Friday, February 28, 2014

Review: Chance Theater's Energetic Cast is Giving it Up in Lysistrata Jones

L-R: J.D. Driskill, Jackson Tobiska and Devon Hadsell
Photos by Photo by Thamer Bajjali, True Image Studio

Not much happens in Douglas Carter Beane and Lewis Finn’s short-lived Broadway musical Lysistrata Jones. A group of Athens U. college girls decides to stop having sex with their basketball player boyfriends until they break their 30-year losing streak and win a game, which they do by the end of the musical. That’s it in a nutshell. Calling it a “sex jihad” is, I’m sure, supposed to make it seem smart and contemporary but the modern references in Beane’s book largely drift off into out of bounds territory with nary a chuckle.  

The musical is a loose adaptation of Aristophanes’ Greek comedy, Lysistrata, about a group of women in Ancient Greece who went on a sex strike until their men ended the Peloponnesian War. Both perpetuate male/female sexual stereotypes yet Aristophanes’ work is a classic representation of early Greek theatre with a satirical edge. Lysistrata Jones, on the other hand, is just silly and superficial.

Finn’s belt-heavy pop songs are the kind you’d sing along with on the radio but within the context of a musical they all sound the same. Rather than using them to move the action forward, they return again and again in multiple reprises that drive home what we already know. String the titles end to end and the first Act could have been musicalized in one song: “Right Now,” I said “Right Now,” “Just Once” I want to “Change The World” so “No More Givin’ It Up,” just “Lay Low” but “I Don’t Think So” so “You Go Your Way” cause I don’t know Where Am I Now.” The second act has even more repetition with another reprise of “Right Now,” another of You Go Your Way” and a new “Hold On” that gets a reprise later in the Act. I kept wondering why all the reprises. 

What Chance Theater does have going for it, however, is a youthful cast that dances, cheers, and shoots hoops nonstop during Kelly Todd’s athletic choreography. Her moves take full advantage of Christopher Scott Murillo’s basketball court design with its gymnasium and pep rally-ready musicians perched on an upper platform above the main action.

Vocals are mixed, with most handling the mid-ranges of the songs easier than high notes. Camryn Zelinger (as a very dry, very funny goddess, Hetaira) is the one to watch. She’s the sexy Greek vixen whose omniscient presence gives courage to Lyssie J (Devon Hadsell) and helps teach the boys a lesson during a crucial event at the local whore house.

Hadsell is a likable fresh-faced ingénue, and J.D. Driskill (Mick Jackson), who possesses a lovely singing voice, plays the hunky team captain with confidence & swagger, but they have to work incredibly hard to give Beane’s stereotypical characters dimension. For the rest of director Kari Hayter’s ensemble, it’s mainly attitude and broad strokes, both in action and accents. As for audience appeal, with a young cast in place and given the subject matter, this ones sure to be most successful with a younger collegiate crowd.

This is the first production for Chance Theater in its new home, the recently-named Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center located on the opposite end of the block from its old location. It’s a terrific venue that should provide the company with plenty of opportunities to expand its theatre options for audiences and continue to help them push the boundaries as they are wont to do. I look forward to seeing what they tackle next.
Ellen Dostal, Musicals in LA

Michael Dashefsky, Darian Archie and Ricky Wagner

Ashley Arlene Nelson, Chelsea Baldree, Camryn Zelinger
and Danielle Rosario


L-R: Klarissa Mesee, Danielle Rosario and Devon Hadsell

L-R: Klarissa Mesee, Devon Hadsell and Ashley Arlene Nelson 

LYSISTRATA JONES
Through March 9, 2014
Chance Theater
5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807
Tickets: (714) 777-3033 or
www.ChanceTheater.com

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A Treat for Gene Kelly Fans Comes to Pasadena Playhouse March 1st & 2nd

The Pasadena Playhouse Theatre will present Gene Kelly: The Legacy, An Evening with Patricia Ward Kelly for two performances only – Saturday, March 1 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, March 2 at 2:00 pm. During a unique evening, Patricia Ward Kelly - his widow, biographer and the person who knew him best - presents an intimate portrait of this dynamic and innovative artist who created some of the most memorable and iconic scenes in film history. Her compelling presentation combines rare and familiar film clips, previously unreleased audio recordings, personal memorabilia, and insights culled from her hours of interviews and conversations with her husband.

