The McCoy Rigby Conservatory of the Arts Launches “Broadway-U”

Yorba Linda~The McCoy Rigby Conservatory of the Arts (MRCA) will launch "Broadway-U", it's all new, professional-level training program for young singers, dancers and actors, grades 6-12, from all parts of Orange County and neighboring communities began September 28, 2009 at both its Yorba Linda studio and on the campus of Dana Hill High School in south Orange County. 

McCoy Rigby's "Broadway-U" will provide intensive instruction in Musical Theatre and Dance to young people, selected by audition, who have aspirations for careers in the arts. All classes are taught by working industry professionals including many celebrated actors, singers, dancers, directors, choreographers, composers, lyricists and producers from Broadway and Hollywood. 

Concurrent with their classroom instruction students have the opportunity to participate in professionally produced stage productions and performing groups, in many cases alongside celebrated professionals, at major venues throughout the region. The "Broadway-U" is fully accredited by The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). 

• Oct 02, 2009

“Steel Magnolias” Begins Run October 2nd at LM Theatre for the Performing Arts

First Production of 2009-10 McCoy/Rigby Season

La Mirada~La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment in association with The Welk Resorts Theatre are proud to present the first production of La Mirada Theatre’s 2009-2010 season of shows, Cathy Rigby and Michael Learned starring in the funny and moving, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, written by Robert Harling and directed by La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts Producing Artistic Director Brian Kite. 

 “If you can’t find anything good to say about anybody, come sit by me.”  These words of wisdom sum up Robert Harling’s 1987 off-Broadway sensation and subsequent smash film Steel Magnolias.  Set in a beauty parlor in Chinquapin, Louisiana, Steel Magnolias illustrates how the lives of six distinctly different women interweave via the small town gossip that shadows the unending cycle of birth, marriage and death.

• Sep 21, 2009

Auditions Set for “Bye-Bye Birdie” at Whittier Junior Theatre

Whittier~Whittier Junior Theatre will hold auditions on Friday and Saturday, September 11 and 12, for the musical "Bye-Bye Birdie". In this exuberant 1960's musical, rock and roll star Conrad Birdie travels to Sweet Apple, Ohio to give one last kiss to Fan Club President Kim MacAfee on "The Ed Sullivan Show" before being drafted into the army. 

Pre-Auditions will be held at Whittier Community Center Gym, 7630 Washington Avenue, on Friday, September 11, with the following age schedules:  5 to 8 years, 6 to 7p.m.; 9 to12 years, 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.; and 13 years through adult, 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. 

Auditions will be held at the Whittier Center Theatre, Saturday, September12, with the following age schedule:  5 to 8 years, 10 to 11a.m.; 9 to12 years, 11:15 a.m. to12:15 p.m.; and13 years through adult, 12:30 to1:30 p.m. 

Performance dates will be October 16 through 25 at the Center Theatre. 

For information audition and ticket information, call the City of Whittier Community Services Department at (562) 464-3430.

• Sep 11, 2009

Phantom Projects Theatre Group Announces Play Titles for its 2009-10 Season

Phantom Projects' 13th Season of Theatre for a Teen Audience

La Mirada~Phantom Projects Educational Theatre Group, which uniquely brings live theatre to teen audiences, has selected the lineup for the 2009/2010 Season of Theatre for Teens at its home in La Mirada, The La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. 

October 22, 2009 A Thousand Cranes Sadako Saski was 2 years old when the atomic bomb dropped on the small city she lived in: Hiroshima. Ten years later, she was diagnosed with "radiation sickness." A Thousand Cranes tells the true and poignant story of her battle and the tradition of folding origami miniatures: If a sick person folds a thousand cranes, the Gods will grant her a wish and make her healthy. She happily begins folding hundreds of colorful paper cranes; when she falls short, her classmates continue her mission by folding 650 more cranes. A statue of Sadako, as a tribute to all of the children killed by the bombings, stands tall in the Hiroshima Tribute Garden. The production is Written by  Kathryn Schultz Miller and Directed by Kate Barrett.

• by Steve Cisneros
• Sep 04, 2009

Phantom Projects’ 3rd Annual Young Artists Project Unites Seven Performers for a Unique Evening of Original Music, Theatre, Film, and Dance at the La Mirada Theatre, August 8th at 7 P.M.

La Mirada~ Put seven promising young artists in a workshop environment with no creative limits, stir with the guidance of a veteran director, and cook under the pressure of a public performance within weeks and what do you get? You get a theatrical event that blends drama, poetry, comedy, dance, film, and spoke word.

Phantom Projects Educational Theatre Group's Third Young Artist Project is currently providing this kind of crucible for a talented troupe of former strangers who are suddenly experiencing the joy and pressure of creating professional theatre.

They will perform their evening program at 7 p.m. on August 8 at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. For tickets ($6 to $20) or additional information, call 714-994-6310 or visit PhantomProjects.com.

The Young Artists Project is the brainchild of Steve Cisneros, Phantom Projects Founder and Artistic Director, who launched the program in 2007 as part of his company's 10th Anniversary.

The group had never met before their first rehearsal, and rehearsed every day for 14 days including one unique rehearsal that began at 12-midnight and ran until 8AM. The participating artists are Marnin Grace Abad (18, Anaheim), Gennesis Lopez (18, Los Angeles), Emily Lappi (16, Las Flores), Caitlin Selitrennikoff (19, Anaheim Hills), Emily Walker (18, Huntington Beach), Jon Wayne (19, La Habra), Kelley Williams (20, Alta Dena).

• Aug 05, 2009

McCoy Rigby Conservatory of the Arts Announces “National Youth Summer Stock” for Talented Young Singers and Dancers from So.California and Across the Nation

Yorba Linda~The McCoy Rigby Conservatory of the Arts (MRCA) will launch the nation's only "Summer Stock" for talented young musical theatre performers, selected by audition from Southern California and throughout the United States, to be held in Orange County, California from July 13 through August 15, 2009.

• Jun 10, 2009

Genesis Awards 2006

The 20th gala honoring members of the news and entertainment media for highlighting animal issues. There were two firsts for me at this years event. I recorded  live segments of my radio show and my wife Carmen co-hosted with me. Below you can listen to the program's four segments that were recorded live in March 2006.

Segment 1: Tony and Carmen on the red carpet, before the festivities, spontaneously interviewing Kelly Bishop and then Steve Valentine (with a lot of chatter in between).

Segment 2: Tony and Carmen in the press room following the awards ceremony.  Interviews include Jennifer Aspen, Don Woodard, Joe Mantegna, Tippi Hedren

Segment 3: Bob Linden (Go Vegan Radio), Amy Anzel (Animal Fair Magazine)

Segment 4: Esai Morales & wrap up of the show