Jim Holdridge News

Musical Theatre West's incredible production of SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET transports you instantly to London, circa early 1846. This is no sunny fairy tale-life is bleak, poverty is rampant, corruption is the rule, and a devoted family man can progressively turn into a vengeful murderer and not even blink with the slightest of guilt. Thanks to top-notch production values (sometimes a lovely surprise with regional theater productions) and an impressive cast performing what is arguably Sondheim's most defining career-spanning masterpiece, this is one of Musical Theatre West's most spectacular musical offerings in the past few years.

MUSICAL THEATRE WEST kicks off the new year with the Stephen Sondheim masterpiece, Sweeney Todd. Previewing on January 29, 2010, Sweeney Todd opens January 30 and runs through February 14 at the spectacular Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, is based on the 1973 play Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street by Christopher Bond.

MUSICAL THEATRE WEST kicks off the new year with the Stephen Sondheim masterpiece, Sweeney Todd. Previewing on January 29, 2010, Sweeney Todd opens January 30 and runs through February 14 at the spectacular Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, is based on the 1973 play Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street by Christopher Bond.

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON IS GOING TO BE 'DREAM-Y' - David Elzer, Peter Schneider and Crooning Crabcakes, LLC are thrilled to announce that the Ovation nominated (Best Musical Intimate Theatre, Best Featured Actor - Jim Holdridge), critically-acclaimed (LA Times CRITICS' CHOICE, Backstage CRITIC'S PICK, LA WEEKLY GO!) smash-hit world premiere production of LIFE COULD BE A DREAM, written and directed by Roger Bean (The Marvelous Wonderettes) with choreography by Lee Martino (Reprise On Your Toes, On The Town) and musical direction by Michael Paternostro (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Thrill Me) is EXTENDING AGAIN through February 28 at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.

MUSICAL THEATRE WEST kicks off the new year with the Stephen Sondheim masterpiece, Sweeney Todd. Previewing on January 29, 2010, Sweeney Todd opens January 30 and runs through February 14 at the spectacular Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, is based on the 1973 play Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street by Christopher Bond.

MUSICAL THEATRE WEST kicks off the new year with the Stephen Sondheim masterpiece, Sweeney Todd. Previewing on January 29, 2010, Sweeney Todd opens January 30 and runs through February 14 at the spectacular Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach.

MUSICAL THEATRE WEST kicks off the new year with the Stephen Sondheim masterpiece, Sweeney Todd. Previewing on January 29, 2010, Sweeney Todd opens January 30 and runs through February 14 at the spectacular Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach.

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON IS GOING TO BE 'DREAM-Y' - David Elzer, Peter Schneider and Crooning Crabcakes, LLC are thrilled to announce that the Ovation nominated (Best Musical Intimate Theatre, Best Featured Actor - Jim Holdridge), critically-acclaimed (LA Times CRITICS' CHOICE, Backstage CRITIC'S PICK, LA WEEKLY GO!) smash-hit world premiere production of LIFE COULD BE A DREAM, written and directed by Roger Bean (The Marvelous Wonderettes) with choreography by Lee Martino (Reprise On Your Toes, On The Town) and musical direction by Michael Paternostro (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Thrill Me) is EXTENDING AGAIN through SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27 at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.

David Elzer, Peter Schneider and Crooning Crabcakes, LLC are have announced that the critically-acclaimed (LA Times CRITICS' CHOICE, Backstage CRITIC'S PICK, LA WEEKLY GO!) smash-hit world premiere production of LIFE COULD BE A DREAM, written and directed by Roger Bean (The Marvelous Wonderettes) with choreography by Lee Martino (Reprise On Your Toes, On The Town) and musical direction by Michael Paternostro (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Thrill Me) is EXTENDING through Sunday, November 29 at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON IS GOING TO BE 'DREAM-Y' - David Elzer, Peter Schneider and Crooning Crabcakes, LLC are thrilled to announce that the Ovation nominated (Best Musical Intimate Theatre, Best Featured Actor - Jim Holdridge), critically-acclaimed (LA Times CRITICS' CHOICE, Backstage CRITIC'S PICK, LA WEEKLY GO!) smash-hit world premiere production of LIFE COULD BE A DREAM, written and directed by Roger Bean (The Marvelous Wonderettes) with choreography by Lee Martino (Reprise On Your Toes, On The Town) and musical direction by Michael Paternostro (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Thrill Me) is EXTENDING AGAIN through SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27 at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.

