Performances Magazine | La Mirada Theatre, May 2025
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P1 Program
Cast, performances, who’s who, director’s notes and donors
6 In the Wings
Pasadena Playhouse repurchases its building for its 100th anniversary; downtown’s Grand Avenue Cultural District; bass-baritone Gerald Finley at the BroadStage.
12 Relevant and Reverent
Whether showcasing cultural trends or paying homage to the past, music festivals offer musical exploration and audience engagement.
17 Creativity Through Collaboration
Interior designer Morgan Newfield builds trust by involving homeowners in the renovation process.
22 A New Legacy
Chef Anthony Wang has just opened Firstborn in Chinatown. Almost every table orders its fried Chongqing chicken.
32 Parting Thought
Performances’ program platform for shows and concerts can be accessed from any digital device.
Coastal Serenity, Timeless Luxury
PUBLISHER
Jeff Levy
EDITOR
Benjamin Epstein
ART DIRECTOR
Carol Wakano
CONTIBUTING WRITERS
Roger Grody, Libby Slate, Jenn Tanaka, Caleb Wachs
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Glenda Mendez
PRODUCTION ARTIST
Diana Gonzalez
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Walter Lewis
ACCOUNT DIRECTORS
Kerry Baggett, Jean Greene, Liz Moore
CIRCULATION MANAGER
Christine Noriega-Roessler
BUSINESS MANAGER
Leanne Killian Riggar
MARKETING/ PRODUCTION MANAGER
Dawn Kiko Cheng
DIGITAL MANAGER
Lorenzo Dela Rama
Contact Us
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Walter.Lewis@ CaliforniaMediaGroup.com
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Lorenzo.DelaRama@ CaliforniaMediaGroup.com
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Christine.Roessler@ CaliforniaMediaGroup.com
HONORARY PRESIDENT Ted Levy
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ELEVATE YOUR NEXT CORPORATE EVENT, GALA, CONFERENCE, OR WEDDING BY BOOKING WITH HOPE & GRAND AT THE MUSIC CENTERWHERE WE TRANSFORM MOMENTS INTO UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
TIMED TO COINCIDE with its 100th anniversary on May 18, Pasadena Playhouse has repurchased its 1925 building, lost to bankruptcy in 1970 and privately held for five decades. The structure anchors the Pasadena Playhouse Historic District, among the most storied sites in American theater history. Its purchase was funded by a fundraising campaign, the lead gift provided by the Perenchio Foundation and matched by philanthropists Terri and Jerry Kohl. The Spanish colonial revival building was designed by architect Elmer Grey, known for landmarks such as the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Huntington Art Gallery, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Pasadena Playhouse now owns the entire campus, which also includes the six-story Fannie Morrison Building of 1936, the intimate Carrie Hamilton Theater, and a restaurant space. “With this purchase, we are committing to revitalizing the powerful original vision of the Playhouse and bringing it to life for a new century,” says trustees chair Erin Baker. 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, 626.356.7529, pasadenaplayhouse.org
THEATER
Two views of Pasadena Playhouse, State Theater of California and 2023 recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award
GRAND DISTRICT
FORMALIZING DOWNTOWN Los Angeles (DTLA) as a hub for arts and culture, the new Grand Avenue Cultural District promotes public participation in the arts and the area as a global destination. The Music Center spearheaded the effort in collaboration with nearly 20 organizations and agencies that recognize the district as a catalyst for locals and visitors to experience the transformative power of the arts. The goal: to become one of the most accessible and inclusive cultural districts in the world. “The arts are the heartbeat of a community,” notes county chair pro tem and First District supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “Engagement with the arts shapes our lives.” The district spans Grand Avenue from the L.A. Central Library to Grand Arts High School. In addition to Music Center performing arts groups, participants include the Broad, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the Colburn School and Gloria Molina Grand Park.
Singer of Distinction
GRAMMY AWARDwinning Gerald Finley makes his BroadStage debut on the venue’s Celebrity Opera Series. A leading singer and dramatic interpreter, the Canadian bass-baritone has earned international recognition for his rich expressive voice and profound artistry. Finley’s career spans opera, orchestral works, and song; he’s collaborated with the greatest conductors, orchestras, and composers in major opera houses and concert halls around the globe. Celebrated for his range across the spectrum of vocal art, he’s hailed by The New York Times as “a recitalist of rare versatility, a concert artist of the first rank and an opera singer of distinction in a broad repertory.” 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, 310.434.3200, broadstage.org
THE ARTS
Above: The Grand Avenue Cultural District celebrates downtown as one of the region’s most dynamic neighborhoods for arts lovers. Right: Bass-baritone Gerald Finley makes his Broad Stage debut on the venue’s Celebrity Opera Series.
RELEVANT AND REVERENT
Whether showcasing current cultural trends or paying homage to the past, music festivals offer musical exploration and audience engagement. by LIBBY SLATE
K-POP ISN’T THE ONLY South Korean music to have an impact in the United States, particularly in Los Angeles, which has the largest concentration in the U.S. of KoreanAmerican residents and of nativeborn Koreans living outside their homeland.
So organizing programs around Korean classical music and culture was only natural for the Los Angeles
Philharmonic, which presents its Seoul Festival June 3-10 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall downtown.
The five-concert event, curated by South Korean composer Unsuk Chin, includes world premieres of six L.A. Phil orchestral commissions by Korean composers, two West Coast premieres of Chin’s works, performances of the Brahms Double Concerto with Korean international
instrumental competition winners, and chamber music played by Korea’s Novus String Quartet and rising South Korean stars.
There are also art and audiovisual installations, performances, and discussions reflecting Korean identity and culture, curated by GYOPO, a Los Angeles collective of Korean cultural producers and arts professionals.
Ojai Music Festival
GOLDA
SATURDAY, MAY 24 at 6:30 pm FREE CONCERT
Don’t Miss Golda’s Next Concert of Inspirational & Sacred Music
THE ANGELIC VOICE CONCERT ST. MONICA CHURCH - FRI. JUNE 13
THE ANGELIC VOICE CONCERT ST. MONICA CHURCH - FRI. JUNE 13 at the
“Creating these deep dives allows us to bring the best and most wide-ranging and extraordinary music, composers, conductors, artists and projects to our audience,” says L.A. Phil chief programming officer Meghan Umber, referring as well to the orchestra’s other two festivals this season: Mahler Grooves, spotlighting the 1970s era when Gustav Mahler had achieved cult status among some L.A. followers, and the Handel Project, focusing on the Baroque composer.
Though the word “festival” has a religious derivation, that meaning has long since yielded to denote a mix of change-of-pace special events, learning opportunities, ancillary activities and yes, a sense of communal festivity among patrons.
Often highlighting music that may not be easily recognized or known at all by concertgoers, “The experience of discovery is something rare that we as arts organizations can provide to our communities,” Umber adds.
Festivals abound particularly in summer, when musicians’ schedules are more open for bookings and audiences are more apt to seek out pleasant diversions.
Festival themes can be straightforward, Umber says, focusing on a single composer, or more unusual, exploring cities, concepts or collaborations. The L.A. Phil is increasingly known for its adventurous offerings.
She cites the orchestra’s 2017 Reykjavik Festival as “a transformational moment for us. [Co-curatorcomposer] Daniel Bjarnason taught
us to think completely differently about how we program individual events and festivals as a whole.” It featured more than 100 composers, musicians and visual artists from the Icelandic capital.
Bjarnason’s approach included performing concerts in multiple parts, such as having pre-concert sets of chamber music; interactions
The L.A. Phil’s 2017 Reykjavík Festival.
Below: composer Unsuk Chin, curator of its upcoming Seoul Festival
PAUL
FEATURE
Ojai’s Libbey Bowl and, below, Claire Chase, this year’s music director
with visual installations and innovative set design to complement the orchestral music.
The bucolic natural setting and laidback vibe of Ojai, in Ventura County, set the tone for the town’s venerated Ojai Music Festival, which presents its 79th edition June 5-8.
Featuring a different music director every year, the festival is known for its eclectic roster of concerts at the rustic outdoor Libbey Bowl, free early morning and family concerts elsewhere, documentary screenings and talks with artists.
This year’s music director, flutist Claire Chase, champions new music; there will be four world premieres of works by Susie Ibarra, Tania León, Terry Riley and Bahar Royaee; two U.S. premieres by Liza Lim and León; and eight West Coast premieres.
“Early on in my time at Ojai, one of our board members said to me, make sure you put the
‘fest’ in festival,” says Ara Guzelimian, festival artistic and executive director since 2020. “I took that to mean ‘out of the ordinary, out of the day-to-day.’
“It means that for the most devoted audience, [Ojai is] a destination festival and an immersive experience. And for most of our audiences, I hope it means that you allow yourself to be surprised by something you never expected to be seeing or hearing and allowing yourself to experience multiple curated events together.”
