NORMAN'S ARK is an unprecedented production that includes over 100 children from all over greater Los Angeles costumed as adorable animals with many young dancers playing the storm, ballet dancers on pointe as the Doves and a huge Gospel Choir combining kids from 5 to 18 with seniors. The West Coast premiere is directed by Peter Schneider (the Tony Award-winning producer of The Lion King) and features a gospel/rockabilly score by 4-time Emmy award winning composer Glen Roven. The book is by Jerome Kass and is produced by Maria S. Schlatter.
The world premiere of NORMAN'S ARK will be held at the JOHN ANSON FORD AMPHITHEATRE (2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Los Angeles, CA 90068 - 323-461-3673 or www.fordamphitheater.org) as part of the FESTIVAL OF NEW AMERICAN MUSICALS, a two-month musical theatre festival, will be held in May and June, 2008, throughout Southern California. Marcia Seligson and Bob Klein are the Executive Producers of the Festival (at www.lafestival.org). Previews scheduled for May 27th and performances from May 28th through June 8th (Tues, Weds, Thurs $34 and $65 Fri, Sat, Sun: $34 and $75. Special ticket price of only $5 available on May 27th through 30th for students and children. All performances begin at 8:30pm. Norman's Ark is a musical celebration about hope, family, and the human spirit; it's a universal story about surviving disaster—any disaster. The project was conceived as a response to the increase in disastrous floods affecting our planet, but will have a greater impact and a deeper significance in light of the tragic events of Hurricane Katrina. It incorporates professional actors with non-professional community performers of all ages.
Johns Family gather on roof during flood - Lft to Rght - Karole Foreman (Alice), Tiffany Espen (Jenny), Philip Casnoff (Norman), BJ Wallace (Sam), Noah Galvin (Harry)
Johnson Family with God (Dawnn Lewis) begin to sing FROM WHERE WE STAND
God and cast sing NORMAN and his FLOATING ZOO
Storm brews as God (Dawnn Lewis) sings DARK DARK DARK: Is the night upon the sea
Cast Finale FROM WHERE WE STAND
Doves (Sonja Dale & Kelly Tapro) perform FLY LITTLE BIRD
Photos by Ed Krieger.
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