Bring It On: The Musical at the Ahmanson

The Fans with Lin-Manuel Miranda

If you are looking for a fun, bright, and laugh filled night of theater, look no further than the new touring production of Bring It On: The Musical at the Ahmanson.  Amazing stunts and choreography will keep you cheering for more, while the story of friendship and learning that winning isn’t the most important goal resonates long after the roar of the crowd has faded.  The writers of some of Broadways most recent hits including co-composers Lin-Manuel Miranda, (In The Heights) Tom Kitt, (Next to Normal) and a libretto by Jeff Whitty (Avenue Q) with  co-lyricist Amanda Green (High Filelity), have joined forces to showcase the direction and Choreography of Andy Blankenbuehler (In The Heights).

The cast is filled with young-vibrant talent.  Taylor Louderman plays Campbell, the cheerleader whisked away from her home turf at Truman High School and forced to find her own way at Jackson, a High School that doesn’t even have a cheer squad.  Louderman is a force of nature, with a great voice, a winning personality, and does all of her own stunts.  

Other highlights include Adrienne Warren as Danielle, the queen bee at Jackson High and Ryann Redmond who, as Bridget, brings down the house with her turn as an outcast who needs a boost of confidence to become her own force of nature. 

Perhaps the brightest spotlight on the stage is held by Gregory Haney.  His portrayal of the transgendered La Cienega, makes him a true audience favorite.   He sings, dances (in heels) and knows his way around some top notch comedic timing.

The Fans with Kate Rockwell

A MuMo fan-favorite shout out to Kate Rockwell who recently performed a set at Musical Mondays.  Rockwell struts and sings with aplomb as Skylar, best described as a bitch in heels, but she’s also “a bitch with standards.”

Rounding out the cast, Neil Haskell, Jason Gotay, and Elle McLemore give strong supporting performances.

Three cheers to the entire cast who all help to make sure that the audience walks out of the theater smiling head to "toe-touch". ~ Bobby Beus

Bring It On: The musical continues performance through December 10^th

For more information visit: www.centertheatregroup.org/bringiton

And for discount tickets don’t forget to use our promo code: Game

Bring It On: The Musical at the Ahmanson Promo Code

Special Promo Code for 

The Fans Of MuMo!

Bring It On: The Musical

Ahmanson Theatre

October 30 – December 10

For tickets call 213.972.4400

or visit http://www.centertheatregroup.org/bringiton

Performance Schedule:  Tue – Fri at 8, Sat 2 & 8, Sun 1 & 6:30

For a sneak peek, click here

Want to bring a group to the theatre?  Call 213.972.7231

See Bring It On: The Musical for as low as $39!  

For performances October 30-November 10!*

Call 213.972.4400 and mention code GAME or purchase online at

www.centertheatregroup.org/GAME.

BRING IT ON:  THE MUSICAL, kicking off its national tour at the Ahmanson Theatre, is the explosive new musical comedy that raises the stakes on over-the-top high school rivalries. Set against the world of competitive cheerleading, this powerhouse new show hilariously proves that winning isn’t everything when it means losing something - or someone - you really care about.

Bring It On: The Musical has brought together some of the freshest and funniest creative minds on Broadway, including the creative talents behind Avenue Q, In The Heights, Next to Normal, High Fidelity and Wicked.

Don’t miss this musical comedy that combines an exciting new sound, gravity-defying choreography and stunts, and a thrilling story to create a total theatrical event worth cheering for.  Game on!

*Subject to availability.  May not be combined with other offers.  Does not apply to previously purchased tickets.  Valid for seats in the Orch., Mezz., Mid-Orch., & Orch. X – ZZ for perfs from Oct 30 – Nov 10. Special prices are $39 - $79 (Reg. $65 - $100.)

Maybe This Time… REPRISE opens Cabaret at the Freud Playhouse.

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. It was a seedy nightclub called the Kit Kat Club in 1931 Berlin. Here the lives of two native English speakers, Sally Bowles (Lisa O’Hare) and Cliff Bradshaw (Jeff McLean) entwine. Here too they, along with their friends, experience love, joy, and a defeating sense of fatality. This is the world of Cabaret (Kander/Ebb) that REPRISE introduced to this first-time watcher.

