OPENINGS: The cast of The Wizard of Oz has been announced. The first North American tour of the new stage adaptation will make its L.A. debut at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre Sept. 17 – Oct. 6 and stars Mike Jackson (Tin Man), Lee MacDougall (Lion), Jamie McKnight (Scarecrow), Robin Evan Willis (Glinda), and Jacquelyn Piro Donovan (Wicked Witch of the West). Rounding out the company are Larry Mannell, Charlotte Moore, Jordan Bell, John Edwards, Kelly Grainger, Julianne Hobby, Jason Huska, Zak Kearns, Ayrin Mackie, Anthony MacPherson, Stewart Adam McKensy, Julia McLellan, Briana Palmer, Kristen Pottle, Alana Randall, Adam Sergison, Andrew Taylor, Devon Tullock, Jesse Weafer, Ryan Wilson and Alyson Workman. The new production of The Wizard of Oz contains all the beloved Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg songs from the Oscar®-winning movie score, all the favorite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises, including new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. For more info: www.WizardOfOzTheMusical.com and tickets: www.HollywoodPantages.com.
Adventure and redemption are at the heart of The Burnt Part Boys, a new musical by Mariana Elder (book), Chris Miller (music) and Nathan Tysen (lyrics), opening Sept. 14 at Third Street Theatre. Richard Israel directs an unforgettable coming-of-age story that follows a group of teenagers in West Virginia’s coal country on their life-altering journey to “the burnt part” – the section of the coal mine that took their fathers’ lives. Featuring musical direction by Gregory Naboursand a cast that includes Rich Brunner, Adam Dingeman, Joe Donohoe,Richard Hellstern, Philip Dean Lightstone, Matt Musgrove, Lauren Patten, Aaron Scheff, andDaniel David Stewart. Tickets: www.thirdstreettheatre.org or 323-655-9232.
Storybook Theatre presents its new musical version of Goldilocks And The Three Bears Saturdays at 1:00 pm Oct. 5, 2013 – Feb. 22, 2014. The family show includes plenty of audience participation as the children help Goldilocks in the comical forest adventure and Goldilocks learns that bears can be people too. It features music by Richard Berent, book byScott Martin, and lyrics by Rob Meurer& Scott Martin, and is directed by Barbara Mallory Schwartz and Lloyd J. Schwartz. Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles. There is FREE parking across the street. Tickets: www.theatrewest.org or (818) 761-2203
Laguna Playhouse presents the world premiere production of a new musical play, ROCKSTAR, featuring the music of Franz Liszt and others, written and performed by Hershey Felderand directed by Trevor Hay, Sept. 17 – 29. As a commentary of Liszt’s life, a writer of the New York Times composed an honorary tribute with the headline “Still Wondering If Liszt Was Any Good?” When a museum visitor arrives to the room in which Liszt died with his copy of the newspaper and the article, very strange things begin to occur. Tickets: www.lagunaplayhouse.com or (949) 497-2787
TALKS: The Society of Composers & Lyricists and ASCAP present An Evening with Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Wednesday, August 14th from 7:00 – 10:00 pm, moderated by ASCAP Director of Musical Theatre, Michael Kerker. The Linwood Dunn Theater (Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study), 1313 N. Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. Tickets and info: https://sclbergman.eventbrite.com/
FILM: Erich Bergenhas been confirmed to reprise his critically acclaimed portrayal of Bob Gaudio in the film version of Jersey Boys, directed by Clint Eastwood. Bergen played the role in the First National Tour, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas casts of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical.
In Good Ol’ Freda, Freda Kelly tells her stories for the first time in 50 years. Kelly was just a shy Liverpudlian teenager when she was asked to work for a local band named The Beatles hoping to make it big. Though she had no concept of how far they would go, Freda had faith in The Beatles from the beginning, and The Beatles had faith in her. History notes that The Beatles were together for 10 years, but Freda worked for them for 11. As the Beatles’ devoted secretary and friend, Freda was there as history unfolded. One of few films with the support of the living Beatles and featuring original Beatles music, the film offers an insider perspective on the beloved band that changed the music industry. Good Ol’ Freda opens Sept. 6th at at Sundance Sunset Cinemas in West Hollywood. www.magpictures.com/goodolfreda
CABARET/CONCERTS: The Old Globe will present a one-night-only Jeff Buckley Tribute Concerton Monday, Aug. 19 at 7:00 pm that will feature several prominent San Diego artists covering the songs of the legendary musician. The concert coincides with the Globe’s upcoming production of The Last Goodbye, a fusion of Buckley’s music with Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Tickets: www.TheOldGlobe.org or (619) 23-GLOBE. Bands scheduled to perform include Jeff Berkley, Stevie Harris, Israel Maldonado and Fernando Apodaca with Todd Hannigan, Veronica May, The Midnight Pine, Eve Selis, Gayle Skidmore, Superunloader and Pete Thurston.
Kristin Chenoweth returns to the Hollywood Bowl August 23rd & 24th for a very special evening of music with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and conductor, Mary-Mitchell Campbell. Tickets: Call (323) 850-2000.
The Grove Theatre in Upland presents two fundraiser concerts. On Friday, August 23rd it’s ELVISPALOOZA. Elvis Presley Tribute Artists from the Southern California area will lend their time and talents in a one night only tribute concert dedicated to helping save the historic Grove Theatre. On August 24th, Toni Morrell, who has achieved international recognition as a Singer-Comedienne-Actor-Entertainer and Voice Artist, will headline Singing for the Grove. Artists include Melodye Dewine,David Dial, Deborah Johnson performing with her son, David Johnson, Ginger Kinison, Sherry Kinison and more. Tickets for both shows are available at http://www.grovetheatre.com or (909) 920-4343.
DANCE:LA So-Cal Dance Invitational, presented by South Coast Dance Arts Alliance, has been announced for Saturday, August 31 at 8pm at the Ford Theatres. Five acclaimed Southern California dance companies will perform: Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre, Andy Vaca’s Jazzworks-Long Beach, LA Contemporary Dance Company,Luminario Ballet, and Regina Klenjoski Dance Company. More than 55 performers are set to participate. Ford Theatres, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, in Hollywood, 90068. Showtime is 8pm, and tickets are on sale now. www.fordtheatres.org or call (323) 461-3673. For more info: www.socaldanceinvitational.org. The LA So-Cal Dance Invitational is part of the Ford Theatres 2013 Summer Amphitheatre Season, a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County-based arts organizations. For a complete season schedule, directions to the amphitheatre and parking information, visit www.FordTheatres.org.
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