Twist: An American Musical at The Pasadena Playhouse

Twist: An American Musical

June 14 –July 17^th

The Pasadena Playhouse

American Idol’s Tamyra Gray stars in the west coast premiere of Twist: An American Musical at The Pasadena Playhouse.

Twist:  An American Musical is a timely adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic with a contemporary score, set in New Orleans on the eve of the Great Depression. Come see the theatrical event of the summer directed by Golden Globe and multi-Emmy Award-winner Debbie Allen.

Special MuMo Code for discount tickets:  

TW120 for 20% off your ticket! *

Hear the musical pulse of 1920's New Orleans and see show-stopping numbers that will have you dancing out of your seat! Don’t miss the story that steals everyone's heart!

For tickets call 626-356-7529 or go to www.twistanamericanmusical.com

*Offer good for performances on June 14-June 25, 2011, excluding Saturday, June 25 at 8:00 p.m. All tickets must be purchased by June 25, 2011. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers and not valid on previously purchased tickets and does not apply to Premiere Seats. Subject to availability.

Caught at the Zephyr Theatre

The Fans of Mumo recently attended a world-premiere production of Caught at the Zephyr Theatre, a tale of love, marriage, and family values, written by David L. Ray and directed by Nick Degruccio. We were immediately introduced to the peaceful home of two lovers preparing their upcoming wedding, Troy (Will Beinbrink) and Kenneth (Mackenzie Astin). Upon hearing the news that Kenneth's bible-quoting, Southern bell of a sister, Darlene (Deborah Puette) and her beauty-pageant prodigy, Krystal (Amanda Kaschak), plan to make a surprise visit to their quaint home, we witness the journey of a modern family seeking balance between the values we cherish most, and the family we hold dear. 

While often painfully reminiscent of our own personal experiences, the honesty of the play lies in its ability to maintain a running relationship between drama and comedy. A previous performer at Musical Monday's, Micah McCain delivers a fantastic performance as the ever-loving yet sassy-to-the-bone Splenda, relieving tension and anxiety in a manner only the closest friends know how, while Amanda Kaschak in arguably one of the strongest performances of the night, nails the line between southern sweetheart and California charming.

Even in the face of Darlene's pontifical Preacher of a husband, J.P., powerfully performed by Richard Jenik, Will Beinbrink and Mackenzie Astin portray the power of an honest love conquering even the most overbearing odds, and Deborah Puette, as the devoutly Christian Darlene, earns the respect and care of the audience as she seeks a new truth in a world quickly dissolving around her. - Amanda Friel

 We highly recommend this new play, running until August 7th 
at the Zephyr Theater 7456 Melrose Ave. 90046

For Discount Tickets use our Special MuMo Promo Code: MUMO 30% off any tickets

www.CaughtthePlay.com

Box Office: 310-945-5786

The Marvelous Wonderettes at La Mirada Theatre for the Peforming Arts

The Fans of MuMo were delighted to take a trip this weekend to the La Miranda Theatre of the Performing Arts to see The Marvelous Wonderettes written and directed by Roger Bean.   Bean brings back the show to Los Angeles from a long run off-broadway and its a treat to get to see all four of the NYC cast members performing on stage.

The entire show is an adorable blast from the past, with enough powerhouse vocals to draw in fans of all ages. The Marvelous Wonderettes are your Springfield High school’s 1958 senior prom entertainment where they are tapped to sing all your favorite hits as they battle for prom queen. Singing in amazing four parts, Misty Cotton, Beth Malone, Leslie Spencer, and Lowe Taylor bring us through the best doo-wop of the 50’s and 60’s, with songs like Mr. Sandman, Lollipop, Dream Lover, and one of my personal favorites The Leader of the Pact.

The Marvelous Wonderettes

The ladies not only shine on stage each time they sing but it is their skills as comedians that keep the audience laughing and clapping along with each song all night long.

Beth Malon plays the loveable Betty “BJ” Reynolds.  Malone is a stand out with her adorably boyish charm and Bean deftly utilizes her physical comedy and pitch perfect timing to the delight of the audience.  She definitely got my vote for prom queen. Oh wait, did I forget to mention the audience gets to vote for their favorite to be crowned Prom Queen?   Keep your eyes on the cast as they collect the ballots because each of these ladies have the comedic chops to be on an episode of Saturday Night Live.   Leslie Spencer as Cindy Lou Huffington gets one of the biggest laughs of the night as she “accidentally” throw out any ballots that are not in her favor.

