Category Archives: Musical Theatre

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

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.

Musical Review: Scissorhands: A Musical Tribute

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Scissorhands: A Musical Tribute is presented by Bradley Bredeweg, Kelley Parker, and Mad World Inventions. Written by Bradley Bredeweg and Kate Pazakis. Directed by Bradley Bredeweg. Produced by Bradley Bredeweg, Lance Bass, and Kelley Parker.

Gothic and mystic, Edward Scissorhands is a romantic story of isolation and acceptance by the brilliant mind of Tim Burton. And now, this fascinating tale is revamped in Scissorhands: A Musical Tribute. Featuring a killer score, this musical includes “Trouble” and “Shallow” to make it more contemporaneous and revive the drama and the romance of the original film. This proves to be a smart move by the producers, as the songs create a special connection with the audience.

As for the performances, Emma Hunton (The Nightlesque Before Grinchmas, Exorcistic The Rock Musical, CLUELESQUE) continues to show her magnetic skills both as an actress and singer. She has been steadily performing in some of the most exciting musicals and burlesque shows in town. For the role of Peg, she creates an endearing character as the loving and accepting mother of Scissorhands (Jordan Kai Burnett). One of the actors that brings some of the funniest lines in the show is Ryan O’Connor as Helen/Bill/Host. His timing delivers comedy at its best, bringing lots of laughs and demonstrating that excellent music and comedy are a winning combination for a successful show. The cast put together for this production achieve a very positive reaction from the audience due to their comedy and singing skills, creating an energetic vibe all around.

The visuals, as in the movie, are an important factor to capture the enigmatic and dark world of Scissorhands. In this musical, the lighting (Darren Langer) and scenic design (James Connelly) recreate the German Expressionism that is typical in Burton’s productions. The shadows and contrast highlight the gothic elements of the story and mix well with the pastel colors of some of the characters’ costumes (Benjamin Holtrop, costume designer). The background projections and the special effects add a special and creative touch to this production, a homage to some of the most iconic scenes in the original film.

Do not miss the opportunity to take a look at the fantastic and endearing world of Scissorhands. There’s romance, comedy, and vibrant live music that make this musical a world-class production.

Scissorhands: A Musical Tribute

Cast: Jordan Kai Burnett, Carly Casey, Alex Ellis, Dionne Gipson, Carson Higgins, Emma Hunton, John Krause, Natalie Masini, and Ryan O’Connor.

The Bourbon Room
6356 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA, 90028

Upcoming shows:

Jan 6, 07:00 pm | 10:00 pm
Jan 7, 02:00 pm
Jan 11, 07:30 pm
Jan 12, 07:00 pm | 10:00 pm
Jan 14, 02:00 pm

Tickets: scissorhandsmusical.com/tickets

Written by Bradley Bredeweg and Kate Pazakis. Directed by Bradley Bredeweg. Produced by Bradley Bredeweg, Lance Bass, and Kelley Parker. Co-produced by Chadd McMillan, Jeff Wickline and Josh Robers. Creative team: Musical Direction by Gregory Nabours. Choreography by SaraAnne Fahey. Costume Design by Benjamin Holtrop. Production Design by James Connelly. Lighting Design by Darren Langer.

A scene from Scissorhands: A Musical Tribute
A scene from Scissorhands: A Musical Tribute
A scene from Scissorhands: A Musical Tribute

Theatre Review: Hair

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Altadena Music Theatre presents Hair. Book by Gerome Ragni and James Rado. Music by Galt MacDermot. Director Oliver Azcarate. Producer Sarah Azcarate. 

The flower children are back on stage, this time at the Altadena Music Theatre. This revival, sans the nudity, offers an outstanding choreography and killer musical numbers that bring back memories of a turbulent but hopeful era in American history.

The literary concepts of the Beat Generation eventually merged with the hippie counterculture movement and led to sexual freedom and drug experimentation. Looking for the meaning of life and in opposition to the brutality of war, the generation of the late 60s turned to eastern philosophy, incorporating Hindu and Buddhist beliefs into their lifestyles. Their peace and love values still reverberate today. Did their counterculture movement have a permanent effect on modern society? Or, was it just an ephemeral utopia?

