Category Archives: Uncategorized

Marry Me a Little

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Marry Me a Little is a musical featuring songs by acclaimed songwriter Stephen Sondheim. It was conceived and developed by Craig Lucas and Norman René, directed by Kari Hayter, and the musical direction is by Diane King Vann.

Two strangers, played by Katy Tang and Nick Tubbs, live in the same building, although they’ve never met before. However, both spend their time fantasizing about pretty much the same things: Life and love. This is a story about love and loneliness that can go straight to our hearts as most of us can relate to these characters, with their hopes, dreams, and that universal pursue of love and meaning to our existence.

Soprano Katy Tang is a graduate of the Herb Alpert School of Music, UCLA and further training at the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris, Alfred Cortot, a conservatoire in France. Her voice delivers an elegant texture to Sondheim’s lyrics that keeps the audience longing for more. Singing Marry Me a Little from the beautifully staged balcony in a dim light and her shadow on the wall was a sublime moment that added some delicate romanticism to this musical.

Nick Tubbs is an experienced actor who was a production singer onboard Princess Cruises and has experience playing a variety of characters in different stage productions. His voice has the vibe of a classic crooner with a modern twist. His vocal dynamics are a great match to Sondheim’s pieces to portray the playfulness and romance of this hopeful although lonely character.

The musical direction is by Diane King Vann, a masterful pianist with extensive training in both classical piano and musical theatre. The musical is directed by Kari Hayter, a director based in Southern California. She has been nominated for the LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award and for the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award.

Details:

Marry Me a Little
playing at the International City Theatre
330 East Seaside Way
Long Beach, CA 90802
Performance through Feb 27, 2022
Thursday – Saturdays at 8 PM
Sundays at 2 PM

Get your tickets here:

https://ictlongbeach.org/

Singing Revolution, The Musical

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On January 29, 2022, Hollywood witnessed the world premiere of Singing Revolution, an extraordinary musical created by director Tony Spinosa and playwright James Bearhart. The play captures the events that took place during the movement know as Singing Revolution in the late ’80s in Estonia, a chaotic time that preceded the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Taavi Tamm (James Everts) is an Estonian student who will become one of the leaders of the Estonian resistance. He falls deeply in love with Sofia Solokov (Bella Hicks), daughter of Nikolai Solokov (Michael Scott Harris), a Soviet officer living in Estonia to oversee the Soviet propaganda and involved in the disappearance of some Estonian civilians. Similarly, Taavi’s teacher Leena Rebane (Krista Feallock) falls in love with Viktor Kuznetsov (Lucas Alifano), a Russian professor also living in Estonia. After Taavi’s father strange disappearance, a threat of having his mom disappear as well, and the possibility of loosing Sofia, Taavi is forced to choose between staying true to his believes or surrender under the weight of the Soviet repression.

There are several elements that make this musical worth experiencing. First, there’s the music. The live orchestra adds extra adrenaline to the performance of the actors and energizes the audience to the beat of fantastic European pop.

Then, there’s the lyrics that express the hopes, fears, convictions, and sometimes even the doubts of both sides of the story. Anyone old enough to remember the events of that period either by having lived in the Soviet Union at the time or by watching the reports on TV as they unfolded, will revisit the memories and feelings of those turbulent times through the lyrics. The combination of pop singers like James Everts and opera singers like Michael Scott Harris makes the contrast of the story even more appealing.

The choreography also combines skillfully elements of ballet in some of the numbers that render a delicate picture of strength and gracefulness that truly elevate the musical numbers. It’s always a treat to see dancers in musical theatre with ballet training on display.

The lighting is another element that accentuates the dramatic contrast of the story. The blue and red tones, sometimes even used at the same time, become characters in their own right: Freedom and oppression, hope and danger, past and future, the Soviet Union and Estonia.

The scenic design, including the lighting, the Estonian architecture, the costumes, and the special effects, add extraordinary value to the show. This is a musical that took Tony Spinosa a few years to put together and plenty of research of the actual events, not only here in the US, but also in Estonia where he spent time talking to some of the leaders of the Singing Revolution that are still alive today.

It is great to see theatre coming back to life after a very challenging and long pandemic, and it is even better to see exceptional productions with dedicated and talented people gracing our local stages.

