Francesca Barletta News

'Everybody's Got the Right' to their dream role in this gender-blind production of Stephen Sondheim's Assassins. Performing this August at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts.

A gender-blind production of Stephen Sondheim's Assassins is now running at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts [August 16 - 25, 2019, Fridays and Saturdays and Sundays at 8:00 pm, and Wednesday and Thursday performances at 8:00 pm]

Assassins will soon bring the infamous historical figures back to life with the musical's “everybody's got the right” very much at its center. This production of the Sondheim classic features gender-blind casting, with many of the traditionally male roles played by women. Meet the cast in this exclusive first look at the cast.

'Everybody's Got the Right' to their dream role in this gender-blind production of Stephen Sondheim's Assassins. Performing this August at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts, full casting has now been announced.

An interview with director Timothy Reese, who discusses the process of a first read-through of 'Heathers: The Musical' - which opens January 5 at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts in Thousand Oaks.

CABRILLO MUSIC THEATRE is going to 'take you to heaven' with the second show in its 2016-2017 season, SISTER ACT! For the first time in the Kavli theatre, Cabrillo will present this hilarious new musical, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner, musical direction by Kyle C. Norris, choreography by Michelle Elkin and direction by Misti B. Wills.

Cabrillo Music Theatre is going to 'take you to heaven' with the second show in its 2016-2017 season, SISTER ACT.

Cabrillo Music Theatre is going to 'take you to heaven' with the second show in its 2016-2017 season, SISTER ACT. 

I haven't posted a story yet this year because I've been busy. For the past two weeks, I've been immersed in learning the flute part to the score of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which concludes a brief four-day, five-show run this afternoon at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts. Spelling Bee is a great show for improv artists, and being in the pit for rehearsals and every show, I am able to see how the actors handle the show's free structure, which allows for improvisation. If you've seen the show, you know what I'm talking about. Spelling Bee is being staged by YA4Ever, the alumni group of Young Artists Ensemble. To help out on this show, writer/director Michael Fischer agreed to play the part of Vice Principal Douglas Panch, the contest's 'word pronouncer.' We talked to Michael after a particularly riotous Saturday matinee performance.

Cabrillo Music Theatre brings its yearly Holiday Show for the troops to the Civic Arts Plaza for the first time, with CABRILLO'S 2014 HOLIDAY FAMILY CELEBRATION! For years, Cabrillo has been putting on a specially-prepared variety show exclusively for the troops and their families, at the Naval Base Ventura County. This year, Cabrillo will transfer this memorable performance to the Scherr Forum tonight, December 13th, the evening following the show for the troops.

Cabrillo Music Theatre brings its yearly Holiday Show for the troops to the Civic Arts Plaza for the first time, with CABRILLO'S 2014 HOLIDAY FAMILY CELEBRATION! For years, Cabrillo has been putting on a specially-prepared variety show exclusively for the troops and their families, at the Naval Base Ventura County. This year, Cabrillo will transfer this memorable performance to the Scherr Forum on December 13th, the evening following the show for the troops.

Before Beatle-Mania, before Bieber Fever, there was the first, the original...Conrad Birdie! America's rock 'n' roll heart-throb drives the teen girls bonkers as Cabrillo Music Theatre brings back the nostalgic, Tony-winning family-friendly Broadway Musical, BYE BYE BIRDIE. BYE BYE BIRDIE opens today, July 18th, 2014, playing until Sunday, July 27th, and features an added mid-week matinee on July 23rd, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks. BYE BYE BIRDIE takes us on a trip to the small town of Sweet Apple, Ohio, where the nation's most popular rock-and-roll singer, Conrad Birdie, arrives to give his biggest fan one last kiss to the Fan Club's President, Kim MacAfee, before going into the army - and on the Ed Sullivan Show, of course! At the same time, his manager, Albert Peterson, must deal with his frustrated secretary/girlfriend, Rose Alvarez, while handling his overbearing mother. Meanwhile, Mr. MacAfee fumes while Conrad Birdie takes over his bed, his house, his daughter, and his life! A town full of colorful characters, including crazed teenagers, a jealous boyfriend, a squeaky secretary, and a banquet-room-full of wild-eyed Shriners make for a rollicking, irreverent good time that the entire family will enjoy. BYE BYE BIRDIE features classic songs like 'Put On A Happy Face,' 'The Telephone Hour,' 'Kids,' and 'A Lot of Livin' To Do,' plus dances to rival the best of Broadway.