Patricia Ward met Gene Kelly in 1985 in Washington, D.C., where she was the writer for a television special about The Smithsonian for which he was the host and narrator. Soon after, he invited her to California to write his memoir. They fell in love, married, and were together until his death in 1996.

I never knew that about him. -- that’s one of the most common things I hear from people following my show. Even the newspaper in Gene’s hometown of Pittsburgh responded with the headline: ‘And we thought we knew Gene Kelly,’” says Patricia Ward Kelly. 

“Many people know and love the person they see up on the screen, but few know the many dimensions of the man and his work. They do not know that he was fluent in French, was a Shabbos Goy who spoke Yiddish, studied economics, memorized and wrote poetry, frequently read a book a day, did The New York Times crossword puzzle in ink. That’s one of the things that is most rewarding for me about doing the show - sharing the little lower layers that make Gene come to life for people in new and interesting ways.”


Currently, Patricia Ward Kelly serves as sole trustee of The Gene Kelly Image Trust and as Creative Director of Gene Kelly: The Legacy, a corporation established to celebrate Kelly’s artistry worldwide. She lives in Los Angeles where she is completing the definitive book about her late husband.

Tickets are priced from $15 - $70. Also, available is a VIP ticket which includes a Preshow Meet & Greet with Mrs. Kelly and a reception for $150.00. For tickets call (626) 356-7529 or go to www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org. Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101.

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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, February 23, 2014

Musical News for Sunday February 23, 2014


OPENINGS: Harmony, A new Musical by Barry Manilow & Bruce Sussman is about to start performances March 4 at the Ahmanson Theatre. Harmony is inspired by the true story of The Comedian Harmonists, six young men in 1920s and 1930s Germany who rose from unemployed street musicians to become world-famous entertainers, selling millions of records, starring in over a dozen films, and selling out the most prestigious concert halls around the world. Yet while The Comedian Harmonists’ sophisticated music, paired with hilarious comedy, made them the brightest of stars, the group’s mixture of Jews and non-Jews put them on a collision course with history. The musical celebrates this extraordinary group of friends and ensures their quest for true harmony in the most discordant chapter of human history will never be forgotten. It is directed by Tony Speciale and stars Matt Bailey, Will Blum, Hannah Corneau, Chris Dwan, Shayne Kennon, Leigh Ann Larkin, Will Taylor and Douglas Williams. Tickets: (213) 972-4400 or www.centertheatregroup.org


The Haugh Performing Arts Center in Glendora presents SIRO A: The Technical Digital Comedy Experiment, on Friday, March 14 at 8:00 pm (Doors open at 7:00 pm) at the Haugh Performing Arts Center, 1000 W. Foothill Blvd. in Glendora. SIRO-A is a new and varied, innovative and pretty crazy, energetic, cool, and extremely entertaining troupe who have been compared to The Blue Man Group. The beat of their electronic digital music (EDM) hits a visceral nerve and their visual effects, grand illusions, and perfectly choreographed routines are masterfully woven together to create a totally new live experience. SIRO-A has broken the language barrier with their non-verbal performance art and physical theatre, dazzling audiences across generations. It is the ultimate expression of the collaboration between humans, technology, and music. Tickets: www.haughpac.com


Kentwood Players presents Fiddler on the Roof with book by Joseph Stein, lyrics by Jerry Bock, and music by Sheldon Harnick March 14 - April 19 at the Westchester Playhouse. The production is directed by Harold Dershimer, with musical direction by Catherine Rahm, and choreography by Isabella Olivas. Featured in the cast are Kayla Atkinson, Jason Bornstein, Paul Callender-Clewett, Kryzstofer Charles, Ria Erlich, Marty Feldman, Nathan Fleischer, Samuel Goldman, Barbara Haberman, Trevor Hart, Osi Holt, Spencer Johnson, Andy Kallok, Kirsten Krieg, Carly Linehan, Susie McCarthy, Bradley Miller, Trish Miller, Kelsey Nisbett, Fiona Okida, Roy Okida, Gabrielle Olivas, Joseph Olivas, Jennifer Richardson, Judy Rosenfeld, John  Russell, Michael Sandidge, Bruce Schroffel, Ethan Schyman, Hollister Starrett, Jessica Stone, Jennifer Sperry, Jenny Torgerson, and PJ Waggaman. Tickets: www.kentwoodplayers.org

