Dennis Kyle News

To quote one of Steven Schwartz' most famous songs, it seems like Kritzerland monthy concerts are getting pretty darn 'Popular'. On Monday, February 4, an off night for Kritzerland - Bruce Kimmel wisely did not wish to compete with Super Bowl Sunday on the 3rd - Kritzerland Records presented a jubilant evening of Schwartz music, some tunes lesser known than others, with a stupendous cast including guest stars Karen Morrow and Adrian Zmed at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. Other singers included: Kim Huber, Lisa Livesay, Dennis Kyle, Dan Callaway, Chelsea Emma Franko, Jenna Rosen and Sarah and Sami Staitman. Trouper Franko stepped in as a replacement soloist at the eleventh hour. This was perhaps one the most enjoyable Kritzerland evenings, not only because of Schwartz' delightful music, but every single performer gave 150% to the material. It rocked!

GIFTS OF LOVE: THE WORDS AND MUSIC OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ, a benefit concert featuring premiere talent from the musical theatre world, is to take place on February 10. Tickets are $50 a person (food included), and may be purchased through www.brownpapertickets.com. Doors open at noon for a lunch/brunch buffet, and the show begins at one. All proceeds benefit Musical Theatre Programs at Culver City/Valley Glen campuses. The event will be hosted by True Blood's Carolyn Hennesy. To learn more about Summit View School please visit: www.summitviewschool.org.

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents The Stephen Schwartz Album tonight, February 4, 2013, at 8:00 pm. Kritzerland is performing today this month to allow you and The Federal to enjoy Super Bowl Sunday.

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents The Stephen Schwartz Album on Monday, February 4, 2013, at 8:00 pm. Kritzerland is performing on Monday this month to allow you and The Federal to enjoy Super Bowl Sunday.

And what 'A Grand Night for Singing' it turned out to be! Not opening on the usual note, Bruce Kimmel presented a video of his YouTube web series Outside the Box, Season 2, episode 1 guest starring Hal Linden, who was present in the audience. Hilarity is at the core here as Linden gets a phone call asking him to appear as Father Marren in The Exorcist the Musical, a true horror - no, not horrible - horror musical. The second scene is the actual shooting of his scene with Regan spewing green vomit to the music of one ridiculously funny original tune. Fun stuff which may be viewed on YouTube!

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents Mostly Rodgers & Hammerstein (with a little Hart and a little Sondheim) The Songs of Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Lorenz Hart & Stephen Sondheim. Hosted by Bruce Kimmel, the concert is set for tonight, November 4, 2012 at 7:00 pm.

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents Mostly Rodgers & Hammerstein (with a little Hart and a little Sondheim) The Songs of Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Lorenz Hart & Stephen Sondheim. Hosted by Bruce Kimmel, the concert is set for Sunday, November 4, 2012 at 7:00 pm.

On Saturday September 8, Kritzerland live performance concerts turned two years old and Bruce Kimmel celebrated the event with a potpourri of The Songs That Got Away at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal, Kritzerland's newest monthly home base. Assisting Kimmel were regulars Dennis Kyle, Juliana Hansen, Jane Noseworthy, Lisa Livesay, joined this time by Kevin Symons, 13 year-old Jenna Rosen and sisters Sami and Sarah Staitman. There was not one guest star, not two, not three... but five, yes five and all exceptional talents: Back to the Future's favorite mom and TV's favorite Caroline in the City Lea Thompson, showboy Jason Graae and representing Ruthless, LA's 1993 runaway musical hit: Joan Ryan, Rita McKenzie and Lindsay Ridgeway.

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents 'The Songs That Got Away' as part of Kritzerland's Two-Year Anniversary Celebration tonight, September 8, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. The concert features special guests Jason Graae, Rita McKenzie, Lindsay Ridgeway, Joan Ryan and Lea Thompson.

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents 'The Songs That Got Away' as part of Kritzerland's Two-Year Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. The concert features special guests Jason Graae, Rita McKenzie, Lindsay Ridgeway, Joan Ryan and Lea Thompson.

Who was one of the most prolific singers of romantic pop in the 60s/70s/80s? And who created the little gems she sang? If you answered Dionne Warwick and Burt Bacharach, you win today's prize. Well, ...on Sunday, August 5 Bruce Kimmel's Kritzerland paid tribute to the musical genius that is Burt Bacharach - most songs with lyrics by Hal David - @ Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. With a splendid group of singers that included Kim Huber, Danny Gurwin, Dennis Kyle, Jane Noseworthy, Daisy Eagan and Lisa Livesay...and Mr. Kimmel as congenial host, the evening was the 24th Kritzerland show, and most definitely one of its finest.

