Photo Flash: First Look at Kimiko Glenn and More in Rehearsals for La Jolla's YOSHIMI BATTLES THE PINK ROBOTS

by BWW News Desk Oct. 26, 2012

La Jolla Playhouse presents Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, a world-premiere musical featuring a story by The Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne and Playhouse Director Emeritus Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys, Jesus Christ Superstar), music and lyrics by The Flaming Lips, and direction by Des McAnuff. The show will run November 6 - December 16, 2012 in the Mandell Weiss Theatre. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the rehearsals below.

The cast features many returning Playhouse favorites, including Kimiko Glenn (The Nightingale) as "Yoshimi," and several Jesus Christ Superstar alumni: Tom Hewitt (Zhivago, Dracula, The Musical) as "Dr. Peterson," Paul Nolan as "Ben" and ensemble members Mary Antonini, Laurin Padolina, Jaz Sealy, Jason Sermonia and Julius Sermonia. The Playhouse also welcomes back Pearl Sun (The Seven) as "Mrs. Yasukawa" and ensemble member Albert Guerzon (The Wiz).

Seven local actors join the cast, including ensemble members Richard Bulda, LaMae Caparas and Jonny Wexler; swings Chelsea Diggs-Smith (The Nightingale) and Christopher Cortex; and two UC San Diego M.F.A. students: Katie McGehee and Jack Mikesell.

Additional cast members include Nik Walker as "Booker," John Haggerty as "Mr. Yasukawa," and ensemble members Michael Balderrama, Emmanuel Brown, Ian Paget, Vasthy Mompoint, Catherine Ricafort, Vanden Thurgood and Jesse Wildman.

The creative team includes Des McAnuff, Director; Ron Melrose (Jersey Boys, The Wiz), Musical Supervisor; Bradley Rapier (Jesus Christ Superstar), Choreographer; Robert Brill (Jesus Christ Superstar, Creditors, The Wiz), Scenic Designer; Paul Tazewell (Jesus Christ Superstar, Private Fittings), Costume Designer; Michael Walton, Lighting Designer; Steve Canyon Kennedy (Hands on a Hardbody, Jersey Boys), Sound Designer, Sean Nieuwenhuis (Jesus Christ Superstar), Projection Designer; Basil Twist (A Midsummer Night's Dream, Dogugaeshi), Puppet Designer; Steve Rankin, Fight Director; and Gabriel Greene, Dramaturg.

Tickets to Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots are available online at LaJollaPlayhouse.org or by calling The Playhouse Box Office at (858) 550-1010.

Photo Credits: J. Katarzyna Woronowicz, Dana Holliday and Sandy Huffaker.

Photo Flash: First Look at Kimiko Glenn and More in Rehearsals for La Jolla's YOSHIMI BATTLES THE PINK ROBOTS

Photo Flash: First Look at Kimiko Glenn and More in Rehearsals for La Jolla's YOSHIMI BATTLES THE PINK ROBOTS
John Haggerty and Kimiko Glenn

Photo Flash: First Look at Kimiko Glenn and More in Rehearsals for La Jolla's YOSHIMI BATTLES THE PINK ROBOTS
Director Des McAnuff and Scenic Designer Robert Brill

Photo Flash: First Look at Kimiko Glenn and More in Rehearsals for La Jolla's YOSHIMI BATTLES THE PINK ROBOTS
Nik Walker and Kimiko Glenn

Photo Flash: First Look at Kimiko Glenn and More in Rehearsals for La Jolla's YOSHIMI BATTLES THE PINK ROBOTS
Paul Nolan, Kimiko Glenn and Nik Walker

Photo Flash: First Look at Kimiko Glenn and More in Rehearsals for La Jolla's YOSHIMI BATTLES THE PINK ROBOTS
Des McAnuff and Company

Photo Flash: First Look at Kimiko Glenn and More in Rehearsals for La Jolla's YOSHIMI BATTLES THE PINK ROBOTS
Kimiko Glenn and Company

Photo Flash: First Look at Kimiko Glenn and More in Rehearsals for La Jolla's YOSHIMI BATTLES THE PINK ROBOTS
The Company

Photo Flash: First Look at Kimiko Glenn and More in Rehearsals for La Jolla's YOSHIMI BATTLES THE PINK ROBOTS
Kimiko Glenn

Photo Flash: First Look at Kimiko Glenn and More in Rehearsals for La Jolla's YOSHIMI BATTLES THE PINK ROBOTS
Director Des McAnuff and La Jolla Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ash ley

Photo Flash: First Look at Kimiko Glenn and More in Rehearsals for La Jolla's YOSHIMI BATTLES THE PINK ROBOTS
Playhouse Director Emeritus Des McAnuff

Photo Flash: First Look at Kimiko Glenn and More in Rehearsals for La Jolla's YOSHIMI BATTLES THE PINK ROBOTS
The Flaming Lips

Photo Flash: First Look at Kimiko Glenn and More in Rehearsals for La Jolla's YOSHIMI BATTLES THE PINK ROBOTS

Related Stories

Videos: Daniel Radcliffe Joins The Trevor Project For LGBTQ+ Chat Series SHARING SPACE

Actor Daniel Radcliffe joins The Trevor Project on the first episode of their new web series, Sharing Space, featuring candid conversations with LGBTQ young people. The talks will illuminate their unique personal journeys and explore what genuine allyship looks like. See a video preview of the first episode of 'Sharing Space'!

Review Roundup: Olivier Award-Winning LIFE OF PI Opens On Broadway

Lolita Chakrabarti's stage adaptation of Yann Martel's best-selling novel Life of Pi opens tonight, Thursday, March 30, at Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street). Read the reviews!

Photos & Video: Go Inside RAGTIME 25th Anniversary Concert

See photos and video of Audra McDonald, Kelli O'Hara, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Peter Friedman and more in the Ragtime 25th anniversary concert!

Video: Martin Short Sings a CHICAGO Parody in New SCHMIGADOON! Clip

Watch the new preview video from the season premiere of Schmigadoon, in which Martin Short returns as a mysterious Leprechaun to pass on a message to Josh (Keegan-Michael Key) and Melissa (Cecily Strong). The message comes in the form of a song, which bares a striking resemblance to 'All That Jazz' from Chicago.

Photo Flash: First Look at Kimiko Glenn and More in Rehearsals for La Jolla's YOSHIMI BATTLES THE PINK ROBOTS

More Hot Stories For You