VARIETY: Artisans Union: Love, a variety show of young musicians, actors, directors, comics and performers will take place on March 1st at 8:00 pm at Fremont Centre Theatre. The evening will consist of short performance pieces linked together by the theme of Love. Artisans Union is the collection of artists of various disciplines creating new work for performance. Created by Jed Reynolds, the show will focus on pieces between 10-20 minutes including music, improvisation, standup comedy and plays. Performances include To The Curb by Jerre Dye, directed by Jed Reynolds. Even rash action has its reasons. A comedy about a mother’s harsh, loving message to her son; Bust a Move directed by Michael Le Blanc. Heartbreak is so hard to heal, but therapy can help. A comedy about neurosis and love; Mister Town City, The house improvisational team at the Upright Citizens Brigade; Michaelann Cervantez, hilarious comic and actor and MC of the show; Daniel Cummings, musician, actor and member of YouTube group New Feelings Time; Soda Pop, artist and band member of LA Bus Fair. Tickets: $10. Call (866) 811-4111 or go to  www.FremontCentreTheatre.com

The Echo Theater Company presents XXXander’s Kids! A zany, cutting edge late-night variety hour for 3 performances only at Atwater Village Theatre. Saturdays at 10:30 pm March 1-15. In this zany, fantastically bizarre variety hour, Alexander Oakwood III unselfishly hosts the first-ever live “telethon” to support “Xander's Kids.” Myriad performers and celebrity guest appearances will help raise funds for Alexander and his “charity.” (Disclaimer: this is not a real charity event). Featuring Mark Teppum, Misty Seger and the Atwater Village Dance Squad, Pickles “Matt” Stevens, Alphonso Prefontaine, Dylan, celebrity guests and more. Tickets: 310-307-3753 or www.EchoTheaterCompany.com

BENEFIT: The Pasadena Playhouse will host its annual fundraiser entitled Premiere Gala – Take The Lead at the Playhouse on the stage of The Pasadena Playhouse Sunday, May 4 at 5:30 pm. This year’s event will celebrate dance and choreography at The Pasadena Playhouse and will honor the Lythgoe Family: Nigel Lythgoe, Bonnie Lythgoe, Simon Lythgoe, Kris Lythgoe, and Becky Lythgoe. The choreographers and dancers of The Pasadena Playhouse represent some of the greatest talent in the field, and The Playhouse is thrilled to celebrate their work on this magical night featuring scrumptious food, the best party in Pasadena, and a sampling of surprise performances. Corporate, patron, underwriting and other sponsorship opportunities are available from $1,000 -$25,000. Single ticket prices will be announced at a later date. www.pasadenaplayhouse.org

CABARET/CONCERTS: A Little New Music returns to Rockwell Tuesday, March 4 at 8:00 pm with featuring fresh music with Broadway and local talent. Guest host will be Tony winner Daisy Eagan and the evening will showcase songs by award-winning writers Kerrigan & Lowdermilk, Miller & Tysen, Lisbeth Scott, Carner & Gregor, Dean & Underwood, Mallamud & Bright, Bohmler & Adler, Joshua H. Cohen, Braverman & Hassler, Johnson & Rollins, Katie Thompson, Barry Wyner, Rosser & Sohne, and Ross Golan. Performances by Matt Caplan, Ashley Fox Linton, Zachary Altman, Katherine Washington, Curt Bonnem, LaVance Colley, Sari Rose Barron, Lisbeth Scott, Joe Donohoe, Heather Lake, Payson Lewis, Matt Musgrove, Katrice Gavino, Daniel Amerman, Matthew Daniel Gordon, Ross Golan, Gabrielle Wagner, and Eric B. Anthony. Musical director Bryan Blaskie joins on keys alongside the band. Tickets: http://alittlenewmusic.org/

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Saturday, February 22, 2014

LA’s Next Great Stage Star® 2014 is Jennifer Kranz

L-R: Jennifer Kranz (winner); Travis Leland (2nd place); Adrienne Visnic (third place);
Daniella Painton (4th place); Jade Johnson (5th place); Kimberly Hessler (6thplace).
Photo Credit:  Peter Welkin.

