Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Happy Holidays From Musicals in LA
HAPPY HOLIDAYS from Musicals in LA
Wishing you a Merry Christmas
and the Happiest of Holidays as we close out 2014.
Thank you for an amazing year of Musical Theatre.
I can't wait to see what you create in 2015. Let your imagination run wild!
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Monday, December 22, 2014
Book Review: Two Worlds Together, Donnelly's Greatest Christmas
In Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life, an angel in training named Clarence comes back to earth to earn his wings by helping one man recognize his value in the world. The beloved classic is a reminder to all adults that every man matters and every angel has his own special way of helping those in need.
Author Don Grigware has written a new Christmas classic - this time for children - that follows the adventures of a sweet cocker spaniel-turned-angel named Donnelly as he overcomes his fears and learns what it really means to be a guardian angel.
While alive, Donnelly had been Santa Claus’s mascot and most trusted assistant. All the animals loved him and everyone was sad to see their friend go. But now God has sent his newest angel back to the man who can best use Donnelly’s talents to help his old friends.
In his first mission, Santa asks Donnelly to go to a strange land and find two new reindeer to step in for Comet and Cupid who have leg injuries and are unable to pull his sleigh. Excited to see the world, he sets out on his big adventure. But when he crosses paths with an unexpected villain named Vinnemous T. Wolf, the kindhearted Donnelly must look terror in the eye and find a way out while still coming through for Santa.
Children have always had a special relationship with the animal kingdom and by identifying with Donnelly and his challenges they learn how to stand up for themselves and find the courage to do what’s right. They also learn that kindness counts and being brave isn’t always easy but there are times we must be to protect others. Two Worlds Together contains charming dialogue that makes reading it aloud a great deal of fun. The uplifting tale ends as Donnelly reaches a turning point and is the first book in Grigware’s trilogy (Parts II and III to be released in 2015).
Told with childlike wonder, this sweet story will touch your heart whether you’re 6 or 80 or any age in between. What fun to go on this journey with Donnelly!
by Don Grigware
Paperback: 36 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1503030695
ISBN-13: 978-1503030695
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 11/27/14
Available on Amazon.com $13.09
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Thursday, December 18, 2014
MUSICAL NEWS for Thursday, December 18, 2014
The cast will feature Noah Parets as Billy (National Tour, Billy Elliot), Vicki Lewis as Mrs. Wilkinson, Jake Kitchin as Michael (Broadway & National Tour, Billy Elliot), Jamie Torcellini as George, Marsha Waterbury as Grandma, Kim Huber as Billy’s Mum, Brandon Forrest as Adult Billy, Neil Dale as Mr. Braithwaite, Sammy Gayer as Debbie, and in the ensemble: Andrew Blake Ames, Brooke Besikoff, Emma Bradley, Michael Dotson, Jeremy Duvall, Zachary Hess, Olivia Knox, Emilie Lafontaine, Tyler Ledon, Julia Nicole Massey, Jenna McConnell, Bruce Merkle, McKenna Perez, Gary Lee Reed, Benni Ruby, Brian Steven Shaw, Hannah Jean Simmons, Ashley Kiele Thomas, Brooklyn Vizcarra, and Justin Wilcox. Tickets: (562) 944-9801, (714) 994-6310 or www.lamiradatheatre.com
REDCAT presents the world premiere of Half Life, the newest work by Los Angeles multimedia ensemble Cloud Eye Control, Jan. 15 - 18, 2015. Cloud Eye Control was formed in 2006 by the Los Angeles based trio of animator and media artist Miwa Matreyek; composer, writer, and performer Anna Oxygen (Anna Huff); and theater director Chi-wang Yang, all known internationally for their stunning work individually and as a multimedia collective. A deeply expressive lamentation of fierce urgency, their latest multimedia production is an imagistic, visceral work inspired by the nervous fear felt in the wake the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. It features Cloud Eye Control’s signature hybrid performance style that mixes projected animation, live performance, and a live soundtrack of original electronic music.