Rhiannon Giddens, the 2023 festival music director, personified the Ojai unexpected: classically trained as an operatic soprano, she is also a scholar of black American
A culinary
for your theatre outing encore
A PERFECT DINING EXPERIENCE TO PAIR WITH YOUR PERFORMANCE
Indulge in a seasonal three-course prix fixe menu at Noé Restaurant & Bar, just a short walk from the theatre. Enjoy a stress-free meal with valet parking for $25 and receive 15% off your bill at Noé when you present your theatre program. Scan the QR code & reserve your table now for an unforgettable evening.
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS and McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT
present
Music and Lyrics by Book by
LAURENCE O’KEEFE and NELL BENJAMIN HEATHER HACH
Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture
Starring
KATHRYN BRUNNER
MICHAEL THOMAS GRANT ANTHEA NERI-BEST
DAHLYA GLICK BELLA HICKS NICHOLAS McDONOUGH AURELIA MICHAEL
ANNA MINTZER JANE PAPAGEORGE GRACE SIMMONS and EDWARD STAUDENMAYER with CRISTYN DANG GRANT HODGES JABARI EMMY J. LANE NATHAN MADDEN
DONOVAN MENDELOVITZ TAYLER METTRA BAILEY RENEE MILLER
BEN RAANAN DAVON RASHAWN ANTONY SANCHEZ CALLULA SAWYER
ROCHELLE SCUDDER KRYSTLE ROSE SIMMONS RODRIGO VARANDAS RIANNY VASQUEZ and LITTLE RICKY as Bruiser
Animals by WILLIAM BERLONI THEATRICAL ANIMALS
Set & Scenery Rental by Costume Design Lighting Design Sound Design Hair/Wig/Makeup Design Properties Designer FRONT ROW THEATRICAL RENTAL ADAM RAMIREZ ANNE E. McMILLS JOSH BESSOM KAITLIN YAGEN KEVIN WILLIAMS
Projection Design Associate Sound Design Associate Choreographer Casting Technical Director Company Manager JONATHAN INFANTE CHARLES GLAUDINI RODRIGO VARANDAS JULIA FLORES KEVIN CLOWES DAVID NESTOR
General Manager Production Management Production Stage Manager Assistant Stage Managers Publicist BUCK MASON SHANON MILLS HABELOW BREE SHERRY KATHERINE BARRETT DAVID ELZER TIM WOODS SAMI HANSEN DEMAND PR
Music Direction by Choreographed by RYAN O’CONNELL DANA SOLIMANDO
Directed by CYNTHIA FERRER
Original Production by Hal Luftig, Fox Theatricals, Dori Berinstein, James L. Nederlander, Independent Presenters Network, Roy Furman, Amanda Lipitz, Broadway Asia, Barbara Whitman, FWPM Group, Hendel/Wiesenfeld, Goldberg/Binder, Stern/Meyer, Lane/Comley, Bartner-Jenkins/Nocciolino and Warren Trepp; Produced in association with MGM Onstage, Darcie Denkert and Dean Stolber.
Legally Blonde The Musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
OPENING NIGHT APRIL 25, 2025
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS www.LaMiradaTheatre.com
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Elle Woods.................................................................................................KATHRYN BRUNNER*
Emmett Forrest..............................................................................MICHAEL THOMAS GRANT*
Paulette ANTHEA NERI-BEST*
Professor Callahan ........................................................................ EDWARD STAUDENMAYER*
Understudies and Swings never substitute for listed players unless a specific announcement for the appearance is made at the time of the performance.
Understudies: For Elle Woods & Vivienne - Tayler Mettra; for Emmett Forrest - Donovan Mendelovitz; for Paulette - Krystle Rose Simmons*; for Professor Callahan - Nathan Madden*; for Warner Huntingon III - Ben Raanan; for Brooke Wyndham, Pilar & Serena - Bailey Renee Miller; for Enid - Rianny Vasquez; for Margot - Emmy J. Lane
Swings: Emmy J. Lane, Ben Raanan
Production Stage Manager ....................................................................................... BREE SHERRY*
Assistant Stage Managers..............................................KATHERINE BARRETT*, SAMI HANSEN*
“Legally Blonde Remix” Vivienne, Enid, Elle, Company
Scene 7: Courtroom/Bathroom of the Wyndham Mansion
“Scene of the Crime” ....................................................................................... Elle and Company
Scene 8: Harvard Law Graduation
“Find My Way/Finale” ..................................................................... Elle, Paulette and Company
ORCHESTRA
Conductor/Keyboard 1 – Ryan O’Connell; Keyboard 2 – Andrew Lederman; Keyboard 3 – Nicholas Michael Johnson; Reed 1 (Alto Sax/Flute/Clarinet/Oboe/English Horn) – Brandon Wilkins; Reed 2 (Bari Sax/Clarinet/Flute) – Brian Clancy; Trumpet 1 – Javier Gonzalez; Trumpet 2 – David Pittel; Trombone – Danny Lawlor; Violin – Mary Keating; Guitar (Electric/Steel String/Nylon String/12-String Acoustic/Mandolin) – Nick Anton; Bass (Acoustic/Electric/Fretless/5-String) – Chelsea Gwizdala; Drums – Danny Taylor; Percussion – Nick Stone; Orchestra Contractor – Eric Heinly
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S NOTES
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELLE!
Hard to believe, but our gal “Elle Woods” is turning 25 next year. For whatever reason, she seems forever young. That’s partly because the success of the story itself is predicated on a certain youthful innocence, which is perennially appealing.
The unusual journey of “Elle Woods” is actually based on a true story. The musical (like the famous film) is inspired by a 2001 novel by Amanda Brown, who based it on her real-life experiences as a blonde attending Stanford Law School in 1993, while being obsessed with fashion and beauty, reading Elle magazine, and frequently clashing with the personalities of her peers.
Brown wrote letters to her parents about these experiences and originally thought about writing a book of essays about her law school experience until a literary agent advised her to adapt them into a novel. Brown took a community college writing class, put together a manuscript, and shopped the book around but was unsuccessful. She later resubmitted her manuscript again, this time in pink, which got the attention of an agent. “Movie people went nuts,” she says.
One of those “movie people” was producer Marc Platt, who later went on to lead a little musical called Wicked. Platt was intrigued by the character of “Elle Woods,” saying, “What I loved about this story is that it’s hilarious, it’s sexy and, at the same time, it’s empowering. The world looks at Elle and sees someone who is blonde and beautiful, but nothing more. Elle, on the other hand, doesn’t judge herself or anybody else. She thinks the world’s great, she’s great, everyone’s great and nothing can change that. She’s truly an irrepressible modern heroine.”
The film’s original director, Robert Luketic, points out the pitfalls in keeping the character sympathetic, on-screen or onstage. “How can the audience feel sorry for a rich girl driving a Porsche? Also, the character has to dress in a very particular way that isn’t distracting or off-putting. Ultimately, every decision comes from a certain innocence of the character.” This quality was key in casting the star of our La Mirada Theatre production, and we were fortunate to find it in Kathryn Brunner, along with her insanely gifted, enthusiastic, and equally important cast-mates.
As Reese Witherspoon, the original screen “Elle” observed when she researched actual sorority girls, “I saw how polite these women are, and I saw how much they value their female friendships and how important it is to support each other.” That message continues to resonate in the musical version of Amanda Brown’s story –and will likely still be potent 25 years from now. (See at your 50th, Elle!)
BT McNicholl Producing Artistic Director
What started it all: the first edition of the novel LEGALLY BLONDE (2001)
The real-life inspiration for “Elle” — author Amanda Brown
WHO’S WHO
(in alphabetical order)
KATHRYN BRUNNER (Elle Woods) is so excited to be making her La Mirada debut by stepping into her favorite pink shoes! Select credits: Elle in Legally Blonde (Walnut Street Theatre, Riverside Theatre), Ella in Cinderella (Sacramento Music Circus, Walnut Street Theatre), Sophie in Mamma Mia! (Pioneer Theatre), Val in A Chorus Line (Penn Shakespeare), and Ariel in Footloose (Arrow Rock Lyceum). Snaps to the cast and creative team, Cynthia, TPG, and BP. For mom, who has taught me the power of being a strong blonde woman.
CRISTYN DANG (Delta Nu, Stenographer, Ensemble) is grateful to be back at La Mirada! Originally from Honolulu, HI; USC alum. Favorite credits: Rogers the Musical (Antman, Hyperion Theatre), The Little Mermaid (Adella, Regional Tour), The King and I (Simon of Legree, La Mirada), Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer: The Musical (Elf/Spotted Elephant, National Tour), Killer Burlesque, Disneyland parades, Rose Parade, KATSEYE skeleton crew, and commercials for Apple x TikTok. Much love to her family, friends, and GTA! @dangitscristyn
DAHLYA GLICK they/them (Enid, Ensemble) is thrilled to be making their La Mirada debut! Writer/ performer with Quick & Funny Musicals (Upright Citizens Brigade), Story Pirates, and comedy band Femmedy Trio. Select Theatre credits: A Transparent Musical (dir. Tina Landau, CTG), It’s All Your Fault, Tyler Price! (dir. Kristin Hanggi), A Wicked Soul in Cherry Hill (The Geffen Playhouse). TV: “Criminal Minds Evolution,” “Perry Mason,” “Scream Queens,” “SpongeBob SquarePants.” Original music on all platforms under Dahlya Mani. IG: @oprahwinfreckle | dahlyaglick.com
MICHAEL THOMAS GRANT (Emmett Forrest) is an actor and visual artist best known for his role as Leif Donnelly in “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” on NBC. You may have also seen him on “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC), “The Rookie: Feds” (ABC), “Roadies” (Stars), “The Fosters” (Freeform), or in one of many theatre shows throughout Los Angeles, including Mystic Pizza at La Mirada! He’d like to thank his various D&D groups for being patient with his schedule.
