Norris Center for the Performing Arts Announces 2010-11 Season
By: Charlie Piane May. 20, 2010
The Norris Center for the Performing Arts Artistic Director James W. Gruessing Jr. has announced the 20010-2011 season, which boasts a full schedule of 23 productions. Titled "Something to Sing About," the new season lineup includes musicals, comedies, plays, magic, and music ranging from jazz, and rock to classical.
The season kicks off in September with the biggest show in the Norris Theatre's 28-year history -- the stage adaptation of one of the most celebrated and beloved films of all time, "Singin' in the Rain," complete with an actual on-stage rain shower. "Singin' in the Rain" is part of the "Three Play" series which is professionally produced by the Norris. The series also includes the classic comedy, "The Odd Couple," and the madcap musical "The Andrews Brothers," featuring the timeless tunes of the 1940s. Highlights from the "Norris Presents" series include "Oceanea: An Underwater Journey" featuring Bella Circo's world class circus performers and dancers; "Rocketman: The Elton John Tribute; "The Queen of Bingo," a zany off-Broadway hit comedy; "The ‘No' Show," starring comedian-magician Dana Daniels; and "Shotgun Blues: The Blues Brothers Experience."
The popular "Cabaret Jazz Series," presented in the intimate setting of the Norris Pavilion, returns for its 12th season with the music of the St. Louis Stompers, the Side Street Strutters Jazz Band, Wally's Warehouse Waifs and John Cocuzzi with special guest stars. The Chamber Orchestra of the South Bay presents five outstanding concerts led by music director Frances Steiner. Also part of the season is the renowned Norris Center Education Department's Negri Learning Center presentation of five full-scale musical productions including "Sweet Charity," "13," "Honk," "Bye Bye Birdie," and "Einstein is a Dummy" as well as Shakespeare's play, "Much Ado About Nothing."
"The theme of this year's season, ‘Something to Sing About,' is apt because it will make audiences want to break out in song," says Gary Ferrell, executive director of the Norris Center for the Performing Arts. "With such a wide range of entertaining shows, we are continuing to ensure that the Norris Center is a great destination for quality, affordable entertainment. Throughout the year, there is truly something for everyone, and we are privileged to be able to contribute to the rich cultural life of the South Bay area of Los Angeles."
Season subscriptions for each of the series, including the "three play," "presents," Cabaret Jazz and education shows, are now available with specially discounted rates if tickets are ordered by August 1. Tickets for single shows will go on sale August 18.
The Norris Theatre is located at 27570 Crossfield Drive in Rolling Hills Estates. Subscriptions can be purchased at the box office, by calling (310) 544-0403, or visiting us online at www.norriscenter.com.
The Norris Center for the Performing Arts is a non-profit organization committed to the arts, and is comprised of three facilities, the Norris Theatre, the Harlyne J. Norris Pavilion, and a new dedicated education building slated to open Fall, 2010. Established in 1983, the 450-seat Norris Theatre Offers tiered seating with outstanding visibility from any seat in the house. The state-of the-Art Theatre is equipped with advanced sound and lighting technology. Free, covered parking is available in the adjacent parking structure.
2010-2011 SEASON SCHEDULE
Singing In The Rain: 9/24 - 10/10, 2010
Considered the gold standard in musicals, the MGM classic "Singin' in the Rain" goes from screen to stage with all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood's golden age. It's a zany, light-hearted musical comedy about the early days of sound film when a movie studio finds itself scrambling to salvage the career of its chipmunk-voiced silent picture star. Featuring such classic tunes as "Good Mornin'," Make 'Em Laugh," and of course "Singin' in the Rain," the show is an exuberant spectacle of song and dance. And yes, it will really rain on the Norris stage!
Oceania: An Underwater Journey: 11/12 - 11/14, 2010
Bella Circo's world class circus performers and dancers will take audiences on a whimsical, underwater voyage into an enchanting, dreamlike aquatic world with mermaids, mysterious kelp forests, a seahorse carousel, and eerie sea creatures including an eleven-foot jellyfish.
Rocketman: Elton John Tribute: 1/15, 2011
In a show as extravagant as Elton John's career, Scotsman Rus Anderson re-enacts an early Elton John concert, complete with exact replica costumes, down to the feather boas and crazy, oversized sunglasses. While playing a baby grand piano, Anderson authentically captures Sir Elton's voice, looks and signature style as he reprises four decades of hit songs, from "Tiny Dancer" and "Your Song," to "Crocodile Rock" and Candle in the Wind" - accompanied by a six-piece band and a laser light show.
One of the most famous stage comedies in American history, Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple," tells the story of Felix Unger, a neurotic, neat freak newswriter who is thrown out by his wife, and moves in with his friend Oscar Madison, a slovenly sportswriter, with disastrous and hilarious results. These unforgettable characters have become cultural icons and the play has spawned both popular film and teleVision Productions.The Queen of Bingo: 3/12-13, 2011
In the tradition of the hilarious Harvey Korman and Tim Conway sketches from "The Carol Burnett Show," comes the comedy "The Queen of Bingo." Sis and 'Babe, two wonderfully wacky sisters on the other side of 50, want to add a little fun and excitement to their lives...but where to find it? BINGO! "The Queen of Bingo" explores bingo, family ties, diet crazes, widowhood and hot flashes. The audience joins in the fun during the "Middle Bird Special"--a real Bingo game where a lucky audience member wins a frozen turkey.
The NO Show: Dana Daniels: 4/9/11, 2011
What happens when there is a show and none of the acts show up? For comedian-magician Dana Daniels, that is no problem, because it is all part of his hilariously funny and successful "The ‘No' Show." Daniels is one of America's top comedian magicians working today, is regularly featured at the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, and has appeared on television in such shows as Lance Burton Magic Special, Evening at the Improv, Masters of Illusions and The Secret World of Magicians.
The Andrews Brothers: 4/29-5/15, 2011
Three soldiers find themselves giving the performance of a lifetime in this non-stop cavalcade of musical memories from the 1940s. "The Andrews Brothers" is complete with madcap comedy, mistaken identities, old-fashioned romance and such nostalgic music as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive," and "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree."
Shotgun Blues: The Blues Brothers Experience: 5/28-5/29, 2011
One of the most infamous duos in the world, Joliet Jake and Elwood Blues, will make their Norris debut in a rocking, rollicking evening of blues, fun and nostalgia. The production features the Blues Brothers' greatest hit songs including "Soul Man" and "Sweet Home Chicago," accompanied by a nine-piece show band and an eight member gospel choir.
All Cabaret Jazz performances feature reserved table seating, a gourmet meal, full no-host bar and two sets of jazz in the intimate setting of the Harlyne J. Norris Pavilion.
10/14, 2010 - Wally's Warehouse Waifs1/9, 2010 - St. Louis Stompers3/20/2011 - Side Street Strutters Jazz Band5/15/2011 - John Cocuzzi with Special Guest StarsChamber Orchestra
10-17, 2011 - Rufus Choi, pianist
12/5, 2010 - Peter Stumpf, La Philharmonic principal cellist
1/23, 2011 - Susanne Hou, violinist
3/6, 2011 - Iris Malkin, mezzo-soprano soloist
4/23, 2011 - Gala Spring Concert with Dmitri Levkovich, pianist Education Department Productions7/16-25, 2010 - Sweet Charity
7/30-8/8, 2010 - Honk
8/13-22, 2010 - 13
2/18-27, 2011 - Bye Bye Birdie4/29-5/8, 2011 - Einstein is a Dummy
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