Taylor, Cotton, Malone and Spencer as The Marvelous Wonderettes

The Wonderettes start their prom off as best friends. Secrets and stories are told through music and song and by the end of prom they are almost strangers.  In the second act the audience can’t wait to watch as the girls reflect on their friendships, their current love lives and where tomorrow may take them.
Act Two is filled with power ballads and honest moments that endear the ladies to the audience even more.  This show is pure candy-coated-bubble gum flavored fun.
J.J. Barnes

THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES runs at the La Mirada Theatre from June 3-June 19th. 
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts 
14900 La Mirada Blvd. La Mirada CA 90638r


 For $10 off tickets Use our Special MuMo Promo Code: MUMO

Go to:
https://tix.lamiradatheatre.com/scripts/max/8000/maxweb.exe?ACTION=ORDER

or call the box office  562-994-9801       

Gypsy at West Coast Ensemble Theatre

Recently, Fans of MuMo ventured over to the Theatre of Arts Arena Stage to catch West Coast Ensemble Theatre’s production of GYPSY, a perennial Fan favorite.  Directed by Richard Israel, the production has been skillfully stripped down to fit the venue, at times bringing the show almost into the audience members’ laps.

In the title role is one of our very own “gorgeous ladies of MuMo” Stephanie Wall.  At turns warm and vulnerable, self-assured and forceful, Ms. Wall brings amusing and appealing nuances to her role, easily charming the audience. 

Jan Sheldrick and Stephanie Wall

As the Mama Rose to Ms. Wall’s Gypsy Rose Lee, Jan Sheldrick tackles the part of the driven, occasionally-monstrous-yet-somehow-loving stage mother with gusto.

Additionally, Michael Matthys and Kaylie Swanson, as Herbie and June respectively, offer adept and engaging support, each giving poignant, truthful performances.

Stephanie Wall as Gypsy Rose Lee

Of special note are Sara Stuckey as Tessie Tura, Kelly Jean Clair as Mazeppa and Jessica Schatz as Electra.  Their performance of “You Gotta Get a Gimmick” is deliciously hilarious and so perfectly second-rate, a combination that could only be captured by three very skilled comediennes.  Ms. Stuckey, in particular, can twirl a tassel (or two) with the best of them and is a real gem on stage.

The rest of the cast lends delightful support for the entire show.  The children are adorable and well cast, and many of the other actors adeptly handle at least double-duty in the many roles they play.

Overall, WCE provides an enjoyable evening of entertainment with their production of this classic show.  Katherine Simon

GYPSY is now playing on the Theatre of Arts Arena Stage

in Hollywood (1625 N. Las Palmas Avenue).

For $25 discount tickets use our Special Promo Code: GIMMICK

Reserve your tickets by calling (323) 655-0108 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            (323) 655-0108      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or by visiting westcoastensemble.org.
For more Promo Codes visit our Facebook Page and follow us on Twitter!

The Temperamentals at The Blank Theatre Company

The cast of The Tempermentals

Recently we had the pleasure of seeing, The Blank Theatre Company’s production of The Temperamentals, a play written by Jon Marans and directed by Michael Matthews. The Temperamentals tells the true story of a relatively unknown piece of Los Angeles and gay history, the formation of the Mattachine Society, one of the very first groups created to foster a gay community. Dennis Christopher, from one of my favorite films as a kid, Breaking Away, stars as Harry Hay, the leader of the Mattachines, and just as Harry’s character gets more interesting as he finds himself, Christopher’s performance deepens as the show progresses. 

Erich Bergen as Rudi Gernreich

Providing excellent support are John Tartaglia, Tony nominee for Avenue Q, in a number of roles, as well as my personal favorite Erich Bergen, who performed for us recently at Musical Mondays) as the enigmatic and somewhat tortured Rudi Gernreich whose character best exemplifies the risks these men took. Key roles are also played by the very good Mark Shunock and Patrick Scott Lewis.
Beyond simply being a very satisfying theater experience, The Temperamentals reminds us that gay history did not begin with the Stonewall riots of 1969, but that pioneers had been fighting for gay rights for decades before that. The play’s epilogue shows how the work of the original Mattachine Society still resonates in Los Angeles life today.  Andrew Blau

The Temperamentals 
has been extended through June 5 at the 2nd Stage Theatre,
 6500 Santa Monica Blvd.

Go to http://www.theblank.com/ for more information.

You can also catch Erich Bergen performing in concert at Show at Barre Wednesday May 25th at 8:00 p.m. For more information go to:

 http://www.showatbarre.com

Visit our Facebook Page for Special Promo Codes to local theatre!

Kiss Me, Kate at Reprise Theater Company

Wednesday night, the Fans of MuMo journeyed over to UCLA’s Freud Playhouse to catch Reprise Theatre Company’s production of KISS ME, KATE starring one of our favorite “gorgeous ladies of MuMo,” Lesli Margherita.  The lovely Ms. Margherita most recently came to play with us for Ryan O’Connor’s birthday celebration and appeared last month in a critically acclaimed production of Little Shop Of Horrors for La Mirada Theatre of the Performing Arts.  Also appearing in the production is Michael Motroni, another Fan favorite.