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents THE Burt Bacharach ALBUM, tonight, August 5, 2012 - 7:00 pm.

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents THE Burt Bacharach ALBUM, Sunday, August 5, 2012 - 7:00 pm.

On Sunday July 1 at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal Kritzerland presented its monthly salute to a composer, July's being renowned lyricist/librettist Alan Jay Lerner. If you remember, My Fair Lady with lyrics by Lerner and music by Frederic Loewe, was one of the most popular musicals in the world and its original cast album sold more copies internationally than any other musical show for over a year. Then there were the flops such as Lolita My Love, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Carmelina and Dance a Little Closer. Kritzerland likes to present some of the more beautiful songs that would otherwise be forgotten because their fate was to be part of a turkey. With wonderful Shelley Markham as musical director, Bruce Kimmel assumed his monthly position at the pulpit with great singing guests Kim Huber, Jane Noseworthy, Chelsea Emma Franko - winner of this year's LA's Next Great Stage Star 2012, Gordon Goodman, Dennis Kyle and special guest Andrea Marcovicci.

Steling's Upstairs at the Federal will feature Chelsea Emma Franko (Winner, LA's Next Great Stage Star 2012); Gordon Goodman (Parade; The Grand Tour; Das Barbecue; Charlie, Shenandoah); Kim Huber (Broadway: Belle, Beauty & The Beast; Betty Schaeffer, Sunset Boulevard); Dennis Kyle (Reprise's They're Playing Our Song; Rooster in Annie, Theater Aspen); Jane Noseworthy (Reprise: Carrie, Carousel; Rosanna, Cyrano; Hope, Urinetown) with Music Director: Shelly Markham and Special Guest: Andrea Marcovicci on July 1.

Kritzerland Upstairs at Sterling's presents The Alan Jay Lerner Album Sunday, July 1, 2012 - 7:00 pm. Get a first look at the show's stars below!

Steling's Upstairs at the Federal will feature Chelsea Emma Franko (Winner, LA's Next Great Stage Star 2012); Gordon Goodman (Parade; The Grand Tour; Das Barbecue; Charlie, Shenandoah); Kim Huber (Broadway: Belle, Beauty & The Beast; Betty Schaeffer, Sunset Boulevard); Dennis Kyle (Reprise's They're Playing Our Song; Rooster in Annie, Theater Aspen); Jane Noseworthy (Reprise: Carrie, Carousel; Rosanna, Cyrano; Hope, Urinetown) with Music Director: Shelly Markham and Special Guest: Andrea Marcovicci on July 1.

Kritzerland Upstairs at Sterling's presents The Randy Newman Album tonight, June 3, 2012 - 7:00 pm. The show stars (in alphabetical order) Melody Hollis (Broadway: Susan,Irving Berlin's White Christmas; Annie, MusThWest), Dennis Kyle (Reprise's They're Playing Our Song; Rooster in Annie, Theater Aspen), Gia Mora (Three-time Helen Hayes Nominee; Sunset Boulevard, Signature Theatre), Leigh Ann Larkin (Broadway: Gypsy, Dainty June; A Little Night Music, Petra) and Stephen Van Dorn (Gerard, Lovelace: A Rock Opera; Rutledge, 1776, Actors Co-op), with music director Tom Griep and special guest and world-class guitarist and composer Grant Geissman.

Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal welcomes Broadway's Faith Prince and Jason Graae Monday, June 11, 2012 for the Los Angeles debut of The Prince and The Showboy.

Kritzerland Upstairs at Sterling's presents The Randy Newman Album on Sunday, June 3, 2012 - 7:00 pm. The show stars (in alphabetical order) Melody Hollis (Broadway: Susan,Irving Berlin's White Christmas; Annie, MusThWest), Dennis Kyle (Reprise's They're Playing Our Song; Rooster in Annie, Theater Aspen), Gia Mora (Three-time Helen Hayes Nominee; Sunset Boulevard, Signature Theatre), Leigh Ann Larkin (Broadway: Gypsy, Dainty June; A Little Night Music, Petra) and Stephen Van Dorn (Gerard, Lovelace: A Rock Opera; Rutledge, 1776, Actors Co-op), with music director Tom Griep and special guest and world-class guitarist and composer Grant Geissman.