Arts & Entertainment
The Four B’s Highlight Second Symphony Concert of Season
La Mirada~Bernstein, Berlioz, Beethoven, and Brahms are the composers featured in the upcoming concert by the La Mirada Symphony on Sunday, January 19 at 3 pm at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
The program includes Overture to Candide by Leonard Bernstein, Wellington's Victory by Ludwig van Beethoven, Roman Carnival Overture by Hector Berlioz and Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98 by Johannes Brahms.
Dr. Robert Frelly of Chapman University conducts this mixture of musical styles for the second concert of the season.
Admission and parking are free, no reservations required. A $5 donation is suggested.
For more information visit the La Mirada Symphony Website or call 714-420-0262 or 562-941-5779.
Phantom Projects/La Mirada Presents California Premiere of The Watsons Go To Birmingham, 1963
La Mirada~September 15th marked the 50th Anniversary of the tragic bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Senators and members of Congress marked the recent anniversary with ceremonies and speeches, recalling the tragic event as a major turning point in the civil rights movement. The bombing, which killed 4 young girls, prompted calls to action from Martin Luther King, Jr, in his famous “What murdered these four girls” speech.
On November 21st, at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, this historical event will be commemorated with a one-day-only performance of THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM, 1963. The play, based on a popular book by Christopher Paul Curtis, will be performed for the first time in California.
The production, directed by Phantom Projects’ founder and Producing Artistic Director Steve Cisneros, will first be performed for 1,300 middle school students at 10AM, before a public 7pm performance. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and can be obtained by calling the La Mirada Theatre Box Office at 714.994.6310 or visiting: www.PhantomProjects.com.
The show stars Moah Pollas as Kenny Watson, Matthieu Jean-Pierre as Byron Watson, Kiarah Pollas as Joetta "Joey" Watson, Danika Butler (NAACP Theatre Award Nominee) as Wilona Watson, Freddie De Grate as Daniel Watson, Jamason Coles as Buphead, Carla Eugenia Mitchell as Grandma Sands, Isaac Clay as Mr. Robert, Elijah Green as Rufus.
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts Wins Three at LA Ovation Awards Including Best Season
San Gabriel~The La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts took home three awards during the 24th Annual LA Ovation Awards ceremony this past weekend on November 3rd.
La Mirada Theatre won the award for Best Season for its 2012-13 season featuring productions of Boeing Boeing, Jekyll & Hyde, Next to Normal, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Spring Awakening. Brian Kite, producing artistic director for the La Mirada Theatre, earned the award for Best Director of a Musical for his production of
 |
Lori Larsen and Deborah Puette in “Rabbit Hole” now playing at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts Through November 17th-photo courtesy LA Stage Times |
Spring Awakening, while Beth Malone earned the award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her role as Milly in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
Hosted by the LA Stage Alliance, the Ovation Awards are the only peer-judged theatre awards in Los Angeles, created to recognize excellence in theatrical performance, production and design throughout the Greater Los Angeles area.
La Mirada Theatre's 2013-14 season is now underway. Subscriptions and individual tickets are available for Rabbit Hole-now playing through November 17th-and remaining shows, God of Carnage, Cats, and Les Misérables by calling the box office at (562) 944-9801 or by visiting online at lamiradatheatre.com.
Read the LA Stage Times of David Lindsay-Abaire’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Rabbit Hole here.
International Artist Highlights LM Arts Meeting
La Mirada~The Arts Colony of La Mirada will hold its November meeting on Monday, November 4 at the Resource Center in the La Mirada Civic Center Complex at 13700 La Mirada Blvd beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The demonstrator will be Juan "McGoo" Valencia, a watercolorist. McGoo is originally from the Philippine Islands and is an internationally distinguished artist.
The meetings are open to the art appreciating public.
For further information you may call 562-941-4116, 563-245-7940, 562-325-5954 or visit www.acolm.com.
McCoy Rigby Anniversary Season Begins at Theatre This Friday
La Mirada~This Friday marks the beginning of the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts “Broadway’s Best” 2013- 2014 season of shows, as they also celebrate McCoy Rigby’s 20th Anniversary season with the award-winning theatre!
The anniversary season begins Friday at 8:00 p.m. with Neil Simon’s Tony Award-winning masterwork BROADWAY BOUND running through October 13th.
The season continues with two of the most acclaimed recent plays of our time, the Tony Award & Pulitzer Prize-winning plays, RABBIT HOLE by David Lindsay-Abaire and Yasmina Reza’s comedy of manners (where there are no manners!), GOD OF CARNAGE; followed by two of the biggest Broadway musical hits ever CATS and the regional theatre premiere of a brand new production of LES MISÉRABLES!
Add into the mix the bonus options of its new “Onstage Series” production of FLOYD COLLINS and the unmistakable harmonies of THE OAK RIDGE BOYS and La Mirada and the Southern California area will certainly have the “Best of Broadway” and beyond coming its way in 2013-2014!
For tickets visit www.lamiradatheatre.com or call (562) 944-9801
Young People Use the Stage to Discuss Teen Drug/Alcohol Usage Through Performance and Open-Forum Discussion
"Out, Out Brief Candle" features all-youth cast on May 16th
La Mirada~The staggering statistics on teen drug and alcohol use will be in the spotlight on May 16th as a cast of 15 teens/young adults takes to the stage to perform and speak on a subject that effects every teen at one point in their life.
On May 16 at 10AM and 7PM, Phantom Projects Theatre Group will continue its 2012/2013 Season offering a youthful perspective and emotional support through a powerful production called Out, Out, Brief Candle at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
The newly revised drama by Bruce Gevirtzman, directed by Steve Cisneros, will be performed on May 16 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets from $7 to $20 are now available by calling 562-944-9801 or going online to phantomprojects.com.
