Many people do not realize, with the exception of us theatre junkies, that Billy Barnes, who regretfully passed from us in September of last year, was without a doubt the keenest composer of the theatre revue. He also created special material for TV's Laugh-In and The Carol Burnett Show, among others. His ingenious theatre revues date back to the 50s with The Billy Barnes Revue of 1959 all the way up to 1983's Movie Star, which had a long run at the Westwood Playhouse, now known as the Geffen. Bruce Kimmel remembers, as he knew the man well and recorded Billy Barnes L.A. Thanks to Kimmel a whole generation of musical theatre fans got a chance to hear up close and personal some of Barnes' greatest, saucy, yet little known achievements at a special Kritzerland show Billy! on Saturday March 2 at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal.
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!
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.
The choices I have made are based solely on the plays and performances that I actually saw. I cannot see all the great talent that is out there in LA; it is physically impossible, as there exist far too many theatre/cabaret performances for one person to cover. So if a choice of yours is not on my list, chances are, I did not see that play or performance...or, it just did not make the final cut. I also do not separate Equity from Equity waiver; I consider all the productions/performances I select to be of top-of-the-line quality/professionalism.
San Diego Musical Theatre announces the final production of their 2012 season Irving Berlin'S WHITE CHRISTMAS, December 13-23, 2012 (press opening on December 14) at the Birch North Park Theatre. Based on the beloved, timeless film, this heartwarming musical adaption features seventeen Irving Berlinsongs. Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. Scroll down for photos from the show!
Today's KPBS radio broadcast radio segment by Beth Accomando and Maureen Cavanaugh included San Diego Musical Theatre's upcoming 'Irving Berlin's White Christmas', running December 13th through the 23rd at the Birch North Park Theatre. The segment featured Actor Ed Hollingsworth who plays SDMT's General Waverly. Click HERE to listen to the segment!
3-D Theatricals' final show of the 2012 season is the Tony Award-winning musical HAIRSPRAY, featuring choreography by Dana Solimando, musical direction by Allen Everman, and directed by 3-D Theatricals Executive Producer and Artistic Director T.J. Dawson. HAIRSPRAY opened on Saturday, October 13 and performed through Sunday, October 28 at the historic Plummer Auditorium, 201 E. Chapman Ave. in Fullerton. HAIRSPRAY then traveled across town to perform at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., for three performances only, ending today, November 4. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the show's opening at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center!
San Diego Musical Theatre announces the final production of their 2012 season IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS, December 13-23, 2012 (press opening on December 14) at the Birch North Park Theatre. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast below.
3-D Theatricals presents the final show of its 2012 season, the Tony Award-winning musical HAIRSPRAY, choreography by Dana Solimando, musical direction by Allen Everman, and directed by 3-D Theatricals Executive Producer and Artistic Director T.J. Dawson. HAIRSPRAY began performances on Friday, October 12, and performs through Sunday, October 28 at the historic Plummer Auditorium, 201 E. Chapman Ave. in Fullerton. HAIRSPRAY will then travel across town to perform at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd. for three performances only November 2-4. Get a look behind the scenes with HAIRSPRAY's cast and creative team in the video below!
3-D Theatricals presents the final show of its 2012 season, the Tony Award-winning musical HAIRSPRAY, choreography by Dana Solimando, musical direction by Allen Everman, and directed by 3-D Theatricals Executive Producer and Artistic Director T.J. Dawson. HAIRSPRAY will begin performances on Friday, October 12, with a press opening on Saturday, October 13 and perform through Sunday, October 28 at the historic Plummer Auditorium, 201 E. Chapman Ave. in Fullerton. HAIRSPRAY will then travel across town to perform at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd. for three performances only November 2 - 4!
Every once in awhile a production comes along that completely surprises you. A production that manages to transcend the ordinary and create something special. A production that concocts the perfect alchemist recipe of script, cast and crew to create theatrical gold. Seattle Public Theater's current production of Tracy Letts' "Superior Donuts" is just such a production.
3-D Theatricals presents the final show of its 2012 season, the Tony Award-winning musical HAIRSPRAY, choreography by Dana Solimando, musical direction by Allen Everman, and directed by 3-D Theatricals Executive Producer and Artistic Director T.J. Dawson. HAIRSPRAY will begin performances on Friday, October 12, with a press opening on Saturday, October 13 and perform through Sunday, October 28 at the historic Plummer Auditorium, 201 E. Chapman Ave. in Fullerton. HAIRSPRAY will then travel across town to perform at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd. for three performances only November 2 - 4!
What made news around the world this week? Check out our regional roundup for the week of September 24! Browse over to your favorite far-away city/country to see what's making news, see out productions are playing around the country and overseas and get to know new performers! Enjoy this virtual trek around the globe and stay tuned for next week's recap of regional not-to-be-missed news!
On Sunday, September 23 Chelsea Emma Franko, LA's Next Great Stage Star 2012, debuted her cabaret evening The Girl from Apple Valley to a warmly enthusiastic SRO crowd at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. Like most young performers, who present their life. so. far in a 60 minute set - Chelsea amazingly did it in 50 - Franko's was one of the very best I've seen. She's beautiful with a truly great vocal instrument and knows how to rivet her audience with just the right amount of pleasurable banter. She doesn't prolong the unnecessary nor is she excessive in any way. Super talented James Lent served as musical director at the piano, except when Chelsea's uncle Craig A. Meyer accompanied her as she sang his delightful piece 'Fly'.
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.
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.
