DON GRIGWARE Picks The BEST PRODUCTIONS AND PERFORMANCES in LOS ANGELES THEATRE for 2015
There are undoubtedly other productions worthy of merit in 2015 which I did not cover. This list is based only on what I saw and reviewed.
(alphabetical listings; Equity, Equity-waiver & Non-Equity productions are mixed)
(artists performing outside LA may be included in performance categories)
No set, costume, or technical awards. I leave that to the bigger awards and to the expertise of those who really know those fields inside out.
Photo Flash: More Shots From the Party! BILLY ELLIOT's Opening Night at La Mirada Theatre
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment present pure 'electricity' with the third show of their 2014-2015 season, the Southern California Regional Premiere of the ten-time Tony Award-winning musical, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL, music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, musical direction byJohn Glaudini, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Brian Kite. The musical premiered over the weekend and BroadwayWorld has more photos from the opening festivities below!
BWW Reviews: A Triumphant BILLY ELLIOT Comes to La Mirada Theatre
The ensemble effort of La Mirada Theatre/McCoy Rigby's cast of BILLY ELLIOT is an extraordinary accomplishment and especially resonant in a musical that is all about solidarity and overcoming the odds. It also has the kind of opening night story that wins hearts and shows how a company will rally like a family to manage an unexpected, even disastrous, event.
Photo Coverage: Curtain Call and Press Night Celebration Of McCoy-Rigby's BILLY ELLIOT At La Mirada Theatre
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT announce the complete cast as they present pure 'electricity' with the third show of their 2014-2015 season, the Southern California Regional Premiere of the ten-time Tony Award-winning musical, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL, music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, musical direction by John Glaudini, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Brian Kite. BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL will preview on Friday, January 16, 2015 (with a press opening on Saturday, January 17) and run through Sunday, February 8, 2015 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.
BILLY ELLIOT, Starring Noah Parets, Begins Tonight at La Mirada Theatre
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT present pure 'electricity' with the third show of their 2014-2015 season, the Southern California Regional Premiere of the ten-time Tony Award-winning musical, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL, music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, musical direction by John Glaudini, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Brian Kite. BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL will preview tonight, January 16, 2015 (with a press opening on Saturday, January 17) and run through Sunday, February 8, 2015 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.
La Mirada Theatre and McCoy Rigby Entertainment Present SoCal Debut of BILLY ELLIOT, Beginning Tonight
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT present pure 'electricity' with the third show in its 2014-2015 season, the Southern California Regional Premiere of the ten-time Tony Award-winning musical, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL, music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, musical direction by John Glaudini, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Brian Kite. BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL will preview tonight, January 16, 2015(with a press opening on Saturday, January 17) and run through Sunday, February 8, 2015 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.
La Mirada Theatre Announces Full Cast for BILLY ELLIOT; Performances Begin Next Month!
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT announce the complete cast as they present pure "electricity" with the third show of their 2014-2015 season, the Southern California Regional Premiere of the ten-time Tony Award-winning musical, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL, music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, musical direction by John Glaudini, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Brian Kite. BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL will preview on Friday, January 16, 2015 (with a press opening on Saturday, January 17) and run through Sunday, February 8, 2015 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.
La Mirada Theatre and McCoy Rigby Entertainment to Present SoCal Debut of BILLY ELLIOT This Winter
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT present pure 'electricity' with the third show in its 2014-2015 season, the Southern California Regional Premiere of the ten-time Tony Award-winning musical, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL, music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, musical direction by John Glaudini, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Brian Kite. BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL will preview on Friday, January 16, 2015(with a press opening on Saturday, January 17) and run through Sunday, February 8, 2015 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.
Photo Coverage: Kids of The Arts Celebrate LYRICS FOR LIFE!
Lyrics for Life to Benefit AFSP on World Suicide Prevention Day Kids of the Arts just presented Lyrics for Life on Wed September 10. The one-night only performance was held at Peter Norton Symphony Space, located at 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York, NY. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside the red carpet arrivals below!
Photo Coverage: Kids Of The Arts Presents LYRICS FOR LIFE
Lyrics for Life to Benefit AFSP on World Suicide Prevention Day Kids of the Arts just presented Lyrics for Life on Wed September 10. The one-night only performance was held at Peter Norton Symphony Space, located at 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York, NY. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside the event below!
Photo Coverage: Inside BROADWAY SINGS FOR NEWTOWN Concert
The 2013 Newtown Arts Festival recently presented a special benefit concert, 'Broadway Sings for Newtown,' as part of the festival's eight days of cultural programming at Walnut Hill Community Church (156 Walnut Hill Road). Check out photos from the special event below!
BWW Reviews: BILLY ELLIOT Dreams Big, with Some Literal Leaps of Faith, at the Bushnell
Directed by Stephen Daltry, Dickenson (displaying a ribald belt), Perkins (a hoot), Garner and Hebert all give strong performances. Parets dances well with steps performed with precision and technical skill if not all the heart we expect. The same could be said of the special effects: fog and fly rigging are used precisely, but they fail to make our spirits soar the way they did on the Broadway stage. It's also hard to understand several of the kids who are trying very hard to do northern English accents. Entire lines of dialogue are lost.