Welcome back from all the celebrating and holiday festivities! I hope you got some rest because 2015 is going to be another great year in Southern California for musicals. Here’s a look at a few of the productions coming up this month.
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MUSICAL NEWS: Rubicon Theatre Company of Ventura has announced the director and cast for its production of The Last Five Years, Jason Robert Brown’s emotionally powerful, intimate pop musical about two New Yorkers in their twenties who fall in love and try to hold on to each other when life leads them in opposite directions. Resident artist Stephanie A. Coltrin directs the production. The role of up-and-coming novelist Jamie Wellerstein will be played by Louis Pardo and Ashley Fox Linton stars opposite Pardo as Cathy Hiatt, an aspiring young actress. Jamie’s story is told chronologically while Cathy’s is told in reverse order. The couple’s stories intersect only on their wedding day. The show runs Jan. 2 – Feb. 15 (opening night is Jan. 24). Rubicon Theatre is located at 1006 E. Main in Ventura’s Downtown Cultural District. Tickets: (805) 667-2900 or www.rubicontheatre.org.
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The Old Globe has announced the cast of Murder for Two by Joe Kinosian(book & music) and Kellen Blair (book & lyrics). Great American novelist Arthur Whitney has been murdered at his own birthday party, and his killer could be any one of the guests. But this is no ordinary murder mystery. The entire world of this hilarious musical is brought to life by two incredible performers: one plays the detective, the other plays all 10 suspects, and both play the piano. Scott Schwartz returns to direct the Off Broadway hit which stars Kinosian as The Suspects, and Ian Lowe, who reprises the role of Marcus which he played Off Broadway. The irrepressibly wacky tour-de-force musical will run Jan. 24 – March 1. Opening night is Thursday, Jan. 29 at 8:00 pm. Tickets: (619) 23-GLOBE or www.TheOldGlobe.org.
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Spoon River: The Cemetery on the Hill will run Feb. 13 – March 22 at the Eclectic Company Theatre. The 90-minute play with songs is adapted, arranged and directed by Maureen Lucy O’Connell and is based on selected material from Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters, with traditional songs and additional material by O’Connell. The cast includes David Aaron,Rachel Geis, Steven B. Green, Jim Harnagel, JC Henning,Madelyne Heyman, Ian Hopps, Amanda McManus,David Pinion,Marbry Steward, Kristin Towers-Rowlesand Scott Tuomey. The Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Valley Village, CA 91607. Tickets: (818) 508-3003 or www.eclecticcompanytheatre.org. For ages 12 to adult.
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BENEFIT:Four concert performances of Redhead, the musical by Dorothy Fields, Herbert Fields, David Shaw, Sidney Sheldon and Albert Hague will take place at Theatre West on Jan. 31, Feb.1, 7 & 8 as the company hosts its fifth annual Betty Garrett Memorial Musical Comedy Tribute. The musical originally debuted on Broadway in 1959 and starred Gwen Verdon and Richard Kiley. Mark Marchillo directs and Jake Anthony is musical director. Jill Jones produces. Proceeds support the continuing work of Theatre West and the Betty Garrett Musical Comedy Workshop, named in memory of the beloved MGM musical star who was a Theatre West co-founder and who moderated its musical comedy workshop for decades. The cast includes Caitlin Gallogly, Michael Heatherton, Elizabeth Higgs, David P. Johnson, Rebecca Lane, Barbara Mallory, Kerry Melachouris, Lee Meriwether, David Mingrino, Donald Moore, Linda L. Rand, Anibel Silveyra, Janie Steele, Marjorie Vander Hoff, and John David Wallis. Dancers include members of the Los Angeles Ballet Academy: Lauren Barette, Paris Bromber, Henry Carr, Lauren Galote, Lee Grubbs, Sarah Miller, Lexi Nitz and Simone Woodruff. Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Los Angeles, CA 90068. Tickets: (323) 851-7977 or www.theatrewest.org.
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CABARET/CONCERTS: Joanne Tatham celebrates the release of her third recording, Out of My Dreams on Jan. 13 at 8:00 pm at Vibrato Grill Jazz, 2930 Beverly Glen Circle, Bel Air, CA 90077. Reservations: (310) 474-9400 or vibrato.herbalpertpresents.com.
Kritzerland at Sterling’s Upstairs at The Federal presents The Kids Are Alright! Jan. 12 at 7:00 pm starring Brennley Brown, Sydney DeMaria, Oliviana Marie, Hadley Belle Miller, Tommy Olas, Jenna Lea Rosen, Sami Staitman and Sarah Staitman with special guests: Kay Cole and Richard Sherman. Musical direction is by Richard Allen. Doors open at 5:30 pm. To RSVP call (818) 754-8700.
Master musicians Christopher O’Riley and Matt Haimovitz explore the lyrical and virtuosic properties of their instruments in a duet performance as SHUFFLE.PLAY.LISTEN. Bringing a fresh mix of classical and pop genres from Bach to Radiohead to Stravinsky, the duo performs respectively on piano and cello at Valley Performing Arts Center on Thursday Jan. 29 at 7:30 pm. This event will feature an intimate performance with limited on stage seating for only 200. Click Here for tickets and more information.
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The Grove Theatre in Upland announces two January events: Experience Bella Donna, a tribute to Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks, live at The Grove Theatre on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 8:00 pm. The Los Angeles based tribute concert show has faithfully captured the essence and spirit of Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks since 2002. Perfect for all age groups and a wide demographic.