BELLA HICKS (Serena) Grateful to be back at La Mirada! Recently: Waitress 2nd National Tour (Ensemble, u/s Dawn), Prelude to a Kiss (South Coast Rep, Milwaukee Rep), Disney’s Rogers the Musical (Starkette), Grease (La Mirada, Frenchy), Rudolph The Musical National Tour (Rudolph). Soloist for Gay Men’s Chorus of LA, Amazon’s The Boys at SD Comic Con, cast recording of Rogers the Musical. Thank you to Julia, Cynthia, Ryan, Dana, MRE, ATB Talent, her family and Ky. Original music & more on IG: @bellahicks
GRANT HODGES he/they (Winthrop, Elle’s Dad, Reporter, Ensemble) Back for his 10th production at La Mirada! BA: UCLA’s Ray Bolger Musical Theater Program. Recently: Nick Massi, Jersey Boys (MTW), Caiaphas, Jesus Christ Superstar (Broadway National Tour). Many Netflix VO projects, including the titular role, Simon/Maxxie, in Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super Shero, currently in film festivals across the country. Other: Kenickie, Grease (La Mirada), Chuck, Footloose (The Rev), Kristoff/Hans, Frozen — Live at the Hyperion (DCA). All the love to my family, friends, and everyone at ATB. IG: @grant_hodges
JABARI (Kiki, Ensemble) is so very thrilled to be performing in this show! He is originally from The Bronx and is excited to continue his acting journey with Legally Blonde. Jabari’s other acting credits include Seaweed J. Stubbs in Hairspray and Angel in RENT. He would like to thank his family & friends for all their constant love and support, and the team for trusting him with this vision. He hopes you all enjoy the show!
EMMY J. LANE (Swing, u/s Margot) is thrilled to be making her La Mirada debut! Most recently seen as Lily St. Regis in Annie at The Milton Theatre. Other credits include Urinetown, Into the Woods, and Dog Sees God. BA in Theatre from The University of Southern California. Endless gratitude to McCoy Rigby Entertainment, Flores Casting, and the whole LB team. Special thanks to Dana Solimando. All the love to Lizz Picini, her family, and friends for their unwavering support. @emmy.lane
NATHAN MADDEN (Kyle, Dewey, Pforzheimer, Ensemble, u/s Prof. Callahan) is a well-rounded actor, choreographer, director and designer. Seen on: “Welcome to Chippendales” as Dr. Hunkenstein, “Hunters” as Ernst, “Perfect Harmony” and “General Hospital.” This graduate of the Juilliard School has performed with BJM DANSE, Twyla’s Come Fly Away, Broadway’s CHICAGO, An American in Paris, and the revival of Hello, Dolly! He is passionate about supporting youth organizations through ministry, as well as his water creations with WET. From Glory to Glory. @nathanmaddenofficial
NICHOLAS McDONOUGH (Warner Huntington III) is thrilled to be part of this production. TV/Film: Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies (Paramount+) and Pretty Little Liars (HBO Max). Theatre: Grand Hotel and Simply Sondheim (Signature Theatre), Grease (Prather Productions), South Pacific (Cape Playhouse), and Jekyll and Hyde (Axelrod Playhouse). Special thanks to his family, DGRW, and everyone at Vision Entertainment.
DONOVAN MENDELOVITZ (Aaron, Ensemble, u/s Emmett) is beyond stoked to be joining the cast of Legally Blonde at La Mirada. Recent credits: Fiddler on the Roof (La Mirada), Cabaret (5-Star Theatricals), Jersey Boys (Musical Theatre West), Rock of Ages (San Antonio Broadway). As a born and raised “valley girl” he dedicates this performance to his valley crew. Shout out to Tom, Cynthia, Dana, Ryan, Julia and his team at ATB Talent for this opportunity. www.donovan-mendelovitz.com
TAYLER METTRA (D.A. Joyce Riley, Salon Owner, Ensemble, u/s Elle, u/s Vivienne) I am so thrilled to be back on stage, doing what I love! Recent MRE Credits: Waitress, The Little Mermaid, and Mystic Pizza. For a full list of credits, please visit my website at taylermettra.com. A huge thank you to YOU for supporting live theatre, Tom and Cathy, this incredible creative team, Julia, FSE, my family, my students, and my loving husband! OMG, enjoy!
AURELIA MICHAEL (Pilar, Ensemble) A Bronx girl in an LA world. La Mirada debut!! By Credit: Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (Broadway), A Wonderful World (Broadway, Tour). Regional:
Grease, In the Heights, Damn Yankees, Ghost. By Calling: Life Coach & Voice Over Coach/Artist. Grateful to be back in the Delta Nu house 14 years later. Blessed wife, puppy mommy, and vessel of God.
BAILEY RENEE MILLER (Delta Nu, Ensemble, u/s Brooke, u/s Serena, u/s Pilar) is so jazzed to make her La Mirada Theatre debut! Recent credits include: The Little Mermaid with McCoy Rigby Entertainment (Attina/Ensemble), Romeo and Juliet and Bonnie and Clyde with Collide Theatrical Dance Company, Buckets and Tap Shoes: The Storage Unit Chronicles, Legally Blonde (Brooke), Matilda (Mrs. Wormwood), Beehive (Alison) at Cedar Summerstock. Proud Oklahoma City University Dance grad. The most love and biggest hugs to my family and friends! www.baileyreneemiller.com
ANNA MINTZER ( Vivienne Kensington ) Theatre: The Sound of Music (Broadway Tour, 1st National, u/s Maria, performed), Noises Off (Geffen Playhouse/Steppenwolf Co-Pro), Bright Star (MTW, Alice Murphy, BWW Award), Emma (ETC), The Door to America (SheLA). Industry Presentations: Arena Stage’s Mead Center, NYC’s Players Theatre, The Wallis, MTW New Works Festival. TV/Film: “New Dogs, Old Tricks” (recurring, Amazon), Easter Mysteries (Fathom Events Feature), “Blue Bloods” (CBS). Original music on Spotify/ iTunes. BFA, Syracuse University. IG: @Anna.Mintzer
ANTHEA NERI-BEST (Paulette) is excited to make her La Mirada debut! TV credits include “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Tacoma FD,” “S.W.A.T.,” “Happy’s Place,” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” She’s voiced characters in Spider-Man 2 and Saints Row and performed at Carnegie Hall. Theater credits include Mamma Mia! , Next to Normal , and Oliver! Recently, she produced and starred in the 18x award-winning horrorrom-com Sheryl . “Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.” For mom. Follow her on social @officialanthea
JANE PAPAGEORGE ( Brooke Wyndham, Ensemble) is proud to finally make her La Mirada debut! Recent credits include 44: The Obama
Musical (Sara Palin, CTG/Kirk Douglas), Reefer Madness (Sally DeBain, LA revival). Cast album out now! Regional: A Christmas Story (Miss Sheilds u/s, CTG/The Ahmanson), A Chorus Line (Val, The Rev), 42nd Street (Anytime Annie, MTW), HAIR (Hollywood Bowl), Frozen — Live at the Hyperion (Princess Anna). Thanks to LA Talent and Robert Stein Management, and all my love to CJ. IG: @janepapageorge
BEN RAANAN ( Swing, u/s Warner ) graduated from NYU with a BM in Vocal Performance, then moved home to LA to seek out the theatre community here. He most recently appeared as Bat Boy in Bat Boy at Atwater Village Theater and Snake in The School for Scandal at The Actor’s Co-op . NYU Favorites: Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast and Lovborg in Hedda Gabler . He’s so excited to make his professional debut in this iconic anthem for blondes everywhere!
DAVON RASHAWN ( Ensemble ) has been immersed in dance since childhood, training in hip-hop, ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, and musical theatre. He earned his BFA in Dance from USC and has performed works by Jiří Kylián, William Forsythe, and Jermaine Spivey. His credits include Hairspray, Mamma Mia!, In the Heights, Nickelodeon, New York Fashion Week, and a campaign for ON starring Zendaya. Now, he’s bringing his vision to life through captivating short films — follow his journey: @Davonrashawn.