Before Beatle-Mania, before Bieber Fever, there was the first, the original…Conrad Birdie! America's rock 'n' roll heart-throb drives the teen girls bonkers as Cabrillo Music Theatre brings back the nostalgic, Tony-winning family-friendly Broadway Musical, BYE BYE BIRDIE. BYE BYE BIRDIE opens on Friday, July 18th, 2014, playing until Sunday, July 27th, and features an added mid-week matinee on July 23rd, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks. BYE BYE BIRDIE takes us on a trip to the small town of Sweet Apple, Ohio, where the nation's most popular rock-and-roll singer, Conrad Birdie, arrives to give his biggest fan one last kiss to the Fan Club's President, Kim MacAfee, before going into the army - and on the Ed Sullivan Show, of course! At the same time, his manager, Albert Peterson, must deal with his frustrated secretary/girlfriend, Rose Alvarez, while handling his overbearing mother. Meanwhile, Mr. MacAfee fumes while Conrad Birdie takes over his bed, his house, his daughter, and his life! A town full of colorful characters, including crazed teenagers, a jealous boyfriend, a squeaky secretary, and a banquet-room-full of wild-eyed Shriners make for a rollicking, irreverent good time that the entire family will enjoy. BYE BYE BIRDIE features classic songs like "Put On A Happy Face," "The Telephone Hour," "Kids," and "A Lot of Livin' To Do," plus dances to rival the best of Broadway.

Davis Gaines (Southern California's Longest-running PHANTOM) and Victoria Strong star in the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza premiere of Cole Porter's most raucous, sexy, and best loved musical ever, KISS ME, KATE! Cabrillo Music Theatre's 20th Anniversary Season kicks off with the popular favorite, playing until Sunday, October 27th, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Broadway's original 'Kate' from KISS ME, KATE, Patricia Morrison, came to Cabrillo Music Theatre's production on opening night, Friday, October 18, to meet cast members Davis Gaines, Victoria Strong and Lois Reba Buhr. Check out photos of her backstage below!

CABRILLO MUSIC THEATRE welcomes Davis Gaines (Southern California's Longest-running PHANTOM) and Victoria Strong in the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza premiere of Cole Porter's most raucous, sexy, and best loved musical ever, KISS ME, KATE! Cabrillo Music Theatre's 20th Anniversary Season kicks off with the popular favorite tonight, October 18th, 2013, playing until Sunday, October 27th, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

CABRILLO MUSIC THEATRE announces its full cast to join the previously announced Davis Gaines (Southern California's Longest-running PHANTOM) and Victoria Strong in the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza premiere of Cole Porter's most raucous, sexy, and best loved musical ever, KISS ME, KATE! Cabrillo Music Theatre's 20th Anniversary Season kicks off with the popular favorite on Friday, October 18th, 2013, playing until Sunday, October 27th, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

Cabrillo Music Theatre welcomes a new gang in the theatre's premiere of the classic rock 'n' roll musical, GREASE. Guided by Director Barry Pearl ('Doody' in the film version of 'Grease') and Choreographer Kelly Ward ('Putzie' in the movie) and Musical Director David O, GREASE provides a showcase for 16 talented young people in this classic rock n' roll musical. GREASE opened on Friday, April 12th, 2013, and plays until Sunday, April 21st, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks. BroadwayWorld was there for last night's opening and brings you photos below!

The list of musical theatre artists given their start by Cabrillo Music Theatre welcomes a new gang of members, in the Cabrillo Music Theatre premiere of the classic rock 'n' roll musical, GREASE. Guided by Director Barry Pearl ('Doody' in the film version of 'Grease') and Choreographer Kelly Ward ('Putzie' in the movie) and Musical Director David O, GREASE provides a showcase for 16 talented young people in this classic rock n' roll musical. GREASE opens on Friday, April 12th, 2013, and plays until Sunday, April 21st, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.