Hair, which opened off-Broadway a few months after the Summer of Love in 1967, offered a controversial way to experience theatre, depicting drug use, nudity, and a defying anti-war message.

The Altadena Music Theatre’s production captures the same powerful message of love, freedom, and experimentation that defined a society dissatisfied with the conservatism of the era and the discouraging news from the American front in Vietnam. The Tribe, lead by Claude (Daniel Hartman), Berger (Steve Mazurek), and Sheila (Sarah Azcarate) believe to be tuned in to the Age of Aquarius, experiencing a higher state of consciousness. This, of course, with the aid of drugs like LSD and marihuana. Director Oliver Azcarate recreates the effects of psychedelics in a sensuous choreography and soft lighting for a dramatic effect. The choreography, by the way, is a relevant element in Hair. Melissa Schade‘s expressive choreography paired up with Chris Wade‘s fantastic music direction is a combination that delivers a fluid, energetic, and captivating performance. Sexuality is also an important feature in Hair. It is a defiance and a symbol of acceptance and experimentation, a common practice in the hippie communes. Azcarate also uses choreography and lighting to depict what togetherness meant for the hippies.

The extraordinary acting of secondary characters like Margaret Meade (Michael Mullen) and Woof (Cruz St. James, Cabaret) add to the overall quirkiness of the play. This staging highlights prominently Claude’s mixed emotions. He has to make a decision. There are only two options: Either to relent to the pressure and go to Vietnam or stick to the Tribe’s firm opposition to the war. The consequences of his choice are portrayed poignantly, extracting the spirit of the play in a powerful manner.

This is an exceptional group of talented actors, singers, and dancers that engage the audience in a magical night under the stars in the historic Charles S. Farnsworth Park.

Hair

Charles Farnsworth Amphitheater

568 Mount Curve Ave. E

Altadena, CA 91001

September 14-24th, 2023 Thurs – Sun

SHOWTIME: 8:00 PM

​Special Pre-Show Experience @ 7:30PM

Tickets: altadenamusictheatre.com/hair2023

Book by Gerome Ragni and James Rado. Music by Galt MacDermot. Producer Sarah Azcarate. Director Oliver Azcarate. Choreographer Melissa Schade. Music Direction Chris Wade. 

Hair poster
Image of Daniel Hartman.
Hair
An image from Hair
Hair

Theatre Review: Rent

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Chance Theater presents the Pulitzer Prize winning musical Rent. Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson. Directed by Matthew McCray. Music directed by Lex Leigh. Choreographed by Mo Goodfellow.

One of the most iconic stories to reflect the lives of struggling artists, Rent adds another dramatic layer when some of the characters have to survive in a big metropolis like New York while grappling with HIV at the same time. Without a doubt, this is a moving musical that continues to inspire audiences every single time. For anyone who has seen the progression of the disease from HIV to AIDS and the devastating consequences, Rent is a significant portrayal of the hardships and the uncertainty of the heartbreaking ordeal, specially in the early waves of the epidemic.

The inability to predict for sure if HIV will progress to AIDS is like a ticking bomb that may go off at any time, taking a physical and mental toll on those with the disease and their loved ones. Jonathan Larson observed those challenges and imagined a universe where a very diverse group of people comes together to build a community to fight the AIDS stigma and find love along the way. Within that amalgam of personalities, a special character with HIV, Angel (Adam Leiva), irradiates kindness and the ability to teach and share love, even after his death of AIDS. He navigates the adversities with a positive attitude until the very last moment.

Some of the topics in the play are discrimination, poverty, living the moment, survival mechanisms, the sense of community, drug addiction, and the inability of the characters to stop it. For Roger (Gavin Cole), Mimi’s (Lena Ceja) heroin addiction and an HIV condition prolongs the agony of an impending disaster. Roger knows that falling for Mimi means that, at one point, he will be left alone once again—his former girlfriend committed suicide after learning that she was HIV positive and had infected Roger.