ANTONY SANCHEZ ( Carlos , Lowell , Ensemble )
Thrilled to join Legally Blonde at La Mirada, his fourth time performing the show! Recently Bernardo in West Side Story (International Tour), performing worldwide, with highlights including Dubai, Tokyo, Bangkok, Paris, Munich, and Zürich — where he made history as the first Bernardo ever in India. Other credits: Evita, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, On Your Feet! TV/Film: “Law & Order: SVU,” “American Horror Story,” “Dying for Sex,” Comedy Central’s “Alternatino.” IG: @sanchez_antony_
CALLULA SAWYER ( Delta Nu, Ensemble ) is delighted to return to the La Mirada stage with McCoy Rigby, in one of her dream
shows, Legally Blonde ! Selected credits include Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical National Tour, Tootsie (Moonlight Amphitheatre), Joseph… (MRE/La Mirada), Topsy in The King and I (MRE/La Mirada). A warm thank you to Julia, cast and crew. Hugs and kisses to her family and friends for their continuous love and support!!
ROCHELLE SCUDDER ( Elle’s Mom, Courtney, Ensemble, Animal Handler ) is an actress and animal handler for William Berloni Theatrical Animals. She has handled a variety of animals for Film, TV, and Theatre including Broadway’s The Ferryman and MAX’s “And Just Like That.. . ” On stage, she has played Glinda in The Wizard of Oz , Grace Farrell in Annie , and understudied Elle Woods in Legally Blonde while simultaneously handling the canine stars. Additionally, she has trained dozens of actors nationwide to handle their furry co-stars. @rochellescudder
GRACE SIMMONS ( Margot ) is beyond excited to be making her McCoy Rigby debut! Recent credits include Lorraine cover/ensemble in 42nd Street (Musical Theater West), The Wedding Singer , 42nd Street , Escape to Margaritaville (Moonlight Amphitheater), Maggie in A Chorus Line, Lucy Grant in Bright Star (Fullerton College). Grace also performs at Knott’s Berry Farm and you can catch her dancing and singing there. All the love to Emme and her family.
KRYSTLE ROSE SIMMONS ( Store Manager, Whitney, Judge, Ensemble, u/s Paulette ) Awardwinning singer, actress, and VO performer. Thrilled to make her La Mirada debut. Select credits: appearances on “ICSYV” S1 E8, the “Ellen DeGeneres Show,” and Andy Cohen’s “Watch What Happens Live.” Regional Theatre: Roger’s the Musical , Invincible , The Baby Dance: Mixed (Ovation Award Nominee, Female Lead), Memphis (NAACP Theater Award Nominee & Inland Theater Award Winner, Female Lead). Her Mantra is “Be true to yourself. The world is a stage, and you are the lead!!”
EDWARD STAUDENMAYER (Professor Callahan) Broadway: Wonderland, Girl from the North Country, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me. Tours: Anastasia, The Phantom of the Opera, Anything Goes, Beauty and the Beast, Scarlet Pimpernel, Joseph… Other: Forbidden Broadway, South Pacific, A Little Night Music, Spamalot, Man of La Mancha, The Addams Family, Something Rotten, Mamma Mia!, On the 20th Century, Jane Eyre, How I Learned to Drive, Hand to God, Noises Off, A Room with a View, CATS (Hamburg). Film: 1001. UCLA Graduate.
RODRIGO VARANDAS (Nikos, Chad, Cezar, Ensemble, Associate Choreographer, Dance Captain ) is a theater producer, writer, director, and choreographer, creating and performing across the globe. He dedicates this show to everyone who has supported him, with a special note to David Robinson: “You taught me the importance of belonging and being loved. You are priceless. I love you.” An advocate for BIPOC representation, Rodrigo believes in a world where love and kindness lead the way. Te amo, Mãe e Tia Lourdes.
RIANNY VASQUEZ (Kate, Chutney, Ensemble) is overjoyed to be back at LMT with Legally Blonde! She is a graduate from AMDA whom you may have seen in El Otro Oz (Mother/The Wizard, Theatreworks), Grease (Jan, La Mirada Theatre), Cinderella’s Castle (StarKid), Waitress (Dawn, La Mirada Theatre), Cabaret (Helga, 5-Star Theatricals). She wants to express deep gratitude and appreciation to her loved ones and a big thank you to DDO Artists!
LITTLE RICKY (Bruiser) Adopted by his trainer/ guardian Bill Berloni in 2018 from the Connecticut Humane Society. He’s a survivor, proving to have the right stuff for the role of Bruiser. He’s been performing for over eight years. Performance highlight: at the MUNY St. Louis, where he performed in front of 12,000 people a night and never missed a cue. Recent Film: Ethan Coen’s Drive Away Dolls . He dedicates this performance to all the chihuahuas looking for a home.
HEATHER HACH ( Book ) is a screenwriter (Freaky Friday and What to Expect When You’re Expecting) and Tony-nominated and Olivierwinning Broadway librettist ( Legally Blonde The Musical ). A graduate of the University of Colorado School of Journalism, Hach went on to become a magazine editor, an improv comedy troupe member and, even weirder yet, a judge on MTV’s “The Search for the Next Elle Woods.” She was a mediocre PA on TV’s “Caroline in the City” and a truly terrible writer’s assistant on “Dilbert.” Thankfully, in 1999, she won the Walt Disney Screenwriting Fellowship and has been writing ever since. She also wrote the YA novel Freaky Monday with Mary Rodgers. The Trouble with Drowning is her adult novel debut. Hach lives in Manhattan Beach with her husband, two kids, a charming golden doodle and a weird pug.
LAURENCE O’KEEFE (Music & Lyrics) Born in 1969, he pursued a career as a writer. Attended Harvard College, writing for the Harvard Lampoon while studying anthropology and performing in Hasty Pudding Theatricals drag burlesque shows. Composed Suede Expectations and wrote a libretto for Romancing the Throne for productions at Harvard. Studied composition and film scoring at Berklee College of Music in Boston; received master’s in composition for film and television from USC. His first major production was Bat Boy: The Musical (2001, Off-Broadway), received eight Drama Desk Nominations, and has been produced internationally in South Korea, Japan, Scotland, and beyond. His next hit was Legally Blonde The Musical (2007) which he wrote along with his wife, Nell Benjamin. They received a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Music and Lyrics, as well as a Tony nomination for Best Score. Next big production was Heathers: The Musical (2014). This cultclassic had an Off-Broadway run (2014) and West End production (2018). Writes music for movies, TV and concerts; is the head of the Music Department for Harvard University; and teaches masterclasses across the USA at schools such as NYU, Berklee College of Music, and Yale University.
NELL BENJAMIN (Music & Lyrics) co-wrote the score to Legally Blonde The Musical with composer Laurence O’Keefe, which received Tony Award nominations, Drama Desk nominations, and the Olivier and Helpmann Awards for Best Musical. Nell wrote the lyrics to Mean Girls, which received multiple Tony Award nominations, including for Best Original Score and Best Musical. Wrote: The Explorers Club (Winner, Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Play, the Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award, and an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation grant). Book and/ or lyrics author: Pirates! (or Gilbert and Sullivan plunder’d), Sarah, Plain and Tall, Cam Jansen (Drama Desk-nominated), I Want My Hat Back, How I Became A Pirate, The Mice, Life of the Party and Because of Winn Dixie. Upcoming musicals: Huzzah!, Life of the Party, Dave. TV writing: “Unhappily Ever After,” Animal Planet’s “Whoa! Sunday with Mo Rocca,” “Electric Company,” “Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris,” “Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway,” “Julie’s Greenroom.” Recipient: Kleban Foundation Award and a Jonathan Larson Grant.
CYNTHIA FERRER ( Director ) Directed/ choreographed major musicals around the country, including Singin’ in the Rain, 9 to 5, Damn Yankees, 42nd Street, Peter Pan, Camelot, King and I, Louisiana Purchase Leading roles in over 100 musicals and in four Broadway/National Tours, including Singin’ in the Rain (original Kathy Selden). Roles in Film: Mother’s Day, Valentine’ s Day, Georgia Rule. TV: “Cougartown,” “Crossing Jordan,” “General Hospital” (Dr. Rachael Ryan), “B Positive“ with Garry Marshall, Julia Roberts, Carol Burnett, Alec Baldwin, and Courtney Cox.
DANA SOLIMANDO (Choreographer) Grateful to be back with McCoy Rigby and this incredible Company! Awards include three Los Angeles Stage Alliance Ovation Awards, seven Ovation nominations, NAACP nominations, SDCC, and three L.A. Drama Critics Circle nominations. Multiple tours, international, regional productions nationwide, and Broadway performance credits. Deep gratitude to Tom, Cathy, Cynthia, Ryan and Rodrigo! Love to my clan Buck, Hailey, and Jude www.danasolimando.com.
