Tomasina Abate

Photos: First Look at LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE at the Wallis Anneberg
by Lily Lim - Dec 2, 2023

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the beloved holiday film's release, a truly outstanding all-star cast has been assembled for For The Record and The Wallis’ co-production of LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE, the multimedia concert celebration with performances scheduled from Wednesday, Nov. 22 - Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Check out photos here!

Interview: For The Record's Recurring Ruby Lewis Excitedly Returns To LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE
by Gil Kaan - Dec 2, 2023

For The Record’s perennial holiday favorite Love Actually Live returned to The Wallis November 29, 2023. Commemorating the film’s 20th anniversary, Anderson Davis directs the cast of Tomasina Abate, Madison Taylor Baez, James Byous, Chris Cockrill, Audrey Cymone, Anthony Fedorov, Brayden Gleave, Grace Kinstler, Parissa Koo, Doug Kreeger, Austin Lesch, Ruby Lewis, Chris Mann, Jordan Ann Martone, Brian McKnight Jr., Darrell Morris Jr, Nina Nelson, Spencer Schaffe, Drew Seeley, Rex Smith, Alkaio Thiele and Cheyenne Isabel Wells. In the midst of previews, Ruby found some time to answer a few of my queries.

Crocodile, Inc. to Present World Premiere Reading of New Musical THE GRASSHOPPER Next Month
by Blair Ingenthron - Sep 25, 2023

CROCODILE, INC. will present the world premiere reading of new musical THE GRASSHOPPER on Sat, Oct 7 at Pacific Resident Theatre in Venice.

Photos: LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE Red Carpet At the Wallis Annenberg
by Lily Lim - Dec 6, 2021

Casting has been announced for For The Record and The Wallis' production of LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE, the multimedia concert celebration of the beloved holiday film from Universal Pictures/Working Title, with performances from Saturday, November 27 to Friday, December 31, 2021, at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Broadway and television star Aaron Lazar (Fox's Filthy Rich, Broadway's The Last Ship, A Little Night Music, Les Misérables, and The Light in the Piazza) joins the exciting lineup of talented performers alongside singer/songwriter, musician, producer and engineer, Brian McKnight Jr., who comes from a legendary musically gifted family including famed father Brian McKnight. American Idol 4th place finalist on season 4, Anthony Fedorov, Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist actor Michael Thomas Grant, and RCA recording artist Nina Nelson, member of girl group Citizen Queen (with over 30 million music video views), also join the cast for the first time. Rounding out the group of newcomers is Cheyenne Wells who starred in the recent production of Little Shop of Horrors at Pasadena Playhouse with MJ Rodriguez.

Photos: Opening Night LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE At the Wallis Annenberg
by Lily Lim - Dec 6, 2021

Casting has been announced for For The Record and The Wallis’ production of LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE, the multimedia concert celebration of the beloved holiday film from Universal Pictures/Working Title, with performances from Saturday, November 27 to Friday, December 31, 2021, at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Broadway and television star Aaron Lazar (Fox’s Filthy Rich, Broadway’s The Last Ship, A Little Night Music, Les Misérables, and The Light in the Piazza) joins the exciting lineup of talented performers alongside singer/songwriter, musician, producer and engineer, Brian McKnight Jr., who comes from a legendary musically gifted family including famed father Brian McKnight. American Idol 4th place finalist on season 4, Anthony Fedorov, Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist actor Michael Thomas Grant, and RCA recording artist Nina Nelson, member of girl group Citizen Queen (with over 30 million music video views), also join the cast for the first time. Rounding out the group of newcomers is Cheyenne Wells who starred in the recent production of Little Shop of Horrors at Pasadena Playhouse with MJ Rodriguez. 

Broadway, Film, TV, Recording Artists Join LOVE, ACTUALLY Live Cast At The Wallis
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 12, 2021

Casting has been announced for For The Record and The Wallis' production of LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE, the multimedia concert celebration of the beloved holiday film from Universal Pictures/Working Title, with performances from Saturday, November 27 to Friday, December 31, 2021, at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

Aaron Lazar, Brian McKnight Jr. & More to Lead the Cast of LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 11, 2021

Casting has been announced for For The Record and The Wallis’ production of LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE, the multimedia concert celebration of the beloved holiday film from Universal Pictures/Working Title, with performances from Saturday, November 27 to Friday, December 31, 2021, at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

VIDEO: Rex Smith and Tomasina Abate Perform 'Shallow' From A STAR IS BORN
by Stephi Wild - Dec 21, 2019

Rex Smith and Tomasina Abate recently teamed up for a cover of the Oscar-winning Best Original Song, Shallow, from the film A Star is Born.