Congratulations to USC student Jennifer Kranz, who was named the winner of LA’s Next Great Stage Star® 2014 competition last weekend at Sterling’s Upstairs at the Federal. Kranz is a senior at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles majoring in Theatre and minoring in Musical Theatre. The blonde, blue-eyed Jennifer Kranz began performing when she was 8 years old and has since studied with John Rubenstein, Gerogia Stitt and others at USC. Her win follows six weeks of intense competition conducted before live audiences who were also part of the voting process.
As part of her winnings, Kranz was awarded a cash prize of $1000; an upcoming paid headlining concert engagement at Sterling’s Upstairs; a vocal demo recording session from Tom Griep’s Audition Trax www.auditiontrax.com; a photo session with Isaac James Creative www.isaacjamescreative.com; and is already in the process of scheduling meetings to be signed and represented by one of the competition’s Equity Agent/Judges as the first step toward a professional career in musical theatre, television and film. 

Additionally, the young Ms. Kranz will receive audition opportunities from such major, regional producing entities as Cabrillo Music Theatre which presents at the Fred Kavli Theatre in the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks, CA; Julia Flores Casting, which represents the Pasadena Playhouse, Boston Court Theatre and McCoy/Rigby Entertainment at the La Mirada Performing Arts Center; and other similar regional auditions. 

Upon her return to Sterling’s later this year with her own concert, she will also receive an overnight stay in a Luxury VIP Suite and dining for two at the iconic Sheraton Universal Hotel. Known as the “Hotel of the Stars” for 45 years, the Sheraton is nestled between the Hollywood Hills and the San Fernando Valley and overlooks the world renowned Universal Studios. www.sheratonuniversal.com. Ms. Kranz has also been invited by Stage Star judge Bruce Kimmel to be featured in an upcoming Kritzerland Records live stage event during 2014 at Sterling’s Upstairs at The Federal.

Now in its 8th consecutive year as the only musical theatre competition of its kind, LA’s Next Great Stage Star® 2014 also shined its spotlight on Travis Leland who placed 2nd and was the first  ever “saved” contestant by the Finale’s judging panel of eighteen theatre professionals. A former student at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy/Los Angeles; and UCLA’s Theatre, Film, and Television Class of 2012, Leland was joined by top ranking finalists Adrienne Visnic (3rd Place), Daniella Painton (4th Place), Jade Johnson (5th) and Kimberly Hessler (6th). All twenty contestants ranged in age between 18 and 28.

The only competition of its kind, 8 former competitors have since made their Broadway debuts; one of whichis Derek Klena (top finalist/LA’s Next Great Stage Star 2011) who recently co-starred on Broadway as Fiyero in the 10th anniversary production of Wicked; and is currently co-starring in The Bridges of Madison  County. Additionally, over 80 out of 160 former competitors are now working professionally in either U.S. National Tours, sit down productions in Las Vegas Hotels, major regional theatres productions, and television.

LA’s Next Great Stage Star® 2014 has been executive produced by Michael Sterling of Michael Sterling & Associates www.msapr.net in Los Angeles since 2007 and was created by Michael Sterling and Tony Monsour. Preceded by serving as producer of LA’s Next Great Stage Star® since 2012, author, speaker, performer, business woman and arts philanthropist, Barbara Van Orden, joined Sterling this year as co-executive producer www.barbaravanorden.com. Writer/Performer Peter Welkin was assigned duties as associate producer for his second year; with James Lent returning as musical director for his fifth consecutive year. Bryan Blaskie assumed responsibilities as associate musical director for his first year; and Jackie Evans rounded out the creative as choreographer for her second year.

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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Interview: The Wild World of 50 Shades! The Musical

It’s coming. Yes, it’s really coming. 50 Shades! The Musical is about to open in Los Angeles on February 25th and audiences have never been crazier over a show than this one. Based on the wildly popular book, 50 Shades of Grey, the musical parody takes the audience into the world of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele through the eyes of a group of book club ladies who read the book together. The production is a collaboration between a team of comedy writers that includes Al Samuels, Emily Dorezas, Amanda Blake Davis, Jody Shelton, Ashley Ward and Dan Wessels, and it was written in an unconventional manner. Before it arrives, I had a chance to talk to writer, Emily Dorezas, who is also a producer and the show’s touring director, and Tiffany Dissette, who plays Pam, about how the musical got started and what we can expect to see.

