AND THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND Plays Noho Arts Center, Now thru 3/10

Enter the world of Oscar, Tony and Grammy Award winners Kander and Ebb's impeccably woven, high voltage AND THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND... a stunning revue of two of Broadway and motion picture's most prolific songwriters with direction by Los Angeles multiple theatre award winner Gary Lee Reed and musical direction by the acclaimed Joshua Kranz. This true-to-the-original Broadway production will be presented tonight, February 2 through March 10, 2013 by Be Wild About Music in association with Kevin Bailey and the NoHo Arts Center in North Hollywood, Calif. Racquel Lehrman of Theatre Planners serves as Producer. *Erica Hanrahan-Ball, *Emily King Brown, Isaac James, *Kristin Towers-Rowles and Ryan Ruge have been set as the revue's ensemble of principal players.

Featuring such unforgettable treasures as "Cabaret," "Maybe this Time," "All That Jazz," "New York, New York" and many others... from Kander & Ebb's extraordinary career, AND THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND is filled with humor, romance and drama embraced by a string of nonstop melodies and insightful lyrics which celebrate life with an indefatigable fighting spirit.

AND THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND had its world premiere March 18 at Manhattan's off-Broadway Westside Theatre where it played for 408 performances. It received the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Musical, and an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Actor (Robert Cuccioli). Additional honors included Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Musical Revue, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Karen Ziemba), and Outstanding Director of a Musical (Scott Ellis). The production also launched the careers and longtime collaboration of Ellis and the show's choreographer Susan Stroman.

John Kander (Music) and Fred Ebb (Lyrics). The John Kander and Fred Ebb collaboration of four decades created what many would consider Broadway standards and contemporary classics: Flora, the Red Menace; Cabaret (Tony Award); The Happy Time; Zorba; 70, Girls, 70; Chicago; The Act; Woman of the Year (Tony Award, Best Score); The Rink; Kiss of the Spider Woman (Tony Award, Best Score); and Steel Pier. Their collaboration also transferred itself to movies and television as they wrote original material for the Academy Awards; "Liza With a Z" (Emmy Award); HBO's "Liza Minnelli's Stepping Out" (Emmy Award); Funny Lady (Oscar nomination for "How Lucky Can You Get"); Lucky Lady; New York, New York; Stepping Out; and Chicago (Oscar nomination for Best Song). In the mid '80s the song "New York, New York" became the official anthem of New York City. At the time of the unfortunate death of Mr. Ebb, Kander and Ebb had several projects in different stages of completion waiting in the wings: The Visit, All About Us, Curtains and Minstrel Show.

ERICA HANRAHAN-BALL* (Woman 3) - New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Notable credits include Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Sheila in Hair, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar. Television and Film Credits include The Office, Rules of Engagement, How I Met Your Mother, Body of Proof, 'Til Death, and Alone.

Emily King BROWN* (Woman 1) - LA theatre debut! NYC (selected): Loose Women of Low Character, The Good Woman of Setzuan as the title character, The Comedy of Errors as Luciana, Anne of Green Gables as Rachel/Josie Regional/Tours: Sunday in the Park with George...as Dot/Marie, CATS as Grizabella (SPARC), Midsummer...as Titania Footloose as Rusty. Graduate: Shenandoah Conservatory.

Isaac James (Man 2) - Sir Harry in Once Upon a Mattress, Trevor Greydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Tugger in CATS, Eric in Phantom, Joey in The Most Happy Fella, Orin in Little Shop, Beast in Beauty and the Beast and Johnny Brown in The Unsinkable Molly Brown.

RYAN RUGE (Man 1) -. After returning from nearly a year in Japan as a headlining vocalist for Tokyo Disney, Ryan is elated to be back onstage in Los Angeles Ruge was last seen in in 3D Theatricals' in Fullerton, CA. He holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Credits include Leon Czolgosz in Assassins, Max in the Pajama Game; Lt. Torrasso in Passion; Gus in The Cradle Will Rock and Coupeau in The Scarlett Pimpernel. Regional: Mame with Amanda McBroom; Annie Get Your Gun with Kathryn McPhee; and Ragtime with Eric Anderson.