BWW Review: LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE Dazzles Audiences with Original Film Clips Immersed in an Entertaining Jukebox Musical
by Shari Barrett - Dec 13, 2019

Taking the film and its music to the next level, The Wallis and For The Record are presenting a holiday season encore of last year's LOVE, ACTUALLY LIVE world premiere in the Bram Stoker Theater at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills through December 29. The multimedia presentation, adapted and directed by Anderson Davis with musical supervision by Jesse Vargas, turns the theater into a giant, immersive, cinema in a three-dimensional world where the film and live action seamlessly intertwine throughout the London setting. Each scene is a festival of excellent characterizations, extraordinary lighting effects and costumes, brilliant and fast-paced direction and choreography, and the joy of great music that perfectly expresses the mood and themes of the movie and jukebox musical LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE. No doubt this suburb holiday musical will be making its return to The Wallis each December!

Photo Coverage: LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE Press Night Celebration At The Wallis Annenberg
by Lily Lim - Dec 10, 2019

Casting has been announced for The Wallis and For The Record's production of LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE, the multimedia concert celebration of one of the most beloved holiday films of all time and the biggest, record-breaking hit in The Wallis' history, which is back by popular demand, now as a not-to-be-missed Los Angeles tradition with performances beginning the day before Thanksgiving (November 27) and running through the weekend following Christmas (December 29). Returning from the 2018 production are Rex Smith (RIAA Gold® recording artist), Carrie Manolakos (Broadway's Mamma Mia!, Wicked), Doug Kreeger (Broadway's Les Misérables), Tomasina Abate (For The Record's Scorsese: American Crime Requiem, Tarantino), Carson Higgins (international tour of Green Day's American Idiot) and the multi-dimensional Emily Lopez. New this year to the lineup of outstanding performers are Rogelio Douglas Jr. (In the Heights and The Little Mermaid on Broadway), Declan Bennett (Once, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Taboo in the West End, American Idiot and Rent on Broadway), Jon Robert Hall (Fox's Grease: Live, “Glee”), Chris Mann (NBC's “The Voice,” The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Tour), James Byous (Scorsese: American Crime Requiem, Netflix's 'Westside'), Ruby Lewis (Cirque du Soleil's Paramour, Lights Out: Nat 'King' Cole), singer/songwriter/actress Aubrie Sellers (one of Rolling Stone's best country albums of the year), Gabriela Francesca Carrillo (American Mariachi, Netflix's Homecoming), Levi Smith (A Bronx Tale: The Musical, It's a Wonderful Life, Mary Poppins and The Music Man on Broadway), young singer/actress Nayah Damasen, John Battagliese and accomplished violinist Molly Rogers. 

Photo Coverage: On the Red Carpet For LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE at The Wallis Annenberg
by Lily Lim - Dec 9, 2019

The Wallis and For The Record present LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE, the multimedia concert celebration of one of the most beloved holiday films of all time and the biggest, record-breaking hit in The Wallis' history, which is back by popular demand, now as a not-to-be-missed Los Angeles tradition with performances beginning the day before Thanksgiving (November 27) and running through the weekend following Christmas (December 29).

Photo Coverage: LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE At The Wallis Annenberg
by Lily Lim - Dec 8, 2019

The Wallis and For The Record present LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE, the multimedia concert celebration of one of the most beloved holiday films of all time and the biggest, record-breaking hit in The Wallis' history, which is back by popular demand, now as a not-to-be-missed Los Angeles tradition with performances beginning the day before Thanksgiving (November 27) and running through the weekend following Christmas (December 29).

BWW Interview: For The Record, Shane Scheel's An Expert At Producing LIVE Hits
by Gil Kaan - Nov 20, 2019

After a most successful run last December, For The Record's LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE encores at The Wallis beginning November 27, 2019. FTR pairs the actual screening of the 2003 perennial holiday hit film Love Actually with live singers and a 15-piece orchestra on stage complementing the movie's soundtrack. I got the chance to grab a few minutes and some behind-the-scenes with the prolific, ever busy, For The Record Live executive producer Shane Scheel.

LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE Cast Announced Including Rex Smith, Aubrie Sellers, Chris Mann, and More
by Stephi Wild - Nov 12, 2019

Casting has been announced for The Wallis and For The Record's production of LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE, the multimedia concert celebration of one of the most beloved holiday films of all time and the biggest, record-breaking hit in The Wallis' history, which is back by popular demand, now as a not-to-be-missed Los Angeles tradition with performances beginning the day before Thanksgiving (November 27) and running through the weekend following Christmas (December 29).

