When You Wish/The Story of Walt Disney. It is high time that the life and career of iconic artist/animator Walt Disney be honored artistically. Of course, his films all stand the test of time, but we know little about the man, his persona and the early years of struggle. Wouldn't it be assuring to learn that success even for a genius does not come easy? And just plain fun to find out where and how Mickey Mouse came about? Instead of a biopic, the producers have decided upon an original stage musical. Therein lies the biggest flaw. This new tribute is labeled/described as a Pre-Broadway production. Let's reflect a moment or two on what makes for a successful Broadway show. Disney's own The Lion King, from screen to stage, is a perfect example of that kind of huge success. It is a spectacle with grand theatricality, giant universal family conflicts and dynamite appeal in sight and sound to sustain long lines at the box office. As endearing as it is, this little musical When You Wish falls short in these respects... in spite of the fact that it has a dream cast and a superlative creative team. Now onstage through November 3 at the Freud Playhouse at UCLA, the show, nonetheless, does have a carload of merit. If Broadway is not the answer, it does deserve a place somewhere.
When You Wish: The story of Walt Disney officially opened October 16 at UCLA's distinguished Freud Theatre following four successful previews (October 11 - 13). BWW TV's Los Angeles correspondents Michael Sterling and Jerry Evans were invited to visit with the cast and creative team as the world premiere musical was approaching its first preview performance. When You Wish is the first ever musical about Walt Disney who is considered not only one of the most universally celebrated, award-winning figures in entertainment history, but one of the greatest showmen on earth. The long anticipated project features an original score of 17 songs with Music and Book by Dean McClure; Direction by Broadway's Larry Raben; and Choreography by Lee Martino. Still an active performer, author and business man... film and television star, and former pop recording superstar Pat Boone co-produces When You Wish with Dean McClure and Robert Rudolph. Check out the video below!
The life and times of Walt Disney, perhaps the most universally celebrated, award-winning figure in the history of entertainment, comes to the stage in When You Wish, the first ever musical about one of the greatest showmen on earth. When You Wish previews October 11 - October 13 followed by its official world premiere October 16 - November 3 at the Freud Playhouse at UCLA.
Musical Theatre Guild, the winner of the Los Angles Drama Critic's Circle Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence in the theatre, will present OUR BROADWAY SCRAPBOOK, a benefit concert at their new venue: Santa Monica's Ann and Jerry Moss Theatre. OUR BROADWAY SCRAPBOOK, a celebration benefit introducing the Musical Theatre Guild, will be presented September 22, 2013 at 7:00 pm, two months in advance of their inaugural Moss Theatre season opening. All proceeds from this one-night-only event will benefit the New Roads School
Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer, has announced a one-night-only concert version of the acclaimed, rarely produced musical KISMET, presented by Musical Theatre West at the University Theatre on the CSULB campus tonight, June 30 at 7 p.m. KISMET is presented as part of the Reiner Reading Series, which presents concert-style versions of some of Broadway's forgotten gems.
Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer, is proud to announce a one-night-only concert version of the acclaimed, rarely produced musical KISMET, presented by Musical Theatre West at the University Theatre on the CSULB campus on Sunday, June 30 at 7 p.m. KISMET is presented as part of the Reiner Reading Series, which presents concert-style versions of some of Broadway's forgotten gems.
The award-winning Musical Theatre Guild, a company of professional performers who present concert-staged readings of seldom seen musicals, will continue its 17th season with the Los Angeles premiere of A CATERED AFFAIR. The opening performance will take place tonight, April 15, 2013 at 7:30 PM at the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale. A second, and final, performance will occur on Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 3:00 PM at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza's Scherr Forum.
The award-winning Musical Theatre Guild, a company of professional performers who present concert-staged readings of seldom seen musicals, will continue its 17th season with the Los Angeles premiere of A CATERED AFFAIR. The opening performance will take place on Monday, April 15, 2013 at 7:30 PM at the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale. A second, and final, performance will occur on Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 3:00 PM at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza's Scherr Forum.
Never seen since its original New York run, LEGS DIAMOND kicks off the third season of MUSICAL THEATRE WEST'S REINER READING SERIES tonight, December 2, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Following successful screenings in Beverly Hills, Northern California, and New York City, a Kickstarter campaign has been launched for DVD distribution of the independent romantic dramedy "Tick Tock Boom Clap". The campaign has a deadline of December 9th , and can be found HERE or by going to www.ticktockboomclap.com and clicking on the Kickstarter link.
Never seen since its original New York run, LEGS DIAMOND kicks off the third season of MUSICAL THEATRE WEST'S REINER READING SERIES on December 2, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
In association with John Sefakis and Dancers Over 40, the New York film premiere of "Tick Tock Boom Clap" will be held at St. Luke's Theatre tonight, October 22 at 7:00pm. This feature-length romantic dramedy stars Melissa Fahn (Wicked/Vox Lumiere) and Sam Zeller (Cahty Rigby's Peter Pan).
In association with John Sefakis and Dancers Over 40, the New York film premiere of "Tick Tock Boom Clap" will be held at St. Luke's Theatre on Monday, October 22 at 7:00pm. This feature-length romantic dramedy stars Melissa Fahn (Wicked/Vox Lumiere) and Sam Zeller (Cahty Rigby's Peter Pan).
"Tick Tock Boom Clap", a feature-length romantic dramedy starring Melissa Fahn (Wicked/Vox Lumiere) and Sam Zeller (Cathy Rigby's Peter Pan), made its world premiere screening at the Laemmle Music Hall 3 in Beverly Hills on August 20th. Check out photos from the event below!
"Tick Tock Boom Clap", a feature-length romantic dramedy starring Melissa Fahn (Wicked/Vox Lumiere) and Sam Zeller (Cathy Rigby's Peter Pan), will be screening at the Laemmle Music Hall 3 in Beverly Hills tonight, August 20th at 7:30pm.
"Tick Tock Boom Clap", a feature-length romantic dramedy starring Melissa Fahn (Wicked/Vox Lumiere) and Sam Zeller (Cathy Rigby's Peter Pan), will be screening at the Laemmle Music Hall 3 in Beverly Hills on August 20th at 7:30pm.
Grease, the satirical Broadway hit that launched the movie musical sensation starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, played at the Wells Fargo Pavilion through July 1. With book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and WarRen Casey, Grease got the 2012 Music Circus season off to a singing, dancing, high energy start. BroadwayWorld has exclusive backstage, behind-the-scenes photos. Check them out below.
Grease, the satirical Broadway hit that launched the movie musical sensation starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, is now playing at the Wells Fargo Pavilion through July 1. With book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and WarRen Casey, Grease gets the 2012 Music Circus season off to a singing, dancing, high energy start. BroadwayWorld has the complete coverage of the production photos below.
Grease, the satirical Broadway hit that launched the movie musical sensation starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, will be at Wells Fargo Pavilion from tonight, June 26 - July 1. With book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, Grease will get the 2012 Music Circus season off to a singing, dancing, high energy start.