Author Archive: Glamour

MY LITTLE PHOBIA

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Los Angeles, CA. May 9, 2024. In this world premiere production, Emily Markoe presents “My Little Phobia,” a comedic exploration of her deepest fear (vomit…gross, sorry!). “My Little Phobia,” directed by Julie Pearson, opens at the Hollywood Fringe Festival with performances on June 8th, 19th and 27th at the Broadwater Studio.

Emily wrote a comedy show that’s not about vomit. How could it be? She has emetophobia, the extreme and debilitating fear of vomit! Watch Emily perform her totally normal comedy show while things start going off the rails. Visited by an array of characters including her deranged meditation guru, a demanding Titanic victim, and of course her childhood therapist, Dr. My Little Pony®, Emily tries to keep things under control. But, as it turns out, Emily doesn’t have control over anything: not her show, not her audience, and perhaps most alarming: not even herself.

In this unique production, Emily brings her blend of humor and vulnerability to the stage as she navigates the downs and ups of living with emetophobia. Director Julie Pearson (The Boxcar Adults, The Girls on the Bus) says, “Any of us anxious folks can relate to the uncomfortable weirdness of having to exist in a body, and creating this show has been a fun, thought-provoking journey through neuroses of all kinds.” From hilarious anecdotes to existential crises, My Little Phobia asks how far you would go to avoid the things you fear.

WHAT: Theater Performance: “My Little Phobia.“

DESCRIPTION: Emily Markoe wrote a comedy show about cleaning her childhood bedroom. Her show is not about vomit — how could it be? She has emetophobia, the extreme and debilitating fear of vomit. Watch Emily perform her show without any interruptions from anxiety-producing characters, stories of recovered memories, or obsessive-compulsive rituals getting in the way. And there definitely won’t be a visit from her childhood therapist, Dr. My Little Pony®. Emily stopped seeing her years ago! Everything’s normal here.

Please note: vomiting at this show is strictly forbidden.

WHO: Presented and Performed by: Emily Markoe. Directed by: Julie Pearson

WHERE: The Broadwater Studio, 1078 Lillian Way

WHEN:
Saturday, June 8, 2024 @ 4:30PM – Preview
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 @ 11PM
Thursday, June 27, 2024 @ 9:30PM

Running Time: 50min
TICKETS: $12 – hollywoodfringe.org/projects/10438
Recommended admission age: 16+

Photo by Zack Arch Photography

HOLMES & WATSON

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LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS THE FINAL PRODUCTION

OF OUR 2023-2024 SEASON…

HOLMES & WATSON

Written by Jeffrey Hatcher

Directed by David Ellenstein

 

THE “WHODUNIT” GUESSING GAME BEGINS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29 AT THE LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE!

 

“Tight and clever and full of suspense!” – Arizona Daily Star

  

May 6, 2024…Laguna Beach, CA…LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE presents HOLMES & WATSON, written by Jeffrey Hatcher and directed by Laguna Playhouse artistic director David Ellenstein. HOLMES & WATSON will begin previews on Wednesday, May 29 (with a press opening on Sunday, June 2 at 5:30pm) and run through Sunday, June 16 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Dr. in Laguna Beach.
 
Prepare yourself for a fast-paced, thrilling, suspenseful story that will keep you guessing until its final moments. In this worthwhile addition to the Sherlock Holmes canon, there are more twists and turns than a rollercoaster! The legendary Sherlock Holmes is dead. Or so it is assumed. When a telegram arrives informing his loyal companion Dr. Watson that there are three men who each claim to be Holmes, it’s left up to the famous sidekick to take on the case and try to discover if one of the mad men is actually the real Sherlock Holmes.  
 
Comments David Ellenstein, “Some years back, I had a great time directing Jeffrey Hatcher’s Holmes & Watson. It is a thrilling mystery that keeps you guessing right up until the last moment. It was as exhilarating for those of us that worked on the production as it was for the audience that experienced it and overwhelmingly cheered for the wild ride that they had. Years later, audiences that saw that show still tell me what a great time they had.          
 
Before I directed this play, I was not a huge Sherlock Holmes enthusiast, but the play led me to read the Conan Doyle source material and I gained a new understanding for the lasting appeal of the detective. These stories are extremely well written. I became captivated by the detail and specificity of the character and literary style. I became a Sherlock fan. There is a reason Mr. Holmes endures through all sorts of adaptations and across time. 
 
Jeffrey Hatcher is such an accomplished and skillful playwright. His specialty is exactly this genre – so this play bristles with intrigue, humor and verve. It truly captures the Holmesian style and mystery. The idea of a new production of Holmes & Watson at Laguna Playhouse fills me with eager anticipation. I am so excited by the exemplary cast we have assembled and the amazing design plans that will lift this play to its full potential. I believe Laguna Playhouse audiences are going to have a great time with this one.”

 

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM AND CAST 

 

DAVID ELLENSTEIN (Director) Born into a theatrical family, David Ellenstein has been working in professional theatre for the better part of five decades. In May 2023, he was named Artistic Director of Laguna Playhouse, after filling the role in an interim capacity since September 2023. In addition, he has been the Artistic Director of North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach, CA since 2003.  At Laguna Playhouse, credits include directing A Shayna Maidel, The Angel Next Door, Chapatti, Alexandros and playing “Einstein” in Picasso at The Lapin Agile. Other directorial credits include The Chosen at Paper Mill Playhouse; Halpern and Johnson and Sonia Flew at Coconut Grove Playhouse; The Glass Menagerie, Rocket City and Honky Tonk Angels at Alabama Shakespeare Festival; His Royal Hipness at 59E59 in NYC; and Long Day’s Journey into Night at Renaissance Theatre. As Artistic Director at North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach since 2003, over 60 Directorial credits including Way Down River, The Tempest, A Moon for the Misbegotten, The Outsider and The Homecoming. His career includes acting credits of playing the title roles in Hamlet at LA Theatre Center and LA Rep; Richard III at California Shakespeare Festival; Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof at Moonlight Stage; Jonathan in Sight Unseen, Max in Laughter on the 23rd Floor and Matt in Talley’s Folly at North Coast Rep as well as over three dozen film and television episodes.