RYAN O’CONNELL (Musical Director) Thrilled to be back! Ryan has worked on more than 75 productions as an MD, orchestrator, and composer. Favorite credits: Ernest Shackleton Loves Me (2nd Stage NYC), Ragtime (1st National), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (La Mirada/ McCoy Rigby), Mary Poppins (MTW), and Private Jones (Signature Theatre). He has helped create music for NBC, CBS, Fox, Netflix, Cartoon Network, Disney World, and Disneyland, where he currently works as a music director and teaching artist. www.ryanomusic.com
JULIA FLORES ( Casting ) Celebrating our 31st season with McCoy Rigby Entertainment. Past MRE productions include touring productions of Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby, Camelot, Jesus Christ Superstar and The Little Mermaid. Additional credits include productions for Boston Court Theatre, The REV Theatre Company, Ensemble Theatre Company, TheatreWorks, Denver Center Theatre, A Noise Within, The Pasadena Playhouse, Portland Center Stage. Thank you my Gracie for stepping in to help and for just being you!
ADAM RAMIREZ (Costume Designer) Costume Designer/Coordinator living and working in Los Angeles and Orange County. He’s been part of every show at La Mirada Theatre for the past four years. Credits include LMT: Clue , Mamma Mia! , Million Dollar Quartet , Beautiful: The Carole King Musical , On Your Feet , In the Heights , The Little Mermaid , The King and I , Fiddler on the Roof . He would like to thank his friends and family for all the love and support over the years.
ANNE E. McMILLS (Lighting Designer) is a lighting designer (USA829), professor (San Diego State University), and author (The Assistant Lighting Designer’s Toolkit). Recent: Widows, The Hanging, A Calico Christmas Carol (Knott’s Scary Farm), BMX Blast, Shamu & Crew, Stocking Full of Soul (SeaWorld), Little Fellow & Oklahoma (upcoming at Cygnet) and 2 Rappers, 2 Plays (Old Globe/Soulkiss Theatre). This is her first production with McCoy Rigby. Anne is committed to the principles of anti-racism and antioppression. www.annemcmillslighting.com.
JOSH BESSOM (Sound Designer) Designs for MRE include Jersey Boys, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Cabaret, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Les Misérables, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Ovation Nom), and more. Other favorites: National tour of Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan, Carrie: The Musical, Miss Saigon, LA Theatre Works’ national tour of The Graduate, and LMT’s productions of American Idiot, Floyd Collins, and Spring Awakening. He runs the independent record label, Organik Records, and plays bass and flute.
KAITLIN YAGEN (Hair/Wig/Makeup Designer) is thrilled to be designing again for McCoy Rigby. Design credits include Fiddler on the Roof, Waitress, Jersey Boys, Mystic Pizza, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Joseph…, The King and I, Grease, The Sound of Music, Beauty and the Beast, Peter Pan, Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, Carrie: The Musical. Kaitlin loves the work she does and the joy it brings to the audience. Thank you to baby Harvey, my husband and family for their continuous love and support.
KEVIN WILLIAMS ( Properties Designer ) A recovering actor, Kevin has worked as a designer, fabricator and consultant for over 25 years. Past clients include Walt Disney Imagineering, Buena Vista Pictures, Discovery Cube, & Twentieth Century Fox. As Production Designer with theatre company, Delusion: Lies Within, Crimson Queen, Lies Within VR, Blue Blade and Reaper’s Remorse. Kevin is the Prop Department Supervisor for UCLA’s School of Theater, Film & Television and lives in Orange County with his incredible family.
JONATHAN INFANTE (Projection Designer) is a multi-media designer and artist based out of Southern California. Owner of Infante Media, a boutique production company, that has developed video content for television, film, museums, concert tours, plays and musicals around the world. National Tours: The Cher Show, Legally Blonde, An American in Paris/South Pacific, Dreamgirls. Regional Credits: Jersey Boys (MRE, CCAE, MTW), Matilda (Tuachan), Prince of Egypt (Tuacahn), Newsies (Moonlight), Big Fish (Moonlight), Mary Poppins (MRE), American Idiot (LMT).
CHARLES GLAUDINI (Associate Sound Designer) is an LA Drama Critics Award nominated sound designer and music director based in LA. Favorite credits include Reefer Madness (25th Anniversary Revival, LA Theatre Bites Nomination) and Fiddler on the Roof with Jason Alexander (La Mirada). He holds a BA in Music from UC San Diego and an MFA in Sound Design from CalArts. Thanks to everyone at LMT, MRE, Mom, Dad, and all his mentors, past and present.
BREE SHERRY (Production Stage Manager) Off-Broadway: MCC, Atlantic Theater Company; Regional: Pasadena Playhouse, MTW, South Coast Rep, Geffen Playhouse, La Mirada Theatre, Kirk Douglas, TACFA, San Diego Rep, Laguna Playhouse, Florida Rep, Merrimack Rep, The Washington Ballet, Kennedy Center, Studio Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, Triad Stage, Yale Rep. Award Shows: Latin Grammys, Drama Desk Awards. TV: “Euphoria,” “Encore,” “So You Think You Can Dance.” She’s taught at UCLA, CalArts, Pepperdine, Elon University, and Greensboro College. MFA in Stage Management, Yale University, School of Drama.
KATHERINE BARRETT (Assistant Stage Manager) has stage managed on 3 continents and performed all manner of stage craft wizardry across the United States. Some of her favorite productions include, Off Broadway: Wiesenthal. Regional: Mystic Pizza, Matilda, A Man of No Importance, The Crucible, The Bluest Eye, and Man of La Mancha. Katherine is the Production Manager for the Whittier Center Theater, where she has overseen the technical needs for community events for many years.
SAMI HANSEN ( Assistant Stage Manager ) is excited to be making her La Mirada debut. Recent credits include Macbeth, A Christmas Carol (A Noise Within), Bumbled (Central Square Theater), Guys and Dolls, The Sound of Music, The Arcadians (Ohio Light Opera), Launch (CalArts School of Dance), Seven Deadly Sins (CalArts School of Theater), Sweeney Todd SM Cover (A Noise Within), Spring Senior Solos (USC Kaufman School of Dance). MFA, California Institute of the Arts. BFA, Belmont University.
WILLIAM BERLONI ( Animal Trainer ) 2011 Tony Honoree for Excellence in Theatre. Broadway: 33 Broadway shows from Annie (1977) to GYPSY (2025). Animal Director for the new musical Because of Winn Dixie. Credits include hundreds of Off-Broadway, regional, national tours, television shows and movies including the head trainer for the new film The Friend starring Naomi Watts. Author of Broadway Tails. Follow us on Facebook: William Berloni Theatrical Animals, Inc; Instagram: berlonitheatricalanimals and www.theatricalanimals.com.
DAVID ELZER (Publicist) represents La Mirada Theatre, 5-Star Theatricals, Ensemble Theatre Company, Laguna Playhouse, Road Theatre Company, Rubicon Theatre Company. He is also an Ovation, Drama Desk, LADCC, LA Weekly, and Garland Award-winning theatrical producer and recipient of the LADCC Joel Hirschhorn Award for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theatre. Productions include Justin Love, Having it All, The Marvelous Wonderettes and Winter Wonderettes at the El Portal, Life Could Be a Dream at the Hudson, and the Off-Broadway run of The Marvelous Wonderettes. Many thanks to BT, Jane, Tom, and Cathy and thank you for supporting La Mirada Theatre!
ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA), founded in 1913, represents more than 49,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence. www.actorsequity.org
McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT (Tom McCoy & Cathy Rigby McCoy, Executive Producers ) Broadway: Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby, Jekyll and Hyde starring Deborah Cox. National Tours: Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby, Camelot starring
Michael York and Lou Diamond Phillips, Jesus Christ Superstar starring Carl Anderson, Annie Get Your Gun starring Cathy Rigby, Happy Days the Musical by Gary Marshall and Paul Williams, Seussical The Musical starring Cathy Rigby. International: Miss Saigon (Macau), Dreamgirls (Tokyo), Peter Pan (Macau & Riyadh). Awards: Emmy Awards and Nominations, Tony Award Nominations, countless Ovation Awards and Nominations. La Mirada Theatre: 30th season having produced over 100 musicals, plays, concerts, special events. TV: Peter Pan (A&E), A Night with Janis Joplin and Peter Pan (Broadway HD).
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
The Tony-nominated theatre has been hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “one of the best Broadway-style houses in Southern California.” This beautiful state-of-the-art theatre has been producing quality productions since 1977. The theatre has produced several national tours and is the recipient of many accolades, including Tony, Emmy and Ovation Award nominations. For its 2012-13 season, it won the LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award for Best Season of the Year.