Though a dramatic scene confronting a rape scenario featuring a teen girl was written 5 years ago, it is early reminiscent of the situation in Saratoga, CA when a 15 year-old-girl was driven to suicide last September after three teens allegedly sexually abused her while she was unconscious from alcohol at an unsupervised house party.
“Out, Out, Brief Candle is designed to help teen audiences have a healthier view of who they are and who they can become,” said Steve Cisneros, Phantom Projects’ Producing Artistic Director who founded the company in 1996 at the age of 17. “It’s drama based on real life. And because the teen cast is the same age as much of the audience, the post-show discussion is always candid.”
“Out, Out, Brief Candle” to Play at La Mirada Theatre May 16th
La Mirada~The deadly consequences of teen drug and alcohol use are all too real and often times ignored.
The drug and alcohol prevention production presented by La Mirada-based theatre group Phantom Projects, “Out, Out, Brief Candle”, by former La Mirada High School teacher Bruce Gervitzman, is playing May 16th at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, bringing harsh truth to an up-close and personal level.
Audiences will relate to the real-life issues acted out on stage; they will also meet teens during the post-performance discussion that have dealt with and overcome obstacles in their own road to recovery.
Candid and deeply personal, cast members will share firsthand accounts of how drugs and alcohol can have impacted their young lives. Hear from an inspirational group of teens as they share the realities of their lives with honesty, compassion, and hope.
The production is directed by former La Mirada High School student and founder of Phantom Projects, Steve Cisneros.
10am Performances: ALL SEATS $7.00 10am field trip performances can be arranged by calling Phantom Projects at (714) 690-2900 | 7pm Performances: Adults: $20; High School Students w/ID: $12; Middle School Students w/ID: $7 | Group Discounts for groups of 15 or more. Call the Box Office for info. | Subscribe & Save! Subscriptions: See all 4 shows for just $25 | Evening tickets may be purchased online or by calling (562) 944-9801 | Visit phantomprojects.com
REVIEW: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at La Mirada Theatre
La Mirada~Hand clapping and foot-stomping fun, along with a lot of hootin’ & hollerin’ is exactly what we experienced at The La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts this past Friday evening.
Set in 1850’s Oregon wilderness, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS-directed by Glenn Casale-was absolutely sensational with the costuming right on target.
We have not had this much fun at a theatre house in a very long time and the energy emanating was amazingly electric.
The music was superb and the choreography by Patti Columbo, which was assisted by Karl Warden, was outstanding, with the stage version being perhaps a little more risqué than the original MGM movie.
One of our female reviewers commented, “It was nice to see half-naked men on the stage for once, instead of half-naked women.”
 |
| The company of SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, directed by Glenn Casale and now playing at LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. |
We’re not quite sure where she was going with that comment, but we digress.
If you’re a sucker for true love in all its meaning then we highly recommend you take a night off from the norm, and be prepared to be entertained in the areas of love and humor, and by some show-stopping dancing and one heck of a talented team of actors.
Brides and Brothers is now playing through May 5th with Mondays and Tuesdays being dark and matinees on weekends.
Tickets range from $20-$70 and can be purchased at La Mirada Theatre’s website, or by calling the La Mirada Theatre Box Office at (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310. Student, Senior, Children and group discounts are available.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Now Playing at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
Rip-roaring stage version of the popular MGM movie showing through May 5th
La Mirada~"Goin' courting" has never been as much fun as in this rip-roaring stage version of the popular MGM movie, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, adapted by Lawrence Kasha and David Landay.
Millie is a young bride living in the 1850's Oregon wilderness whose plan to civilize and marry off her six rowdy brothers-in-law to ensure the success of her own marriage
backfires when the brothers, in their enthusiasm, kidnap six women from a neighboring town to be their brides.
Bursting with the rambunctious energy of the original film, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is all boisterous fun and romance that harkens back to the glory days of the movie musical. Directed by Glenn Casale and Choreographed by Pati Colombo (the same team behind Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby).
Seven Brides is playing through May 5th at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. For ticket information visit www.lamiradatheatre.com or call (562) 944-9801.
Local Disney Artist Joseph Yakovetic featured at La Mirada Symphony Gala
Art on Display Throughout the Month of April at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
La Mirada~Popular artist and Norwalk resident, Joseph Yakovetic, will be featured at the La Mirada Symphony POPS concerts on April 6th. Mr. Yakovetic is known for his Disney, Wizard of Oz, and Gone with the Wind fine art. He is also on the Arts Placement Council of Norwalk. His painting, “Surrender Dorothy,” was issued as a limited USPS stamp. He has worked for the Disney corporation in a variety of ways, including attractions, costumes, props, set design, and children's book illustration. His art will be displayed at the La Mirada Theatre during the month of April.
Tomorrow, a free POPS concert featuring only the La Mirada Symphony will be held at 3 pm. The evening concert is a Gala Benefit to raise funds for the symphony. Mr. Yakovetic will offer live performance art painting at intermission and at a pre-show mixer sponsored by the La Mirada and Norwalk Chambers of Commerce. The “Celebration of Song” Fundraiser Concert features Tony-nominated star Susan Egan and the La Mirada Symphony performing Broadway classics. The 8 pm concert will be followed by a reception celebrating the symphony’s 50th Golden Anniversary season. The La Mirada Theatre is located at 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Tickets are available on-line at http://www.lamiradatheatre.com/ or by calling 562-944-9801.
Recent posts
Poster contest winners recognized and other news