 

JEFFREY HATCHER (Playwright) His Broadway credits include: Never Gonna Dance (book). Off-Broadway credits include: Three Viewings and A Picasso at Manhattan Theatre Club; The Government Inspector at Red Bull Theater; Scotland Road and The Turn of the Screw at Primary Stages; Lucky Duck (book w/ Bill Russell) at the New Victory Theater; Tuesdays With Morrie (w/ Mitch Albom) at the Minetta Lane Theatre; Murder By Poe, The Turn of the Screw, and A Connecticut Yankee At King Arthur’s Court at the Acting Company; Ten Chimneys at Peccadillo Theater Company; Neddy at American Place; and Fellow Travelers at Manhattan Punchline. Other theatre credits include: Compleat Female Stage Beauty, Mrs. Mannerly, Murderers, Mercy Of A Storm, Smash, Armadale, Korczak’s Children, Work Song (w/ Eric Simonson), To Fool The Eye, Sherlock Holmes And The Suicide Club, Jeffrey Hatcher’s Hamlet, The Scarecrow And His Servant, Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, The Critic, Holmes And Watson, and others at the Guthrie, the Old Globe, Yale Rep, the Geffen, Seattle Rep, Huntington Theatre Company, the Shakespeare Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse, Cleveland Playhouse, South Coast Rep, Arizona Theatre Company, San Jose Rep, the Empty Space, Indiana Rep, Children’s Theatre Company, History Theatre, Madison Rep, Intiman Theatre, Illusion Theater, Denver Center, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Milwaukee Rep, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Asolo Repertory Theatre, City Theater, Studio Arena, and dozens more in the US and abroad. FILM/TV: “Stage Beauty,” “Casanova,” “The Duchess,” “Mr. Holmes,” “The Good Liar,” “Columbo,” “Murder at the Cannes Film Festival,” and “The Mentalist.” GRANTS/AWARDS: NEA, TCG, Lila Wallace Fund, Rosenthal New Play Prize, Frankel Award, Charles MacArthur Fellowship Award, McKnight Foundation, Jerome Foundation, Barrymore Award (Best New Play), and the 2013 Ivey Lifetime Achievement Award. 

 

The cast of HOLMES & WATSON features (in alphabetical order): Richard Baird (The Rainmaker at Laguna Playhouse) as “Watson,” Matt Koenig (Cabaret at La Mirada Theatre) as “Holmes #2,” Matthew Floyd Miller (Sleuth at Ensemble Theatre Company) as “Holmes #1,” Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper (Oliver at 5-Star Theatricals) as “Dr. Evans,” Mike Peebler (Hamlet at Theatricum Botanicum) as “Orderly/Moriarty/Inspector,” Alice Sherman (Amadeus at North Coast Repertory) as “The Matron/The Woman,” and Christopher M.  Williams (Tartuffe at Laguna Playhouse) as “Holmes #3.”

                                                                                                                                              

The design team for HOLMES & WATSON is as follows: scenic design by Stephen Gifford; costume design by Kate Bergh; lighting design by Jared A. Sayeg; sound design by Ian Scot; props design by Kevin Williams; hair and wig design by Peter Herman.  Casting is by Michael Donovan Casting; Michael Donovan, CSA & Richie Ferris, CSA.  The Production Stage Manager is Vernon Willet.                                    

 

ABOUT THE SCHEDULE AND PRICING

HOLMES & WATSON will preview on Wednesday, May 29 at 7:30pm; Thursday, May 30 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm; Friday, May 31 at 7:30pm; Saturday, June 1 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm; (with a press opening on Sunday, June 2 at 5:30pm) and run through Sunday, June 16, 2024 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Dr. in Laguna Beach.

 

Performances are Wednesdays through Fridays at 7:30pm; Saturdays at 2:00pm & 7:30pm; Sundays at 1:00pm & 5:30pm. There will be added performances on Thursday, May 30 at 2:00pm; Thursday, June 6 at 2:00pm & Tuesday, June 11 at 7:30pm. There will be no performance on Sunday, June 16 at 5:30pm. There will be a post-show talkback following the Friday, June 7 performance.                   

 

Tickets range from $45 – $84 and can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-2787. Group discounts are available by calling 949-497-2787 ext.229.  Prices subject to change.                                                                                                                                                      

The box office is open Tuesdays – Sundays: 12pm to 4pm; Mondays open 2 hours prior to show time and until 15 minutes after curtain.  Open until showtime on all performance days.

For more information on all shows and programming visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com.  LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is located at 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.   

 

 

Founded in 1920, the historic Laguna Playhouse (David Ellenstein, Artistic Director/Bill Kerlin, Managing Director) is one of the oldest continuously-operating not-for-profit theatres on the West Coast and is proud to be an active participant in the celebrated Laguna Beach arts community. From classic plays and musical comedies to the current off-Broadway smash, cutting edge and traditional music exhibitions, dance festivals and stand-up comedy performances, Laguna Playhouse brings the magical experience of the performing arts direct to over 80,000 patrons each season.

 

Laguna Playhouse educational programming includes year-round classes, productions by and for children and teens (Youth Theatre) and is one of the few companies in the region that offer a curriculum-based professional theatre-touring program, TheatreReach, which aligns with the California State Standards for literature, history and performing arts curriculum.      

 

Laguna Playhouse has been recognized in for the past five years as one of Orange County Register’s “Best of OC” in the category of Live Theatre. The Laguna Playhouse has featured many talented performers on stage, including Ed Asner, Leslie Caron, Hershey Felder, Harrison Ford, Melanie Griffith, Val Kilmer, Gregory Harrison, Dan Lauria, Hal Linden, Wendie Malick, Rita Rudner, Peter Strauss, Jobeth Williams, Joely Fisher, Charles Shaughnessy, French Stewart, Loretta Swit, and Bette Davis.

 

Learn What’s Going On at www.lagunaplayhouse.com.

ALICE, FORMERLY OF WONDERLAND

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ENSEMBLE THEATRE COMPANY 

Presents the Capstone Production of its 2023-24 Season,

A WORLD PREMIERE MUSICAL!

ALICE, FORMERLY OF WONDERLAND

 Written by Mark Saltzman

Musical Arrangements by Jack Lipson

Directed by Jim Fall

 

Performances begin Thursday, May 30 at The New Vic Theatre in Santa Barbara

 

May 6, 2024…Santa Barbara, Calif… Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara (ETC), Santa Barbara’s only professional theatre company, is proud to announce the capstone production of its 45th season, the world premiere musical, ALICE, FORMERLY OF WONDERLAND, written by seven-time Emmy Award winning writer Mark Saltzman (Romeo and Bernadette) and directed by Jim Fall (Trick), with musical arrangements by Jack Lipson. 

 

This enchanting new musical tells the true story of the secret romance between the real-life Alice, and Prince Leopold, son of Queen Victoria and great-granduncle of Prince Harry. As a child, Alice was Lewis Carroll’s inspiration for the girl who fell down the rabbit hole, but now Alice is falling in love, despite the furious objections of the Queen. To honor the a cappella traditions at Oxford, the music of ALICE, FORMERLY OF WONDERLAND is performed without accompaniment. ALICE, FORMERLY OF WONDERLAND will perform from Thursday, May 30 through Sunday, June 16, 2024 (with a press opening on Saturday, June 1 at 8:00pm) at The New Vic Theatre, 33 W. Victoria Street.

 

“The creation of unique pieces of living art is at the heart of what we do every day at ETC,” said Scott DeVine, ETC’s executive director. “Every production at ETC is original from the costumes we create to the scenery we build and the casting decisions we make. That process is never more exciting, dynamic or engaging as when we are working on a world premiere production. The ability to partner with a playwright in developing the script, and presenting the production to an audience for the very first time anywhere, is a special experience with an energy unlike anything else. I can’t wait to share this remarkable new story with our community and the world.”