But beyond her addiction, Mimi has depth. Perhaps as a consequence of her HIV condition and accepting her fate, she encourages Roger to forget about his anticipatory anxiety and live the moment without worrying about the past or the future. No religion, no heavens, no hell, only us.

There are fifteen characters in Director Matthew McCray‘s production, each one with their own story and motivations. There is Roger’s roommate, Mark (Luc Clopton), a filmmaker who was dumped by his girlfriend. Together with Roger, Mark struggle to stay warm in their cold apartment. We also see Joanne (Frankie Ripley), a lesbian lawyer, Maureen (Lily Targett), a bisexual performer and Joanne’s girlfriend, Tom (JoeJoe McKinney), a gay anarchist with AIDS and Angel’s partner, and Benjamin (Christopher D. Baker), Mark and Roger’s landlord. All of the characters have important roles and a story to tell. They all contribute to build a cohesive community and bond even more after Angel’s death. But it is Roger the center of attention. His depressive state at the beginning, his initial resistance to a new relationship with Mimi, and his willingness to open up his heart make it the most transformative character of the play. Throughout the story, Roger is silent, loud, visible, invisible. He is myth, life, death, tragedy, hope. He is America. He touches the bottom and rises like a phoenix. At the end, he still believes in love.

Scenic Designer Joe Holbrook captures the grittiness and the underground vibes of the script in a fascinating manner. The colors and textures create a contrast that reflect the spirit of the story. The color palette of the lighting (Zach Moore, Lighting Designer) is also an element to highlight. Reds, whites, ambers, purples, and blues are all used masterfully to evoke emotions and intensities, as if dancing rhythmically to the palpitations of the characters. McCray had a talented group of artisans and performers to honor and elevate the legacy of Larson in the always difficult world of musicals. This particular production of Rent shows that a talented director can make a revival as fresh and exciting as the original one.

The story is raw, passionate, energetic, and a testament of the powerful effect of human connections. It’s a picture of the rough and excruciating road to the entertainment industry. It is also a homage to the ones that lost the battle, to the ones that are still trying, to the ones that never ever give up. 

Rent

Chance Theater
Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center
5522 E La Palma Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92807

Dates: — 

Tickets: chancetheater.com

Book, Music, & Lyrics by Jonathan Larson. Directed by Matthew McCray. Music directed by Lex Leigh. Choreographed by Mo Goodfellow. Executive Producers Linda and Tod White. Season Producers Bette & Wylie Aitken. Associate Producers Rachelle Menaker & Eddie Schuller. Associate Producer Laurie Smits Staude. Associate Season Producers Family of Mary Kay Fyda-Mar. Cast: Luc Clopton, Gavin Cole, Lena Ceja, JoeJoe McKinney, Adam Leiva, Lily Targett, Frankie Ripley, Christopher D. Baker, Jack Thomas Aitken, Micah K. Blanks, Ayani Dorsey, Autumn Kirkpatrick, Patrick McCormick, Mikey Miro, and Gemma Pedersen. Creative team: Lighting Designer Joe Holbrook, Costume Designer Bradley Allen Lock, Projection Designer Nick Santiago, Lighting Designer Zach Moore, and Sound Designer Dave Mickey. 
 
      
Rent poster
A scene from Rent
A scene from Rent

Theatre Review: Exorcistic The Rock Musical

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HRS Productions and Orgasmico Theatre present Exorcist The Rock Musical. Book, lyrics, and music by Michael Shaw Fisher. Directed by Chadd McMillan and Alli Miller-Fisher. Produced by Emma Hunton, Alli Miller-Fisher, and Chadd McMillan.

Directly from the bottom of hell, the characters of the original 1973 film come to life in a majestic spectacle of blasphemy, light, and rock ‘n’ roll. Megan (Emma Hunton) and her mom Kate (Leigh Wulff) continue the original story with a parody that brings laughter and electric performances to an engaged audience.