Reprise’s production, directed by Michael Michetti with music direction by Michael Paternostro, is an ambitious one, with an inventive set, eye-catching costumes and choreography by Lee Martino that had the lobby abuzz with praise as early as intermission.  Tom Hewitt gives a spirited performance as Fred/Petruchio, Meg Gillentine (Lois/Bianca) and Sean Martin Hingston (Bill/Lucentio) offer striking interpretations of their respective roles, and the ensemble and supporting characters endow the production with notable atmosphere.  Jay Brian Winnick and Herschel Sparber as First Man and Second Man were audience favorites from their first entrance to their charming rendition of “Brush Up Your Shakespeare.”

Some Fans with Lesli Margherita

It is Lesli Margherita’s star turn in her fresh take on the title character, however, that steals the show.  Though we’ve long known that she is a performer to be reckoned with, in KISS ME, KATE she handles her dual roles with aplomb.  Kate has never been more wild-cattish or appealing.  Ms. Margherita’s “I Hate Men” is a tour de force, and in it she is at her comic best, giving it an elegant raunchiness even Shakespeare couldn’t have imagined.  It’s not just her songs, wonderful as each one is, that mark her performance as something special; her stage presence is compelling even when she is not part of the main action, and her comedic timing in every scene is, as always, brilliant.  In the end, the biggest problem with her performance is that there isn’t more of it.

This review cannot come to a close without noting Michael Motroni’s delightful contributions to the ensemble.  Whether he’s pushing scenery or adding color to the background action, he’s simply enchanting.

If last night’s audience was any indication, as it surely was, KISS ME, KATE will enjoy a successful run playing to enthusiastic audiences until it closes on May 22. ~ Katherine Simon

KISS ME, KATE plays in the Freud Playhouse at UCLA

 (405 Hilgard Ave., Westwood) now through May 22.  

Special MuMo promo code: KISS for $10 off the price of your ticket!!!!

 Reserve your tickets by calling (310) 825-2101 or visiting www.reprise.org.

For The Record: Baz Luhrmann

For The Record: Baz Luhrmann Show at Barre kicks off our

 STO (Summer Theater Outings) 2011. 

The Fans of MuMo and the Boys of FTR

Later this week The Fans Of MuMo will be venturing out to The Freud Playhouse to see one of our favorite “gorgeous ladies of MuMo” Lesli Margherita perform in Kiss Me Kate.  Lesli  performed most recently at Ryan OConnor’s birthday celebration.   Also in the cast of “Kate” is Michael Motroni who is taking a break from playing the role of Ziegler in FTR. Michael, busy with rehearsals, was unfortunately absent from the stage Friday evening when our large group of 10 made our way to see the “talk of the town.”  

Ginifer King as Satine ummm GORGEOUS

For The Record: Baz Luhrmann is everything we had heard and hoped it would be.  Its irresistible fun and features some of L.A.’s top drawer talent  that bursts, literally, from every corner of the room  

Two ladies, who we love to welcome at MuMo with open arms,  Jenna Leigh Green and Ginifer King bookend the first and second acts.  

Jenna Leigh Green as Juliet

Both ladies never fail to deliver when performing at MuMo.

Their roles as Juliet and Satine gave them ample opportunity to showcase their amazing voices and each gave passionate performances filled with conviction.

Ben D. Goldberg as Romeo, sexy, sultry and strong in the first act, showcases his range of talent when he turned on his comic timing as the Duke in the second act.  As Christian in Moulin Rouge, Steve Mazurek, performed some of the most well known and popular songs of the night and he pretty much seems to carry his own spotlight wherever he goes.  We we’re thrilled to be in the audience on a night Tracie Thoms was performing. It is a rotating cast so to hear her solo “When Doves Cry” was a little piece of theater perfection. Arguably the biggest stand out performances among a cast of stand-outs came from Arielle Jacobs and Jason Paige.  Every time either of them took to the stage, you could feel the electricity in the room as they threatened to blow the windows behind them out into the streets.  We are hoping they both will grace our stage at MuMo very soon.

Steve Mazurek as Christian

At first I was concerned the stellar band led by Christpher Lloyd Bratten would over power the singers in such a small space but big shout outs to the lighting and sound designers Travis Hagenbuch and Matt Starcher  Both utilized the limitations of the space to give the audience a great mix of sound and light so that not a single moment of the vocals and performances in the 8 member cast was lost.  Shane Scheel and all the cast members at Show at Barre lived up to  the buzz we heard before seeing the show and we left knowing that many of us may return before it closes later this summer.

To Reserve Seats for FTR: Baz Luhrmann go to: www.showatbarre.com

Tickets for FTR: Baz Lurhmann are $20 dollars plus a 2 drink minimum and a 18% percent gratuity added to all checks.

After the show with Tracie Thoms


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