“I’m deeply delighted to see this long-gestating project of mine come to life at the Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara,” comments writer Mark Saltzman. “The relationship of Alice Liddell and Prince Leopold first appeared on my radar when commentators began analyzing the Harry-Meghan love match and mentioned that Harry’s great-granduncle Leopold was similarly in love with a celebrity. I endeavored to bring a 21st century sensibility to this story of 1872 Oxford, and folded in references to the racism, sexism and colonialism of society of that time. I’m also pleased to present on stage, with historical accuracy, a character with a disability as a romantic lead.”

 

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM AND CAST

JIM FALL (Director) has had a diversified directing career spanning over 35 years, including theatre, film and TV. His recent theatre directing credits include the world premieres of: Mark Saltzman’s musical about Rodgers and Hart; Falling for Make Believe at the Colony Theater, Primal Scream, The Musical, music by David Foster, book and lyrics by Arthur Janov, at the Smothers Theater, Pepperdine University, Howard Skora’s comedies Miserable With and Ocean View and Damaged Furniture at the Whitefire Theater, and Gary Lennon’s The Interlopers at the Bootleg Theater. His TV movie credits include: “Wedding Wars” starring John Stamos and James Brolin, “Holiday Engagement” starring Shelley Long, “Holly’s Holiday,” and “Kristin’s Christmas Past.” He also directed episodes of “Grosse Pointe,” and “So NoTORIous,” VH1’s scripted comedy starring Tori Spelling and Zachary Quinto. His feature film credits include: Trick, starring Christian Campbell and Tori Spelling, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and Disney’s The Lizzie McGuire Movie, starring Hilary Duff. He is currently developing “The Lord Won’t Mind,” a TV series based on Gordon Merrick’s 1971 New York Times bestseller, Hate: A Love Story, a feature film based on the true story of Al Snyder who took the Westboro Baptist Church to the Supreme Court after they protested his military son’s funeral, and Out In The Vineyard, an original movie musical set in Sonoma, CA, shooting in early 2025.

MARK SALTZMAN (Playwright and Musical Director) began his career in New York with Jim Henson, writing for the Muppets. His Sesame Street sketches and songs (including “Caribbean Amphibian”) earned him seven Emmy Awards, but behind Kermit’s back, Mark was writing shows for Soho Rep, 13th Street Theater, and the Village Gate, where he co-wrote the long-running revue A, My Name is Alice. Later, Mark collaborated with Jerry Herman on the tv movie Mrs. Santa Claus, starring Angela Lansbury.  For the movies, he wrote TheAdventures of Milo and Otis, Three Ninjas Kick Back and has had screenplays commissioned by SONY, Universal, and Disney. His TV movie The Red Sneakers, directed by and starring Gregory Hines was nominated for a Writers Guild Award. His first full-length stage work was The Tin Pan Alley Rag, Pasadena Playhouse 1997, nominated for five Los Angeles Ovation Awards including Best Musical. It went on to play theaters throughout the US, including a run at New York’s Roundabout Theater, nominated as Best Musical by the Outer Critics Circle. Other works for stage: Falling for Make Believe based on the life of Lorenz Hart AT LA’s Colony Theater, directed Jim Fall. Mr. Shaw Goes to Hollywood, Laguna Playhouse and now optioned for a film. Romeo and Bernadette, Off-Broadway in 2022, two Drama Desk Award nominations for lyrics and book as well as a Critic’s Choice nod from the NY Times. Cast album appearing this fall.  Mark is a graduate of Cornell’s English and theater departments.  He runs The Arnold Glassman Fund, which offers grants to worthy documentaries. 

  

ETC has assembled a stellar cast, featuring Matthew Greenwood (The 8th Fold at the The Duchess Theatre, London; Harry in The One Direction Story at The Lyric Theatre, London) as “Caterpillar” & “Alfred Rowston,” Margie Mays (“American Idol,” “Call Me, Kat”) as “Alice Liddell,” Bree Murphy (National Tour of Les Miserables; Musical Theatre West’s 42nd Street) as “Queen Victoria,” “Mrs. Pettigrew,” & “Victor,” Sam O’Byrne (Salvage at the Hudson Theatre; Slings and Arrows at the Broadwater) as “Prince Leopold,” Sawyer Patterson (making his regional theatre debut) as “Edward Brockett,” and Brent Schindele (ETC’s Striking 12, Marry Me A Little) as “Dean Henry Liddell.”

 

The production’s design team includes scenic designer Harry Feiner, lighting designer Michael Rathbun, sound designer Kate Wecker and costume designer Michael Mullen.

 

Producers for ALICE, FORMERLY OF WONDERLAND are Gwen and Henry Baker and Dana White; Associate Producer is Joan Davidson; and Supporting Producers are Paul Longanbach and Donald Polk.

ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

ALICE, FORMERLY OF WONDERLAND previews on Thursday, May 30 at 7:30pm & Friday, May 31 at 8:00pm; opens on Saturday, June 1 at 8:00pm (press opening) and runs through Sunday, June 16, 2024 at 2:00pm at The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria Street in Santa Barbara. 

 

Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, and Sundays at 2:00pm; with added performances on Sunday, June 2 at 7:00pm, Tuesday, June 4 at 7:30pm, Saturday, June 8 at 3pm, and Wednesday, June 12 at 2pm.

 

Ticket prices range from $40 – $86. All Patrons 35 and under are always $35. Student tickets are $25. Single tickets are available through the ETC box office at (805) 965-5400, or online at etcsb.org. Prices subject to change. 

#     #     #

 ENSEMBLE THEATRE COMPANY, a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), is Santa Barbara’s sole professional Equity theater company. ETC is committed to producing the highest professional quality theater in Santa Barbara, employing accomplished professional actors and stage managers. 

 

ETC has been home to several world, American and West Coast premieres and has received recognition and accolades throughout its enduring history, Including being recognized in an Equity theater company by the Actors’ Equity Association, the labor union for American actors and state managers. As the sole professional Equity theatre company in Santa Barbara, ETC brings a wide range of accomplished theatrical professionals to the region. For more information, visit our website at etcsb.org. 

PHOTO CREDIT: Zach Mendez

CHANGE THE GAME

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Acclaimed musical debuts at the Hollywood Fringe Festival

CHANGE THE GAME

Los Angeles, CA. May 6, 2024. “Change The Game” tackles the concept of diversity in the LA/Orange County area. This compelling musical production is set to take the stage at McCadden Place Theatre as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival on June 9, 14, and 16. The production of “Change the Game” was presented and well-received by critics and audiences alike at the Laguna Cultural Center, the Chance Theater in Fullerton, and the Maverick Theater in Anaheim in 2023.