The story centers around two women who literally and figuratively live on opposite sides of the world. When an unknown cataclysmic force disrupts both of their lives, each is compelled to embark on a journey to locate its source. Cloud Eye Control transforms the stage into an imaginative landscape with several customized, moveable screens full of lush animations where live actors interact in the layered space to create imaginative and odd encounters between the virtual and the physical. The original score, sung by the performers with a live band, brings a rock concert dynamism to the moody and atmospheric world. Click Here for more information or call (213) 237-2800.
ComeTogether A BeatlesTribute - Trailer 2014
.Devolver Digital Films is proud to announce the digital VOD release of The Beatles tribute documentary, Come Together Feb. 3, 2015. Directed by Steve Ison and John Scofield, Come Together features performances by ten of an estimated 8,000 international Beatles tribute bands keeping the legacy of The Fab Four alive around the world. Come Together was filmed primarily in and around Liverpool, the birthplace of The Beatles – including the world famous Cavern Club where they were discovered – during International Beatleweek, five decades after the band was formed in 1960. Julia Baird, the sister of John Lennon, narrated the film. In addition to entertaining viewers, Come Together demonstrates the impact of The Beatles on global culture. For more information, visit www.cometogethermovie.com
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Labels: cabrillo music theatre, la mirada theatre, redcat
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
MUSICAL News for Wednesday December 17, 2014
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Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Review: The Troubies' The Snow QUEEN - 80 Minutes of Rocker Heaven
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| Misty Cotton and company. Photos by Jill Mamey. |
While the kids are busy getting their pictures taken with Santa at the mall and begging for overpriced toys they’ll forget the day after Christmas, adults know that the place they’ll get the most bang for their jingle bell bucks is at the Falcon Theatre. That’s where the latest Troubie show is roasting its comedy chestnuts in its own unique style while providing one of the wackiest soundtracks to the holiday season.
This year’s recipe for success includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. A story that’s ripe for poking, typically one that everyone knows. This year it’s Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen. (Buckle up your boots Gerda and Kai, you’ve never met an ice queen like this before.)
2. A dozen or so songs by a well-known musical artist or group, preferably rock or bands of the ‘70s and ‘80s, done up with original lyrics to inflate the humor. In 2014, it’s the year of Freddie Mercury and QUEEN. ‘Nuff said. Well, except that the band members are also part of the story and make their acting debuts front and center. They’ve even got lines. And Eric Heinly’s band has the kind of Saturday Night Live sound with only four musicians - musical director Heinly on drums and percussion, Kevin McCourt on keyboards, Mike Abraham on guitar, and Dana Decker on bass - that shows this company means business.
3. A leader (Matt Walker) who boldly goes wherever he wants to and a fearless band of thespians who follow him out into the great comedy beyond and back again. In addition to the usual suspects (Beth Kennedy, Rick Batalla, Joseph Keane, and Lisa Valenzuela) who are on their game every minute, you’ll find first timers like a popular west coast musical theatre diva (Misty Cotton) and a celebrated commedia queen from America’s Got Talent (John Quale), both of whom make the house rock to the rafters. Disclaimer: no cast members were harmed in the making of this theatrical masterpiece...or audience members...although one unsuspecting woman did get her head stuck in a raven’s bill while trying to decide whether to help said raven with his wedgie.
4. Puppets! And who doesn’t love puppets. It’s like kittens, only better. (I know...random, right?) These are created by Matt Scott.
5. Snow...like you’ve never seen it before. In Troubie hands, even the snow is a bit, and only one of the imaginative ideas that set designer Jeffrey McLaughlin, prop designer Corey Womack and lighting designer Jeremy Pivnick have created by mixing humor with practicality in their design elements. Without a doubt, the production team is as wacked as their onstage counterparts.
6. Clothes that make the man - or a little Danish girl and her lederhosen-clad brother; or a narrator on stilts in very long pants; or a crazy old woman with locks to rival any hair band member; or a two-headed pinhead chorus member a la American Horror Story: Freak Show; or a glittering drag queen in a three foot tall ice sculpture wig; or an adlibbing male raven in a skin tight black unitard...(think about that for a minute); or a robber girl whose buck teeth can’t detract from her youthfulness and good heart. All of them come from the happily silly and slightly warped mind of Sharon McGunigle who fits right in with the rest of the gang.