Emily Dorezas: 50 Shades from A Writer’s Perspective

What inspired you to write a parody of the book 50 Shades of Grey?


Emily:
I think it was a couple of things. All of the writers come from a comedy background and whenever there’s a phenomenon, be it political or cultural, we know it’s ripe for comedy. Some of us hadn’t even read the book yet but there was such a frenzy around it that we realized there could be something to have fun with there. I think the juxtaposition of the material, which was provocative, and who was reading the material - conservative housewives - seemed to be something we wanted to make fun of.


Who came up with the idea to do a parody?


E: I’m also one of the producers, along with Marshall Cordell and Al Samuels, and one day Marshall said he had seen a news story about hardware stores running out of rope after the book came out. He’s this crazy entrepreneur and he was thinking maybe he should invest in a rope factory in China, but in the meantime, he said we should think about making fun of this. So even though Marshall isn’t one of the writers, it was definitely his idea. And then I think it was Al who said, let’s do a musical!

Did you all get together in a room to write, comedy sketch style, or did you work individually and then bring ideas in?

E: It was very much a complete collaboration because we had a very short amount of time to write it and put it up. Initially, the idea came in July 2012 and then, while we were in Scotland for something else, we got a date for the show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. That was three weeks after the idea came to life. We went from starting in a room together, to working on Google docs from an apartment in Scotland while some of the writers were writing in L.A. It was crazy. So in terms of writing style, it was much more like a TV show - all hands in - than it was a typical musical that takes longer to develop and workshop before it comes to life. Usually a musical takes a couple years with fewer writers. This took a team and we got it up fast.

How have audiences responded? Was there anything that surprised you?

E: The male reaction was the biggest surprise for me. As the tour went on, we would get these private messages via Facebook or our emails with guys thanking us because they had no idea what their wives and girlfriends were reading before they came to the show. They knew it was erotic but I think they thought the show would be ‘just a chick flick on stage’ and I’m quoting a guy on that. I think that is how most guys really come to the show. They’re kind of dragged there. One guy said the party hasn’t stopped since we got home last week, so I think it starts the conversation. These guys aren’t going to necessarily read the book but they’ll come and they’ll laugh together at a show and then realize… you’re into that? Okay, I had no idea.  

What should the audience expect to see? 

E: It’s a musical parody and it is definitely in the style of a Book of Mormon treatment of 50 Shades of Grey. We’re all deep in that world of Family Guy musicals and South Park musicals and SNL…that style of comedy, so it’s really fast and in your face. It’s not your typical musical comedy. This is funny first, and we have some great songs too. It’s not for kids but there’s no nudity. There’s a lot of suggestive body placement and there’s a ton of innuendo, and obviously there are a lot of terms that we did not shy away from that are in the book. But it’s a good laugh. You might not want to watch it with your parents...but your parents will have a great time at it. 

How did you find the way to key into the story?

E: We wanted to make light of all of our friends and family that have read 50 Shades of Grey and so we felt the best way to do that was the book club. The culture of book clubs is really everybody hanging out and having a couple drinks and maybe you talk about the book and maybe you don’t. We wanted to have that kind of feel open the show and we also use the book club to frame it. If an audience member hasn’t read the book, like a husband or a boyfriend, we wanted something to guide them through.

Have you had book clubs and groups come to see the show?

E: Oh, yeah. We get a lot of large groups and group sales folks but we also get groups of 6 or 8, about the number you can fit in a minivan. They’re book clubs or girlfriends that maybe wouldn’t necessarily go to a theatre show but this is their night out.

Do you have a favorite moment that didn’t get left in the show?

E: We had a song that used to close the show called “B*tthole in Control” that isn’t in the show any longer. We had already hit those marks and we felt like it wasn’t the right way to end the show. It just wasn’t the right tone, but we all liked the song. So even though it doesn’t exist in the show anymore, it is on the digital version of the album because we all loved it so much. 

How many productions do you have out right now?

E: The New York company opens about the same time we come to LA. It’s at the Electra Theatre in Times Square and in Los Angeles we’re at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. We also have shows in Paris and Holland, we’re about to open in Germany, and we’re also with Broadway Asia.

How does that feel?

