Arts & Entertainment
La Mirada Based Theatre Group Seeking Young Artists
Seeking Actors, Dancers, Singers, Writers, Directors, Film Makers, Choreographers, Ages 16-23 
La Mirada~Phantom Projects Theatre Group of La Mirada is seeking young actors, dancers, writers, singers, filmmakers, choreographers, directors, spoken word artists, and any other type of performance artist, to audition for the 2012 Young Artist Project. Interested participants can submit an application online at www.PhantomProjects.com.
This is neither a talent show nor a competition, and it is not an event for beginners. This is a fully-staged production written and performed by the participants. Only 10 of the over 100 applications received will be selected. Those chosen will have exactly 14 days to completely create, rehearse and prepare their event to be performed August 4th, 2012 as the final production in Phantom Projects Theatre Group’s 2011-2012 Season at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
2012 marks the 6th anniversary of the project at the 1,251-seat venue.
Miss Saigon Breaks Sales Record at La Mirada Theater
La Mirada~The recent run of the multiple Tony Award winning play Miss Saigon, at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts was the highest grossing production ever at the theatre said Producing Artistic Director, Brian Kite.
"Of the possible 26,271 seats available for the entire run, we sold over 22,000 of them, with numerous sell-outs, including the last two performances," said Kite who directed the La Mirada rendition of Saigon, which bowed out this past Sunday after 26 days.
He indicated the only other production from the past that might come close in gross sales would be "the first time Peter Pan was here."
Although it left Broadway in January of 2001, after a ten year run and 4,092 performances, Saigon has spawned numerous other productions across the globe and is still the 11th longest-running Broadway musical in musical theatre history.
Bolstered by rave reviews early in the La Mirada run, Kite told the La Mirada Blog the surge in ticket sales sent the staff scrambling, "We had to order 11,000 extra programs. Also, we had to hire additional help at the box office, because the phone was simply ringing off the hook."
Kite estimates that 10-15,000 "new people" visited La Mirada during the play's run, most non-residents.
The temporary visitors boost the local economy.
"They spend their money at La Mirada gas stations, convenience stores and other establishments in La Mirada. Mr. V's and other restaurants in town have told us they have seen an increase in business this last month," Kite said.
The attendance at Saigon also seems to have spurred sales for the upcoming, latest installment of Peter Pan, returning again to the La Mirada Theatre June 1st through June 24th, with Cathy Rigby once again revisiting her flying role as Peter.
The theatre was converted from a local movie house to a performing arts center in 1979 with the opening act being Tony Bennett.
For ticket information, call the theatre box office at (562) 944-9801.
Baritone Highlights Last Free Concert of the Season for La Mirada Symphony
La Mirada~On Saturday, May 12, 2012 the La Mirada Symphony will present the last concert for the Season - the annual POPS - at the La Mirada Theatre of the Performing Arts at a 3:00 p.m. matinee and a 8:00 p.m. evening concert.
The program," Music of the Spheres", will include compositions by Richard and Josef Strauss, Gustav Holst, John Williams, Bart Howard and Jimmy Van Huesen and Sammy Cahn from concert halls and screen to lift one 'out of this world'. Especially familiar to both young and adult will be Star Trek Through the Years and Suite from Star Wars. Highlighting the evening will be Baritone Ryan Reithmeier who will delight the audience with Fly Me to the Moon and Come Fly With Me from the Swing Era.
Ryan is returning for a third guest appearance with the La MIrada Symphony. He is a versatile singer-actor who performs in a variety of styles and genres from Opera to POPS. He earned a Master of Music Degree at Cal State University Fullerton and is currently an adjunct professor of voice at Vanguard University of Southern, California.
La Mirada Drama Tackles Bullying, Prejudice, Violence
NEW PRODUCTION TACKLES SCHOOL BULLYING, PREJUDICE AND RACISM, THROUGH INTERACTIVE PEER-THEATRE AND PANEL DISCUSSION
La Mirada~This Thursday May 10, Phantom Projects Theatre Group will continue its crusade of offering perspective and support through original theatre productions when it brings back The Center of the Universe to the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts at 10:00 a.m. as a field trip performance for local schools, and at 7:00 p.m. with a public performance. The production, which features an all-youth cast and a post-show discussion, tackles the bullying, prejudice, racism, and violence through a multi-media live theatrical production.
Phantom Projects has been bringing educational productions to Southern California schools since 1997, but it was the tragic events at Columbine High School in 1999 that brought The Center of the Universe to national acclaim when it debuted in 2000 as an attempt to not only provide solutions but to create an avenue of discussion for California teenagers through its post-show discussion.
The drama is written by former La Mirada School teacher Bruce Gevirtzman and is directed by La Mirada graduate Steve Cisneros.
Culture and Traditional Rhythms of Africa for Young Audiences
La Mirada~La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts continues its 2011-12 Programs for Young Audiences series with Boxtale Theatre Company's Jambo, Watoto!. This innovative 60-minute play is recommended for audiences ages 4 and up.
Tickets are on sale now and performances are Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Come enjoy the loving homage to the rich and wonderful cultures of Africa featuring stories and traditional rhythms from many different regions.
The stories include the Akamba tale of Brother Sun, Brother Moon and the Pretty Girl, the Donso story of The Hunterman and the Crocodile, The Lion's Whiskers from Ethiopia, and How Ananse Gained a Kingdom of Knowledge from a Grain of Corn from the Ashanti people.
