’re wistfully singing “Maybe” from their room at the orphanage or comically imitating the Boylan Sisters on the radio, they are the reason we come back again and again for another dose of that bet-your-bottom-dollar sunshine. Bring the whole family and join in the celebration of this totally G-rated musical comedy classic.
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Labels: glendale centre theatre
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Glendale Center Theatre Celebrates 65th Anniversary with ANNIE
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| Emma Howard (Annie), Dynell Leigh (Miss Hannigan), Peter Husmann (Oliver Warbucks). Photo by Nathan Milisavljevich |
The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie will come to life at the Glendale Centre Theatre May 17 - June 30. Concurrent with Annie celebrating its 35th anniversary this year as America’s most beloved musical, the Glendale Centre Theatre also celebrates its 65th year as the oldest, continuously operating theatre in the United States.
With music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and a book by Thomas Meehan, longtime San Fernando Valley resident, internet television and radio personality, live music producer/director and public relations veteran Michael Sterling, who first introduced musicals to the almost 400 seat, theatre-in-the-round over 30 years ago, returns to the GCT to direct Annie. Sterling is joined by GCT resident musical director and Ovation Award nominee Steven Applegate, choreographer/dancer Jerry Evans, assistant choreographer Jackie Evans, Broadway costumer Angela Wood (Glendale Costumes), and GCT Producers Tim Dietlein and Brenda Dietlein. Nathan J. Milisavljevich (sound design), Caitlin Barbieri (stage manager) and Tim Dietlein (set design and lighting design), round out the creative team.
Boasting one of the Great White Way’s most memorable scores, including “It’s the HardKnock Life,” “Easy Street,” “N.Y.C.,” You’re Never Fully Dressed without a Smile,” and the ever optimistic “Tomorrow,” you can bet your bottom dollar that Annie will delight audiences of all ages.
Eleven year old Santa Clarita Valley resident Emma Howard will star in the title role of Annie. GCT favorite Peter Husmann stars as Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks. Dynell Leigh co-stars as Miss Hannigan, along with Heather Dudenbostel as Grace Farrell, Clayton Ferris as Rooster Hannigan, Christa Hamilton as Lily St. Regis, Don Woodruff as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Robert Decker as Bert Healy, and Kyle D. Kelley as Drake. Asia Aragon (Pepper), Brooke Boyd (Kate), Bella Briscoe (Duffy), Leah Schraff (Molly), Lucy Taylor (July) and Kate West (Tessie) portray the orphans. Shannon Cooper, Laurie Fedor, Kevin Holmquist, Nick Mizrahi, Bridget Pugliese, Rebecca Thomas, Robert Thomas, Amy Lyn Thompson, and Paul Reid comprise the ensemble...with special guest “Copper” (Thomas) appearing as “Sandy”.
Performances of Annie at the Glendale Centre Theatre will be presented May 17 through June. Ticket purchases may be made online at www.glendalecentretheatre.com, or by calling (818) 244-8481. The Glendale Centre Theatre is located at 324 N. Orange St., Glendale, CA 91203. Public parking lots are located in the immediate area of the theatre. Ample street parking is also available.
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Labels: glendale centre theatre
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Concert/Cabaret Update or Where To See Your Favorite Artists in LA
10/18 and 10/19 LACO and CELLIST STEPHEN ISSERLIS. Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra showcases the virtuosic skills of Steven Isserlis, “one of the world’s leading cellists” (The Guardian), performing Haydn’s radiant Cello Concerto No. 2 under the baton of sought-after Scottish conductor Douglas Boyd, making his LACO debut, on Saturday, Oct. 18, 8:00 pm, at Glendale’s Alex Theatre, and Sunday, Oct. 19, 7:00 pm, at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Boyd also conducts Mozart’s stately “Haffner” Serenade and opens the program with At First Light by George Benjamin, considered among Britain’s greatest living composers. Tickets: (213) 622-7001or www.laco.org. Tickets begin at $26.