E: Awesome! (she laughs) It’s the best. We have a great management partner, Act Five, and we could not be happier about those licenses because, while we have control over it, we give them a lot of flexibility to discover new things with the show; things that maybe we hadn’t thought of or maybe they’ve heightened different elements, so it’s really fun. I saw the Paris show and there was much more nudity than I ever dreamed of but that’s fine. 

Have you had to deal with any censorship issues in any of your tour cities?

E: Not yet. People know that this is a pretty racy book. They know what they’re getting into. We’ve played the Bible belt and it’s just as crazy as anyplace else in terms of the audience reaction. They’re totally in it. If we do get a walkout or two it’s usually because people thought they were coming to a musical that was an exact representation of the book. I have found that there are certain folks who are so passionate about this book that they don’t want to laugh about it. It awakens them, for whatever reason, and I respect that. I just always like to be clear. It is a parody. It isn’t going to be an exact replica of the book you read.

Is there audience interaction in the show?

E: Not really. There are a few times the actors talk to the audience but there’s no audience reaction back. We don’t take anyone up on stage.

Have you had anything wild happen with audience members? 

E: We’ve had some people grab at Christian and he gets underwear and other things thrown at him. I can’t remember where we were, but it was definitely what I would consider a pretty conservative area of the south. I was in the ladies room and I came out and realized that the men’s room also had ladies in it. I peeked in and there were some super straight-laced soccer moms that were loading up their lipstick vibrators that they just got. It was like the craziest concert but it was a musical theatre show. It was insane. They were all drunk, probably 50 of them in there, 4 of them using a urinal, 2 of them trying to figure out their lipstick vibrator and I was just thinking…you guys have to all go to church and see each other after this. You live in this town together.

Sounds like they had a great time! Do you have any idea what you'd like to do next after this show?

E: I’m based in LA and I did comedy in Chicago and toured colleges. I come from a stand-up background and when I moved to LA I never thought I was going to be doing a live musical tour. When I moved to LA I was definitely on a TV trajectory with the goal of being a show runner one day, so I’m going to be coming off the tour soon and I’m going to pick up where I left off with that.

Tiffany Dissette: 50 Shades from An Actor’s Perspective

Tiffany, what a crazy show to be part of. Are you having fun playing Pam in the show?

Tiffany: Yes! It’s such a blast of a show. Pam is the one in the book club who introduces 50 Shades of Grey to the other two ladies and the book club helps narrate the story. If you haven’t read it, you’re following the story along with the book club ladies. They’re good liaisons for the audience because all three of them are caricatures of typical housewives that a lot of audience members can relate to.

Who are the other two ladies?

T: There’s Carol, who is the one who doesn’t really get it and she’s a little bit reserved, a little appalled by everything that’s happening. Bev is totally into it and she’s the one who’s a little drunker on the side. And then there’s Pam, who I’d say is the most sexually charged, sexually aware one of the housewives. She’s the one urging the other ladies to go on this adventure with her and really experience the story; she really opens up our eyes to this whole other world that exists that a lot of people don’t know about. It definitely has some raunchy elements to it but it’s a parody so it’s all in fun. 

Has anything surprised you about the audiences that have come to see the show?

T: It’s interesting because it’s almost like the women who come to see the show are cult followers. You’ve heard of the Harry Potter fans or the Twilight fans…A lot of the people who come see the show are huge fans of the book. Many of the women will come in groups. It’s ladies night out and they’ll come dressed in masks with gray ties and riding crops. It can get wild. 

Have you had any unusual experiences either onstage or after the show?

T: We’ve had ladies in the front row tapping the stage with their riding crops or throwing panties at Christian. It’s hilarious. We also adapt certain parts of the show to each city we’re in and some of the audiences go crazy for that.

Why do you think the 50 Shades trilogy has become such a phenomenon?

T: There have been erotic novels in the past but I think it’s the way it’s written. It’s very nonchalant. I think it started out as this naughty little secret and a woman would say to her girlfriend, have you read this book? Have you experienced this 50 Shades? And then it became more and more popular. Then book clubs started to read it and then it just took over and became this phenomenon - this story of an innocent sweet girl being completely taken over by this world. There are a lot of people that walk into the theater being very reserved and walk out feeling completely comfortable talking about some of the subject matter. It’s a good conversation starter!

How would you describe the style of the music?

T: It’s all original music, mostly contemporary musical theatre, accompanied by a 3-piece band. We do a couple of parodies of some well-known musicals like Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables so people who are knowledgeable in musical theatre will get those references as well.



