Michael Quintos - Page 29

The Chance Theater is pleased to announce that it has selected the innovative rock musical THE WHO'S TOMMY as its third production of the 2010 season, scheduled to run July 2 through August 8. Based on The Who's classic 1969 double album rock opera about a 'deaf, dumb and blind boy' who becomes the leader of a messianic movement, THE WHO'S TOMMY tells the dramatic story of a young boy's journey to manhood through the muted pain of catatonia after witnessing the murder of his mother's lover by his father. Tommy finds his calling as a pinball champion who becomes idolized by the public and the press, but his celebrity machine eventually begins to fall apart.

The Maverick Theater is squeezing one of Broadway's biggest musicals on to their 20' foot stage and letting all the comedy pour into the laps of the audience. THE PRODUCERS opens June 11th and runs through July 31st with performances on Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday matinees at 3:00 p.m. starting June 19th. The Maverick Theater is located in historic Downtown Fullerton, CA.

After almost a decade of traveling the country (to go along with countless international productions as well as a recently planted sit-down production in Las Vegas), the National Touring company of DISNEY'S THE LION KING returns to the Orange County Performing Arts Center for a strictly-limited three-week run through June 13, to dazzle a new generation of wide-eyed audiences, offering the chance for many to relive one of the most celebrated, most creatively-staged musicals to ever grace the Broadway stage. There is no denying the awe-inspiring wonder this show elicits out of its rapt audience; even after years of seeing the show's last visit to the O.C. (as well as the three-year sit-down production that christened the newly-refurbished Pantages Theatre in Hollywood back in 2000), the show surprisingly holds up well with age, especially when you consider what other shows have followed in its wake.

Actor Tyler Murree seems to have a knack for landing roles in costume-heavy shows. Whether Shakespearean or Tolkien-esque, the Toronto-trained thespian likes disappearing into each and every role he takes on. His past shows have included the world premiere production of The Lord of the Rings: The Musical, the North American premiere of Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage, A Christmas Carol, A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, and even the all-pantomime production of Aladdin: the Magical Family Musical. In 2005 he originated the role of charming villain Franco DiFortunato in Disney's Twice Charmed: An Original Twist On The Cinderella Story. Currently he stars as the hilarious Timon the Meerkat in the North American touring company of Disney's Tony® Award-winning stage musical THE LION KING, performing for a three-week engagement at the Orange County Performing Arts Center from May 26 through June 13. While on break from the tour in Calgary, Murree spoke with Broadway World's Michael Lawrence Quintos about playing the world's most famous meerkat.

In just a few short months, 3D Theatricals, the newest little Orange County theater company that rose quietly within the walls of Santa Ana's beautiful (but astonishingly ignored) OC Pavilion Theatre late last year is quickly becoming the county's most ambitious new regional theater, mounting some remarkable productions that are quite comparable to the more established nearby regional companies. Its latest offering is a cute, tremendously satisfying production of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, with performances continuing weekends thru June 20. Building on the original hit 2005 Broadway production's roots in improvisation, this version is filled with the same giddy fun, but also piles on just as many newer, in-the-moment gags to make it fresh and timely. Despite a few minor gaffes, this SPELLING BEE is a really likable, lofty revival.

There is always a sense of curiosity when it comes to the private lives of famous people...Which actress just entered rehab? Which actor is cheating on his wife? Which singer is a secret homesexual? Yes, despite bigger troubles in the world, there is an appetite for such salaciously juicy tidbits. And, oddly, even our own iconic, historical figures aren't immune to such speculation. To wit, Abraham Lincoln to this day can't quite escape a few whispered rumors about his alleged homosexual tendencies. That very rumor is the raison d'etre for Theatre Out's impressive revisionist adaptation of Christopher Marlowe's late 1500's play EDWARD II, now playing at the Empire Theater in Santa Ana through June 5. This new take on the troubled monarch's downfall-written in similar meter by Darcy Hogan-focuses its tabloid spotlight on the widely-held rumor that this King was really gay (or, perhaps, really bisexual), and that his eventual deposition from the throne of England (and subsequent murder) was a direct result of it.

One of Orange County's newest theater companies, 3D Theatricals, will present THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE from May 21 thru June 13 at the O.C. Pavilion Theatre in the Arts district of downtown Santa Ana.

For playwright Beth Henley, tragedies, disappointments and scandal become the surprisingly funny source material for this slice-of-dysfunctional-life play that revels in its own charming eccentricities. The resulting work of delicious genius is her 1981 Pulitzer Prize-winning debut comedy CRIMES OF THE HEART, now playing at South Coast Repertory thru June 6. Centering on the seemingly endless rampage of struggles for the Magrath sisters, this hilarious revival is a wickedly sweet, confectionary delight.

Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles-one of the premier education programs for young musicians ages 11-21 in Southern California-perform concerts in several locations each season, but only once in the same location on the same weekend! A festival of sorts, this unique opportunity to hear Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (PSYO), Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings (PSSS) and Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensembles (PSYWE), is also the perfect sampling of these impressive musicians of tomorrow. This year, PYSWE kicks off the culminating weekend of music with 'Thundering Winds,' on Saturday, May 15, at 2 p.m., while PSSS and PSYO join forces for 'Celebration in Sound,' on Sunday, May 16, with PSSS at 2:30 p.m. and PSYO at 4 p.m.-all in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

The Chance Theater is pleased to present the Southern California premiere of acclaimed playwright Julie Marie Myatt's intense look at returning home from war, WELCOME HOME, JENNY SUTTER, April 16- May 16, 2010. Directed by Chance Theater Artistic Director Oanh Nguyen, WELCOME HOME, JENNY SUTTER is a present-day story of personal recovery and acceptance. Upon her return to Southern California from a difficult tour of duty in Iraq, wounded Marine Sergeant Jenny Sutter finds herself lost in the California desert, without the body and mind she once knew. The eccentric inhabitants of a makeshift community give her the homecoming she needs before returning to her previous life. An edgy and poignant drama, WELCOME HOME, JENNY SUTTER brings fascinating insight to a timely theme.

Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles-one of the premier education programs for young musicians ages 11-21 in Southern California-perform concerts in several locations each season, but only once in the same location on the same weekend! A festival of sorts, this unique opportunity to hear Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (PSYO), Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings (PSSS) and Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensembles (PSYWE), is also the perfect sampling of these impressive musicians of tomorrow. This year, PYSWE kicks off the culminating weekend of music with 'Thundering Winds,' on Saturday, May 15, at 2 p.m., while PSSS and PSYO join forces for 'Celebration in Sound,' on Sunday, May 16, with PSSS at 2:30 p.m. and PSYO at 4 p.m.-all in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Theatre Out, Orange County's gay and lesbian theatre, presents the World Premiere of Darcy Hogan's adaptation of Christopher Marlowe's EDWARD II. Written in c.1592, Edward II, chronicles Edward's rise as the King of England and ultimately his downfall and overthrow as he begins to favor his lover, Gaveston, to the exclusion of his wife, Isabella. Hogan's new adaptation of the work is an intimate portrayal of the characters that focuses the play on the love triangle of Edward, Gaveston and Isabella as Edward loses control of his kingdom. Performance Dates: May 14 - June 5, 2010.

One of Orange County's newest theater companies, 3D Theatricals, will present THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE from May 21 thru June 13 at the O.C. Pavilion Theatre in the Arts district of downtown Santa Ana.

Theatre Out, Orange County's gay and lesbian theatre, presents the World Premiere of Darcy Hogan's adaptation of Christopher Marlowe's EDWARD II. Written in c.1592, Edward II, chronicles Edward's rise as the King of England and ultimately his downfall and overthrow as he begins to favor his lover, Gaveston, to the exclusion of his wife, Isabella. Hogan's new adaptation of the work is an intimate portrayal of the characters that focuses the play on the love triangle of Edward, Gaveston and Isabella as Edward loses control of his kingdom. Performance Dates: May 14 - June 5, 2010.

Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles-one of the premier education programs for young musicians ages 11-21 in Southern California-perform concerts in several locations each season, but only once in the same location on the same weekend! A festival of sorts, this unique opportunity to hear Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (PSYO), Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings (PSSS) and Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensembles (PSYWE), is also the perfect sampling of these impressive musicians of tomorrow. This year, PYSWE kicks off the culminating weekend of music with 'Thundering Winds,' on Saturday, May 15, at 2 p.m., while PSSS and PSYO join forces for 'Celebration in Sound,' on Sunday, May 16, with PSSS at 2:30 p.m. and PSYO at 4 p.m.-all in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

The rock musical spoof of 1950's Sci-Fi and horror movies, strange creations, bizarre seductions and sexual confusion.. .for some. Audition Dates By Appointment Only: Monday, May 3 - 7:30pm, Tuesday, May 4 - 6:00pm, Wednesday, May 5 - 7:30pm. Auditions, Rehearsals & Performances at:NO SQUARE THEATRE in Legion Hall, 384 Legion St., Laguna Beach, CA.

Theatre Out, Orange County's gay and lesbian theatre, presents BENT, with performances at The Empire Theatre in Santa Ana from April 9 - May 1. This gripping drama by Martin Sherman (A Madhouse In Goa, The Boy from Oz) examines the otherwise untold story of the treatment of homosexuals in World War II Nazi Concentration Camps.

To enhance Orange County theater-going when the national tour of the smash hit musical DREAMGIRLS visits April 21 - May 2, the Center has scheduled two post-performance talkbacks with cast members on April 22 and 29. During the talkbacks, which will follow the performances in Segerstrom Hall, audience members can speak to the cast and ask questions. The talkbacks are free, but tickets to the April 22 and 29 performances of DREAMGIRLS are required.

Many to this day may not be fully aware of the scope of the horrific events that transpired during Hitler's reign of tyranny over much of Europe during the Second World War. While the Jewish community was, by all accounts, the biggest targets of the Nazi's evil wave of terror, the German Gestapo also cast a wider net to include other 'undesirable' citizens they found to be non-conforming to the German/Hitler ideal of normalcy. Among these eventual victims of the Holocaust were homosexuals-particularly, gay men-whom they considered the most 'undesirable' of all. In Martin Sherman's stirring, powerful drama BENT (with performances now playing at Santa Ana's Theatre Out through May 1), we witness this incredibly appalling series of events through the eyes of a man caught between living openly and living fearfully to preserve his own survival.

In South Coast Repertory's truly excellent World Premiere play DOCTOR CERBERUS (with performances continuing through May 2), playwright Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa takes us back to the mid-1980's to witness the witty coming-of-age tale of one young awkward teen who is just a tad smarter than his years will allow. This, like in all misfits, causes him to be quite anguished by the very nature of his uniqueness in the world. Factor in a standard-issue dysfunctional family that can't quite understand him, and you have the makings of a winning narrative that has plenty of laughs, pathos and enough poignant moments that has us rooting for our hero to make it through to the end unscathed. Growing up different is scary. More broadly, life itself is scary.