Kristin Towers-ROWLES* (Woman 2) - International/National Tours: Phantom of the Opera/Les Miserables in Concert (Christine/Cosette), The Mikado (Yum Yum), and originated the role of The Angel/World Premiere National Tour of The Christmas Box. Recent LA/Regional: Sunday in the Park with George (Dot/Marie), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Olive), Victor/Victoria (Norma Once Upon A Mattress (Fred), Kiss Me Kate (Kate/Lilli).

*Appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association.

GARY LEE REED (Director) - most recently directed HahNah at the Lounge Theatre in Hollywood. For the 50th year anniversary of the novel Gary directed To Kill A Mockingbird (Critic's Pick) for Actors Co-op. His critically acclaimed Hollywood production of Godspell garnered 22 different nominations and awards including Critic's Choice in the LA Times, Pick of the week in the LA Weekly and Critic's Pick in the Daily Variety. Other directing credits include My Way: A Musical Tribute To Frank Sinatra, Bonnie & Clyde - the two fisted six gun musical (Innovation Theatre Works) The Most Happy Fella, (LA Weekly best musical nominee) 1776, Jerry's Girls, The Woman In Black, Sentimental Journey and the world premieres Lights, Dancing With The Bad Man(ARC theatre company) and Soldiers Song. His production of Falling Lightly by D. Bennett Nelson won first place at the Annual Jerome Lawrence One Act Play Festival in Los Angeles. He has also directed a national tour show of the Comedy Improv Duo Theatre Off The Cuff . As director and actor Gary has had the honor of working with talent such as Sir Ian McKellan and The National Theatre of London, Alfred Molina, Alan Young, Barry Williams and John Schuck and his wife Bonnie Bailey Reed who was a series regular on ABC family's State of Grace. He is an Emmy Award winning Art Director for a cable show called Pioneer Women. He has also written a book of theatre games that was published by Lillenas Publishing oddly enough called The Little Book of Theatre Games.

JOSHUA ELI KRANZ (Musical Director, Vocal Director, Pianist and Performer) - It was at age 1½ that Joshua Eli Kranz innately began honing what would become a lifetime love affair with all things musical: from the piano to the trumpet to the guitar; to the ukulele and the violin; to voice... choral and barbershop; to musical theatre, and to the art of composing... the young master's destiny would ultimately propel him into the worlds of jazz and musical theatre... and it is in there that his true passion lies. After graduating from the distinguishEd Hamilton High School of Music Academy in Los Angeles under the tutelage of Richard Schraier, Lynn Levine, and Sid Lasaine, the young virtuoso scored starring roles in West Side Story as "Riff"; "Benny Southstreet" in Guys and Dolls (which earned him a Los Angeles Theatre Ovation nomination); and "El Gallo" in The Fantasticks for which he received a Back Stage Garland Award nomination. Additional roles such as the "Emcee" in Cabaret found their way onto his resume as did the role of "Eugene" in a nearly yearlong European tour of Grease; and "Schlomo" in a two month Equity production of Fame the Musical. He was also cast as "Chester" in the long-running Equity production of Bark! The Musical. Over time, however, musical direction became Joshua's ambition. As a result, he musically directed an original musical at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, The 1920's Skidoo Revue. He also served as Associate Music Director and pianist for an original summer musical at Pasadena City College (PCC). There, he also served as Vocal Director, pianist, and conductor for Bock and Harnick's the Apple Tree. The Apple Tree's overwhelming success motivated PCC to restructure and expand its entire musical theatre program. Joshua then went on to vocally and co-musically direct the late Cy Coleman's City of Angels, playing jazz piano in the 30 piece pit orchestra with Mrs. Cy Coleman in attendance. Joshua makes his Equity waiver debut as Musical Director and Vocal Director, pianist and performer in And the World Goes 'Round. www.JoshuaKranz.com

NOEL BRITTON (Choreographer) - studied acting at NYU's Tisch School of Performing Arts, Circle in the Square and received her BA in Theatre from CSUN. Her directorial and choreography credits include: The All Night Strut (NAACP Theatre Award for Best Director, and Best Director and Choreography Awards from the VAlley Theatre League), Inside Out (Daily News Critics Pick), Grand Night for Singing (LA Times Recommended), The World Goes Round (LA Times Critic's Pick), Red Hot and Cole, Shayna Maidel (Backstage Critic's Pick), There's No Biz, Requiem for a Heavyweight (VAlley Theatre League, Best Drama), The Lion in Winter (VAlley Theatre League, Best Director), I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, The Taffetas, The Chantilly Sisters, The Pajama Game and most recently Fiddler on the RooF. Noel's regional acting credits include Terry Randall in Stage Door, Catherine Sloper in The Heiress (Best Actress, VAlley Theatre League), Gladys in Pajama Game, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Eva Peron and Mary Magdalene in the Andrew Lloyd Webber revue, and Diana in A Chorus Line. She has been a featured singer for Pacific Symphony Orchestra's Benefit Gala starring Davis Gaines, as well as leadsinger for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Noel also co-produces the Theatre for Kids program at the West Valley Playhouse. She and her husband Alexander Loy are currently producing and starring in the upcoming feature film The Adventures of Belvis Bash starring Corey Feldman.