Performances of
50 Shades! The Musical begin February 25 (opening night Feb. 26) at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 W. Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA. Click Here for tickets or call (213) 972-4488. 

Performance Schedule:
Tues. Wed., Thurs. & Fri. 8:00pm,
Sat. 5pm & 9PM, Sun. 1pm & 6:30pm
http://50shadesthemusical.com/

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Monday, February 17, 2014

Musical News for Monday, February 17, 2014

OPENINGS: Cabrillo Music Theatre has announced initial casting for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In The Heights, to run March 28 – Apr. 6 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. Cabrillo’s production will showcase the original Tony Award-winning Broadway choreography of Andy Blankenbuehler, recreated by the national tour’s dance captain, Morgan Marcell, who also directs. Brian Baker musical directs, with music supervision by Darryl Archibald. The cast of 23 includes Lano Medina (Usnavi), Ayme Olivo (Nina), Frank Authello Andrus Jr. (Benny), Robert Ramirez (Sonny), Celina Polanco (Camilla), Benjamin Perez (Kevin) and Tami Dahbura (Abuela Claudia).

The Musical of Musicals, the Musical! returns to Chromolume Theatre for a limited engagement March 7 – 23, directed by Kristin Towers-Rowles with musical direction by Richard Berent. In this hilarious satire of musical theatre, one story becomes five delightful musicals, each written in the distinctive style of a different master of the form, from Rodgers & Hammerstein to Stephen Sondheim. The cast includes Jean Altadel, Eduardo Enrikez, Jason Kennedy and Christina Morrell. www.chromolume-theatre.com

CONCERTS/CABARET: The 30th Annual Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event, S.T.A.G.E. Goes to the Movies AIDS benefit concert, will be held Sat. May 10 at 7:30 pm at Beverly Hills’ Saban Theatre, directed by David Galligan, with musical direction by John McDaniel. A celebration of cinema, the show promises to be a spectacular event highlighting many of the most memorable musical moments in Hollywood’s vast film library. Robert Osborne will host the evening which also features legendary celebrity columnist Rona Barrett who will narrate a stunning cinematic costume cavalcade. Performers include Cheyenne Jackson, Betty Buckley, Lainie Kazan, Richard Chamberlain, Mitzi Gaynor, Jason Gould, Obba Babtunde, Mary Beth Black, Debby Boone, Patrick Cassidy, Mary Jo Catlett, Carole Cook, David Engel, Julie Garnye, Nicholas Hosking, Bill Hutton, Dale Kristien, Heather MacRae, Pat Marshall, Donna McKechnie, Patricia Morison, Janis Paige, Helen Reddy, Rex Reed, Jake Simpson and Kevin Spirtas. www.stagela.com

Kritzerland presents The Prince and the Showtune: A Tribute to Harold Prince Monday, March 2 at 8:00 pm. The show stars Josh Grisetti, Jean Louisa Kelly, Ashley Fox Linton, Jenna Lea Rosen, Sami Staitman, Robert Yacko, and special guest Terri White, with music director Richard Berent, Sterling’s Upstairs at the Federal, 5303 Lankershim Blvd., in North Hollywood. Dinner reservations: Doors open at 6:30pm. Show starts at 8:00pm. Click Here for more information. 

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Sunday, February 16, 2014

Photo Flash: Musical Theatre West's The MUSIC MAN

Davis Gaines stars as Professor Harold Hill and Gail Bennett as Marian Paroo in Musical Theatre West’s production of The Music Man at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center Feb. 14 – March 2nd. Meredith Willson’s timeless musical features musical direction by Corey Hirsch, choreography by John Todd and is directed by Jeff Maynard. Tickets: (562 856-1999 x. 4 or www.musical.org.

Bryan Vickery (Jacey Squires) and Davis Gaines (Harold Hill)
Photos by Caught in the Moment Photography

Davis Gaines and cast

Gail Bennett as Marian Paroo

Rebecca Spencer as Eulalie MacKecknie Shinn and cast

Donna Louden and Matt Walker as Marcellus

Davis Gaines and the cast

Gail Bennett and Davis Gaines

Davis Gaines and the cast

Gail Bennett and Davis Gaines

Maguire Balleweg as Amaryllis and Kevin Ciardelli as Winthrop

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