Justin Michael Wilcox News

Get HAPPY with (mostly)musicals on our 5th anniversary!

Don't let your holiday sparkle fade - celebrate the new year, and (mostly)musicals' 5th anniversary, with songsforaHAPPYnewyear!

On Monday, November 19th, (mostly)musicals returned to Upstairs at Vitello's to celebrate the holidays with their 30th edition! Music director Gregory Nabours led a jingling (ring-ting-tingling too!) evening, featuring Alli Miller (CHERRY POPPINS), Amy Engelhardt (BASTARD JONES), Clent Bowers (B'way: CATS, BIG), Emily Clark (Stealing Focus), Gabriel Gonzalez (La Verdad), Iara Nemirovsky (National tour: SCHOOL OF ROCK), Jeffrey Polk (B'way: FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE), Kelley Dorney (IN A BOOTH AT CHASEN'S), Kristina Miller (JERSEY BOYS), Jonny Lee Jr. and Justin Anthony Long (CITY OF DREAMS), Juan Lozano (2 Cents Theatre Company), Keith and Laura Nicole Harrison (EMOJILAND), Natalia Vivino (CHILDREN OF EDEN at 5-Star Theatricals), and Shawn Ryan ('America's Got Talent'). The evening also showcased a guest performance from the cast of the critically acclaimed Greenway Court production of THE COLOR PURPLE, and, as always, the open mic afterparty! See videos here, and scroll down for photos of the festive evening!

BROADWAY TO THE RESCUE is amping up for one of the most incredible nights in theatre in Los Angeles. In a special performance on October 13th, hosted by Broadway's Michael-Leon Wooley (Netflix's 'AJ and the Queen'). Following last year's epic Broadway night, this year, Broadway to the Rescue GOES DISNEY. On this special night, 25 of Broadway's brightest and best, along with an ensemble of over 50 performers, will take to the stage to sing songs and create show-stopping performances based on hits from your favorite Disney movies and musicals, including THE LITTLE MERMAID, MARY POPPINS, FROZEN, HERCULES, ALADDIN, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG and many more.

'LAs Next Great Stage Star is more than a competition - it is an experience, deeply felt and expressed by these super-talented young people who are the new faces of our business. If this is any indication, the future of theatre is in good hands!!' - Multi-Million selling recording artist and author, Sam Harris

On Monday, August 27 LA's Next Great Stage Star 2018 Presented by Princess Cruises came to a thrilling conclusion on the Debbie Reynolds Mainstage of the El Portal Theatre in NoHo. After a very entertaining 90-minute program in which the 10 contestants gave 150% to their monologues and songs from Broadway shows, eight contestants were eliminated and the top two finalists were selected. It was then decided,  from the consensus of the judges, to add a third runnerup. Then each of the three proceeded to perform a second number after which the distinguished panel of judges made the final decision. Musical director par excellence Jennifer Lin accompanied at the piano throughout the three hour show.

On August 27th, the Debbie Reynolds Main stage at the historic El Portal Theater will host the 12th annual LA's Next Great Stage Star(R), following a six week competition.  Creator, Michael Sterling, along with his Co-Executive Producer and Co-Sponsor, Barbara Van Orden, are proud to offer this annual opportunity to talented individuals seeking to spotlight their abilities. Presented by Princess Cruises LA's Next Great Stage Star(R) is the only competition of its kind in the Western United States.

'Paint what you dream...' From the musical writing team Dahan & D'Angelo (The Count of Monte Cristo: The Musical) comes STARRY - a new pop-rock musical about brothers Theo and Vincent van Gogh.

On Monday, May 21, 2018, the Foundation for New American Musicals returned to Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal to present the 4th edition of 3RD MONDAYS, an up close and personal experience with exciting musical theatre artists performing songs from Broadway's past, present, and future! Scroll down for photos of the show!

On Monday, May 21, 2018, the Foundation for New American Musicals returns to Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal to present the 4th edition of 3RD MONDAYS, an up close and personal experience with exciting musical theatre artists performing songs from Broadway's past, present, and future!