RACQUEL LEHRMAN, Theatre Planners (Producer) - Racquel Lehrman is the founder and managing director of Theatre Planners, her own theatre production/PR firm which has been serving the Los Angeles theatre scene for almost ten years. She graduated from NYU-Tisch School of the Arts and lived in NY for many years producing theatre. Theatre Planners has since developed into a very busy and successful outlet for actors, writers, producers and theatre companies. Doing everything from producing, publicity, consulting, marketing, and more. Racquel loves to make productions a reality and help to keep the theatre scene in LA alive and strong. Racquel is also owner of the Lounge Theatres in Hollywood on Theatre Row. www.theatreplanners.com.

Theatre Row. www.theatreplanners.com. MATT RICHTER (Lighting Designer), DANIEL MAHLER (Costume Designer), THOMAS S. GIAMARIO (Set Designer), CAROL URSETTI (Stage Manager) and REBEKAH McGRADY (Graphic Designer) complete the creative team.

AND THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND is the founding production of this new theatre Production Company. Be Wild About Music will focus on musical revues and small cast musical repertoire, breathing a new life into the genre, sponsoring strong talent whose names are not yet household, with a mission to make theatre available to the underserved members of our community as well as to inspire their interest and participation in the performing arts.

THE NOHO ARTS CENTER ENSEMBLE (NHACE) was created in 2004, when theatre veterans James J. Mellon and Kevin J. Bailey purchased what was the American Renegade Theatre. Following extensive renovations, the newly christened NoHo Arts Center opened its doors in September 2004. The actors, writers, directors, designers, musicians and singers of NHACE are galvanized into a passionate ensemble that creates new plays and musicals. Following six award-winning seasons, the NoHo Arts Center Ensemble looks to the future, continuing its focus on the development of new works; the exploration, discovery and re-envisioning/re-imagining of classic works; new ideas and pushing the limits and boundaries in all directions. To date, the NHACE has produced Dorian, Angels in America and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (2004-2005); Jerusalem, Barnum, Elizabeth Rex, A Boy Called Lizard (2005-2006); The Pirates of Penzance, Feed, Bush Is Bad, The Musical, The Cover of Life (2006 - 2007); The Drawer Boy Yo Ho Ho! A Pirate's Christmas, Departures, Pest Control, Zastrozzi - The Master of Discipline (2007-2008); Bush Is Bad - Alaskan Beauty Queen Edition, Yo Ho Ho! A Pirate's Christmas, Dracula, East of Berlin, Insanity (2008-2009); Sanity Squared, Praying Small, Becoming Norman, Yo Ho Ho! A Pirates Christmas (2010), Departures Yo Ho Ho! A Pirate's Christmas (2011); and two world premieres The Red Room by Christopher Knopf and One November Yankee by Joshua Ravetch (2012).

Performances of AND THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND will be presented Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm. tonight, February 2 through March 10, 2013 at the NoHo Art Center 11136 Magnolia Blvd. in North Hollywood's trendy NoHo Arts District. A special performance of the production will be presented Sunday, February 10 for Asperger teens, young adults, adults, and their families. The performance will be tailored specifically to accommodate their needs, and is meant to entertain and inspire their interest in the performing arts. All proceeds from the performance will go to the MIND (Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute at UC Davis for research identifying the causes of autism and targeted treatments.

There will be also be a special Valentine's Day promotional performance on Thursday, February 14, 2013 in conjunction with North Hollywood area restaurants.

All seats are General Admission and priced at $28 (with the exception of one preview performance on February 1 with all seats priced at $15). For reservations and tickets, visit www.plays411.net/world or call 411 Plays at (323) 960-4418.

To post a comment, you must register and login.