David Elzer, Peter Schneider and Crooning Crabcakes, LLC are thrilled to announce that the critically-acclaimed (LA Times CRITICS' CHOICE, Backstage CRITIC'S PICK, LA WEEKLY GO!) smash-hit world premiere production of LIFE COULD BE A DREAM, written and directed by Roger Bean (The Marvelous Wonderettes) with choreography by Lee Martino (Reprise On Your Toes, On The Town) and musical direction by Michael Paternostro (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Thrill Me) is EXTENDING through Sunday, October 25 at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.

David Elzer, Peter Schneider and Crooning Crabcakes, LLC are have announced that the critically-acclaimed (LA Times CRITICS' CHOICE, Backstage CRITIC'S PICK, LA WEEKLY GO!) smash-hit world premiere production of LIFE COULD BE A DREAM, written and directed by Roger Bean (The Marvelous Wonderettes) with choreography by Lee Martino (Reprise On Your Toes, On The Town) and musical direction by Michael Paternostro (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Thrill Me) is EXTENDING through Sunday, November 29 at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.

David Elzer, Peter Schneider and Crooning Crabcakes, LLC are thrilled to announce that the critically-acclaimed (LA Times CRITICS' CHOICE, Backstage CRITIC'S PICK, LA WEEKLY GO!) smash-hit world premiere production of LIFE COULD BE A DREAM, written and directed by Roger Bean (The Marvelous Wonderettes) with choreography by Lee Martino (Reprise On Your Toes, On The Town) and musical direction by Michael Paternostro (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Thrill Me) is EXTENDING through Sunday, October 25 at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.

Roger Bean's current off-Broadway nostalgic musical hit The Marvelous Wonderettes with 60s female rock group classics performed in the style of an intimate concert could very easily be considered the female counterpart of the long-running all-male musical giant Forever Plaid.

David Elzer, Peter Schneider and Crooning Crabcakes, LLC are thrilled to present a brand new show from the writer/director of the smash-hit musical sensation, The Marvelous Wonderettes, LIFE COULD BE A DREAM, written and directed by Roger Bean with choreography by Lee Martino (Reprise On Your Toes, On The Town) and musical direction by Michael Paternostro (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Thrill Me).

David Elzer, Peter Schneider and Crooning Crabcakes, LLC are thrilled to present a brand new show from the writer/director of the smash-hit musical sensation, The Marvelous Wonderettes, LIFE COULD BE A DREAM, written and directed by Roger Bean with choreography by Lee Martino (Reprise On Your Toes, On The Town) and musical direction by Michael Paternostro (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Thrill Me).

The South Coast Rep presents A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD with Music by Robert Reale, Book and lyrics by Willie Reale and Based on the books by Arnold Lobel. The show will be Directed by Nick DeGruccio.

A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD has music by Robert Reale, with a book and lyrics by Willie Reale. Based on the books by Arnold Lobel, directed by Nick DeGruccio. CREATIVE TEAM: Fred Kinney (set design), Soojin Lee (costume design), Stephen Young (lighting design), Mark Johnson (sound design), Deborah Wicks La Puma (musical director/arranger) and Amy Brownewell (stage manager). Starring Justin Michael Duval (Bird/Snail/Lizard/Father Frog/Mole), Jim Holdridge as Toad, Emily Eiden (Bird/Mouse/Squirrel/Young Frog/Mole), Alex Miller (Frog) and Erika Whalen (Bird/Turtle/Squirrel/Mother/Frog/Mole). HONORARY PRODUCER: Pacific Life Foundation MEDIA PARTNER: OC Family Oh, what a joy to spend a year with two charming woodland characters and their friends! TICKETS: $16-$23 previews; $20-$28 regular performances. RUNS: Feb 13 - March 1, 2009

A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD has music by Robert Reale, with a book and lyrics by Willie Reale. Based on the books by Arnold Lobel, directed by Nick DeGruccio. CREATIVE TEAM: Fred Kinney (set design), Soojin Lee (costume design), Stephen Young (lighting design), Mark Johnson (sound design), Deborah Wicks La Puma (musical director/arranger) and Amy Brownewell (stage manager). Starring Justin Michael Duval (Bird/Snail/Lizard/Father Frog/Mole), Jim Holdridge as Toad, Emily Eiden (Bird/Mouse/Squirrel/Young Frog/Mole), Alex Miller (Frog) and Erika Whalen (Bird/Turtle/Squirrel/Mother/Frog/Mole). HONORARY PRODUCER: Pacific Life Foundation MEDIA PARTNER: OC Family Oh, what a joy to spend a year with two charming woodland characters and their friends! TICKETS: $16-$23 previews; $20-$28 regular performances. RUNS: Feb 13 - March 1, 2009

I first saw STOMP over four years ago at another, smaller, Boston theatre. I remember being absolutely amazed at how the performers took what seemed like the ordinary and morphed it into an extraordinary fusion of rhythm, dance, and an innovative style of music...