Sizzling demons, horny priests, and possessed humans come together to pay homage to one of the most influential horror films in cinema history. This musical resumes the ancient dichotomy of good vs evil that has intrigued the minds of people since the beginning of times. Exorcistic puts a spin on the topic with a display of irreverent dialogue and suggestive imagery to enhance the musical experience. The live band plays rock, hip hop, and jazzy tunes to accompany the sensational voices of the eclectic ensemble.

The fog, lighting, and costumes create powerful visuals to match the thrilling performances. Exorcistic is a stimulating revival of The Exorcist, a film that became a cultural reference point around the world. The rotating cast delivers a miscellaneous parade of talent to surprise the audience on every show, making it an exciting and dynamic production.

Exorcistic

Three Clubs

1123 Vine Street

Los Angeles, CA 90038

June 30- July 22, 2023

Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM

Tickets: exorcistic-the-rock-musical-tickets

Book, lyrics and music by Michael Shaw Fisher. Directed by Chadd McMillan and Alli Miller-Fisher. Produced by Emma Hunton and Alli Miller-Fisher. Starring Emma Hunton (CLUELESQUE), Brian Logan Dales, Leigh Wulff, Frankie Grande, Gabby Sanalitro, Jesse Merlin, Janaya Mahealani Jones, Carly Jibson (CLUELESQUE), Garret Clayton, Jeff Sumner, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Elle Deran, Michael Sheppard (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Valley Song), Nick Bredosky, Mitchell Johnson, Kim Dalton, Briana Cuoco, Richardson Cisneros-Jones, Choreographed by: Camal Pugh, Musical Director/Arrangements by Michael Teoli.

Exorcistic The Rock Musical poster
A scene from Exorcistic The Rock Musical.
a scene from Exorcistic The Rock Musical.
A scene from Exorcistic The Rock Musical

Theatre Review: Starmites

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Starmites is presented by Open Fist Theatre Company. Music and lyrics by Barry Keating. Book by Stuart Ross and Barry Keating. Directed by Scott Peterman. Music direction by Jan Roper.

A shy Eleanor (Talia Gloster) is usually immersed in her world of comic books, but her mom (Cat Davis) is concerned about Eleanor’s obsession with her comics. In her fantasies, however, Eleanor becomes the superhero that can save the entire galaxy with the help of Space Punk (Bradley Sharper), the Starmites (Rieves Bowers, Alex Hogy and Jasper Wong), and lizard man Trinkulus (Brendan Mulally). Their mission is to fight the evil forces of Shak Graa (Brendan Mulally) and The Banshees (Elle Engelman, Lindsey Moore Ford, Sarah Martellaro and Sophie Oda), led by Diva (Cat Davis).

All Eleanor and her friends have to do is go to the forest, find Shak Graa and The Banshees, fight them, win, and save the entire galaxy. Simple, but when love and jealousy get in the way…

Scott Peterman selected a young group of actors and paired them up with Cat Davis, a fantastic singer, actress, and comedian. The result is a fun and energetic performance for this revival of the Tony-nominated sci-fi fantasy musical. The excellent music is performed live by a three-piece band, directed by Jan Roper. Peterman’s expereince as a show and content director for world-class acts such as the Smashing Pumpkins and Bon Jovi is evident in this carefully curated visual explosion of music and kinetics. The visuals really add to the whole experience. The colors, graphics, and costumes contribute to the nostalgic and extravagant look of the comics from the 80s.

Starmites is a simple story where the dances, music, and cutting edge performance technology take center stage to offer a fun experience to delight the audience in a family-friendly musical.

Starmites

Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039
• FREE parking in the ATX (Atwater Crossing) lot one block south of the theater.