TheDesignersatthisTheatre The Designers at this Theatre areRepresentedby are Represented by
LA MIRADA CITY COUNCIL
JOHN LEWIS Mayor
ED ENG Mayor Pro Tem
MICHELLE VELASQUEZ BEAN Councilmember
STEVE DE RUSE ...................................................... Councilmember
ANTHONY OTERO ……...Councilmember
JEFF BOYNTON City Manager
SPECIAL THANKS
City of La Mirada and Friends of the La Mirada Theatre
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS STAFF
BT McNICHOLL Producing Artistic Director
DEVIS ANDRADE House Manager
JANE LYNCH ................................. Theatre Operations Supervisor
HELENE DUARTE Contracts Associate
ELIZABETH CARLOCK Ticket Services Manager
SARAH PETHER-HAMILL Assistant Ticket Services Coordinator
KYLE DURAN ................................... Theatre Facilities Coordinator
AILEEN BELTRAN, IAN B. DE LEON, NANCY DENTON, MARY DUNNE, LORI JEAN, BEVERLY KIRTON, MARLON MAGTIBAY, ALETHEA MILLER, ELAINE REZA, MEGAN SINGER, KATIE SPARKS, CATHERINE VARTAN Box Office Associates
ALEXANDRA BRACCIO Assistant House Manager
LINDA COTA, TREVOR JONES .................................... Lead Ushers
MERCY BLUMBERG, HAZEL BUSCAINO, LOGAN CRAWFORD, JENNIFER DE LEON, TOMMY DODD, AARON ESPINOSA, ITZEL FALCON-VASSALLO, NORRIE FAULKNER, SONJA JOHNSON, HANNAH LANDIS, DANA MARTIN, TATIANA MARTINEZ, JENNIFER NELSON, MARTHA REYES, ALEXANDRIA SHEETS, MARCIA TOTTEN, GARY WONG Ushers
NEAL MYRON ANG, LUIS DIAZ, FRANCISCO FERNANDEZ, RAYMOND F. GARCIA, TIMOTHY HILL, EDUARDO LOERA, JACOB MOLINA, RAUL MORALES, RAY ROMERO Theatre Maintenance
AUSTIN BILLINS, ASTAZZIA CALDERON, AUGUST CHAFFIN, PADEN HARVEY.............................Deck Crew
ROCHELLE SCUDDER Animal Handler
KODI JACKMAN, ALINA PHELAN Casting Assistants
ANDREW LEDERMAN Rehearsal Pianist
DANNY TAYLOR ............................................... Rehearsal Drummer
MARISSA HERRERA Workplace Cultural Consultant
ELISSA SZIEFF Production Accountant
VENDORS
Scenery Rental Provided by Front Row Theatrical Rental Prop Rental from TMT Company Costume Rentals from Dylan A. Blussick
SUPPORTERS OF OUR 2024-2025 SEASON
$1,000 & Above
Aaron Adrian
Kenneth and Sherry Becker
Donna & Art Carter
Bob & Marianne Hughlett
Mr. Rick Kleemann
La Mirada United Methodist
Men’s Club
Beverly Sutherland
Lynnette Weiss
Gary and Patrice Werschmidt
$500 & Above
Donald and Lucy Crumrine
Patsy Estrellas
Ralph and Carol Hansen
Mr. Robert Henley
Ms. Joan M. Lewis
Rita and Bob Rubin
Brewer and Janet Ward
Steven Wren and Andrea Morales
Mr. Gregg William Yost
$250 & Above
Deborah Anderson
Mr. Paul Bailey
Bill Braden
Frank and Brenda Eley
Rhona Gewelber and Hali
Gewelber Lieb
Patrick and Connie Hershelman
Barry and Cathi Hofstetter
Anonymous
Mr. Keith Kato
Linda Kusuda
Mr. Larry W. Lamb
Ms. Patricia Lamont
Ms. Kathleen LeClair
Mr. Paul David K Naval
Glenn Osborne
Jeanne & Larry Reddel
Marilyn and Timothy Rich
The Mannix Family
Ms. Alice Van Klaveren
Lawrence and Marjorie White
Steve and Cristina Zavatsky
$100 & Above
Richard and Carol Abram
Ms. Gayelea Allison
Ms. Ellen Ardman
Betsy Azariah
Matt Bagne
Robert and Virginia Ball
Robert and Linda Barreda
Susan Beigbeder
William and Rowena Beinbrech
Marilyn Bradley
Victor Skip Brown
Ms. Rosa Carrillo-Coronado
Mr. Rodolfo Chacon
Joseph and Barbara Chamberlain
Louis and Rhonda Cohen
David & Julie Cole
Ivan and Eleanor Cranston
Stephanie Davis and Diana Scott
Dr. John and Mitzy Demman
Michael & Vicki Desler
Ken and Alma Desowitz
Ms. Jacqueline Di Pinto
Bruce and Sandy Dickinson
Robin Draper
Joel Drum
Anonymous
Robin Ek
Dr. Wendy Elliott
Ms. Natalie Fennel
Kerry Gaines
Paul and Linda Geier
Don and Janice Glaser
Ms. Cindy Havenhill
Ronald and Grace Hinders
Michael and Nina Iachelli
Timothy and Pamela Jackson
Mrs. Virginia Lee Jacobs
Mr. Paul Jacobsen
Ms. Sylvia Jarvi
David and Emily Johnson
Douglas W. Jones
George & Lindi Judd
Kate Kaplan
Mr. John Kendall
Mr. James Kenzik
Mr. Ron D. King
James and Carolyn Kloman
Helen Kulper
Ana Marie Lenoue
Janice Lysiak
Russell & Mary Maguire
Myra Malburg
Frank and Alicia Marshall
Ms. Sharon K. McKay
Rob and Sandy McLaughlin
Joseph and Alane Mendez
Mrs. Helen Michaels
Dalyn Miller-Geiser
Dr. Marjorie C. Mitchell
Mr. Dwight Morgan
Ms. Joalyn Mushin
Charles and Cathleen Niederman
Mrs. Marjorie Dianne Nilsen
Robert and Marge O’Brien
Bonnie Jo & Lee Panagos
Peter and Ursula Piotrowski
Stuart and Hilary Preston
Phyllis Pringle
Janette and Youn Pyun
Mr. Frank Ramirez
Betty Jean Reinard
Mr. Daniel G. Riddle
Scott and Kristin Ritsema
Fausto and Cindy Rowlan
Albert Ruiz & Doris von Rotz
Ms. Bari Russell
Mr. Frank Schools
Tom and Melissa Schulman
Pamela Shararian
Ms. Anne L. Shaw
Stephen and Fran Sherman
Drs. Neal Shindel & Joan Dengrove
Mrs. Jean Sigler
Ms. JoAnne Sims
Walter and Faye Smelich
Ms. Kathy Songer
Barbara Speicher
Michael and Hilda Sugarman
John and Jeanette Svet
Teresa Sweet
Mr. Claudio Taniguchi
Ron and Jeannette Tozaki
Ms. Jean Tsunekawa
Mrs. Dana Waite
Ms. Sandy Wanamaker
Mr. Ray Ward
Eric and Kathy Webber
Kelly Whang
James and Barbara Williams
Ms. Beverly Yamagata
$50 and Above
Cheryl Alcorn
Connie Aldama
Rodney and Susan Arp
Susan Baker
Rob Barto
John and Sharon Beauman
Jilla Berkman
Yolanda Berrios & Crystal Ornelas
Douglas and Sharon Branson
Ms. Joan Choice
Ms. Suzanne Chung
Sue Copsey
Dale and Mishael Croft
Rebecca Delgadillo
Anthony DiFrancesco
Ms. Cheryl Diggs-Hughes
Marsha Ehlers
Ms. Suzanne P Evans
Joel M. Feinstein
Mr. Ruben A. Flores
Mr. Richard Freymond
David Garcia
Yolanda Garcia
Yolanda Genis
Ms. Patsy Gonzales
Nicole Hamilton
Mrs. Jean Harder
Mallory Harris
Michael Hegeman
Douglas and Joan Heisler
Ms. Mary Henry
Raul and Virginia Herrera
Michael and Helen Higgins
Mr. Steven Highland
Ms. Marilyn A. Hills
Kathie Hira
Gail Hirano
Richard and Michele Hoff
Gary and Karla Hufenbach
Manuel and Lorraine Huitron
Mr. Douglas L. Iford
Mrs. Barbara Inskeep
Gary and Claire Jackson
Mike Johnston and Eileen Ernest
Virginia Kahn
Frank and Kristina Kawase
Ms. Jeanette Kelly
Ronald and Grace Koretz
Caril and Peter La Rock
Ms. Dorothy Lauterborn
Mrs. Jane Leidl
Ms. Alysha Loumakis-Calderon
Devora Lowenstein
Joe Mabry
Ms. Barbara Mahan
Mr & Mrs Francisco X. Martinez
Sean and Dianne McCarley
Martin and Wanda McColgan
Mrs. Tricia McFarland
Elbert and Patricia Moore
Kathleen Nagamoto
Mr. David Nagy
Elvin Nguyen
Dominic and Sandy Niccoli
Mr. William Oneida
Rebecca Pantaleon
Kathy Permenter
Robert Porter
Anonymous
Anonymous Erick and Lucy Solares
Pamela Sornoso
Richard and Cynthia Stoecklein
Mrs. Donna Jo Thompson
Art and Linda Van Epps
Oscar Villa
Brigitta Weger
Mimi Winship
Ms. Carol Wiseman
James and Debbie Wight
Thomas and Rae Wright
Harriet Yamada
Mr. Jer Yu
$25 and Above
Paula Abbott
Dave and Debi Armbruster
Gary and Carole Bacher
Barbara Ellen Bailey
Mr. James L. Barefield
Mrs. Idalia Berriozabal Preciado
Wilma Bradley and Penny Watkins
Cynthia Braun
Mr. Kenneth Breeding
Alysha Calderon
Ramon Paulino Calderon
Michelle Castle
Nancy Castle
Sean Chandler
Ms. Mayra Cobos
Tony and Gabriel Voss
Ann Marie Cook
Tracey Corbett
Stephanie Dekok