Dance serves a major purpose in musical productions. It enhances the script, it visually confirms what is being said and adds a physical energy that elevates the intent and solidifies who the characters are. This production of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, A NEW MUSICAL, which is produced by 5-Star Theatricals, based on the Victor Hugo novel, with songs from the Disney film, by the unbeatable team of Alan Menken (Music) and Stephen Schwartz (Lyrics), plays now through April 29th, at the beautiful Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame/book by Peter Parnell/lyrics by Stephen Schwartz/music by Alan Menken/directed by Misti B. Wills/choreographed by Michelle Elkin/musical director: Dan Redfeld/5-Star Theatricals (formerly Cabrillo Music Theatre), Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks/through April 29 ONLY Victor Hugo's monumental romantic/gothic novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame, published in 1831, centers in, around and on top of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. The musical of the same name written by Peter Parnell, Stephen Schwartz and Alan Menken, a regional revival at 5 Star Theatricals in Thousand Oaks, presents the cathedral interior and exterior with the belltower and bells dominating the scene. This touring set represents the entire world of bellringer Quasimodo (Will North), who lives like a prisoner, confined within its walls.

5-STAR THEATRICALS (formerly Cabrillo Music Theatre) continues its 2017-2018 season with the Thousand Oaks premiere of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Peter Parnell (based on the Victor Hugo Novel and songs from the Disney film), musical direction by Dan Redfeld, choreography by Michelle Elkin and directed by Misti B. Wills. THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME opens on Friday, April 20, 2017 and runs through Sunday, April 29, 2018 at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.  

Artistic director of Cabrillo Music Theatre Will North is doing double duty as he is playing Quasimodo in the next production The Hunchback of Notre Dame The Musical, set to open in Thousand Oaks Friday April 20. North sat down and talked about how much the role and musical mean to him.

5-STAR THEATRICALS (formerly Cabrillo Music Theatre) continues its 2017-2018 season with the Thousand Oaks premiere of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Peter Parnell (based on the Victor Hugo Novel and songs from the Disney film), musical direction by Dan Redfeld, choreography by Michelle Elkin and directed by Misti B. Wills. THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME opens on Friday, April 20, 2017 and runs through Sunday, April 29, 2018 at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

A Little New Music returned to the Catalina Jazz Club in the heart of Hollywood on Tuesday, March 6 with a stellar lineup of singers and new musical theatre songs. Scroll down for photos from this exciting evening!

5-STAR THEATRICALS (formerly Cabrillo Music Theatre) continues its 2017-2018 season with the Thousand Oaks premiere of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Peter Parnell (based on the Victor Hugo Novel and songs from the Disney film), musical direction by Dan Redfeld, choreography by Michelle Elkin and directed by Misti B. Wills. THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME opens on Friday, April 20, 2017 and runs through Sunday, April 29, 2018at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

(mostly)musicals welcomed a full house of patrons and performers HOME to Upstairs at Vitello's on Monday, November 6, 2017 for their 26th edition, *no place like HOME*, a night of songs about the places we come from - and finding the places we belong. Scroll down for photos of the cast in performance!

A LITTLE NEW MUSIC returned to the historic Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood on Monday, August 21st with its fifteenth concert featuring emerging musical theatre artists. Co-hosts, Tony Award winner Marisa Jaret Winokur (HAIRSPRAY) and Ryan O'Connor ('BIG LITTLE LIES,' 'LADYWATCH' podcast), delighted the audience with context and humor between numbers. Gregory Nabours and the dynamic ALNM band (Eric McCann, Emily Rosenfield, and Greg Sadler) provided excellent backup to the singers performing the next generation of musical theatre songs. 

On Monday, August 21 at 8:30pm, A Little New Music will present its 15th concert collaboration with an eclectic array of artists performing original musical theatre songs at the historic Catalina Jazz Club. Those who attend A Little New Music will be some of the first to discover new pieces of musical theatre that could potentially become Broadway hits. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal!