Photo Flash: Eden Espinosa in Reprise's 'Flora'
By: BWW News Desk
The 2007-2008 Reprise Theatre Company season will end with FLORA, THE RED MENACE John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb's first Broadway musical. Kander and Ebb went on to become among American musical theatre's most important creators. Eden Espinosa stars as Flora, opposite Manoel Felciano as Harry. Eden Espinosa is best known to Los Angles audiences for her critically acclaimed performance as Elphaba in both the Broadway and Los Angeles productions of "Wicked." Tony nominated Manoel Felciano, (for his portrayal of Tobias in the 2005 revival of "Sweeney Todd") also starred in last season's Reprise Production of "Sunday in the Park with George." FLORA, THE RED MENACE is directed by Philip Himberg; choreographed by Christopher Pilafian; and the musical director is Brad Ellis. Reprise Theatre Company is led by its artistic director Jason Alexander. "Flora" tells a depression era story of a spunky young woman, determined to make it in New York – and brings back the times of the New Deal era, when the Works Projects Adminstration (WPA) employed millions of people, and the Federal Theatre Project and leftist politics would shape the next three decades of American life.
"Flora" was originally brought to Broadway in 1965 and had book and direction by George Abbott. The production brought its star, Liza Minnelli, her first Tony Award. In 1987, the Vineyard Theatre in New York created a new version of the show with book by David Thompson, which Reprise is performing. FLORA, THE RED MENACE will perform Tuesday, May 6th through Sunday, May 18th (press opening May 7) at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. For tickets, please call the UCLA Central Ticket Office at 310/825-2101 or visit www.reprise.org. Reprise Theatre Company, now in its eleventh season at UCLA's Freud Playhouse, was founded by Marcia Seligson, who served as Producing Artistic Director from 1995 – 2005, and is honored as its Founding Artistic Director. In 2007, Jason Alexander was named Artistic Director. Reprise Theatre Company has presented thirty-one of America's best musicals.
Perry Ojeda, Wilkie Ferguson, Katie O'Toole, Matthew Rocheleau, Eden Espinosa, Megan Lawrence, Katherine Von Till, Manoel Felciano, and Gibby Brand
Photos by Michael Lamont.