Kenneth and Stacey Duran
Susanna Erdos
Ms. Karen S. Fic
Philip Friedman
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Gaglio
Joseph Givens
Margo Golov
Martha Gonzales
Ms. Janet Gourley
Donna Graham
Ms. Stella Hacker
Paula Hall
Gary Hamai
Lanny and Pat Hawkinson
Mrs. Grace V. Heggie
Thomas Hill
Charles Holman
Mrs. Linda Holtz
Matthew Hunt
Adolph and Debra Johnson
Ken & Jody Johnson
Ms. Kyoungha Kim
Amber Klesges
Tom and Tammy Leatherby
Lainie Lounsbury
Weiya Lu
Patrick Luu
Mrs. Dorothy Elizabeth Mahoney
Ms. Patricia Martzen
Marilyn McGraa
Michael and Marilyn McNulty
Ms. Alicia Menendez
Mr. Bryan Mon
Joe Montanari & Christine Ericson
Alan and Karen Morrison
Mr. Brad J. Morrison
Tanya Msabaeka
Mike Natale
Ms. Barbara Navarro
Alan Nichols
Justin Okin
Ms. Patricia O’Toole
David Perry
Greg and Michelle Peters
Lee Rice Epstein
Patrick Riley
Marilyn Root
Ms. Karen Rote
Richard and Carol Runa
Mrs. Connie A. Salazar
Joseph and JoAnn San Paolo
Ms. Freya Schmus
Mr. Lance Schumacher
William and Loretta Schumacher
Victoria L. Sendele
Michael Sheffield
Dary Shumaker
Maxine Smith
Helena Smyth & Evelyn Ade
Miss Anna M. Sosa
Tim and Linda Spence
Mr. Lyndal Jay Spradlin
Ms. Jill Stover
Sally Swartz
Ms. Kathy Takeda
Kevin and Diane Thorsen
Ms. Adoracion S. Untalan
Mrs. Elia Moreno Valenzuela
Barbara Vannucci-Mendoza
Clairice T. Veit
Peter and Barbara Verdoljak
Geof Wickett
Ms. Laura Wilbur
Barry and Joan Willett
Stephen D. Wimberley
Mr. John Wong
Up To $25
Abraham Abrego
Leticia Aceret
Mrs. Jeanine Y. Adams
Susan Agle
Cathy Ahlers
John and Cassie Allen
Mrs. Lisa Marie Alvarez
Michelle Alvarez
Cynthia Amezaga Villegas
Soledad Andrade-Martinez
Catherine Andrews
Sandra Angulo
Anonymous
Mrs. Maria R. Aparicio
Sylvia Arambula
Ms. Cathleen Arias
Judith Arslancan
Roniel Astraquillo
Mario and Linda Avila
Jennifer Ayala
Madeline Ayala
Regina Ayala
Derek Baca
Nichole Ballweg
Chi Bang
Randy and Debra Bauler
Mrs. Marybeth L. Bautista
David R. Beltran
James Benet
Linda Bertone
Tim Bielski
Ms. Sheila Billins
Jay Birks
SUPPORTERS OF OUR 2024-2025 SEASON
Nikki Blackburn
Mr. Frederick Boehm
Mrs. Maria Pascual Bohn
William Boyd
Paul Brais
Mrs. Curtis Bryan
Mr. Stephen Bucher
Aleksandr Bugaev
Anne Bumgarner
Tim and Carol Burke
Jessica Burkle
Marco Caamal, Jr. & Marco Caamal
Debby Cabrales
Michael Cades
Mr. & Mrs. JT and Arlene Calditaran
Mrs. Crystal Catherine Camarena Avalos
Sharon Camarillo
Bruce and Stacy Cameron
Michael Caracappa
David and Veronica Carder
Ian Cardoni
Melissa Carey
Marvin Carlberg
Carleton Carlson
Eric Carranza
Katharine Carrasco
Penny Carter-Lockert
Favio Castelo
Susan Cate
Chloe Ceja
Samuel Chairez
Jordan Chan
William Chang
D’Ann Chappel
Mrs. Cindy Chrispell
Cheryl Christian
Anthony Cipriano
Brian Clayton
Lucretia Clayton
John Clifford
Suzanne Clinton
Michelle Coats
Vivian Colodro
Deborah A. Colunga
Compton Unified School District
Malvin Harold Conley
Mr. Edward M. Connaughton
Moses and Elsa Covarrubias
BJ Crabtree
Kim Curland
Deborah Dagerman
Anton Danichevski
Spencer Daniels
Mrs. Silvia Danko
German David
Brandon Davila
Mike Day
Ms. Angelica Delgadillo
Angelica Diaz
Maria Diaz
Dian Diebel
Patricia Dillon
Antoinette Duran
Ms. Eliza Easdale
Shirley Echternacht
Evan Ellman
Sandra Espindola
Miss Nina Espinoza
Rachael Espinoza
Veronica Espinoza
Mark Esquer
Emily Farrah
Ms. Marian G. Faulkes
Pat Fieldgrove
Linda Fisk
Laura Flores
Ricki Fogle
Cynthia Fortin
Mr. Ronald Foster
Suzanne K. Foster
Mr. Jose Fregoso
Alexandra Frutos
Elizabeth Gaitan
De Ana Gallardo
George and Rosie Gallegos
Mr. Gerry Galvan
Mr. David R. Gamboa
Gloria Gandara
Esperanza Garcia
Justin Garcia
Starr C. Woods-Garcia
Ursula Garcia
Javier Garza and Maria Cardona
Jesus and Mary Beth Garza
Angelina Gherna
Justin Gibson
Pamela Gleason
Mr. Raymond Gold
Joe Goldman
Leonardo Goldschwartz
Xun Gong
Mrs. Ana Yesenia Gonzalez
Mr. Jose Byron Gonzalez
Joshua Gonzalez
Lila Gordon
Alex Grager
Mr. Henry Griffin
Ziqiao Guan
Alex Guardia
Cat Guerra
Jacqueline Gutierrez
Leo Hall
Jeff and Susan Hamar
Irma Hamayan
Paul Hamilton
Melody Hansen
Richard Jesse Harmer
Art and Sharon Hastings
Mark Hennessy
Hilda Henriquez
Kirk Henry
Mr. Stephen Henson
Joe Hernandez
Sylvia Hernandez
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Thank you for your generous support!
Creativity Through Collaboration
Morgan Newfield builds trust by involving homeowners in the renovation process. by ROGER GRODY
INTERIOR DESIGNER MORGAN NEWFIELD, a third-generation Angeleno, founded Newfield Design, Inc. in 2018 after working for prominent local designers Barbara Barry and Micheal Smith as well as Ferguson & Shamamian Architects in New York. “In Southern California, my projects tend to be defined by a relaxed but luxurious lifestyle,” says Newfield, who brings a sense of quiet luxury to the region’s coastal sensibilities. According to Newfield, she does not have a signature style. “It’s important that a project be defined by its location, existing architecture and the client,”
Here and below: Art meets design in a Beverly Hills residence
she explains. “Ultimately, it’s about the clients, taking their points of view and elevating them into something that feels phenomenal.”
A self-described “people-person,” Newfield builds a team of architects, landscape architects and artisans to complement her expertise for every commission. “The client needs to feel comfortable trusting the team with large sums of money,” she says. “Building trust is a huge part of this business.
“Design should be client- and architecture-driven,” she adds. “My job is to elevate and educate.”
In Los Feliz, the veteran designer updated a hillside residence without compromising its midcentury architecture, and created a greater connection to its natural environment. In Hancock Park, she authored spaces with contemporary elements that echo the area’s stately architecture.
Newfield is keenly aware that some homeowners, even very affluent ones, do not immediately think of retaining an interior designer, preferring to design themselves.
She believes that the value of the homeowner’s time can ultimately outweigh the fees of a professional, and that the resources available to experienced designers can be invaluable. “Collaborating with a professional allows you to achieve your
Clockwise from above: designer Morgan Newfield and modern Mediterranean in the Hollywood Hills
goal in otherwise unreachable ways.”
Newfield particularly enjoys working on classic Spanish-style homes, which she feels “represent the essence of Southern California living.” In a 5,000-square-foot Hollywood Hills home that her client purchased from Anna Faris and Chris Pratt, the designer updated the existing architecture to create a modern villa without erasing its original inspiration.
“The entertainment-industry client wanted a tranquil escape but also a home ideal for entertaining,” says Newfield. Citing installations from Roll & Hill, Giopato & Coombes and Paul Ferrante, Newfield says
that lighting played a major role in creating a home in which contemporary aesthetics are warmed by the Mediterranean context.