Then on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 8:00 pm, The Grove Theatre hosts tributes to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones in Beatles vs. Stones - A Musical Shootout. Taking the side of the Fab Four is Abbey Road, one of the West Coast’s top Beatles tribute bands. They face off against Stones tribute band Jumping Jack Flash, who offer a faithful rendition of the music and style of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the bad boys of the British Invasion. The bands will play six alternating sets of hits before joining each other on the stage of The Grove Theatre to share an encore. Tickets for both events: (909) 920 – 4343 or www.grovetheatre.com.
Rockwell January Events: Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 8:00 pm: The Hollywood Jane Revue in Now that’s What I Call Burlesque – Volume 2. www.hollywoodjanerevue.com
Jan, 7, 14, 21 & 28 at 9:00 pm
Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra
Friday, Jan. 9 at 8:00 pm
Eric Michael Krop – Greater Things
Saturday, Jan. 10 at 8:00 pm & Sunday, January 11 at 7:00 pm
Anne Steele On Tour
Monday, Jan. 12 at 8:00 pm
Natalie Weiss
Thursday, Jan. 15 at 8:00 pm
Shawn Ryan– Artist in Residence: Show and Screening of Charlie
Friday, Jan. 16 & Saturday, Jan. 18 at 8:00 pm
Ryan Raferty is the Most Powerful Woman in Fashion: The Anna Wintour Musical
Monday, Jan. 19 at 8:00 pm
Alexander Rodriguez
Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 9:30 pm
Davy Nathan– Album Release Adya
Thursday, Jan.26 at 8:00 pm
Margaret M. Spirito – The Sounds of Dirty Jersey
Saturday, Jan. 24 at 8:00 pm
Sasha Weiss inInto The Weiss
Thursday, Jan. 29 at 8:00 pm
Swing – An Improvised Musical starring Parvesh Cheena, Micahel Dalke, Theresa Gumprecht, Ronnie Karem, Kerri-Anne Lavin, Hanna LoPatin, Dana Weddle and Darrin Yalacki.Music by Eric Schackne.
Rockwell Table and Stage is located at 1714 N. Vermont Blvd. in Los Feliz. For reservations or tickets to any of their events, call (323) 669-1550 x 20 or visit www.rockwell-la.com.
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Kritzerland at Sterling’s Upstairs at The Federal presents The Kids Are Alright! Jan. 12 at 7:00 pm starring Brennley Brown, Sydney DeMaria, Oliviana Marie, Hadley Belle Miller, Tommy Olas, Jenna Lea Rosen, Sami Staitman and Sarah Staitman with special guests: Kay Cole and Richard Sherman. Musical direction is by Richard Allen. Doors open at 5:30 pm. To RSVP call (818) 754-8700.
Master musicians Christopher O’Riley and Matt Haimovitz explore the lyrical and virtuosic properties of their instruments in a duet performance as SHUFFLE.PLAY.LISTEN. Bringing a fresh mix of classical and pop genres from Bach to Radiohead to Stravinsky, the duo performs respectively on piano and cello at Valley Performing Arts Center on Thursday Jan. 29 at 7:30 pm. This event will feature an intimate performance with limited on stage seating for only 200. Click Here for tickets and more information.
Then on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 8:00 pm, The Grove Theatre hosts tributes to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones in Beatles vs. Stones - A Musical Shootout. Taking the side of the Fab Four is Abbey Road, one of the West Coast’s top Beatles tribute bands. They face off against Stones tribute band Jumping Jack Flash, who offer a faithful rendition of the music and style of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the bad boys of the British Invasion. The bands will play six alternating sets of hits before joining each other on the stage of The Grove Theatre to share an encore. Tickets for both events: (909) 920 – 4343 or www.grovetheatre.com.
Rockwell January Events: Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 8:00 pm: The Hollywood Jane Revue in Now that’s What I Call Burlesque – Volume 2. www.hollywoodjanerevue.com
Jan, 7, 14, 21 & 28 at 9:00 pm
Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra
Friday, Jan. 9 at 8:00 pm
Eric Michael Krop – Greater Things
Saturday, Jan. 10 at 8:00 pm & Sunday, January 11 at 7:00 pm
Anne Steele On Tour
Monday, Jan. 12 at 8:00 pm
Natalie Weiss
Thursday, Jan. 15 at 8:00 pm
Shawn Ryan– Artist in Residence: Show and Screening of Charlie
Friday, Jan. 16 & Saturday, Jan. 18 at 8:00 pm
Ryan Raferty is the Most Powerful Woman in Fashion: The Anna Wintour Musical
Monday, Jan. 19 at 8:00 pm
Alexander Rodriguez
Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 9:30 pm
Davy Nathan– Album Release Adya
Thursday, Jan.26 at 8:00 pm
Margaret M. Spirito – The Sounds of Dirty Jersey
Saturday, Jan. 24 at 8:00 pm
Sasha Weiss inInto The Weiss
Thursday, Jan. 29 at 8:00 pm
Swing – An Improvised Musical starring Parvesh Cheena, Micahel Dalke, Theresa Gumprecht, Ronnie Karem, Kerri-Anne Lavin, Hanna LoPatin, Dana Weddle and Darrin Yalacki.Music by Eric Schackne.
Rockwell Table and Stage is located at 1714 N. Vermont Blvd. in Los Feliz. For reservations or tickets to any of their events, call (323) 669-1550 x 20 or visit www.rockwell-la.com.
For more Musicals in LA news:
Become a Fan on Facebook
Follow Musicals in LA on Twitter
Click Here to return to home page