Photo Coverage: Opening Night Celebration Of FOR THE RECORD: SCORSESE AN AMERICAN CRIME REQUIEM At The Wallis Annenberg

This fall, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts transforms much of its campus into a lively Little Italy themed street party as it celebrates For The Record: Scorsese - American Crime Requiem. The Wallis and For The Record-the acclaimed company that began in a small bar in East Hollywood in 2010 and whose performances have quickly become must see shows-combine forces to pay homage to the visceral world of Martin Scorsese in a new co production that revolutionizes the musical theater experience and brings the legendary filmmaker's epic soundtracks to life in a new generation cabaret, from September 21 through October 16. From the moment audiences arrive at The Wallis, the immersive experience begins with special pre show festivities, continuing through an exhilarating performance, and finishing with post show gatherings that feature specially curated entertainment.

"Scorsese's films are inherently theatrical, transporting us to another time and place through music, images and iconic characters," said Paul Crewes, The Wallis' Artistic Director. "Our co production will build upon these elements to take you inside a Scorsese film. As our audiences arrive at The Wallis, they can listen to live musicians while sipping themed cocktails, or enjoy pasta on the outdoor Promenade Terrace. The pre show performance, in and around the Bram Goldsmith Theater, illuminates the early work of the director. The experience continues after the show with cast members and surprise musical guests performing in The Bar @ The Wallis."

About the Show

Turning the theater's stage into "Marty's Place," a towering four tiered venue, the actors masterfully meld with audiences creating a scenic journey that begins as Travis Bickel from Taxi Driver mans a Lower East Side bar set in the orchestra pit. As the story continues, audiences are transported to an intimate, authentic New York Italian style restaurant, where the characters gather around a large communal table, one not without conflict. Rising up, the restaurant seamlessly transitions into the Goodfella's Copacabana Club and Casino's Tangiers Las Vegas. Housing the band, the top tier concert stage level rocks the audience with electric performances. A limited number of on stage seating is available, placing theatergoers in the action interacting with the actors for a truly immersive experience. All patrons are invited to take their seats in the Bram Goldsmith Theater by 7:30pm for a special in theater pre show, and for the first time at The Wallis, are encouraged to bring their drinks into the theater (Please note: this production contains scenes with strong violence and very strong language, gunshots will be fired during this performance. This production also uses atmospheric haze effects, strobe light effects and herbal cigarettes. Not recommended for ages under 18).

"Since the beginning, For The Record has been a unique, lively experience due in part to the cocktails and food offerings before, during and after the show which makes for quite a thrilling night," said co creator/Executive Producer Shane Scheel. "We are also very excited for patrons to see the four tier stage and set which allows for the show to continue to be immersive and bring the actors closer to the audience."

Before the Show
The Wallis' popular Promenade Terrace (now the Promenade Terrazza) will transform into an Italian bistro garden complete with red and white clothed tables, candlelight, outdoor string lighting and more. Beginning 90 minutes prior to curtain, theatergoers are invited to enjoy Scorsese inspired cocktails from the newly opened The Bar @ The Wallis, dine on handmade pasta and desserts from the Prince of Venice food truck, enjoy pre and post show entertainment and performers, and may even find themselves participating in an impromptu scene leading up to the show.

A special selection of Scorsese's favorite vintage films-including Frederico Fellini's 8 1⁄2 and Roberto Rossellini's Paisan-will be projected on the outdoor wall of the Promenade Terrazza. Each night will feature specialty performers-reminiscent to entertainers one might happen upon in an intimate Italian restaurant-including violinists, accordion players, mandolin players, opera singers, and more, roaming the grounds. Located in the Jim and Eleanor Randall Grand Hall, The Bar @ The Wallis will feature a full bar and specialty cocktails curated by Feisser Stone (formerly of Hinoki and the Bird), including such cocktails as the Bobby Burns, Monte Carlo and Aperol Spritz.

Italian Crown Prince Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia's popular Prince of Venice food truck will be on site at The Wallis prior to each performance, offering an authentic, gourmet Italian menu designed for For The Record: Scorsese and featuring fresh pasta handmade. The dishes offered, with prices starting at $10, include Maccheroncini with Black Truffle; Casereccie with Lamb and Black Olive Ragu; Creste with

Beef Bolognese; Conchigilie with Tomatoes, Peas and Potatoes; Potato Gnocchi with Basil Pesto; and Ravioli Porcini with Butter, Sage and Parmigiano Cheese (note: menu subject to change).

"We are very excited to have the Prince of Venice food truck join in the fun as For The Record and The Wallis celebrates such a legendary and iconic Italian American filmmaker. I am personally a huge fan of Mr. Scorsese's films and can't wait to share our authentic Italian pasta dishes with fans who also share my enthusiasm for his work," said HRH Prince Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia.

After the Show

Audiences are invited to gather back to The Bar @ The Wallis and the Promenade Terrace after each performance for post show hangouts. On Thursday nights, a roster of some of Los Angeles' finest recording artists will perform sets inspired by the soundtracks of Scorsese's films. Friday nights will feature For The Record alums, drawing talent from past shows including FTR: Tarantino, FTR: Baz Luhrmann and FTR: Brat Pack, performing around the piano in a special intimate concert. On Saturdays, featured For The Record: Scorsese cast members will return to perform a selection of songs for audiences.

Single tickets for For The Record: Scorsese are now available for $25 - $129. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit TheWallis.org, call 310.746.4000, or stop by in person at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts Ticket Services located at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Ticket prices subject to change.

About For The Record: Scorsese
Directed by Anderson Davis, For The Record: Scorsese - American Crime Requiem is an immersive concert mash up, where iconic music and moments from Scorsese's movies spring to life with an epic soundtrack. MARTY'S PLACE, a four tier venue rising from the depths of the orchestra pit to the height of the light grid-takes audiences to a Lower East side dive bar, an Italian restaurant, a Las Vegas casino and a classic rock concert. As characters rise through the physical space so do their positions in life: from drunken degenerates at the bar to couples on dinner dates, the rich VIPs seated in the casino to the Gods of Rock looking down on us all. The evening will highlight 40 years of Scorsese's storytelling through films such as GoodFellas, Casino, The Departed, The Wolf of Wall Street and more, and includes doo wop hits such as "Be My Baby" and "Chariot," crooner standards including "My Way" and "Rags To Riches," as well as classic rock anthems like "Comfortably Numb," "House Of The Rising Sun," "Gimme Shelter" and many more. The stellar ensemble cast-drawing talent from the worlds of stage, screen and music-includes Tony Award winner John Lloyd Young (Broadway's Jersey Boys), Tony Award nominee Carmen Cusack (Broadway's Bright Star), Pia Toscano ("American Idol"), Lindsey Gort ("The Carrie Diaries"), Grammy Award nominee B. Slade, and For The Record alums James Byous, Dionne Gipson, Olivia Harris, Doug Kreeger (Broadway's Les Miserables and The Visit), Justin Mortelliti, Jason Paige ("Original Pokemon Theme") and Zak Resnick (Broadway's Mamma Mia). For The Record: Scorsese American Crime Requiem is co produced by The Wallis and Ad Astra Live, and is made possible by the generous support of David C. Bohnett.

Check out photos from the opening night party below, and to see photos from the opening night performance, click here.

Photo Credit: Lily Lim

To post a comment, you must register and login.