Singing Revolution, The Musical
The Broadwater Theatre, Main Stage
6320 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Model To Watch: Amillya Rose

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Amillya Rose (real name Christina Roth) is a model and singer from Houston Texas. She is in Los Angeles to pursue her dreams in the music, model, and art industries. She also owns a custom hand painted clothing line.

She wants to create music and art to influence people all around the world. Amillya has a striking blend of dark and alternative beauty that demands attention. The camera loves her in such a way that the images look ethereal and inviting.

Amillya is also pursuing a career in the music industry as a singer. At the same time, she is currently trying her skills in the acting world. Follow her on Instagram @amillya.rose

Photoshoot Location: Woodley Park and Balboa Park
Encino, CA

“This Wonderful Life” Play Review

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Right on time for the holidays, Rogue Machine presents the Southern California premiere of This Wonderful Life, a one-man show based on Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life, a 1946 Christmas fantasy drama.

The story is about George Bailey, a man contemplating suicide and how an angel saves him and helps him get a new sense of purpose and see the joys of life. The story shows George’s life before and after World World II and the different characters he interacts with during this period.

Thespian Leo Marks plays the main characters of the story, giving each character a distinctive accent to get as close as possible to the original voices of the actors in the film, a challenging task even for the most seasoned actor. Leo shows not only his skills as a voice actor but also his kinetic abilities, as the show demands a continuous movement across the stage in a 75 minutes show with no intermission.

Also worth noting is the director’s touch to keep the story moving. Drew Barr, a Broadway-experienced director, makes great use of the lighting and some special effects, specially the one that re-creates one of the most iconic technical elements used in Frank Capra’s film: The snow.

The production design, the play script, and Leo Mark’s performance capture the symbols, allegories, and motifs of the beloved 1946 film in great detail, delivering a touching and powerful message of kindness and faith, a message that echoes the spirit of the holidays.

This Wonderful Life
Matrix Theatre
7657 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Filmmakers to Watch: Kyle Dunbar and Andrew Bee

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Mute is a psychological thriller short film written for the screen and directed by Kyle Dunbar, based on Stephen King’s short story Mute. Andrew Bee plays Monette, a salesman going through a difficult marriage with his wife Barbara.

With a combination of camera, lens, and filter, director Kyle Dunbar was able to achieve an old-school look that adds to the mystery of the genre. Andrew Bee, who also functioned as executive producer, is excellent as a jilted husband in his fifties who is lacking any excitement in his life. Translating words into action in a psychological thriller, specially from Stephen King’s writings, is no easy task, but thanks to Kyle’s direction and Andrew’s skills in the genre, the whole film feels very cohesive. Even Alexandre Stoupenkov, who plays a deaf-mute hitchhiker, is able to convey the intriguing latency of a potential criminal with only body movements and facial expressions.

Mute is a clear example of independent filmmakers using creative methods to energize and elevate the short film industry. We look forward to seeing more content from Kyle and Andrew in the near future.

Kyle Dunbar and Andrew Bee are based in Canada and their short film Mute is currently playing in various film festivals around the world.

Mute
Cast
Andrew Bee (Monette)
Christian Tribuzio (The Priest)
Alexandre Stoupenkov (The Hitchhiker)
Rebecca Callender (Kelsie Ann)
Marvin Holland (Cowboy Bob)
Laura Shanter (Barbara)
Kyle Dunbar (Young Monette)

Theatre Review: Salvage

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Playwright Tim Alderson grew up in Central California, working in the fields that belonged to his family. This influenced his taste in country music, specially what is called the Bakersfield sound, a blend of country and rock music. It’s no surprise that his first musical play, Salvage, pays tribute to this style.

Preacher (David Atkinson) spends most of his time drinking at a bar owned by Johnson (Leonard Earl Howze), playing his guitar and watching the world go by, one drink at a time. This sort of ritual is disrupted when Harley (Sam O’Byrne) shows up unexpectedly on his way to pawn his guitar. Once Harley reveals his admiration to this bar as his music hero Floyd Whitaker died there, he tries to strike a conversation with Preacher. The conversation turns sour, as Preacher is in no mood to revive the underlying issues of his grumpiness, issues that have been haunting him for years.

