NMI Opens New Musical MANSON'S GIRLS At The Hollywood Fringe

New Musicals Inc. opened the new musical MANSON'S GIRLS at the Hollywood Fringe Festival last night, and the show is now receiving rave reviews.

"An astonishing accomplishment, better than I could ever have imagined. I could have watched another hour of it. Thoughtful, tuneful and by turns horrifying and hilarious. The cast was superb and the band top notch. Deserves a life beyond Fringe! "

"Brilliant show. Great approach to a somewhat taboo subject. There are some phenomenal songs that I suspect will find life outside the musical. Hummable, toe tapping, memorable songs in a Manson musical, hilarious. Music is spot on for the period, singing is stellar. Band is fantastic. Strongest moments for me were the building harmonies. When everyone on stage was singing together it was electrifying."

"One of the best Musicals I have seen at Fringe.There was an obvious quality in the performances,songs,staging and direction.The band was tight and not too loud....A 90 min show that flew by...."

"Manson's Girls is a chilling story made all too human through a fantastic production. Each of the women are clearly defined and instantly relatable; the actresses excel in their performances. Charles Manson's menacing presence, while not always on stage, is apparent in each of their doting eyes. The well-rounded and beautiful score is full of thought-provoking lyrics, even the cheeky song-and-dance number "Help Yourself." The production is an absolutely fascinating and remarkable exploration into what it means to lose one's identity in someone else."

"The cast is filled to the brim with dramatic and musical talents. Tasked with conveying their own skewed version of Manson, the actresses are fearless in portraying these flawed characters. Megan Rose Ruble is captivating as the fiery and rebellious Susan "Sadie Mae" Atkins; Lauran Dewey adorably idolizes Manson as Lynnette "Squeaky" Fromme; Lia Peros owns both her soft and rough-and-tumble sides as Patricia "Big Patty" Krenwinkel; Mary "Marioche" Brunner is played to maternal perfection by Christine Anatone; Karlee Squires as the unassuming Cheryl "Zephyr" Saige breaks hearts; and Erinn Elizabeth O'Sullivan's innocent naïveté is ideal for newest Family member Linda Kasabian. James Schueller (as Charles "Tex" Watson) and Randle Rankin (as Robert "Bobby" Beausoleil) dynamically round out the Family members beholden to the charismatic and deadly Troy Armand Barboza (as Charles Manson). Lauren Byrd also makes a lovely and heartbreaking appearance as Sharon Tate days before her murder."

MANSON'S GIRLS is the story of the Manson Family murders, told from the perspective of the girls. With a driving, rock score and book/lyrics which explore the psyche of the girls, this story is all-too-relevant today, being a parable and warning to any of us who follows the voice of authority without stopping to question. Book by Scott Guy, music by Ron Barnett, lyrics by Mitch Glaser. Directed by Scott Guy with music direction from Ron Barnett and choreography by Heather Castillo. Starring: Christine Anatone, Troy Armand Barboza, Lauran Dewey, Erinn O'Sullivan, Lia Peros, Randle Rankin, Megan Ruble, James Schueller, and Karlee Squires.

There are four performances remaining at the Hollywood Fringe Festival: Friday, June 15 at 8pm; Saturday, June 16 at 11pm; Thursday, June 21 at 11pm; and Saturday, June 23 at 10pm. The show is playing at the Broadwater Mainstage (1076 Lillian Way) in Hollywood, is 90 minutes long, and tickets are $20 at https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/5158.

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