Photo Flash: LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE Brings The Holidays To The Wallis
by Lily Lim - Dec 21, 2018

Love Actually Live, a multimedia-concert celebration of the soundtrack to one of the most beloved holiday movies of all time from the team behind Los Angeles' award-winning For The Record series, is featured this holiday season at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts from Tuesday, December 4, through Monday, December 31, 2018. Co-Produced by the Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts, Shane Scheel and Siobhan O'Neilland inspired by the Universal Pictures/Working Title motion picture written by Richard Curtis, this world-premiere production, presented by special arrangement with Universal Theatrical Group, transforms The Wallis' Bram Goldsmith Theater into a giant, immersive, cinema for the modern day. The production, a one-of-a-kind presentation is performed live by an all-star cast and 15-piece orchestra, includes songs from the hit film, including 'Christmas Is All Around,' 'The Trouble with Love Is,' and 'Both Sides Now.'

Photo Coverage: Star Studded Red Carpet And After Party of LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE At The Wallis
by Lily Lim - Dec 20, 2018

Love Actually Live, a multimedia-concert celebration of the soundtrack to one of the most beloved holiday movies of all time from the team behind Los Angeles' award-winning For The Record series, is featured this holiday season at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts from Tuesday, December 4, through Monday, December 31, 2018. Co-Produced by the Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts, Shane Scheel and Siobhan O'Neill and inspired by the Universal Pictures/Working Title motion picture written by Richard Curtis, this world-premiere production, presented by special arrangement with Universal Theatrical Group, transforms The Wallis' Bram Goldsmith Theater into a giant, immersive, cinema for the modern day. The production, a one-of-a-kind presentation is performed live by an all-star cast and 15-piece orchestra, includes songs from the hit film, including 'Christmas Is All Around,' 'The Trouble with Love Is,' and 'Both Sides Now.'

All-Star Cast Announced for World Premiere Production of LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE at The Wallis
by Rebecca Russo - Nov 3, 2018

Love Actually Live, a multimedia-concert celebration of the soundtrack to one of the most beloved holiday movies of all time from the team behind Los Angeles' award-winning For The Record series, is featured this holiday season at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts from Tuesday, December 4, through Monday, December 31, 2018. Co-Produced by the Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts, Shane Scheel and Siobhan O'Neill and inspired by the Universal Pictures/Working Title motion picture written by Richard Curtis, this world-premiere production, presented by special arrangement with Universal Theatrical Group, transforms The Wallis' Bram Goldsmith Theater into a giant, immersive, cinema for the modern day. The production, a one-of-a-kind presentation is performed live by an all-star cast and 15-piece orchestra, includes songs from the hit film, including "Christmas Is All Around," "The Trouble with Love Is," and "Both Sides Now.'

Steve Kazee, Rumer Willis, and More Lead LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE
by Julie Musbach - Nov 1, 2018

As previously announced, this holiday season, the team behind Los Angeles' award-winning "For The Record" series returns to the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts with a multimedia-concert celebration of the soundtrack to one of the most beloved holiday movies of all time, Love Actually. Inspired by the Universal Pictures/Working Title motion picture written by Richard Curtis, this world-premiere production of Love Actually Live, presented by special arrangement with Universal Theatrical Group, will transform The Wallis' Bram Goldsmith Theater into a giant, immersive, cinema for the modern day. The production will include songs from the hit film, including "Christmas Is All Around," "The Trouble with Love Is," and "Both Sides Now."

Photo Coverage: VINTAGE TROUBLE'S TY TAYLOR DEBUTS NOUVEAU MID-CENTURY ROMANCE SONGBOOK AT THE WALLIS ANNENBERG
by Lily Lim - May 14, 2018

On Friday, May 11, prolific performer Ty Taylor collaborated with the team behind LA's hit series "For The Record" to debut his new solo album Nouveau Mid-Century Romance Songbook. Taylor, best known as the lead singer of classic soul and rock 'n' roll band Vintage Trouble, will light up the stage at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills for this official album release concert along with special guests Matthew Morrison, Tracie Thoms, Brenna Whitaker and Chris Pierce. Directed by Anderson Davis, the evening will kick off with a Jazz showcase from exceptional artists including Spencer Day, Olivia Kuper Harris, Myles Nuzzi and Dylan Meek and will be followed by Taylor's collection of modernistic tracks inspired by mid-century jazz standards.

Photo Coverage: Opening Night Celebration Of FOR THE RECORD: SCORSESE AN AMERICAN CRIME REQUIEM At The Wallis Annenberg
by Lily Lim - Oct 2, 2016

This fall, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts transforms much of its campus into a lively Little Italy themed street party as it celebrates For The Record: Scorsese - American Crime Requiem. The Wallis and For The Record-the acclaimed company that began in a small bar in East Hollywood in 2010 and whose performances have quickly become must see shows-combine forces to pay homage to the visceral world of Martin Scorsese in a new co production that revolutionizes the musical theater experience and brings the legendary filmmaker's epic soundtracks to life in a new generation cabaret, from September 21 through October 16. From the moment audiences arrive at The Wallis, the immersive experience begins with special pre show festivities, continuing through an exhilarating performance, and finishing with post show gatherings that feature specially curated entertainment.