Performances: June 2–July 8
• Fridays at 8 p.m.: June 2 (opening); June 16; June 23; June 30; July 7 (dark June 9)
• Saturdays at 3 p.m.: June 24
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: June 10; June 17; July 1; July 8 (no evening performance June 24)
• Sundays at 3 p.m.: June 18; June 25; July 2 (no matinee June 4 or June 11)
• Sundays at 7 p.m.: June 11

Tickets: openfist.org

Music and Lyrics by Barry Keating. Book by Stuart Ross and Barry Keating. Directed by Scott Peterman. Music Direction by Jan Roper. Choreography by Becca Sweitzer. Fight Choreography by Jacob Grigolia–Rosenbaum. Starring Rieves Bowers, Cat Davis, Elle Engelman, Lindsey Moore Ford, Talia Gloster, Alex Hogy, Sarah Martellaro, Brendan Mulally, Sophie Oda, Jack David Sharpe, Bradley Sharper, and Jasper Wong. Presented by Open Fist Theatre Company, Martha Demson, artistic director. Creative team: Scenic and projection design by Scott Peterman and Linda Strawberry, lighting design by Gavan Wyrick, and costume design by Linda Muggeridge. The production stage manager is John Dimitri.

Starmites poster
A scene from Starmites
A scene from Starmites
A scene from Starmites

Theatre Review: Cabaret

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Altadena Music Theatre presents Cabaret. Written by Joe Masteroff, based off the play by John Van Druten and The Berlin Stories of Christopher Isherwood. Directed by Oliver Azcarate and Sarah Azcarate. Produced by Sarah Azcarate.

The girls and boys at the Kit Kat Klub are back, this time at the historic Charles S. Farnsworth Amphitheater in Altadena. The story is based on the lives of the residents of Berlin in the late 1920s and the characters that work in a cabaret, one of the defining features of the Jazz Age. Known as a symbol of spending, decadence, and hedonism, the cabaret was a place where customers could eat, drink, watch a show, and dance the night away. Once the strict rules of the monarchy were over, the newly found freedom allowed Germans to express themselves liberally, and what better place to show that relaxed attitude than the cabaret. Straights, gays, lesbians, and transvestites partied together in these places, where sex and politics were the main topics. Many of  the patrons, however, were aware that this extravagance was artificial and temporary.

Cliff Bradshaw (Michael Thomas Grant), a young American writer, arrives in Berlin to write a novel. He meets Ernst Ludwig (Sean York), a Nazi and black market operator who offers him a job bringing contraband from Paris. Ernst tells Cliff of a place to stay, a boarding house run by Fraulein Schneider (Ursula Gueringer), who is the love object of Herr Schultz (Craig Wright), a Jewish fruit vendor. Another resident of the house is Fraulein Kost (Skye Marie Sena), a friendly character that keeps bringing sailors and other men to her room, much to the disapproval of Schneider. Cliff then meets Kit Kat Klub singer Sally Bowles (Emily Lopez) and both fall in love with each other. Meanwhile, everything is business as usual at the burlesque theatre Kit Kat Klub. The enigmatic Master of Ceremonies (Cruz St. James) and the dancers deliver performances that reflect the liberal atmosphere of the city and the fiercely experimental nature of the avant garde.

This production features some young talent worth noting. Cruz St. James has a dazzling stage presence that is magnetic and hints stardom at every move. Not only is he a fantastic singer and dancer, he also delivers a powerful and emotional performance that captures so vividly the height and demise of an era. Lopez, Grant, Wright, and Gueringer depict masterfully the debauchery, hopes, and somber panorama of a society that is witnessing the contrast between the cultural renaissance during the Weimar Republic and the chimeric expectations of Nazism.

Directors Oliver Azcarate, Sarah Azcarate, and choreographer Melissa Schade have achieved a phenomenal production that allows the actors/dancers to shine and deliver high-energy performances. The costumes are sexy and flamboyant, an accurate picture of the extravagant lifestyle of the times. Cabaret is barely their second production, but they demonstrate their commitment to offer entertaining and high-quality shows. 

Music Director Chris Wade and his band are the cherry on top, offering a vibrant and spectacular musical performance that keeps the energy flow all across the show, with Wade becoming a character on his own in a passionate display of feeling and charisma.

Make sure to bring warm clothes and seat as close as you can to the stage, this will enhance your experience. Let yourself be enchanted by the decadence, dance, and music of the magical atmosphere of the bawdy Kit Kat Klub.         