10/18 – 11/15 SCREAM! is the first musical event of ROCKWELL Table and Stage’s “The Unauthorized Musical Parodies” Series. This spoof of the 1996 cult horror classic stars Modern Family’s Sarah Hyland. Written and directed by Michael Gans & Richard Register and featuring musical direction by Brian P. Kennedy, the cast will include many other L.A. favorites such as Missi Pyle, Christine Lakin, Nicole Parker and Jonah Platt. www.rockwell-la.com
10/20 MISCAST featuring Mandy Kaplan, Stephanie Andersen, Tom W. Metz III, JP Karliak, Wendy Rosoff, Alex Mohajer, MaryJo Mundy, Thomas Threats, Justin Michael Wilcox, Ewan Chung, and Kathryn Lounsbery performers songs from The Book of Mormon, Annie, Hairspray and more. $20 Cash only. Show at 8:30pm - Dinner and Drinks at 7pm (No minimum). Sterling’s Upstairs at the Federal in North Hollywood. Reservations must be made in advance by calling (818) 754-8700. Proceeds will go to Project Angel Food.
10/26 TODD ELLISON: Broadway’s Greatest Hits 3:00 pm at Valley Performing Arts Center. Broadways celebrated music director Todd Ellison presents an evening of spectacular and unique songs from the Great White Way. Guest artists include Kate Shindle, Jose Llana, Mike McGowan, and a four-piece band. Tickets: $35 to $65. (818) 677-3000 or www.valleyperformingartscenter.org.
10/26 WINDSBACHER. Los Angeles Children’s Chorus presents the Southern California debut of the acclaimed German Boys and Mens Choir Windsbacher Knabenchor in a free concert, along with LACC’s Concert Choir and Young Men’s Ensemble at 7:00 pm at Pasadena Presbyterian Church. Windsbacher’s appearance is part of 13-Day U.S. tour commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and Germany’s Reunification. Free concert (suggested donation $10). www.lachildrenschorus.org
Oct 23-27 CABARET IS ALIVE AND WELL and Living in Los Angeles: Fraser Entertainment Group presents a 4-show, 4-night,4-venue celebration of Los Angeles Cabaret, conceived by David Galligan. All proceeds will benefit The Actors Fund. Performances include:
10/24 COME TO THE CABARET, a stunning musical evening featuring Obba Babatundé, George Ball, Michele Brourman, Loretta Devine, Davis Gaines, Julie Garnyé, Damon Kirsche, Amanda McBroom, Sharon McNight, Lisa Passero, Valerie Perri & Christina Saffran, hosted by Sally Struthers at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood at 8:30 pm. Doors open at 7. Musical Director, Tom Griep with Nate Light on Bass and Denise Fraser on Drums. Click Here for tickets to the shows below.
10/25 A CABARET CELEBRATION, an extraordinary night of song at Tom Rolla’s Gardenia in West Hollywood at 9:00 pm starring Mary Jo Catlett, Carole Cook, Nancy Dussault, Ilene Graff & Ben Lanzarone, Jane A. Johnston, Sally Kellerman, Karen Morrow, Lisa Passero & Joanne Worley with musical director & host Brad Ellis. Doors open for dinner at 7:00. (currently sold out)
10/26 PERFECT HERMANY, the songs of Jerry Herman starring Jason Graae at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz at 7:00 pm with musical director John Boswell. Doors open at 5:30.
10/27 CLASSIC BROADWAY SINGS SCHWARTZ, a valentine to composer Stephen Schwartz starring Louise Marie Cornillez, Barbara Deutsch, Tal Fox, Dianne Fraser, Julie Garnyé, Juliana Hansen, Dennis Kyle, Kelly Lester, James C. Mulligan & Joanne O’Brien, hosted by Carolyn Hennesy. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Musical director Mitch Kaplan with Nate Light on Bass and Denise Fraser on Drums.
10/30 LADY RIZO in Concert at The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center, 8:00 pm. The comedienne and chanteuse revives the genre by creating vintage arrangements and theatrical explorations of pop songs from every decade. www.ladyrizo.com
11/2 THE SONGS OF JERRY HERMAN. 7:00 pm Kritzerland presents David Engel, Chelsea Emma Franko Damon Kirsche, Valerie Perri, Sami Staitman, and Shannon Warne with special guest Karen Morrow and music director Tom Griep. Doors open at 5:30. Sterling’s Upstairs at the Federal. Reservations: 818 754-8700.
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