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