Put all the pieces through the creative wringer and you have a rock operetta-style comedy that will give you the best night of laughs you’ll have all year. I wouldn’t miss one their shows for anything and you shouldn’t either. The Snow QUEEN is outlandish fun and the one show that just might get you through the holidays with your sense of humor intact. GO!
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| Matt Walker as the Narrator |
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| Beth Kennedy as Old Woman |
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| L-R: Joseph Keane, Misty Cotton, Breanna Kelly, Jen DeMinco, and Darrin Revitz |
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| John Quale as the Snow Queen |
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| L-R: Rick Batalla, Darrin Revitz, Jen DeMinco, and Breanna Kelly |
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| Beth Kennedy and Lisa Valenzuela |
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| Joseph Keane, Lisa Valenzuela and Misty Cotton |
THE SNOW QUEEN
December 3, 2014 - January 18, 2015
Falcon Theatre, 4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank, CA 91505
Performances: Wed. – Sat. at 8pm, Sun. at 4pm & 7pm
No shows Dec. 24 & 25, or Dec. 31 & Jan. 1
No 7pm show on Jan. 11 or Jan. 18
Added shows Dec. 27 at 4pm, Jan. 3 at 4pm
Tickets: (818) 955-8101 or www.FalconTheatre.com
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Labels: troubies. falcon theatre
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Review: Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight - The Ultimate Holiday Treat
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| L-R: David Engel, Ben Giroux, Garrett Clayton, Olivia Holt, Lucy Lawless and Patrick Cassidy. Photos by Philicia Endelman. |
The faces couldn’t get any fresher and the energy couldn’t be any brighter in Lythgoe Family Productions and the Pasadena Playhouse’s latest Panto at the Playhouse, Sleeping Beauty and her Winter Knight. The show is Adorable with a capital A!, and packed with top-notch talent that includes a Disney pop princess (Olivia Holt), a teenage heartthrob (Garrett Clayton), a beautiful Amazonian villainess (Lucy Lawless), an American Idol belter (Tamyra Gray), a silver fox of a king (Patrick Cassidy), a pint-size television comic (Ben Giroux) and a multi-talented Broadway veteran (David Engel).
Add some surprisingly athletic young dancers and a storybook production design that conjures up a candy-colored fairytale kingdom in all its pop-up glory and you’ve got the kind of holiday production that will put tickets to Panto at the Playhouse on everyone’s Christmas wish list for years to come.
The Lythgoes have spared no expense in bringing their holiday version of the British panto to life for American audiences. Beautifully written by Kris Lythgoe, and directed by Bonnie Lythgoe to highlight the show’s delightful tongue-in-cheek humor, it sparkles with life while moving steadily to what can only be a happily-ever-after ending.
Like previous pantos A Snow White Christmas and Aladdin and His Winter Wish, there is a villain, in this case Lawless as the evil fairy Carabosse who placed a curse on Princess Aurora (Holt) at her birth that one day she would prick her finger on a spindle and die. Though she couldn’t undo the curse, the Good Fairy (Gray) was able to change the prophecy so instead of dying, the princess would fall into a sleep that would last for a hundred years. The only thing that would be able to break the curse would be a true love’s kiss.
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| Tamyra Gray and Lucy Lawless |
Now, sixteen years later, the kingdom is about to celebrate Aurora’s birthday and her father, the King of Pasadena (Cassidy) is ready to announce her arranged marriage to the Prince of Alhambra (Clayton). Nanny Tickle (Engel) and Silly Billy, her personal bodyguard, have kept their young charge safe for many years but a misunderstanding causes Nanny to be dismissed from her duties and together they leave the kingdom.
