Gianna Pira News

A thrilling revival of Andrew Lippa’s THE WILD PARTY promises to take audiences on a non-stop emotional journey to the fraught and (seemingly) fantastic 1920s. Sizzling jazz, emotional anthems and contemporary music combine to pull audiences into a world of careless, conflicted characters pushed to their limits.

However, director Mattsson, who helmed the Morgan's sold-out hit production of Mary Poppins last season, certainly should have known about the theater's sound system problems and addressed them in advance of the opening. For as entertaining as this big rock musical should have been, unfortunately it suffers from the worst of all problems in staging such a musical extravaganza - a sound system which cannot handle the volume needed to successfully present such an undertaking. Consequently, even the music track was played too softly to achieve the necessary effect, with the singers often barely audible over it. Perhaps the biggest saving grace in the production is the entertaining choreography which fills the stage with clever, comical, and attention-grabbing costumes and wigs which honor the 'big' outrageous mid-80s fashion trends.

The Wedding Singer, the Broadway musical based on the hit Adam Sandler film, will be presented at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre, opening tonight and running through August 3 as the final production of the 2018-19 Mainstage season. The musical is based on the New Line Cinema film written by Tim Herlihy. with music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy. directed by Kristie Mattsson, produced by Spencer Johnson, choreographed by Niko Montelibano, music direction by Daniel Koh, and stage managed by Ashley DeFrancesco.

Led by Director/Musical Director/Costume Designer Anne Gesling, along with Choreographer Lauren Blair, the Y.E.S. musical production for November/December 2017 was A WINTER'S TALE, and I can tell you these two talented women worked miracles with a cast of 39 young performers already at the triple-threat status. As a former secondary teacher, I can honestly say that I have never seen such a talented group of young performers work together as the members of this group do, with not one of them breaking the fourth wall or character, all the while keeping their accents authentic with their harmonious singing always in tune and dancing perfectly in step and always presented with enthusiastic joy.

Kentwood Players presents the Kentwood Kids Production 'Rockin' Robin Hood,' a musical written by Scott Martin, directed by Samantha Barrios, produced by Drew Fitzsimmons and Melodie S. Rivers with Martin Feldman as musical director. Performances continue today, October 20 at 11:00am and 2:00pm at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester (LA 90045).

Kentwood Players presents the Kentwood Kids Production 'Rockin' Robin Hood,' a musical written by Scott Martin, directed by Samantha Barrios, produced by Drew Fitzsimmons and Melodie S. Rivers with Martin Feldman as musical director. Performances continue on Saturday, October 20 at 11:00am and 2:00pm at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester (LA 90045).

Kentwood Players presents the Kentwood Kids Production 'Rockin' Robin Hood,' a musical written by Scott Martin, directed by Samantha Barrios, produced by Drew Fitzsimmons and Melodie S. Rivers with Martin Feldman as musical director. Performances continue on Saturdays, October 13 and 20 at 11:00am and 2:00pm at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester (LA 90045).

Kentwood Players present their next Kentwood Kids Production, 'Rockin' Robin Hood,' a musical written by Scott Martin, directed by Samantha Barrios, produced by Drew Fitzsimmons and Melodie S. Rivers with Martin Feldman as musical director. Performances take place on Saturdays, beginning today, October 6, 13, and 20 at 11:00am and 2:00pm at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester (LA 90045). Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Kentwood Players present their next Kentwood Kids Production, 'Rockin' Robin Hood,' a musical written by Scott Martin, directed by Samantha Barrios, produced by Drew Fitzsimmons and Melodie S. Rivers with Martin Feldman as musical director. Performances take place on Saturdays, October 6, 13, and 20 at 11:00am and 2:00pm at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester (LA 90045). Get a first look at the production in the photos below!