JERSEY BOYS Star Joseph Leo Bwarie Trades 'Frankie' for 'Bowie' in Los Angeles Tonight

Ovation Award-winners and Troubadour Theater Company favorites Rick Batalla, Lisa Valenzuela and Beth Kennedy reunite with long-time 'Troubie' Joseph Leo Bwarie in Little Drummer Bowie after his Broadway run as Frankie Valli in the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys. Artistic Director and founder, Matt Walker, will co-direct the musical parody with Bwarie.

Changing the rules to their own game, the 'Troubies' and some 'newbies' return to the Falcon Theatre this holiday season to pay tribute to the late, great David Bowie in a fully reimagined production of their infamous theatrical mash-up, Little Drummer Bowie.

The company, known for marrying classic source material with legendary music will spoof the 1960's television special, The Little Drummer Boy, and Bowie's iconic glam rock sound, offering a theatrical event sure to dazzle all and surprise even the most knowing 'Troubie' fan.

This laugh-out-loud musical parody finds our "Heroes" in a heartwarming tale of family, forgiveness and "Changes," resulting in the ultimate discovery for all seasons: "Modern Love" lives inside.

In addition to Batalla, Bwarie, Kennedy and Valenzuela, the cast will include: Riccardo Berdini, Katie DeShan, Katie Kitani, Niles Rivers and Cloie Wyatt Taylor with choreography by Jordana Toback and musical direction & arrangements by Eric Heinly.

The design team includes Christopher Scott Murillo, scenic design; Sharon McGunigle, costume design; JM Montecalvo, lighting design; Daniel Tator, sound design; Bobbie Zlotnik, wig design; John Stapleton for MAC Cosmetics, makeup design and Sandi Logan, casting.

Through December 23, 2016, audience members are invited and encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to the Falcon lobby for the Spark of Love Toy Drive by the Southern California Firefighters.

Troubadour Theater Company lovingly dedicates this production to friend, mentor, and longtime co-conspirator, Garry K. Marshall.

Press Opening Night is tonight, Dec. 9, and the show runs through Jan. 15 at the Falcon Theatre located at 4252 Riverside, Burbank, CA 91505. Performances are Wed.-Fri. at 8pm, Sat. at 4pm & 8pm, Sun. at 4pm & 7pm, plus select Tuesdays. Tickets, priced from $30-$45, on sale Nov. 9 online at www.falcontheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at 818-955-8101. Box Office hours are Tue.-Fri. 12-6pm, Sat.-Sun. 10am-4pm, and 1 hour prior to show time on performance days. For more information, visit www.falcontheatre.com.

As Artistic Director of the critically acclaimed Los Angeles based Troubadour Theater Company, Matt Walker has conceived and directed over forty original "Troubie" productions in the U.S. and abroad since 1995 - including a fifteen-year residency at the Falcon Theatre. He is the recipient of the O.C. Weekly Theater Award for Career Achievement, the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Sustained Excellence in Theater and the LADCC's Joel Hirschorn Award for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theater. He has worked with Bill Irwin, Second City Improvisation, The Royal Shakespeare Co., The San Francisco Mime Troupe and is a graduate of Ringling Bros. Clown College leading to his tenure as a circus clown in The Greatest Show On Earth. MFA acting students at the University of Southern California know him as adjunct professor, teaching advanced movement in clowning, Commedia, and the artful skill of pie-throwing. In his multi-faceted career, he has worked in television, film, theater, opera and circus. Walker co-wrote the screenplay for Garry Marshall's 2016 film, Mother's Day, after serving as on-set writer for Marshall's Valentine's Day (2009) and New Year's Eve (2011).

Troubadour Theater Company is a free-wheeling, no holds barred, Commedia dell'arte flavored, slapstick driven Los Angeles based ensemble of actors, musicians, and comedians that has been performing for audiences throughout Southern California and beyond since 1995. Their fast-paced, laugh-filled, loose musical adaptations (some of the lines are still there) of classic plays, literature, television specials and film, as well as their original productions and hilarious sketch material, make this company a unique and exciting experience for theater-goers of any age. For more info on the "Troubies," visit www.troubie.com.

The Falcon Theatre is a 130-seat professional theatre that operates year-round in Burbank, California. The theatre was founded in 1997 by the late director/writer/producer Garry Marshall and his daughter Kathleen Marshall LaGambina. It was Garry's wish that the theatre continue and serve as a welcome home to established artists as well as emerging talent. This year's subscription series is produced by Kathleen and Sherry Greczmiel.

ABC7 and Southern California Firefighters are celebrating the 23rd year of the "Spark of Love Toy Drive." Over the past two decades, the "Spark of Love Toy Drive" has successfully collected more than 9 million toys for underserved children and teens. The "Spark of Love Toy Drive" takes place in November and December every year. With love and support of donors and sponsors, kids across Southern California receive a new toy each holiday season.

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