In 1975, A Chorus Line took Broadway by storm and ran a then astonishing fifteen years, at that time the longest running musical in history. Featured in that original brilliant company was a diminutive powerhouse named Kay Cole as Maggie. In the song “At The Ballet,” composer Marvin Hamlisch wrote her one of the greatest money notes in history and when Kay hit it it was like the heavens opened – it was a great Broadway voice of incredible purity and power, but also subtlety and nuance.
The Group Rep is entering its 43rd year of continuous operation and proudly announces its newest Season containing an exciting collection of original and classic theatrical offerings. These will explore the reasons people do the things they do and offer the audience a portal into the motives that drive a fascinating array of complicated human beings.
Hard to believe, but Kritzerland turned 6 on Sunday September 4 at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. Bruce Kimmel and his record company Kritzerland began their series of concerts at the Gardenia for the first year, then moved to Vitello's with Michael Sterling and onto the Federal four years ago. Kimmel and Kritzerland are joined at the hip; it's his brainchild ... and he brings all of his ingenious theatricality and cleverness to each show. This anniversary show was over.the.moon great with terribly eclectic, funny numbers and some absolutely wonderful talent. On board were steadies Sharon McNight, Nick Santa Maria, Ilene Graff and hubbie Ben Lanzarone, Jenna Lea Rosen, Sami Staitman and special appearance by composer Richard M. Sherman. Newcomers Marc Ginsburg, Reagan Pasternak and little Hayley Shukiar joined 'Guy Haines' for a heartfelt and laugh-filled concert. Wonderful Richard Allen served as musical director and accompanist for most of the songs throughout the 90-minute set.
On Sunday July 31 Michael Sterling celebrated 10 years of his cabaret supper club now called Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal with a mega-delightful show headlining the music of his mentor Rosemary Clooney called Everything's Coming Up Rosie. On the bill were two exuberantly talented singers Kerry O'Malley and Mary Callanan. Backed by virtuoso musical director Richard Allen at the piano and his superb trio of musicians that included Ed Smith on drums and Randy Landas on bass, the two gals sent out glorious vibes in the 90-minute set.
What a lovely surprise! I know that Bruce Kimmel is quite the clever gentleman and would not expect anything less than superlative work from his camp, but stepping down to the college campus level to review is not something that I particularly savor. These actors, with the exception of Robert Yacko and April Audia, are students, not yet professional performers as such. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed, not by the singing, but at least by the acting and overall drive and energy of the performers who delivered a mightily informative, nostalgic and fun show. It's called L.A. Now and Then, and it's a revue with songs and monologues that take a glance back at Los Angeles through the years and compare past with present cultural values. Kimmel as director maintains a great pace throughout: no lags; the show moves!
Conceived and Directed by Grammy nominated Producer, Director, Writer, and Composer Bruce Kimmel, L.A. NOW AND THEN, is a new musical revue about the city that was and the city that is. Proudly presented by Kimmel's alma mater, The Los Angeles City College Theatre Academy and Kritzerland Entertainment, the production will be presented May 13 - 22, 2016 at the Caminito Theatre on the campus of Los Angeles City College (LACC). BroadwayWorld has an inside look at the show's opening night; scroll down for photos!
Conceived and Directed by Grammy nominated Producer, Director, Writer, and Composer Bruce Kimmel, L.A. NOW AND THEN, is a new musical revue about the city that was and the city that is.
There are undoubtedly other productions worthy of merit in 2015 which I did not cover. This list is based only on what I saw and reviewed.
(alphabetical listings; Equity, Equity-waiver & Non-Equity productions are mixed)
(artists performing outside LA may be included in performance categories)
No set, costume, or technical awards. I leave that to the bigger awards and to the expertise of those who really know those fields inside out.
Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents SEASON'S GREETINGS - Our Fifth Annual Holiday Show - tonight, December 9, 2015 (6:00 PM dinner | 7:30 PM show).
Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents SEASON'S GREETINGS - Our Fifth Annual Holiday Show - on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 (6:00 PM dinner | 7:30 PM show).
The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs has announced the 4th Annual 'MAC presents THEY WRITE THE SONGS.' The show will be held Sunday, November 15th at 4pm in the Engelman Recital Hall at the Baruch Performing Arts Center (Lexington Avenue at 25th Street).
Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents THE SHOWS OF MY LIFE – A PERSONAL DISCOVERY on Sunday, October 18, 2015 (5:30 PM dinner, 7:00 PM show).
Sami Staitman is pretty much your typical 15-year-old teenaged girl. On Sunday afternoon, we journeyed into the Valley to see the Ventura County resident play the part of Molly, pretty much your typical 14-year-old teenaged girl, in a one-girl musical called Welcome to My World, which played at the Grove Theater Center in Burbank.
Following a critically acclaimed world premiere opening September 12th at Burbank, California's Grove Theatre Center, Welcome to My World starring Sami Staitman has been extended through October 4th at the Grove Theatre in Burbank, CA. BroadwayWorld TV's own Michael Sterling was on hand for the opening to talk to the young Ms. Staitman; close friend and Disney Channel series star Corey Fogelmanis (Girl Meets World); and the show's Grammy Nominated Producer/Director/Writer/Composer Bruce Kimmel. The first ever one-girl musical written for and about a fourteen-year-old, has also just completed recording sessions for the Kritzerland Records release of the show which will feature all 14 songs from the score, plus a bonus track of 'Everything is Going to be Alright' recorded by Fogelmanis who, during opening weekend, was on hand for a private Meet & Greet with fans who supported the production.
Welcome to My World, starring Sami Staitman, is the first ever one-girl musical written for and about a fourteen-year-old. The musical will have its world premiere tonight, September 10, and continue through September 27, 2015 at the Grove Theatre in Burbank, CA. The official Press and Gala opening will be September 12th at 8pm.
On Sunday September 6 at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal, Kritzerland Records celebrated its 61st show and 5 year anniversary. On hand were affable host Kritzerland producer Bruce Kimmel, musical director extraordinaire John Boswell at the piano and a bevy of super talented singers who included: Brennley Brown, Hadley Miller, Jenna Lea Rosen, Sami Staitman, Robert Yacko, Damon Kirsche, Darcie Roberts, Sharon McNight, Jason Graae, and special guest star Tony Award winner Sammy Williams. What a cast and what a fabulous evening of entertainment entitled The Songs That Got Away IV!
Welcome to My World, starring Sami Staitman, is the first ever one-girl musical written for and about a fourteen-year-old. The musical will have its world premiere September 10 and continue through September 27, 2015 at the Grove Theatre in Burbank, CA. The Disney Channel's Corey Fogelmanis ("Farkle" on Girl Meets World), who appears as a Special Guest on the show's upcoming Kritzerland Records' CD Cast recording, will be on hand opening weekend for a private Meet & Greet with fans who have donated to the production. The show is created and directed by prolific Bruce Kimmel, surely no stranger to LA theatre.
Welcome to My World, starring Sami Staitman, is the first ever one-girl musical written for and about a fourteen-year-old. The musical will have its world premiere September 10 and continue through September 27, 2015 at the Grove Theatre in Burbank, CA. The official Press and Gala opening will be September 12th at 8pm.
Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents THE SONGS THAT GOT AWAY IV, their 5th anniversary show, on Sunday, September 6, 2015 at 7:00 PM.
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