When Harley’s wife Destiny (Natalie Llerena) goes to the bar looking for him, an even more intriguing conversation develops among Preacher, Johnson, Harley, and Destiny, unveiling secrets that will change the course of the story and will define each character’s lives.

The libretto is an excellent work by Tim Anderson. The way the plot is intertwined with the music allows the characters to get into song seamlessly, making the music a powerful element to capture the main themes of this play: The giving up of one’s dreams, the encouragement, the hope, and the redemption. The voices of singers David, Sam, and Natalie are a very special touch to this musical production, each one providing a wide range of textures and styles. Leonard delivers his lines with a deep voice and extraordinary projection on stage, with a masterful command of dynamics.

Director Damian D. Lewis, a Juilliard School graduate, put together an excellent mixture of cast, lighting, and custom design, all working together to create an intimate experience that will resonate in the audience’s minds as the themes of this play are a reflection of our own lives.

Salvage is currently playing at The Hudson Theatres in Hollywood, CA.
Sep 09 2021 – Nov 14 2021

Filmmakers to Watch: Cory DeMeyers and Sammy Horowitz

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When we hear about a crime movie, we usually have a preconception of how the characters should look like and behave. The short film Danny Boy might be an exception. This film has an unexpected twist at the end that will start a conversation for sure.

Writer Sammy Horowitz, who also stars in Danny Boy, is a former boxer and has worked as a stunt performer in movies and shows. He is interested in writing stories that will reflect the harsh realities of people both inside and outside of prison. The lens tends to capture a genuine performance when it comes from someone who has lived the tough life. This is true in the case of Sammy, who can draw from his personal experiences to render stellar performances and give his acting a distinctive angle. His work in Danny Boy is an example of this dynamic relationship between the thespian and the characters he portrays on screen.

Cory DeMeyers is the director and has been working in Hollywood for a few years as a stuntman and he is a former Red Bull world champion athlete. He received the 2020 Taurus World Stunt Award for his work on Tarantino’s Academy Award-nominated feature film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Cory has worked on set with some of the most talented film directors around and that has shaped his preparation to direct his own films. His work in Danny Boy shows his technical expertise on equipment and his stylish sense of color to emphasize the dramatic elements of the crime genre.

Danny Boy is a contemporary story with a visual texture that pays tribute to the good old crime movies of the past. As Danny Boy continues its run on the festival circuit, we are confident that Cory, Sammy, and their team will continue to add more accolades to their showcase.

Model to Watch: AMANDA TERRY

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Owner of a gracious personality, southern California native Amanda Terry knows how to succeed in a competitive industry. In addition to modeling, Amanda is an expert makeup artist, having worked with some of the most famous actors in Hollywood.

Amanda has an active presence in media, modeling for brands and runway shows during LA Fashion Week. She has also hosted for TV and radio to expand on her talents as a content creator of all forms. Amanda has participated in makeup reality TV shows, where she has demonstrated her hair and makeup skills. A soccer, softball, and basketball player, Amanda stays in excellent shape, always ready for her next modeling assignments.

We are pleased to feature Amanda Terry as our cover model and we are excited to see all of her upcoming projects in the entertainment industry. Follow her on social media under makeup mandi.

Mother’s Day Memories

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Bill Hoversten is an actor who took the leap into producing, bringing to the screen a touching and personal story about a woman that starts to feel the effects of Alzheimer’s.

The film captures not only the struggles of the person suffering from the disease, but also of the caregivers, in this case the husband, son, daughter-in-law, and the person assigned to take care of her. Bill Hoversten plays John the son, Jody Jaress plays Mother, Conrad Bachmann plays Father, Kat Kramer plays Michelle, John’s wife, and Jacky Park plays Doris, the caregiver. The film was directed by Matthew Michael Ross, and the cinematographer was Keith Jefferies.

Even though the story deals with the inconveniences of Alzheimer’s, it also shows some very emotional conversations between mother and son that reflect one of the most beautiful bonds the universe has ever seen.

Model To Watch: Shelby Bly

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A native of Minnesota, Shelby Bly is a model and actress pursing her dreams in Los Angeles.

Shelby posed for our lens on a sunny day in Vista Hermosa Natural Park and Echo Park, both in downtown Los Angeles.