The narrative kicks off as the First-generation, Low-Income Partnership student group witnesses their community succumbing to gentrification. Seeking guidance, they turn to political philosophy professor Adam Herow. Together, they resolve to field a candidate for office. Club President Brenda soon finds herself in conflict with her overly ambitious boyfriend, Channing, who wants to play hardball politics. As the campaign gains traction, the temptation to compromise their principles looms large. Unraveling the solutions might emerge from the pages of their academic readings, as the student finds core messages that can guide them on their mission. Perhaps winning elections isn’t the ultimate goal; rather, it’s about reshaping the rules of the game.

Original music

WHERE: McCadden Place Theater – 1157 N McCadden Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90038

WHEN:
Sunday, June 9th at 1:00pm (Preview)
Friday, June 14th at 8:30pm
Sunday, June 16th at 7:30pm

TICKETS: $ 15.00 The Hollywood Fringe Festival – change the game

Admission: 10+; Play runs 2 hours plus an intermission

The ensemble cast embodies the characters in the play with a spectrum of races, showcasing diversity as strength. Through their performances, they confront and embrace the differences that society might view as disadvantages, transforming them into sources of empowerment. Their lived experiences breathe life into the play’s themes and ground the ideas in reality and authenticity.

“In my decades as a competitive academic debate coach, I’ve learned that diversity isn’t about numbers; it’s about drawing on our varied strengths to create something greater than ourselves,” states Dr. Bruschke. “Through embracing philosophical and cultural exploration, we transformed bureaucratic questions into personal experiences and managed to find both competitive success and transformative education. This musical takes that story of collaboration across identities, marginalizations, and privileges, and how you can forge lifelong relationships and a powerful message for the world.”

Trailer: Change the Game – Promo on Vimeo

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

Dr. Jon Bruschke (Writer, Producer, Director) Dr. Bruschke served as an award-winning coach of the nationally renowned CSU Fullerton debate team for over a decade.  He has combined the lessons from that experience with his passion for music to produce a tale that follows a group of students navigating their way through the often-ugly field of contemporary politics.

 

Andrew Howat (Musical Arrangement).  Andrew is a professor of Philosophy at Cal. State Fullerton and an accomplished guitarist, coming from a musically adept family background that brought a deep education in music theory and performance.  His first love is progressive rock, and he has played in a number of bands in California and his native Edinburgh, Scotland.

Stephanie Williams (Vocal Development).  Miss Stephanie is the owner and chief proprietor of the Los Angeles Voice Studio.  She moved to California from Texas to complete her education and received a B.M. in Music Performance with Vocal Emphasis at Chapman University, studying under opera diva Carol Neblett.   Stephanie has performed on the opera stage in roles such as Cherbino in Le Nozze di Figaro and frequents the stage of the Los Angeles based opera companies such as The Industry and Pacific Opera Project. She also has performed with several jazz ensembles and rock bands.

Tyrone Stokes (hip-hop lyrics).  Tyrone is the owner of the Dope Spot Studios and fronts the group Dope By Design that has pioneered the hip-hop style Lyrically Twisted, a genre that seeks to twist lyrics to encourage listeners to “dig deeper” to really understand fully experience the meanings.  He has been featured in Voyage LA.  He earned his BA degree from Cal. Poly Pomona and is a core member of the Artists United to End Homelessness collective.

For additional information: Change The Game — The Musical – Set in Orange County, about changing politics everywhere (wordpress.com)

Photography by: Freddi Bruschke

VENTURA LIVE! Music, Laughter and Magic

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Rubicon Theatre Company of Ventura

Kicks off First Week of New Special Event Series

VENTURA LIVE! 

Music, Laughter and Magic

Featuring One-Night and Short-Run Concerts, Jam Sessions, New Play Readings, Magic Nights, Comedy, and Much More

 

10 Events! May 11 – June 15 at Rubicon Theatre in Ventura

 

May 7, 2024 (Ventura, CA) – Rubicon Theatre Company, celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season this year, announces the launch of its exciting new special event series, “VENTURA LIVE! Music, Laughter and Magic, ”featuring one-night and short-run concerts, jam sessions, new play readings, magic nights, comedy, and much more. The series runs from May 11 – June 15, 2024. From a reading of a new rock-and-roll musical to a side-splitting comedy and soulful tributes, this diverse series promises something for everyone. Rubicon is also thrilled to open a new outdoor patio for patrons to enjoy just in time for the VENTURA LIVE series (and beyond), featuring food trucks and specially crafted themed cocktails. Food trucks and cocktail service starts 2 hours before showtime and goes through intermission. Guests are encouraged to arrive early. All events will take place at Rubicon’s home, The Karyn Jackson Theatre in Ventura’s Downtown Cultural District, 1006 E. Main Street. For tickets, go to www.rubicontheatre.org or call (805) 667-2900.

 

“We are thrilled to launch our new series ‘VENTURA LIVE!’ an exciting milestone for us,” says KARYL LYNN BURNS, Producing Artistic Director of Rubicon Theatre Company. 

 

“The ideas came from a desire to make the theatre more of a community hub,” continues Burns, “and to welcome new audiences to our venue.”

 

“Our goal is to produce and present events between our mainstage theatrical productions and on off-nights at the theatre,” continues Burns, “and to expand our offerings with a diverse range of live entertainment that will bring more music, joy and laughter to audiences of all ages at an affordable price. (Most events are between $20 and $40, with some free.) With such a diverse lineup of talent and entertainment, VENTURA LIVE! has something for everyone to enjoy.” 

This Weekend’s Lineup:
 

Sat., May 11 @ 7 pm 

MAKE YOUR OWN KIND OF MUSIC  

Celebrate Mother’s Day Weekend with Hit Songs by Iconic Women in Music of the ’60s and ’70s 

Tickets: $39.50  

Starring HEATHER YOUMANS

Featuring Special Musical Guests RAINEE BLAKE, THERESE CURATOLO, MALYNDA HALE, AND STEPHANIA POURGOURI

Directed by DAN FISHBACH

Musical Direction by BRENDAN COYLE

 

HEATHER YOUMANS  (from Dark of the Moon at Rubicon), an all-star band and special musical guests from “The Voice,” and “American Idol,” as they celebrate the hit songs and stories of the most iconic women in music from the 1960s and 70s, including CAROLE KING, JONI MITCHELL, TINA TURNER, DIONNE WARWICK, ARETHA FRANKLIN, OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN, STEVIE NICKS, KAREN CARPENTER, DIANA ROSS & The Supremes, LINDA RONSTADT and more! Journey through the “golden age of popular music” — from Laurel Canyon folk songs and Woodstock rock anthems to the rise of disco and protest songs that empowered a generation. 

Featured Food Truck: INDULGIA EATS will be serving mouthwatering food from 5 pm through intermission. A blend of ‘Indul’gence and Nostal’gia’, Indulgia’s cuisine is a celebration of traditional Indo-Global eats paired with a SoCal flair, lending a unique culinary journey that engages all the senses. 

