Interview: Barry Pearl's FOOTLOOSE & Always Fancy-Free
Panic! Productions & BarCinBoo Productions’ Footloose the Musical will open at the Colony Theatre March 2, 2024 (with previews beginning March 1st). Barry Pearl directs with co-director/choreographer Michelle Elkin. Barry managed to free up some time to give me some behind-the-scenes of Footloose.
David Ives's VENUS IN FUR To Open at McCadden Theatre in August
Samadahi Entertainment is set to present VENUS IN FUR, by David Ives, directed by Mark Blanchard. The dark comedy with exceedingly complex characters and a fast-paced play within a play, featuring Russian-born multi-award-winning actress KATYUSHA (Ekaterina Melnik) as Vanda, is set to open August 4th through September 3rd, 2023, at McCadden Place Theatre.
Interview: Michelle Elkin on Choreographing FOOTLOOSE: The Musical at Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center
Michelle Elkin made her professional debut at the age of 8 in the movie musical Annie. Since then, her resume includes working in numerous film, television, commercial, and theater projects as a dancer and choreographer. After recently choreographing the teen musical 13 at Simi Valley Cultural Center, Michelle is returning to the venue as co-director (with Barry Pearl) and choreographer of Footloose: The Musical with book by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, music by Tom Snow and lyrics by Dean Pitchford and Kenny Loggins, running April 22 – May 14, 2023. I decided to speak with her since about the production as well as some of the iconic shows on which she has previously worked.
Cast Announced for THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ: A HOLIDAY PANTO at the Laguna Playhouse
Laguna Playhouse and Lythgoe Family Panto have announced that OLIVIA SANABIA (Amazon's “Just Add Magic,” Disney's “Coop and Cami Ask the World”) will star as “Dorothy” and BARRY PEARL (“Grease”) will star as “The Wizard” in THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ: A HOLIDAY PANTO, written by Kris Lythgoe, choreography by Mason Trueblood, musical direction by Andy Street and directed by Bonnie Lythgoe.
Photos: First Look at LEND ME A TENOR at International City Theatre
International City Theatre is presenting Lend Me A Tenor, the Tony-nominated screwball comedy by Ken Ludwig that’s guaranteed to leave audiences rolling in the aisles with laughter. Todd Nielsen directs for an October 21 opening in the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, where performances continue through November 6. See photos here!