As the show opens, Cliff meets Ernst Ludwig, played by the delightful Zach Bandler. Immediately charming and affable, Bandler’s portrayal of Ernst easily wins Cliff’s friendship and offers assistance with work, lodging and entertainment. The two (temporarily) part ways as Cliff goes to get settled in his new lodgings.

It is in this boardinghouse that we meet most of the rest of the cast: the proprietress, Fräulein Schneider (Mary Gordon Murray), and her boarders Herr Schultz (Robert Picardo) and Fräulein Kost (Katrina Lenk). Murray’s invigorating performance of “So What” thrilled the audience with her frank honesty. Fräulein Schneider and Herr Schulz's budding romance blooms during the show with shining performances from both Murray and Picardo. There was certainly nothing sub-par about this sub-plot.

Later at the Kit Kat Club, we finally met Sally Bowles. While Jeff McLean competently matched Lisa O’Hare vocally throughout the show (including “Perfectly Marvelous”), O’Hare easily steals the show. Her performance as carefree Sally was effortlessly effervescent and reminiscent of a young, unrestrained Julie Andrews. While some might be disappointed “Mein Herr” is not performed, the title number “Cabaret” was the single most emotionally powerful number in the show.

Ultimately, it proves to be the worst of times as Ernst Ludwig’s political alignments are revealed. Here, Bandler’s performance demonstrates all too well how easily bigotry can hide among our friends and neighbors as his character’s beliefs destroy many of the relationships that were built. While its opening night failed to take me as far into the dark grittiness of this reality as I was hoping (in part due to a disconnect between the audience and the Emcee-played by Bryce Ryness), the raw talent (and gorgeous costumes by Kate Bergh) was enough to make this an enjoyable experience for a first-time viewer. 

~Jason Rasmussen~

Book by Joe Masteroff

Based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood

Music by John Kander   Lyrics by Fred Ebb

Directed and Choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge

 Cabaret runs through September 25, 2011 at The Freud Playhouse Box Office:  310 285 2101

www.Reprise.org

Jersey Shoresical: A Frickin' Rock Opera at Bootleg Theater

The Cast of Jersey Shoresical

Every Wednesday night in July audiences will have the opportunity to witness a television parody like no other with Jersey Shoriscal: A Frinkin’ Rock Opera.  Directed by Drew Droege,  at the Bootleg Theater,  I will admit it, I am a  devout viewer of my guilty pleasure, MTV’s Jersey Shore, so to see it skewed as a rock opera almost made me as happy as when I watch the show. 

This was by far the most meticulously stitched web of comedy and mockery of TV parody that I have seen in quite a while. Daniel Franzese and Hanna Lopatin have taken the best and most ridiculous situations of “The Situation” and the rest of the Jersey crew and turned them into a fun freakin’ rock opera.

With spot on impressions, this cast has taken the time to emulate the Guido and Guidette, in performances that will keep you laughing long after you left the theater and especially when you are sharing the night with your friends the next day.

Book, music, and lyrics are written by Hanna Lopatin and Daniel Franzese.  Franzese whom we love from films like Mean Girls, Bully, and Kill Theory, also plays muscled out juice head Ronnie. In his commitment for the role, Daniel put on about 30lbs of… store-bought, muscle suit (Ha!) to portray the roided out Ronnie.  His duets with Lopatin, who plays Sammi, are powerful and when it needs to be, sweet and lovely.  Highlighting the poison in their relationship the pair sing through the show with “I Fucking Hate you” not to be outdone by  “I Fucking Love you”.

Daniel Franzese and Karen Diconcetto

Karen Diconcetto impression of the little meatball, Snookie,  is fun energetic and loveable.  More than anything, Snookie,  just wants to be loved, and Diconcetto sells an awkward but very funny moment over her desire for a gorilla juice head or even just a pickle during her song “Snookie’s Lament”.