For a condominium in an elite Beverly Hills building—the client was an art-scene fixture—Newfield tempered modern aesthetics with traditional elements such as sophisticated wallcoverings from Rebecca Atwood and Quercus & Co. “Wallpaper transforms a room,” notes Newfield, adding that its image has been reenergized of late. Lighting from Apparatus and Joseph Pagano Studios, and artisanal furniture from Robert Kuo and Kimberly Denman, contribute to the warm, modern vibe.
This page, several art-filled spaces by Newfield Design for a condominium in an elite building in Beverly Hills
A NEW LEGACY
Chef Anthony Wang opens Firstborn in Chinatown. by
JENN TANAKA
CHINATOWN IN Los Angeles dates to California’s Gold Rush, in the 1850s, but the neighborhood as it’s recognized today was founded in 1938 by activist Peter Soo Hoo and imagined by
Hollywood set designers.
Less than one square mile, the district remains an artists’ enclave. Red and yellow lanterns dangle from Central Plaza’s pagoda rooftops and cross the courtyard, the
Spread at new Firstborn in Chinatown
spaces below house galleries and host art shows. The bookstore Now Serving, nestled in the Far East Plaza, is filled with cookbooks. Culinary icon Ruth Reichl stops by to sign books and speaks of
2024/25 SEASON
VISIONARIES:
MARTÍN + BEETHOVEN
MAY 10 | 7:30 PM | Alex Theatre
MAY 11 | 4 PM | The Wallis
Jaime Martín CONDUCTOR
Nemanja Radulović VIOLIN
CELESTIALS:
MOBLEY + VIVALDI
MAY 20 | 7:30 PM | The Wallis
MAY 22 | 7:30 PM | The Huntington
Margaret Batjer LEADER
Reginald Mobley COUNTERTENOR
MAESTROS:
MARTÍN + BACH
MAY 31 | 7:30 PM | The Wallis
JUN 1 | 4 PM | The Huntington
Jaime Martín
CONDUCTOR + SOLO FLUTE
Reginald Mobley COUNTERTENOR
Martín MUSIC DIRECTOR
Jaime
Radulović
Food brings people to Chinatown.
Hop Li Seafood Restaurant serves banquet-style Chinese food; local artist Charles Dailey and his wife brought students to eat here for more than 30 years.
Family-owned Phoenix Bakery, founded in 1938, still serves strawberry whipped cream cakes.
Across from Phoenix Bakery, inside Mandarin Plaza, is Firstborn, a contemporary Chinese
American restaurant by chef Anthony Wang.
The name of the upscale restaurant is inspired by Wang’s birth order—he’s the firstborn son of Chinese immigrant parents—and his food reflects his Asian American journey.
Wang was born in Miami and studied classical piano and business at Georgia State University. He pursued cooking in Boston until his sister encouraged him to relo-
The Firstborn dining room. Below from left, team Firstborn: Kenzo Han, chef Anthony Wang and Jaime Craten
late Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic Jonathan Gold, who celebrated SoCal’s global flavors.
cate to L.A. He cooked at Michael Voltaggio’s Ink and Jordan Khan’s Destroyer, experiences that manifest at Firstborn.
Braised fennel presents sashimi-like strips of sous-vide fennel bulbs and Asian pear bespeckled with dashi-marinated trout roe. Steamed egg custard with roasted bay scallops, English peas and sea lettuce pairs sublimely with the verdant California vegetable rice.
Almost every table orders the fried Chongqing chicken, crispy with a tinge of tingling Szechuan spices. The sizable regular order brings eight pieces; those in the know might opt for a half portion.
The grilled beef short rib, fork-tender and sauced with black pepper jus, is generous, too.
Sweetbreads with pig’s trotter barley ragu exude comforting Southern home flavors, a nod to the chef’s journey, and add bok choy. Barbecued cabbage is charred and dressed with leek vinaigrette.
Steamed egg custard with English peas and scallops
Firstborn’s modern open-air interior presents a pastel abstract mural, wooden arches, and spa-green tiled walls.
The focal full bar offers inventive cocktails such as the Firstborn Spring
Martini—which adds fermented sorghum, carrot eau de vie and celery oil to its gin and vermouth—and nonalcoholic drinks including the Lacto Blueberry Fizz.
After dinner, saunter
over to Chung King Court and marvel anew at ever-evolving Chinatown.
Firstborn 978 M. Broadway, downtown 213.537.0142, firstborn.la
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GALA PERFORMANCE
SATURDAY, MAY 31, 6 PM
SPRING SHOWCASE
SATURDAY, MAY 31, 1 PM AND SUNDAY, JUNE 1, 1 PM
YVONNE MOUNSEY & ROSEMARY VALAIRE
PHOTOGRAPH
traditional music, a composer, and the artistic director of the Silkroad Ensemble founded by Yo-Yo Ma.
Ojai allowed Giddens to be all of those things, says Guzelimian, a former artistic administrator of the L.A. Phil. He cites one particularly memorable example: Giddens and her banjo sharing the stage in a musical dialogue with Chinese musician Wu Man and her lute-style instrument, the pipa.
This year’s festival features collaborations of musicians spanning multiple generations.
Minimalist composer
Terry Riley, who turns 90 in June, surprised Chase with Pulsefield 3; its world premiere concludes the festival with a celebration of that milestone birthday.
The milestone at the
New Hollywood String Quartet is its upcoming 25th anniversary.
The founding of the group, and its annual festival, was inspired by the Hollywood String Quartet, renowned in the 1940s and ’50s. Its members were studio musicians who played and recorded chamber music.
The current ensemble pays homage to its predecessors with the Summer of Angels Chamber Music
Festival, July 10-13 at the Huntington’s Rothenberg Hall in San Marino.
“We’ve chosen to honor their recorded legacy—their recordings became very famous, and people all around the world knew of them,” says New Hollywood String Quartet cellist Andrew Shulman, also principal cellist of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.
“We’re playing a lot of the repertoire that they recorded,” Shulman says. “They recorded at Capitol Studios in Hollywood in the evenings when the studio was quiet, after
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a doll’s house part 2
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New Hollywood String Quartet. Below: Hollywood String Quartet. Opposite: At Ojai, Wu Man, pipa, and Rhiannon Giddens, banjo.
6.2
65%
they’d done their [scoring] sessions during the day.”
by Tchaikovsky, Borodin,
include pianists Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Olga Zado,
were the Hollywood String and cellist, will introduce each concert and share anecdotes about the ensemble’s history and recordings as well as his personal memories.
“The theme of this festival is giving us quite a lot more interesting diversity in the repertoire than we normally have,” Shulman notes. “We go from the Classical era to the later 20th Century.”
Shulman hopes that the festival will draw new audiences to the quartet’s other performances; the
group presents a series at the South Pasadena Public Library.
Expanding audiences is often a benefit for those presenting festivals.
And the benefits for the audiences?
“Festivals benefit patrons by providing a lens through which to understand music either differently or more deeply,” says Julia Ward, senior director of programming at the L.A. Phil.
“They create connections that situate music in a broader history and culture. And with such a varied menu of offerings, festivals also offer audiences access to ideas, spaces and dialogues they might not have otherwise had access to.
“In a world of distraction,” Ward says, “festivals are an invitation to devote your attention ... and to experience the joy of opening your world wider and learning in the company of others.”
REPROGRAMMED!
Performances Magazine unveils a digital program platform for shows and concerts
DROP DOWN MENU Table of app contents.
REGISTER
Stay arts-engaged, access past programs.
THE ESSENTIALS
Acts, scenes, synopses, repertory and notes.
CONTRIBUTORS
Donors and sponsors who make it all possible—you!
NO RUSTLING PAGES, no killing trees . . . the digital Performances program platform has proved to be one of the more enduring recent theater innovations.
The touchless platform provides the programs for 20 Southern California performing-arts organizations, from the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Ahmanson Theatre to San Diego Opera, where the app made its debut.
Among a variety of features, it provides cast and player bios, donor and season updates, and numerous
other arts-centric features.
Audiences receive a link and a code word that instantly activate the app; QR codes are posted, too.
Screens go dark when curtains go up and return when house lights come back on.
Updates—such as repertory changes, understudy substitutions and significant new donations —can be made right up to showtime, no inserts necessary.
Other plusses include video and audio streams, translations and expanded biographies.
SEARCH
Find whatever it is you want to know—easily.
SIGN IN
Link to your performing-arts companies and venues.
THE PLAYERS
Bios and background for cast, crew and creators.
WHAT’S ON
What’s coming at a glance and ticket information.
For those who consider printed programs to be keepsakes, a limited number, as well as commemorative issues for special events, continue to be produced. Collectibles!
Meanwhile, there is less deforestation, consumption of petroleum inks and programs headed for landfills.
For the ecologically minded, the platform gets a standing ovation.
The digital Performances is but one more reason for audience excitement. Activate your link and enjoy the shows. CALEB