 

Sunday, May 12 @ 3 pm (Mother’s Day)
 

FROM BROOKLYN TO BROADWAY

Tony and Emmy Award-Winner Lillias White in Concert

Tickets: $39.50

Music Director ABDUL HAMID ROYAL 

 

Star of 16 (count ‘em, 16!) Broadway shows, including her recent triumph in Hadestown on Broadway, divine diva LILLIAS WHITE brings her special blend of charisma and star-power to the Rubicon stage for a special Mother’s Day Concert to perform some of Broadway’s best-loved songs. White is internationally recognized for her work on both the stage and screen. Her performance in Cy Coleman’s Broadway musical The Life won her the TONY® Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She was nominated for a second TONY® Award for her brilliant work in Fela! Additional Broadway credits include Barnum, Dreamgirls, Cats, Carrie, Once on This Island, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Chicago. Rubicon audiences will remember White for her ovation-winning roles in The Best is Yet to Come (also Off-Broadway, Drama Desk Award), and for Gem of the Ocean. In addition to several Broadway cast albums, White has recorded the critically acclaimed albums “Get Yourself Some Happy!” and “From Brooklyn to Broadway.” 

 

The VENTURA LIVE! Series is produced by ANTHONY M. COLOMBO and JULIA DONLON for Rubicon, and JAY PONTI for Be the Revolution.                                                             

 

To purchase tickets online, or for more information about VENTURA LIVE!, visit www.rubicontheatre.org.Tickets are also available by phone at 805.667.2900, or may be purchased in-person at Rubicon Theatre Company’s home, The Karyn Jackson Theatre, located at 1006 E. Main Street, Ventura, CA  93001 (Laurel entrance). Guest Services is open from Noon to 6:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.  

 

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About Rubicon Theatre Company 

Rubicon Theatre has been described as “the rising star of the Southern California cultural constellation.” The not-for-profit professional regional theatre company has reached more than 540,000 attendees and more than 53,000 students. Rubicon serves area residents and visitors with innovative productions of classic and contemporary plays, as well as a wide array of educational programs and events. Acclaimed by critics and industry professionals, the company has received the L.A. Drama Critics Margaret Harford Special Award for “Sustained Excellence,” Drama Desk Awards for the Off-Broadway productions of The Best is Yet to Come and Daddy Long Legs and has won more than 20 Ovation Awards from the L.A. Stage Alliance. 

 

Just prior to the pandemic, Rubicon transferred three shows to New York (Wiesenthal – Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Award nominations; Lonesome Traveler – Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Award nominations; and Daddy Long Legs (Drama Desk Award). Rubicon has welcomed a steady stream of high-profile actors and directors to the stage, including BRUNO and ODISEO BICHIR, ALISON BRIE, SUSAN CLARK, DANA DELANY, CONCHATA FERRELL, BONNIE FRANKLIN, HAROLD GOULD, JOEL GREY, LARRY HAGMAN, BILL IRWIN, STACY KEACH, JACK LEMMON, AMANDA McBROOM, TED NEELEY, LAUREN PATTEN, PAUL PROVENZA, LINDA PURL, RONDI REED, JOHN RITTER, JOE SPANO, BRUCE WEITZ, LILLIAS WHITE and others. Company members are GEORGE BALL, JOSEPH FUQUA, JOE SPANO and JENNY SULLIVAN. 

 

Based in Ventura’s Downtown Cultural District, just blocks from the Pacific Ocean, Rubicon resides in a 185-seat historic church built in the 1920s. In this renovated historic landmark, audience members are never further than 10 rows from the stage on the main floor.

 

True to the company’s name and the vision of artistic directors KARYL LYNN BURNS and JAMES O’NEIL, Rubicon has created an environment where commitment and risk are encouraged, and where artists are nurtured and respected. As a result, the company has gained a reputation for producing invigorating interpretations of the classics and for supporting the development of new works. Rubicon presents at least one World Premiere each season, as well as readings of works-in-progress. 

 

Deeply rooted in the region it serves, Rubicon offers extensive outreach programs, including daytime matinees for high school students, after-school and weekend programs for at-risk youth, and summer musical theatre, drama, and technical theatre camps. 

A board of directors of prominent social and civic leaders governs Rubicon under the leadership of President DOUG HALTER and Honorary Chair Rosa Lee Measures. The company is also supported by an advisory group of regional ambassadors and a volunteer auxiliary.                                 

 

Rubicon Theatre Companys is located in The Karyn Jackson Theatre at 1006 E. Main Street in Ventura’s Downtown Cultural District. 

 

For more information about Rubicon Theatre Company, or to purchase tickets, call (805) 667-2900 or go to www.rubicontheatre.org. 

 

Ugly Lies The Bone

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UGLY LIES THE BONE

Comes to life at the Hollywood Fringe Festival.

Los Angeles, CA. May 7, 2024. Grim Abbey Productions proudly presents Lindsey Ferrentino’s drama, “Ugly Lies the Bone,” at this year’s Hollywood Fringe Festival. Directed by award-winner Lulenoxx and featuring a talented and diverse cast, this production will captivate audiences with its exploration of resilience, love and the human spirit. Opens June 8th for six performances at McCadden Place Theatre.

The play deals with the life of Jess, a soldier returning home from her third tour in Afghanistan, scarred both physically and emotionally by the horrors of war. With severe burns from an IED explosion and PTSD from the trauma she experienced at war, Jess embarks on a journey of rehabilitation and self-discovery. Through the innovative use of Virtual Reality therapy, she navigates the challenges of her new reality, confronting the changes in her hometown and reconnecting with loved ones who struggle to understand her pain.

“Ugly Lies the Bone” is a poignant exploration of deep emotions and dark themes, infused with moments of comedy and hope. Jess’s journey is one of resilience and determination, as she confronts her anger and sarcasm to embrace the possibility of a new life. The play sheds light on the complexities of disability and the ways in which individuals and communities navigate unfamiliar terrain.

The moment Gabrielle Archambault encountered Ferrentino’s powerful script, she was compelled to bring it to life on stage. “ This piece is perfect for anyone who has ever felt lost, in pain, or like no one around them can understand the turmoil they are going through,” she exclaims, “We hope to share this piece and empower those who are struggling with physical or emotional pain to seek help and guidance, through Jess’s story, we aim to inspire hope and resilience, reminding audiences that no matter the obstacles they face, there is a way forward.”

WHO: Presented by: Grim Abbey Productions Directed by: Lulenoxx Cast includes: Gabrielle Archambault, Sheer Aviram, Carver Folkes, Suni M!, and Hans Heilmann.

WHERE: MCCADDEN PLACE THEATRE – 1157 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood, CA 90038.