Audiences of all ages will enjoy the traditional rhythms like The Czar, Adoonde, Mandjiani and Linjin (The Crane Dance) played on bells, djimbe and djoon djoon drums. Incredible masks (made by Lindsay Rust) and energetic movement (choreographed by world renowned theatre director Eva Magyar) accent this wonderful collection of stories and African music.
La Mirada Theatre's Programs for Young Audiences is designed to give children exposure to a diverse mix of national and international touring stage acts.
All seats are $8 for children and $12 for adults. Subscriptions are available or $24 for children and $36 for adults. Tickets are available online at www.lamiradatheatre.com or by calling the La Mirada Theatre Box Office at (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310. The theatre is located at 14900 La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada, CA. Parking is free. Wheelchair access and Hearing Assist devices available.
International “Simpsons” Hit Comes to La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
The Simpsons Do Macbeth in Rick Miller's internationally-acclaimed one-man show February 16, 2012 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts; His first Southern California Appearance in Six Years Marks the 25th Anniversary of The Simpsons Debut on The Tracey Ulman Show
La Mirada~Phantom Projects Theatre Group will present the return engagement of the international smash hit comedy, MacHomer, February 16, 2012 at 10AM and 7PM at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
MacHomer is a one-man performance featuring TV's favorite dysfunctional family in a hilarious multi-media performance of Shakespeare's bloodiest tragedy, complete with video projections and puppets. The script, which is 85% Shakespeare and 100% hilarious, stars Homer Simpson as MacBeth and Marge as Lady MacBeth, along with more than 50 other well-known Simpsons characters. MacHomer has played to capacity crowds across the U.S. and Canada and recently toured the world to rave reviews and awards in Scotland, England, Australia, and New Zealand.
REVIEW: “The 39 Steps” at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
La Mirada~"The 39 Steps" is a pure mixture of imagination and creativity, bringing the audience into a realm of fantasy where over one hundred and fifty characters are played by a cast of only four.
It is a constant rollercoaster ride full of twists and turns- incorporating laugh out loud comedy, a thrilling adventure of suspense, and even a dash of romance.
Patrick Barlow creates a masterpiece, based off of Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 film of the same name. The play features spies, mysteries and thrills strewn together in an adaptation perfect for any age.
The plot is a gem- but it doesn't stop at that! The cast is an absolute delight and the scene changes are executed flawlessly; from trains, planes, to automobiles!
Cast member Dana Green steals the start of the show with her charm and perfect accent playing the character Annabella Schmit, and continues to wear many hats throughout the show. Fellow actor, Andrew Borba, is convincing playing the witty and comical, Richard Hannay.
The La Mirada Theatre pulls off a great show and it's no surprise that 39 Steps has already won two Tony Awards. This is a show that you won't want to miss!
The 39 Steps runs through February 12th. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at www.lamiradatheatre.com or by calling the box office at (562) 944-9801
Latest McCoy/Rigby Show Offers Hitchcock With a Twist
Tony Award-Winng Comedy Thriller; HItchcock Meets Hilarity!
La Mirada~Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps, a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre!
This 2-time Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning treat is packed with nonstop laughs, over 150 zany characters (played by a ridiculously talented cast of 4), an onstage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fingers and some good old-fashioned romance!
A riotous blend of virtuoso performances and wildly inventive stagecraft, The 39 Steps amounts to an unforgettable evening of pure pleasure!
The 39 Steps opens January 20th and runs through February 12th, 2012 at the beautiful La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
To reserve your seat online click here or call the box office at (562) 944-9801.
For more info visit http://www.lamiradatheatre.com/39steps.htm
Check Out This HD Treat From London at La Mirada Theatre
Captured Live in London in HD and Shown on Our Giant Screen Friday, January 13th at 8 PM!
La Mirada~The National Theatre Live series continues at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts with the screening of Colloborators, a new play by John Hodge, screenwriter of Trainspotting, Shallow Grave and The Beach.
The screening is Friday, January 13th at 8 p.m.
Inspired by historical facts, the play is set in 1938 Moscow where a man is offered a commission to write a play about Joseph Stalin for the leaders 60th birthday.
Starring Alex Jennings and Simon Russell Beale, tickets are $20 and may be reserved on-line here or by calling the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts ticket office at (562) 944-9801.
Phantom Projects/La Mirada New Season Just Getting Started
2012 Also Marks the Return of Phantom’s In-School Theatre; Resumes Touring Elementary, Middle and High School Campuses for the first time in 3 years.La Mirada~Phantom Projects Theatre Group, which brings live theatre to Southern California Audiences through a series at its home base at The La Mirada Theatre for the
Performing Arts, recently announced its 16th season of shows in La Mirada.
Phantom Projects Theatre Group was founded in 1996, by former La Mirada High student, Steve Cisneros and former La Mirada High teacher, Bruce Gevirtzman.
Phantom Projects remaining 2011-2012 season:
February 16, 2012: MacHomer, Adapted from William Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Simpsons created by Matt Groening
Created & Performed by Rick Miller, his First Southern California appearance in 6 years!
Imagine Shakespeare’s Macbeth, a bloody tale of greed, envy, murder and retribution interpreted by none other than television’s supreme anti-heroes of irreverence The Simpsons. That is exactly what Rick Miller does in his incredible work, MacHomer. In this awe inspiring, energetic, incredibly hilarious performance, picture Homer Simpson as the Scottish
traitor, Marge as Lady Macbeth, Mr. Burns as the doomed King Duncan and Moe the Bartender as Witch #2. MacHomer has amazed audiences of all ages, backgrounds and languages. A hilarious one-man show you have to see to believe!
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