Connie Danese
CHIT CHAT: Roger Bean writes and directs Life Could be a Dream, a spin-off of The Marvelous Wonderettes. This time around he pays homage to the boy groups with such songs as “Runaround Sue,” “Stay (Just a Little Bit Longer),” “Little Darlin’” and “Earth Angel.” The boys who comprise the “Crooning Crabcakes” are Doug Carpenter, Justin Michael Duval, Jim Holdridge and Daniel Tatar with Jessica Keenan Wynn (a direct descendant of Keenan and Ed Wynn) also in the cast. Lee Martino is the choreographer and Michael Paternostro is the musical director. It begins previews July 27 and if Dream is any indication of the kind of excitement generated by the talent and taste of Bean and producers David Elzer and Peter Schneider, we can expect another winner. This time they are at the Hudson Mainstage with a scheduled closing date of Sept. 27…Cabaret continues until Aug. 9 at the Met Theatre directed by Judy Norton, choreographed by Tania Possick with musical direction by Greg Haake… The Mark Taper Forum has announced the cast for its production of Parade scheduled to begin previews Sept. 24 and run through Nov. 15. The cast includes T.R. Knight (Grey’s Anatomy) and Charlotte d’Amboise (Tony nominee for Chorus Line and LA’s Roxie in Chicago). The emotional tale has been called a “musical of real substance” and is a true story of the arrest, conviction and lynching of Leo Frank in post-Civil War Atlanta, Georgia. It is also a poignant love story with book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Browne who both won the 1999 Tony Awards for their work. Co-conceived by Harold Prince it is directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford…. Fans of incredible composer Cy Coleman will want to see the world premiere of The Best Is Yet to Come: The Music of Cy Coleman at the Rubicon Theatre with previews beginning July 9, closing Aug. 2. It is created and directed by Tony winner David Zippel (City of Angels) and features an eight-piece onstage swing band. Zippel says, “The structure of the show is similar to that of The World Goes Round or Starting Here, Starting Now.” It runs 85 minutes without intermission or dialogue but uses connective staging and the personalities of its performers to create context and continuity. Cast includes: Tony winner Lillias White (The Life), Jason Graae, David Burnham, Billy Stritch, Sally Mayes and Julia Murney (Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway)…Regina Taylor’s adaptation of Crowns, co-produced with Ebony Repertory Theatre, is at the Pasadena Playhouse July 10-Aug 16 directed by Israel Hicks. It had its LA premiere at the Ebony where it ran through July 5. The musical explores the lives of six women in the South whose stories are woven into the hats which crown their heads and is told through a rousing celebration of song with choreography by Keith Young…
Big
West Coast Ensemble is thrilled to announce the extension of Big to July 26 at the El Centro Theatre. This rarely produced musical based on the 1987 movie is directed by Richard Israel. Joining the cast for the balance of the run are John Racca, David Scales and Katie Scarlett. Larry Lederman and Will Collyer remain in starring roles.
Liza Minnelli
CHAT CHOICE: Every summer Angelinos have a unique opportunity to spend an evening at an intimate picnic with 18,000 people at the Hollywood Bowl while listening to a world-class orchestra. Tickets are priced starting at $1.00 for many concerts and range up to $100 for box seats at the front of the house. Whether you bring your own food and booze or partake of the incredible dinners provided at the Bowl, it’s sure to be a special time to which the words “only in LA” can be said in a positive fashion. The Bowl fireworks are always exciting and if you missed them on July 4th you may want to consider catching one of their other fireworks events. The Art of Song with Fireworks (July 24-25) stars Michael Feinstein and special guest Jewel who perform everything from pop tunes to movie themes, and Tchaikovsky Spectacular With Fireworks (Aug. 14-15) includes the 1812 Overture with cannons and pyrotechnics lighting up the sky in time with the music. A lady who comes equipped with her own inner fireworks, the incredible Liza Minnelli, a recent inductee into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame, returns (Aug. 24-25) after her sold-out Broadway show in what is sure to be a memorable evening under the stars with this very special star performer….Farragut North at the Geffen Playhouse is another must-see. Written by Beau Willimon and directed by Doug Hughes, it is a gripping, informative political tale filled with unexpected twists and a killer performance by Chris Pine. Best known for his portrayal of Capt. Kirk in the screen version of Star Trek, Pine was last seen at the Geffen in Fat Pig. Olivia Thirley, who made her off-Broadway debut in the role of Molly, beautifully matches his consummate performance. The show must close July 26.
THE BIZ REPORT: Animal lovers will be delighted to learn of the promotion being offered by Ovation Award-winning Cabrillo Music Theatre for its current production of Cats, running July 24- Aug 2. The lyrics “Memory, all alone in the moonlight…” will have new meaning for dogs and cats from five rescue organizations as Cabrillo begins its Animal Rescue Program. Carole Nussbaum, President and CEO of the theatre, launched the effort with her adoption of five-year old Albert Einstein (known to cast and crew as “Einy”) from a shelter where he was sick, paralyzed and scheduled for euthanasia. With medication, physical therapy and lots of TLC, Albert has recovered and is delighted to meet the audience at Cabrillo during upcoming performances. Nussbaum notes, “An increasing number of animals are being displaced and neglected as a result of the economic recession. They are the silent victims of this challenging economic time.” The theatre is donating profits from the sale of Cats merchandise to five Animal Rescue Missions. In addition, Cabrillo is pledging two complimentary orchestra tickets to an upcoming show to all patrons adopting a homeless animal now through the final performance of Cats from one of their selected groups: B.A.R.K., Cat Connection, Karma Rescue, L.I.F.E. Animal Rescue, and Southern California Dachshund Rescue. LA Stage Alliance members can purchase half-price tickets by calling the theatre directly and mentioning Code: Whiskers.
Feature Image of Doug Carpenter, Justin Michael Duval, Jim Holdridge and Daniel Tatar courtesy of Life Could Be a Dream
