Michael Orland News

This Past Sunday, December 23rd, 2018 was the perfect Christmas entertainment for so many families, including me, that was filled with fun before, during and after this fabulous show. If you haven't gone to see it, you still have this next weekend to experience a fun-filled pre-show, star-studded filled-with-fun and laughs performances including a special appearance by the one-and-only Kermit The Frog! It is guaranteed to entertain and satisfy your entire family, especially children. It is the perfect way to enjoy a family outing for the Holidays.

Returning to the concert stage in Los Angeles for the first time in three years, critically acclaimed actor and singer Erich Bergen is set to    bring his show An Early New Year's Celebration to Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood for two performances only today, December 28 and Saturday, December 29, at 8:30pm, it was announced today by Chris Isaacson Presents. Michael Orland (American Idol) is musical director.

Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP), in association with the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, announces Philip Anthony-Rodriguez (NBC's 'Grimm' and ABC Family's 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager') as The Cowardly Lion for the final 4 performances of the world premiere of THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, (300 East Green Street, Pasadena CA 91101) on December 29 at 1:00pm and 6:00pm and December 30 at 12:00pm and 4:00pm. The role of The Cowardly Lion is played by Juan Pablo Di Pace ('Fernando' on Netflix's number one show Fuller House, leading contestant this season on ABC's Dancing With The Stars) at all other performances. THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ opened to rave reviews December 15, and must close December 30.

Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP), in association with the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, presents their newest production, the world premiere of THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, (300 East Green Street, Pasadena CA 91101) which will play a strictly limited engagement from December 15 through December 30.

Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP), in association with the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, presents their newest production, the world premiere of THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, (300 East Green Street, Pasadena CA 91101) which will play a strictly limited engagement from December 15 through December 30.

Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) expands across America this holiday season, including a multi-year deal at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium beginning with their newest production - THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ. It will be directed by Bonnie Lythgoe and choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo (NappyTabs), with book by Kris Lythgoe and Michael Orland (American Idol) serving as musical arranger and supervisor. Casting is by executive producer Becky Lythgoe. This will be the seventh holiday season of Lythgoe Family Panto in Pasadena, and their second in this larger venue.

Breaking News! Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP), in association with the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, announce additional casting for their newest production, the world premiere of THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, (300 East Green Street, Pasadena CA 91101) which will play a strictly limited engagement from December 15 through December 30. Singer, actress and dancer Mackenzie Ziegler (Dancing with the Stars: Juniors, Dance Moms) as Dorothy, Phil LaMarr ('Mad TV' and 'Pulp Fiction') as The Tin Man, Jared Gertner (Broadway's The Book of Mormon) as The Scarecrow, and Hailee Payne and Valerie Rockey of So You Think You Can Dance join previously announced Kermit The Frog as the Wizard of Oz and Tony-Award winner Marissa Jaret Winokur (Celebrity Big Brother Winner and Broadway's Hairspray) as Glinda. The official press opening will be held on December 14, 2018 at GIVE KIDS PANTO, a benefit to raise monies for the student matinee performance serving Title One schools in the PUSD and LAUSD.

Returning to the concert stage in Los Angeles for the first time in three years, critically acclaimed actor and singer Erich Bergen is set to    bring his show An Early New Year's Celebration to Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood for two performances only on Friday, December 28 and Saturday, December 29, at 8:30pm, it was announced today by Chris Isaacson Presents. Michael Orland (American Idol) is musical director.

Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, Executive Director Ellen Richard and Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) are thrilled to present Ashley Argota ('True Jackson VP,' 'Lab Rats'), Thomas Hobson (Ain't Misbehavin', Recorded in Hollywood), Heath Calvert (Amelie, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Riley Costello ('Hairspray Live,' Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirate's Christmas), Andrews Barnicle (Twelve Angry Men,  Fallen Angels), Roland Rusinek (The Phantom of the Opera) and David Engel (Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, La Cage Aux Folles) in Lythgoe Family Panto's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE.  

Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP), in association with the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, announce final casting for their newest production, the world premiere of THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, (300 East Green Street, Pasadena CA 91101) which will play a strictly limited engagement from December 15 through December 30.

Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, Executive Director Ellen Richard and Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) are thrilled to announce that Laguna Playhouse favorite Andrew Barnicle (Twelve Angry Men, Fallen Angels) will join Ashley Argota ("True Jackson VP," "Lab Rats"), Thomas Hobson (Ain't Misbehavin', Recorded in Hollywood), Heath Calvert (Amelie, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Riley Costello ("Hairspray Live," Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirate's Christmas) Roland Rusinek (The Phantom of the Opera) and David Engel (Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, La Cage Aux Folles) in Lythgoe Family Panto's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE.