WHEN:
Sunday, June 08, 3:30 PM
Saturday, June 15, 6:30 PM
Saturday, June 22, 11:30 AM
Sunday, June 23, 8:30 PM
Friday, June 28, 8:00 PM
Sunday, June 30, 2:30 PM

TICKET PRICE: $15 – The Hollywood Fringe Festival – ugly lies the bone

Admission age: 16+ / Running time: 90 minutes.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION TEAM:

Gabrielle Archambault (Producer) is drawn to projects surrounding trauma recovery. A female, queer, actress, producer, and writer, she is passionate about telling stories that help people feel that they are not alone in difficult experiences, and that they can get through to the other side. With a degree focus in Musical Theatre and practical experience as a filmmaker, she is looking forward to getting back to her roots and hitting the stage again. Film and TV experience include supporting roles in the feature film No Tears in Hell and the new tv show Second Chances. As a writer she is currently pitching several features and a pilot based off the book Amish Vampires in Space. ga

Lulenoxx (Director (they/them)) is a queer, non-binary screenwriter, director and creator. As a theater maker, they have over 10 years of directing, writing and devising experience at the professional and educational level, with a focus in new work, especially opera. Lulenoxx is a member of the She-Collective and is an Alumni of Lincoln Center’s Director’s Lab. Lulenoxx is also an award winning filmmaker, winning CineStory Foundation’s 2024 LGBTQIA+ Scholarship, PANO’s Marilyn Horowitz Screenwriting Award (2nd Prize) and has received development opportunities and fellowships from Stowe Story Labs and Athena Film Festival’s Writers Lab (Finalist for the Chinonye Chukwu Emerging Writer Award). Their primary goal as a storyteller is to tell the truth, in whatever form it manifests. They are currenting working on their first feature film, Pairs to the Floor, with Unseen Films Oregon.

Instagram: @ grimabbeyproductions

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CALENDAR LISTING INFORMATION

May 2023

WHAT: Theater Play: “Ugly Lies the Bone” by Lindsey Ferrentino

DESCRIPTION: The play deals with the life of Jess, a soldier returning home from her third tour in Afghanistan, scarred both physically and emotionally by the horrors of war. With severe burns from an IED explosion and PTSD from the trauma she experienced at war, Jess embarks on a journey of rehabilitation and self-discovery. Through the innovative use of Virtual Reality therapy, she navigates the challenges of her new reality, confronting the changes in her hometown and reconnecting with loved ones who struggle to understand her pain.

WHERE: MCCADDEN PLACE THEATRE – 1157 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood, CA 90038

WHO: Presented by: Grim Abbey Productions Directed by: Lulenoxx Cast includes: Gabrielle Archambault, Sheer Aviram, Carver Folkes, Suni M!, and Hans Heilmann.

WHEN:
Sunday, June 08, 3:30 PM
Saturday, June 15, 6:30 PM
Saturday, June 22, 11:30 AM
Sunday, June 23, 8:30 PM
Friday, June 28, 8:00 PM
Sunday, June 30, 2:30 PM

TICKET PRICE: $15 – The Hollywood Fringe Festival – ugly lies the bone

Admission age: 16+

Running time: 90 minutes

Theatre Review: Ghost Waltz

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Latino Theater Company presents the world premiere of Ghost Waltz. Written by Oliver Mayer. Directed by Alberto Barboza. Music directed by Alberto López. Produced by Latino Theater Company.

Attesting to the revival of magical realism, Playwright Oliver Mayer incorporates this genre into Ghost Waltz, a sublime play that imagines the traveling life of one the greatest Mexican composers of the 19th century, Juventino Rosas (Quetzal Guerrero), in his meteoric ascend to international success.

Of humble origins, Rosas was an Otomí born in 1868. He started playing music at an early age and was able to join the Mexico City National Conservatory. Eventually, he traveled to the US, playing in cities such as New Orleans and Chicago. In the play, Rosas is invited to the Conservatory by Professor Zeiss (Cástulo Guerra). Rosas’ father is played by Eduardo Robledo.

In Mayer’s story, Rosas meets soprano Ángela Peralta (Nathalie Peña–Comas) at the Conservatory, falling madly in love with her. In real life, Peralta, known as The Mexican Nightingale, was also a Mexican native who reached international recognition as an opera singer. Known in Italy as angelica di voce e di nome, meaning angelic by voice and by name, she performed in the prestigious La Scala in Milan and formed her own touring opera company. The achievements of Rosas and Peralta in the play highlight the success of these two figures of humble origins in the Mexican elite of the 19th century, dominated by Europeans and people of European ancestry.

But the rejection experienced by Rosas from Peralta is also a symbol of the conflictive relationship between Mexicans and their indigenous past. Peralta wears white makeup and a white dress to symbolize the effort to mask her native identity, avoiding the tragic destiny of the natives in Mexico, a life of invisibility.

Another relevant character is Scott Joplin (Ric’key Pageot), also known as the King of Rag. In the fictionalized world of Ghost Waltz, Joplin and Rosas meet in New Orleans and Rosas has a romantic relationship with Joplin’s companion, Bethena (Ariel Brown). The relationship between Rosas and Joplin implies the search of an identity through music. Rosas’ compositions gave Mexico an identity in the sophisticated and elitist world of waltz, a music inspired by German Romanticism.

Joplin started experimenting with different rhythms to achieve an African American musical identity that could be danceable but sophisticated at the same time, something like waltz. According to Marcello Piras, a distinguished music history professor, Joplin was inspired by Rosas in his search for that Black identity.

The Creole clairvoyant Marie Leveau (Monte Escalante) is the link to both cultures. Voodoo, a combination of religion, myth, practice and superstition, has an important influence in music. Both Rosas and Joplin found inspiration in the mystic Caribbean rhythms. Joplin in New Orleans and Rosas in Cuba and the many Cuban musicians that worked in Mexico at the time. These layers of connections and subtexts show Mayer’s creativity and sophistication as a playwright.

Guerrero, a classical-trained violinist, infuses his character with the sensibility of a talented artist and the determination of a man who refuses to give up pursuing his dreams. Peña–Comas shows the reason her career is ascending in the international scene. She has performed in the most prestigious stages around the world. Her captivating voice is an elegant touch to the production and adds depth to the performance. Pageot, a musician who has played with major acts internationally, demonstrates his extensive musical experience and plays his character with the ambition of a young artist eager to leave a mark.

Director Alberto Barboza extracts the spirit of the text and offers a magnificent production with an amazing score, talented performers, and impressive set design, all in coordination to express the magic of the short and fascinating lives of three characters that left a permanent impression in the world of music.

Juventino Rosas died of spinal myelitis in Cuba in 1894 at the age of 26.  Ángela Peralta died of yellow fever in Mazatlán in 1883 at the age of 38. Scott Joplin died of syphilic dementia in 1917 in New York City at the age of 48. In real life, Rosas played for Peralta during her last national tour. As a peculiar note, their remains are both resting in Mexico City’s Rotunda of Illustrious Men.

Ghost Waltz

The Los Angeles Theatre Center
514 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles CA 90013

Performances: May 4–June 2
• Thursdays at 8 p.m.: May 9; May 16; May 23; May 30
• Fridays at 8 p.m.: May 10; May 17; May 24; May 31
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: May 4 (opening); May 11; May 18; May 25; June 1
• Sundays at 4 p.m.: May 12; May 19; May 26; June 2

Tickets: latinotheaterco.org

Written by Oliver Mayer. Directed by Alberto Barboza. Music directed by Alberto López. Produced by Latino Theater Company.

