Damon Kirsche News

The 28th Kritzerland show is the annual holiday show on Sunday, December 2 at 7PM. This year's lineup is very eclectic, featuring holiday songs from the world of pop, film, TV, and stage, plus some originals, all sung by the cast, special guest Bill Hayes, and host Bruce Kimmel.

To high-kick-start its 60th anniversary season, Musical Theatre West in Long Beach, CA is presenting a glossy, high-energy revival of what could be the Great Grand-Daddy of all backstage musicals: 42ND STREET. This terrific, tap-tastic new production continues performances at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center through November 11.

With Jon Engstrom's super direction and choreography and this cast's nonstop excellent tapping, cavorting, and devilishly fine chemistry, this production of 42nd Street dazzles from top to bottom.

42nd STREET opened last night, October 27th, at Musical Theatre West, and runs for 12 performances through November 11, 2012. As with all Musical Theatre West productions, each show is created from the ground up at its rehearsal studios in Long Beach using a blend of both professional actors from Broadway, Hollywood and national tours, as well as the best in local talent. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from opening night below!

Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer, has announced the cast of the ultimate Broadway musical, featuring the largest MTW cast in years. 42nd STREET, previewing October 26th, opening on October 27th and running for twelve performances through November 11, 2012. As with all Musical Theatre West productions, each show is created from the ground up at its rehearsal studios in Long Beach using a blend of both professional actors from Broadway, Hollywood and national tours, as well as the best in local talent.

Composer/lyricist Charles Bloom's debut recording, titled Music and Lyrics by Charles Bloom: IN HERE was just released by Sonic Landscapes. Check out photos from the release party below!

One For My Baby is a song-and-dance celebration of big-city nightlife at the end of World War II with direction and choreography by Scott Thompson, who co-authored the book with musical arranger/musical director, Fred Barton. One for My Baby promises such classics as 'Stormy Weather,' 'Get Happy,' 'The Man that Got Away,' 'Come Rain or Come Shine,' 'It's Only a Paper Moon,' 'That Old Black Magic' and 'Blues in the Night."

Tony Nominee Stephen Bogardus (Falsettos, Love! Valor! Compassion!) Luba Mason (Chicago, How to Succeed), Anastasia Barzee (Jekyll & Hyde, Miss Saigon) and 25 others have joined two-time Tony Nominee Vivian Reed (Bubbling Brown Sugar, Marie Christine) in the workshop cast of One for My Baby, the new book musical with a Harold Arlen score.

On Friday, October 19, noted arranger and producer, Fred Barton, whose work is heard regularly in concert halls around the country, is bringing the music of Broadway and the American Songbook showmanship to the Schimmel stage. The legendary Harold Arlen won the world over for his score to The Wizard of Oz, and was the composer of countless Broadway and Hollywood songs that will be brought to life backed by a full 12-piece orchestra and stars of the Broadway stage.

Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer, has announced the cast of the ultimate Broadway musical, featuring the largest MTW cast in years. 42nd STREET, previewing October 26th, opening on October 27th and running for twelve performances through November 11, 2012. As with all Musical Theatre West productions, each show is created from the ground up at its rehearsal studios in Long Beach using a blend of both professional actors from Broadway, Hollywood and national tours, as well as the best in local talent.

Tony Nominee Stephen Bogardus (Falsettos, Love! Valor! Compassion!) Luba Mason (Chicago, How to Succeed), Anastasia Barzee (Jekyll & Hyde, Miss Saigon) and 25 others have joined two-time Tony Nominee Vivian Reed (Bubbling Brown Sugar, Marie Christine) in the workshop cast of One for My Baby, the new book musical with a Harold Arlen score.

The song list and talent have been announced for composer/lyricist Charles Bloom's debut recording, titled Music and Lyrics by Charles Bloom: IN HERE. The album is due online in October from Sonic Landscapes.

Broadway and musical theatre performers Sean Smith, David Burnham, Kim Huber, Christina Saffran Ashford, Damon Kirsche, David Engel, Jennifer Shelton, Emma Ashford, Matthew Ashford, Ali B. Olmo, Johnny Pastor, Bubba Dean Rambo, William Martinez, Flora Rubenhold, Takako Gregg, Teri Yates, Mason Keane, and Paula Keane sing from their heart with the lyrics of Don DeMesquita, in a parody of One Day More from 'Les Miserables'. For more info and facts, go to www.OneTermMore.com. Check out the video below!

BELLS ARE RINGING, the next staged reading of MUSICAL THEATRE WEST'S REINER READING SERIES, will take place tonight, May 20, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

On Sunday May 6 Kritzerland presented its monthly show, May's entitled Broadway Bound: Unsung Songwriters at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. Bruce Kimmel and Adryan Russ produce a terrific evening of entertainment with an emphasis on tunes rarely if ever heard and featuring a bevy of top-notch musical theatre talent. This show proved no exception with Damon Kirsche, Melody Hollis, Jane Noseworthy, Beth Malone, John Massey and special guest star Daisy Eagan, the youngest person to ever win a Tony Award for The Secret Garden. First-time with Kritzerland, musical director Tom Griep accompanied beautifully on piano throughout the 75 minute set. Featured songwriters included among others: the amazing Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich, Alan Chapman (in attendance), Larry Grossman, Hal Hackady and Ira Levin, who as a familiar writer brought us on film and stage: Rosemary's Baby and Deathtrap.

Kritzerland Upstairs at Sterling's presents BROADWAY BOUND - UNSUNG SONGWRITERS with Zina Goldrich, Marcy Heisler, Alan Chapman, Milt Schaefer, Ira Levin, Michael Leonard, Larry Grossman, Hal Hackady, Brad Ross, Douglas Bernstein, Denis Markell and more. The show is tonight, May 6, 2012 at 7:00 pm. Tom Griep is musical director.

BELLS ARE RINGING, the next staged reading of MUSICAL THEATRE WEST'S REINER READING SERIES, will take place on Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

Kritzerland Upstairs at Sterling's presents BROADWAY BOUND - UNSUNG SONGWRITERS with Zina Goldrich, Marcy Heisler, Alan Chapman, Milt Schaefer, Ira Levin, Michael Leonard, Larry Grossman, Hal Hackady, Brad Ross, Douglas Bernstein, Denis Markell and more. The show will be held Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 7:00 pm. Tom Griep is musical director.

Kritzerland Upstairs at Sterling's presents BROADWAY BOUND - Unsung Songwriters, Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 7:00 pm, starring (in alphabetical order) Melody Hollis (Broadway: Susan in Irving Berlin's White Christmas) Damon Kirsche (Musical Theatre West: Man of La Mancha; Cabrillo's Little Shop of Horrors) Jane Noseworthy (Carrie, Reprise's Carousel; Disney: The Princess and the Frog) Beth Malone (Broadway: Ring of Fire; off-Broadway: The Marvelous Wonderettes) John Massey (Dad, Happy Days; Dave, The Full Monty; Nicely-Nicely, Guys & Dolls); Music Director: Tom Griep; and Special Guest: Tony Award Winner, Daisy Eagen.