Casting News! Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP), in association with the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, announce the latest casting for their newest production, the world premiere of THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, (300 East Green Street, Pasadena CA 91101) which will play a strictly limited engagement from December 15 through December 30.

The opening night celebration of THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ on December 14 will also serve as a benefit for the GiveKidsPanto program.  Lythgoe Family Panto created GiveKidsPanto, a non-profit educational program, serving over 6,000 Title 1 students across America annually. For many of these students, this is their first opportunity to see live theater.  GiveKidsPanto raises funds, which allows each LFP production across the country to add a student matinee to their performance schedule.  The funds raised through GiveKidsPanto go to facilitate the student's bus transportation to and from the theater as well as buy the tickets to the performances.  Last year at the Pasadena Civic alone, over 2,000 students from the Pasadena and Greater Los Angeles area schools were brought in to see a performance of Beauty and the Beast: A Christmas Rose.  For more information please contact events@americanpanto.com

Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, Executive Director Ellen Richard and Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) are thrilled to announce that Ashley Argota ("True Jackson VP," "Lab Rats"), Thomas Hobson (Ain't Misbehavin', Recorded in Hollywood), Heath Calvert (Amelie, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Riley Costello ("Hairspray Live," Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirate's Christmas) Roland Rusinek (The Phantom of the Opera) and David Engel (Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, La Cage Aux Folles) are set to star in Lythgoe Family Panto's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE. Written by Kris Lythgoe, directed by Sheldon Epps, choreography by Mandy Moore, musical direction by Keith Harrison and musical supervisor Michael Orland, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE will begin performances on Wednesday, December 5 and run through December 30, 2018 with a press opening on Friday, December 7 at 7:00pm at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.Casting is led by LFP Producer Becky Lythgoe, and the full cast will be announced at a later date.  

Pioneer Productions will present the first offering in its Stagecraft Education Series - Solo-Creating a Show That Puts YOU in the Spotlight- today October 13 from 11:00 AM until 5:30 PM. Taught by Wendy Lane Bailey and Bruce De La Cruz the intensive one day masterclass is designed to help performers create and perform their own one person musical shows.

Breaking News! Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP), in association with the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, announce additional casting for their newest production, the world premiere of THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, (300 East Green Street, Pasadena CA 91101) which will play a strictly limited engagement from December 15 through December 30. Singer, actress and dancer Mackenzie Ziegler (Dancing with the Stars: Juniors, Dance Moms) as Dorothy, Phil LaMarr ("Mad TV" and "Pulp Fiction") as The Tin Man, Jared Gertner (Broadway's The Book of Mormon) as The Scarecrow, and Hailee Payne and Valerie Rockey of So You Think You Can Dance join previously announced Kermit The Frog as the Wizard of Oz and Tony-Award winner Marissa Jaret Winokur (Celebrity Big Brother Winner and Broadway's Hairspray) as Glinda. The official press opening will be held on December 14, 2018 at GIVE KIDS PANTO, a benefit to raise monies for the student matinee performance serving Title One schools in the PUSD and LAUSD.

Chris Isaacson Presents announced today that acclaimed recording artists, actors, and songwriters Will & Anthony Nunziata will bring their show From Broadway to Italy to Upstairs at Vitello's in Studio City on Sunday, September 30, at 7:30 and to Martinis Above Fourth in San Diego today, October 3, at 8pm. Michael Orland is music director.

Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) in association with the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, announces Kermit The Frog as the Wizard of Oz and Marissa Jaret Winokur (Celebrity Big Brother Winner and  Hairspray) as Glinda in their newest production - THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, (300 East Green Street, Pasadena CA 91101) which will play a strictly limited engagement from December 14 through December 30, with the official press opening on December 14.

Pioneer Productions will present the first offering in its Stagecraft Education Series - Solo-Creating a Show That Puts YOU in the Spotlight- on Saturday October 13 from 11:00 AM until 5:30 PM. Taught by Wendy Lane Bailey and Bruce De La Cruz the intensive one day masterclass is designed to help performers create and perform their own one person musical shows.

Chris Isaacson Presents announced today that acclaimed recording artists, actors, and songwriters Will & Anthony Nunziata will bring their show From Broadway to Italy to Upstairs at Vitello's in Studio City on Sunday, September 30, at 7:30 and to Martinis Above Fourth in San Diego on Wednesday, October 3, at 8pm. Michael Orland is music director.