Cast: Ariel Brown, Monte Escalante, Cástulo Guerra, Quetzal Guerrero, Ric’key Pageot, Nathalie Peña–Comas, and Eduardo Robledo.

Creative team: Production designers Cameron Jaye Mock and Emily Anne McDonald (set, costumes and projections), lighting designer John A. Garofalo, and sound designer Nathan Davis. The assistant director is Giovanni Ortega. Production stage manager Yaesol Jeong is assisted by Gina DeLuca.

Theatre Review: H*tler’s Tasters

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Rogue Machine Introduces L.A.’s First Run of H*tler’s Tasters. Written by Michelle Kholos Brooks. Directed by Sarah Norris. Produced by Guillermo Cienfuegos and Lexi Sloan.
A Rogue Machine Production.

Based on Margot Wölk‘s account, H*tler’s Tasters is the little-known story of the girls used by Hitler to taste his food. Afraid to be poisoned, he recruited young girls of good German stock to try the same food he was about to eat. During a time of famine in Germany, eating three times a day wasn’t that bad after all. But at what cost?

Hilda (Olivia Gill), Anna (Ali Axelrad), and Liesel (Paige Simunovich) are inside a room waiting for the food to arrive. To fight boredom, they take selfies, sing, and talk about the guards. For Playwright Michelle Kholos Brooks, the use of cell phones is a way to make these characters feel more present.

Hitler was vegetarian, so the girls didn’t eat meat, an apparent benefit for their weight control. Brooks incorporates other elements to connect the characters to their function. For many women, their relationship with food is complicated, especially for the younger crowd. Food is a basic impulse, but due to the relationship with weight control and consequently with their looks, it becomes emotional. For the characters in Brooks’ story, eating vegetables with rice and pasta is not only a devoted service to the Reich but also a benefit to their health. But again, that relationship is complicated, so the girls also crave meat.

The stress is not only related to the fact that one meal could be the last one. There are many more things in the story that reflect German society during the Third Reich. Anna for example, talks about her relationship with a Jewish family, something with which Hilda takes issue. As a result of the divisive environment and the narrative of a superior Aryan race imprinted in the Nuremberg Race Law, a relationship with a Jew was seen as a betrayal. According to the Nazis, those relationships were suspicious. That created a web of informants that turned people in to the Gestapo for questioning, torture, imprisonment, and maybe even death. In the play, Anna’s fate becomes an open question.

Even though there are very little historical details about the real life tasters, Brooks gives a face to those girls. They each have a unique background and personality. Hilda is the daughter of an officer and she is the staunchest supporter of the Reich. Anna was used by a soldier for sex and to be recruited as a taster. Liesel has a relative that moved to Pittsburgh and tells her about American movies. And then there’s Margot (Caitlin Zambito), a girl who thinks she was recruited to work as a typist. She’s upbeat and replaces Anna. All of the characters show their admiration to Hitler and even fantasize about a relationship with him. Eventually, however, reality sets in.

The acting is on point. The actresses do a great job delivering their lines convincingly. Zambito gives a shot at another interesting role (she also did a fantastic job in The Thin Place) and creates a character with hopes and joyfulness typical of a young girl that ends up succumbing to the institutionalization of her mind and body.

With talented actresses and an intriguing subject matter, Director Sarah Norris delivers an entertaining production that blends drama, music, and comedy. The choice of stage goes well with the subject as well. It’s intimate and claustrophobic, reflecting the nerve-wracking ambient in which the girls wait for the next meal that could be the last one, every single time.

H*tler’s Tasters

Rogue Machine (Upstairs at the Henry Murray Stage in the Matrix Theatre)
7657 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

April 27, 2024 – June 3, 2024

8pm Fridays, Mondays; 5pm Saturdays; 7pm Sundays
(no performances on Monday, April 29, May 13)

Tickets: roguemachinetheatre.org

Written by Michelle Kholos Brooks. Directed by Sarah Norris. Produced by Guillermo Cienfuegos and Lexi Sloan.
A Rogue Machine Production.

Cast: Ali Axelrad (Anna), Olivia Gill (Hilda), Paige Simunovich (Liesel), Caitlin Zambito
(Margot).

Creative team: Joe McClean and Dane Bowman (Scenic & Lighting Design), Ashleigh Poteat (Costume Design), Christine Cover Ferro (Costume coordinator), Chris Moscatiello (Sound consultant), Carsen Joenk (Sound Design), Ashlee Wasmund (Choreographer), Emmy Frevele (Choreography for Rogue Machine).

“PURE CINEMA”

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TWO HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS. ONE PSYCHO MEETING

“PURE CINEMA”

TWO HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS. ONE PSYCHO MEETING.

Los Angeles, CA. May 2, 2024. David Neipris’s ‘Pure Cinema’ explores the intriguing and unexpected dynamic between Alfred Hitchcock and Mel Brooks. It’s 1977 and Hitchcock is in the twilight of his career when he invites Brooks to discuss the younger director’s idea for a new comedy. But what unfolds is the creation of ‘High Anxiety,’ a film that satirizes Hitchcock himself. Not a project The Master of Suspense finds particularly beneficial at this pivotal moment in his life. Loosely based on the lunch meetings between two Hollywood legends, Pure Cinema explores their search for accountability, forgiveness, and tolerable hard boiled eggs. Opens as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival at the Broadwater Black Box, June 8th.

“Money and accolades are certainly desirable, maybe even achieving a masterpiece or two if we’re that fortunate. But our legacies are ultimately shaped by our conduct towards others,” Neipris said. “Failing in our humanity has the potential to overshadow a lifetime of achievements. So this play looks at how two vastly different Hollywood icons confront their major missteps and deepest fears. We’re juxtaposing the unique voices of Hitchcock and Brooks, as well as their creative inclinations and markedly different attitudes towards women, both in their personal lives and on set.”

WHO: Featuring Bill Chott, Aaron Caponigro, and Lindsay Seim; Written by David Neipris; Directed by Matt Ritchey; Produced by Matthew Quinn of Combined Artform.

WHERE: Broadwater Black Box | 6322 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038

PERFORMANCE DAYS
Saturday June 8, 11:00 am – PREVIEW
Friday June 14, 10:00 pm
Friday June 21, 5:00 pm
Saturday June 22, 7:00 pm
Thursday June 27, 6:30 pm

TICKETS: $15 – tinyurl.com/purecinemahff

Admission 13+; Running time | 90 minutes.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
David Neipris (Writer) David started as an actor, graduating from NYU’s Experimental Theater Wing and performing on and off Broadway. He brought his play Big Wyoming, starring Michael Stuhlbarg, to The New York Stage and Film Festival. Strange Gods was a Finalist for The Princess Grace Award. Other work, including April Escapes and Glass Eye, was developed at The New Group, The Cherry Lane Theater, Naked Angeles, Hourglass Group, and New Jersey Rep. Previously workshopped at Electric Lodge, Pure Cinema is David’s first Hollywood Fringe show.