While the final party preparations are taking place, Aurora slips away to sing to the animals in the forest, falls in love with a young stranger she doesn’t realize is really her Prince on his way to meet her, and Carabosse tricks the young man into delivering a spinning wheel to the palace for the party. When Aurora opens the gift, she does prick her finger and falls into a sleep; Carabosse steals the Prince so he cannot undo the curse; and the Good Fairy searches for Nanny Tickle and Billy to help them rescue the Prince and save the Princess. All will be made right by the end of the story and much good fun takes place along the way.
Happily, the show contains something for everyone. The adults get plenty of innuendo-filled humor that goes over the heads of the little ones while the kids are thoroughly engaged by magical effects, pop music, and audience interaction that includes them in the fun.
Spencer Liff’s smart choreography is performed by some pretty exceptional kid and adult dancers, and includes everything from hip hop to ballet to modern sequences. Their very first number had the audience screaming and everyone around me commenting how talented they were.
Engel and Giroux make a hilarious comedy duo as Nanny Tickle and pun-happy Silly Billy. The voice Engel uses for the buxom matriarch is a character all its own and hearing him sing Gretchen Wilson’s “Here For The Party” with three cowboy dancers in tow lets you know from the very beginning that this show is meant to be a comedy. Giroux is responsible for the bulk of the audience participation and is a pro at adlibbing when the opportunity for an in-the-moment joke appears. Plus, you just have to see him as superhero Turkey Boy.
And who knew Xena Warrior Princess could sing! Lawless wails on Debbie Harry’s “One Way or Another” like a true ‘80s punk rocker. Holt is a breath of fresh air as Aurora and Clayton’s Prince is as funny as he is charming. Musical director Michael Orland gets it absolutely right with each of his character-inspired song choices and has also created some especially dynamic arrangements. Holt’s “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors is a joy; his party version of Pharrell’s “Happy” turns to poignant underscoring as Nanny Tickle and Billy leave the castle; and Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose” makes the best dance party ever, which gives Cassidy a chance to show off Kevin Bacon’s movie footwork. By the time Clayton and Holt get to “Marry You” by Bruno Mars, they have completely enchanted the audience and more than earned their happy ending. Gray caps off the performance with a final Christmas showstopper, “O Holy Night.”
Like everyone else around us, we were laughing and shouting at the characters, fully involved in the interactive style of the panto in which the audience is encouraged to cheer the good guys and boo the villains. The fast-paced show is a lovely combination of humor and spectacle, sweet story and stunning choreography, all set to a musical playlist that makes it entirely fresh and modern. It’s the kind of wholesome entertainment that has quickly made the Pasadena Playhouse the go-to destination for families during the holidays.
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| Olivia Holt and Garrett Clayton |
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| Lucy Lawless |
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| Tamyra Gray, Patrick Cassidy, Olivia Holt, Garrett Clayton, Ben Giroux, David Engel and Lucy Lawless |
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| Olivia Holt, Patrick Cassidy and Company |
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| Garrett Clayton, Lucy Lawless and Company |
SLEEPING BEAUTY AND HER WINTER KNIGHT
December 10, 2014 - January 4, 2015
Pasadena Playhouse
39 S. El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101
Tickets: (626) 356-7529 or www.pasadenaplayhouse.org
Performance schedule: Mon at 7:30 pm (Dec. 29 only); Tues – Fri at 7:30 pm; Sat at 12:00 pm, 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm; and Sun at 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm; Special matinees -- Wed, Dec 24 at 4:00 pm; Fri, Dec 26 at 4:00 pm; Tues, Dec 30 at 4:00 pm. (No performances Dec 31, Jan 1 & 2.)