J-Wow played by Mr. Willam Belli (Wonder Woman, Nip/Tuck), at first gave me caution that it would be too “mean” even for a parody.  But Willam is excellent and offers a surprisingly honest drag version of J-Wow and plays the role fantastically.  I don’t think an actress could have done a better job especially in her song “Grow Some Balls”:  Hilarous! And William sings the sh*t out of it!.

If you aren't up to date on the Jersey Shore, the program equips the audience with a Jersey Shore Glossary and also the authors, smartly round out the cast with a trio of Doo Wop girls who help us along the way.  Known as The Random Sluts, played by Kimmy Gatewood, Meghan Parks, and Aynsley Bubbico (best known from GREEK), this Guidette-Slut-Trio complement each other well and bring a great mix of voices to sing the main titled song “At The Jersey Shore”, which was in my head for the rest of the week.

 If you are a fan of “The Shore” you won’t want to miss your chance to fist pump your way to the Bootleg Theater for some simple fun entertainment. The theater has a great beer and wine selection at a reasonable price, and you can’t get a bad seat in the house.  Definitely a lot of fun! - J.J. Barnes -

Jersey Shoresical: A Frickin Rock Opera plays every Wednesday in July at the Bootleg Theater. 

2220 Beverly Blvd.  Los Angeles CA

Tickets are $15 dollars each and you can purchase your tickets on-line here: 

http://www.bootlegtheater.org/

Les Misérables at The Ahmanson

The Fans of MuMo recently went to see the revival of Les Misérables  now playing at the Ahmanson Theatre through July 31. For many people in the audience (as well as a number of my friends), this was either their first encounter with the material or their first encounter in many years. The cheers and the tears around me were heartfelt and loud; it is extremely exciting to see this 25 year-old show enchant and even transform people, many of whom weren’t born when the show first debuted.For me, this was my twelfth time seeing the show: I went 10 times to the original production (dating back to March 1986 when I saw the original London cast through a number of times seeing the Broadway original cast and many subsequent casts and touring casts) and once to the excellent Hollywood Bowl production a number of summers ago. But this was my first time seeing this new production: new sets, some new costumes, totally new staging. Would it still work?

Happily, it very much does. In fact, as much as I loved the old set, with its endlessly spinning turntable, some of the new sets – particularly the café where the students sing “Red and Black” – are breathtaking. The sets are helped immeasurably by new screen projections inspired by paintings by author Victor Hugo himself and that never get too obtrusive. If there’s any quibble with the technical aspects of the new production, I found the lighting dim and indistinct. From my mezzanine seat, it was often hard to know who was singing what in the ensemble.

As for the new direction, there are many wonderful additions that only enhance the material: a moment between Cosette and Eponine towards the end of Act I, and especially a chance for Valjean to acknowledge his debt to the Bishop at the show’s end. About 20 minutes were cut from the score to bring the show’s running time under 3 hours. For someone who has listened to the score hundreds of times, letting go of these 20 minutes is very hard, and the show felt rushed to me as a result. There was almost no chance to sit back and breathe, take in the emotional revelations of the preceding song or dramatic moment. Others around me didn’t feel as I did, so it’s possible I’m just resistant to change.

This touring cast boasts a wealth of very talented people. Particular favorites include J. Mark McVey, an exceptional Jean Valjean, who acted and sang the role beautifully: his song “Bring Him Home” was the night’s highlight. Michael Kostroff and Shawna M. Hamic found even more humor than I thought possible in the roles of M. and Mme. Thenardier (one potential future Fan of MuMo a couple of rows in front of us laughed so hard at the number “Master of the House,” I thought his head would pop off his stem), Justin Scott Brown was a particularly strong Marius, and understudy Sarah Shahinian sang Eponine with a lovely, clear tone that, for once, didn’t try to imitate the inimitable Frances Ruffelle.  
 Of the hundreds of musicals I have seen, Les Misérables  is my favorite. Accepting changes to the original production is not easy: it’s like seeing that guy you like walk into a bar sporting a pink Mohawk. You still love him, but you may just have to get used to the change. The only way I’ll know if I’m being too critical of this new revival… is to see it again. Lucky number thirteen. ~ ANDREW BLAU ~

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