Matt Ritchey (Director) Writer and Director of ANGEL’S FLIGHT (2016 Hollywood Fringe Best Cabaret/Variety Winner) and BLACKBOXING (2019 Hollywood Fringe Best Cabaret/Variety Winner) returns to the Fringe to direct.

Matthew Quinn (Producer) ​has been involved in theater production and venue management for over 25 years in San Francisco and Los Angeles. He created Combined Artform, as a production company in 1998 with Producer Bertha Rodriguez and has produced, co-produced, presented, booked and promoted hundreds of shows. He has been an active player with the Hollywood Fringe Festival since its onset in 2010

as an advisor, venue manager, producer, and a scout for the Soho Playhouse, New York City.

Bill Chott (Actor) is a Broadway Award winner for playing Fred Mertz in I Love Lucy Live at the Greenway Court. This is Bill’s second Fringe show, having performed in Escape From Godot, the award-winning immersive piece. Chott can currently be seen in Dahmer: Monster on Netflix as the Milwaukee police commissioner. He is best known as “Mr. Laritate” on Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place and played “Thomas” in the Farrelly Brothers film The Ringer.

Aaron Caponigro (Actor) is a Chicago native and has been acting and improvising since the turn of the century. He is a mainstage ensemble member at ComedySportz LA where he also coaches its high school league and he performs regularly at the Pack Theater. He’s a real big fan of ice cream.

Lindsey Seim (Actress) is a Nebraska native, recognized for her roles in prominent productions like James Wan’s Insidious: Chapter 2 and Darren Lynn Bousman’s St. Agatha, has made a mark as an actress, writer, and producer. She notably starred alongside Tim Heidecker on Adult Swim’s Decker and voiced Claire in Netflix’s acclaimed series Lupin. Seim received an L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation Award nomination for her role in Salsa Saved the Girls and won a Hollywood Fringe Festival Producer’s Award for the original comedy Spirit Wheel. Honored as a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, she also enjoys crafting MadLibs for Penguin Random House.

It’s All Your Fault, Tyler Price!

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Emmy Award winner Ben Decter and Tony Award nominee Kristin Hanggi
present
It’s All Your Fault, Tyler Price!,
a new musical featuring
music and lyrics by Ben Decter,
book by Ben Decter and Kristin Hanggi,
directed by Kristin Hanggi
Performances begin November 7, 2024 and run to December 15, 2024,
with the opening on Thursday, November 14,
at The Hudson Theatre in Hollywood
The world premiere production is supported by UCB
LOS ANGELES, CA (May 1, 2024) – Emmy Award winner Ben Decter (Operation Homecoming, Netflix’s Lucifer) and Tony Award nominee Kristin Hanggi (Broadway’s Rock of Ages, Los Angeles and Off-Broadway’s bare, a pop opera) are pleased to announce and present It’s All Your Fault, Tyler Price! The new musical features music and lyrics by Decter, book by Decter and Hanggi, and directed by Hanggi. Performances for the six-week limited engagement will play at The Hudson Theatre (6539 Santa Monica Blvd.) in Hollywood, from November 7 to December 15, 2024, with the official opening night on Thursday, November 14.
It’s All Your Fault, Tyler Price! follows Jackson, a middle school boy with big feelings who’s in big trouble after punching his bullying classmate, Tyler Price, for mocking his sister, Lucy, after she sings about wanting a bat mitzvah. Lucy attends the same school, but in the special day class. She has epilepsy and related learning challenges – lots of them. Jackson’s principal insists Jackson explain himself to the entire school in order to avoid expulsion. With music he steals from his composer dad, Jackson stages a scrappy, heartfelt musical. Through each family member’s bravery, we watch healing begin for all.
“When my family was in crisis – my little girl, diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, was having 100 seizures a day and we felt so isolated – I never imagined a musical would grow out of it. Writing these songs helped my family have difficult conversations and come together,” said Ben Decter. “It’s All Your Fault, Tyler Price! is a fun, irreverent look at a family going through a really hard time – that everyone can relate to.”
“This musical is a true passion project for us. It’s about dealing with struggles in our families and how challenging it is to be seen by those closest to us. Through art, our characters learn to explore uncomfortable feelings — things that can be difficult to share or admit,” added Kristin Hanggi. “We can’t wait for Los Angeles – where I’ve gotten the opportunity to launch other new musicals – to see our show!”
Kristin Hanggi is best known for directing the smash-hit Rock of Ages, for which she received a Tony Award nomination for Best Direction of a Musical. Ms. Hanggi also developed and directed the original Los Angeles and Off-Broadway productions of the acclaimed pop opera bare. Other past stage productions include Off-Broadway’s Accidentally Brave; Off Broadway’s Clueless (New Group); Seattle 5th Avenue’s Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion; and Pussycat Dolls Live at the Roxy with Christina Applegate, Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera, and Charlize Theron. As a film director, Kristin directed the film version of Accidentally Brave (produced by Steven Soderbergh), Naomi & Ely’s No Kiss List, Grantham & Rose, and the musical film Dear Dumb Diary, which she also co-wrote. She also directed on Netflix’s musical series Julie & the Phantoms. In June 2013, Kristin returned to her alma mater to receive the UCLA School of Theater, Film, & Television Distinguished Alumni Award.
Ben Decter is an Emmy Award-winning composer and songwriter, who has created a diverse body of music for TV, theater and film. Scores include Netflix’s “Lucifer,” ABC’s “Bless This Mess,” FOX’s “Lethal Weapon,” ABC’s “Off the Map” (Shonda Rhimes). His writing has appeared in Hippocampus, Months to Years, Kaleidoscope and HuffPo. Born in Manhattan, and raised in New Jersey, Ben graduated from Harvard University, where he met his future wife, Jackie Sloan, when they performed onstage together in Godspell. Since then, they have been writing songs (as Paley Jones), exploring Los Angeles, and raising two stellar kids.
It’s All Your Fault, Tyler Price! is supported by UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company focused on creating value for those living with severe diseases. For three decades, they have been committed to people living with epilepsy and rare epilepsy syndromes and their families to support them navigating the moments in their lives that matter most. As a leader in the space, UCB is more invested than ever in profoundly improving the lives of the communities they serve.
Community Partners for It’s All Your Fault, Tyler Price! include Epilepsy Foundation, Epilepsy Foundation Los Angeles, and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) Foundation.
The full cast and creative team for It’s All Your Fault, Tyler Price! and the ticket on-sale date will be announced later. For information on the production visit www.tylerpricemusical.com.
ABOUT EPILEPSY
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurring, unprovoked seizures, with at least one million people in the United States living with uncontrolled epilepsy. It ranks as the fourth most common neurological disorder globally. Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) is a severe epilepsy syndrome that develops in young children and often leads to lifelong disability. Nobody is born with LGS. It develops over time. LGS is a rare disease (approximately one person in every 2,000). About 50,000 people in the United States and 1 million people worldwide have LGS. Visit the Epilepsy Foundation or Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) Foundation for more information.