Cabaret

Charles S. Farnsworth Amphitheater

568 Mount Curve Ave. East

Altadena, CA 91001

May 25th – June 4th

Tickets: eventbrite.com/e/cabaret-tickets

Book by Joe Masteroff. Directed by Oliver Azcarate and Sarah Azcarate. Produced by Sarah Azcarate. Cast: Emily Lopez and Cruz St James starring as Sally Bowles and the Emcee. Television’s Michael Thomas Grant playing the role of Cliff Bradshaw. Altadena locals Craig Wright and Ursula Gueringer as Herr Schultz and Fraulein Schneider, Skye Marie Sena as Fraulein Kost and Sean York as Ernst Ludwig. Joining us at the Kit Kat Klub dancers are Lindy Jones, Molly Fowler, Abigail Loucks, Jacqueline Dennis, Bimei Flores, Jeannette Sharp Oakes, Zachariah Griffin, Avery Bass, Cole Elliot and Sebastian Twohey-Jacobs. Creative team: Choreographed by Melissa Schade and music direction by Chris Wade.

Cabaret poster
A scene from Cabaret
A scene from Cabaret

Burlesque Review: CLUELESQUE

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CLUELESQUE is produced by Cherry Poppins, playing at Tramp Stamp Granny’s.

Who killed Whorchid Fairchild? That’s what the audience will have to figure out in this immersive and highly entertaining burlesque show. Every Wednesday, the group of picturesque characters present themselves and give details of their relationship with Whorchid. As the story builds up, the audience needs to connect the dots and decide who, where, and with what object Whorchid might’ve been killed.

The sensational artists enchant the audience with their charming and dazzling musical numbers, setting the stage on fire with their seductive voices and sexy moves. The energetic ensemble delivers a constant mixture of humor, music, dance, and mystery in an immersive journey of decadent allure, one song at a time.

Every character has a story to tell and every character becomes a suspect, one way or another, in the puzzling murder of Whorchid Fairchild. A creative storyline keeps things entertaining all the way till the end. The spectacular costumes, makeup, and dances add an enigmatic touch to the characters, turning this production into a sultry fantasy of color, music, and action.

From the creative minds of Alli Miller and Sarah Haworth, CLUELESQUE is a musical theatre show not to be missed. This is mystery and sexiness at Tramp Stamp Granny’s, right in the heart of Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of the World.

CLUELESQUE

Tramp Stamp Granny’s
1638 North Cahuenga Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA, 90028

Wednesdays
Doors and Preshow 7PM, Show 8PM

Tickets: eventbrite.com/e/cluelesque

**Must show proof of Covid Vaccination at the door
General Admission: $45.00 + 2 Drink minimum

Socials: @cherrypoppinsla @trampstampgrannys

Cast: Broadsworth the Butler (Alli Miller-Fisher), Yvulva the Maid (Meredith Lim), Bar Chef (Lauren Avon), Whorchid (Heath Butler), Mizz White (Emma Hunton), Penelope Peacock (Carly Jibson), Mister Mustard (Matthew Scott Montgomery), Professor Plumbalina (Shanera Denae’), Mr. Gimby Green (Everjohn Feliciano), and Scarlet O’Harlet (K.C. Lindley).

Producers: Alli Miller-Fisher, Sarah Haworth-Hodges, Chadd McMillan, Mia Von Criss. Written by: Alli Miller-Fisher. Directed by: Alli Miller-Fisher, Chadd McMillan, Sarah Haworth-Hodges. Choreographed by: Alli Miller-Fisher, Sarah Wines, Lauren Avon, Camal Pugh, Jen Udgen. Musical Director: Laura Wiley. Vocal Director: Emma Hunton.

A scene from Cluelesque
CLUELESQUE. Ensemble. Photo by Nathan Noyes.
A scene from Cluelesque
CLUELESQUE. Ensemble. Photo by Nathan Noyes.
A scene from Cluelesque
CLUELESQUE. Ensemble. Photo by Nathan Noyes.
Cluelesque poster
CLUELESQUE