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Labels: pasadena playhouse
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Deadline Announced for 2015 ASCAP/DreamWorks Musical Theatre Workshop
Musical Theatre writers: The 2015 ASCAP/DreamWorks Musical Theatre Workshop directed by Stephen Schwartz will be held in Los Angeles at DreamWorks Studios February 10, 11, and 13. All sessions begin at 7:00 pm sharp. Submissions must be received by Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014. Please submit the following (submissions will not be returned).-- CD of four (4) songs with lyric sheets
-- A brief description of each song as to its plot placement
-- A brief synopsis of the musical...1 page or less
-- Biographical information for each composer, lyricist, & book writer. (Contact Information for each collaborator: address/phone-number/email)
Send your package to:
Michael A. Kerker
c/o ASCAP
7920 Sunset Blvd. Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Attn: DreamWorks Musical Theatre Workshop
Please note: Submit 4 songs only. If you send us a full recording, we will only listen to the first 4 songs. Submissions do not need to be produced in a studio. We are looking for talent and potential, not production values. If your musical is selected, you will need to present 50 consecutive minutes from the musical at the workshop. The 50-minute selection must include book and songs. Those who have been accepted into the workshop will be contacted by Jan. 16, 2015.
THOSE WHO WILL BE INVITED TO AUDIT THE WORKSHOP WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL INVITATION. Please do not call to ask if you have been selected. Questions: call 323-883-1000. www.ascap.com
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Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Musical & Holiday Updates, Auditions, and What's Coming in 2015
Adding a final flourish to the holiday season, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, led by Artistic Director Grant Gershon, presents two concerts of Handel’s Messiah on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, Dec. 21 at 7 pm, at Disney Hall. Featuring 40 members of the acclaimed chorus, orchestra and four gifted soloists from the Chorale’s ranks, the concert provides the opportunity to hear this riveting oratorio – rich with soaring high notes, powerful bass, majestic brass and lush orchestrations – performed by what many critics consider to be the best chorus in the country. Soloists include Christina Bristow, soprano; Niké St. Clair, mezzo soprano; Arnold Livingston Geis, tenor; and Chung Uk Lee, baritone. Tickets: (213) 972-7282, or visit www.lamc.org.
A staged reading of Sing Me Home by Amber Romina Cassell (book) and Kristy Hanson (music & lyrics) will take place on Jan. 26 at 8:00 pm (cocktails at 7 pm) at Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, 4800 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Sometimes healing a broken heart means finding your voice in this contemporary new musical which features fourteen original songs in the pop-rock genre, with influences ranging from rhythm and blues to country. The cast includes Mandy Gonzalez, Bud Weber, Kathryn Gallagher and Curt Mega. Music director and singer-songwriter Angela Parrish leads a five-piece band from the piano. The reading is complimentary, but please contact singmehome.musical@gmail.com to request an invitation.
Good People Theater Company will produce Maltby and Shire’s musical revue Closer Than Ever Feb. 21 – March 15, 2015 at Hollywood Piano’s gorgeous recital hall. Musical Director, Corey Hirsch, on a concert grand. Tickets will go on sale in January. http://goodpeopletheaterco.org/
S.T.A.G.E.’s 31st Anniversary Spectacular To Broadway, From Hollywood…With Love to benefit Aids Project Los Angeles has been set for Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 8:00 pm at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. S.T.A.G.E. is the longest-running annual benefit for AIDS worldwide. In its decades-long history, more than 300 stars of Broadway, film, and television have performed music from the Great White Way while raising millions of dollars for HIV/AIDS organizations in the Los Angeles area. This year’s 31st Anniversary Spectacular will present music from Broadway shows that originated as Hollywood feature films, performed by an All Star Cast, directed by David Galligan with music director Brad Ellis. www.stagela.com
Panic! Productions will hold auditions via video for the musical 13 by Jason Robert Brown. Male and female actors who can sing and dance and who can play age 13 are invited to audition. All roles are open. Performers are asked to submit their audition video no later than January 5and should contact 13themusicalauditions@gmail.com to receive a copy of the audition requirements. Rehearsals begin February 10 and performances will take place April 10 - 19 at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts in Thousand Oaks.
Kentwood Players will hold open auditions for Mame directed by Ben Lupejkis on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015 from 11am-3pm and on Sunday, Jan. 11 from 6-10pm. Callbacks are Monday, Jan. 12 from 7-10pm. First cast read through will be on Wednesday, January 14 at 7pm. Auditions and performances take place at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue, Westchester, CA 90045. Performance dates are March 13 - April 18, 2015. Please visit www.kentwoodplayers.org for more information and a breakdown of roles.
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