Theatre

Allegiance to Preview on Broadway

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AllegianceI am so excited to see a preview of the new Broadway show Allegiance in October! Lea Salonga (voice of Jasmine in Disney’s Aladdin and Eponine in Les Miserables), whose voice was so influential to me when I first fell in love with musical theatre, stars as sister of the main character. The story is based on the life experiences of George Takei, famous actor and LGBT activist, whose family overcame great adversity in the face of imprisonment and discrimination against Japanese in the U.S. during World War II. Salonga and Takei are joined by Godspell and Glee star Telly Leung under the direction of Stafford Arima at the Longacre Theatre. Plan on seeing it, and witnessing how Takei gets to apologize to his father years after the latter’s death. You’ll also learn a bit more about the sins of American history and hegemony, and walk away with greater hope and inspiration for the future.

 

Trustus and Godspell Win Best of Free Times

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Godspell at Trustus. Photo by Rob Sprankle
Godspell at Trustus. Photo by Rob Sprankle

After much anticipation in the wait for Best of Free Times, Trustus Theatre took the title of Best Local Theatre Company, and its production of Godspell the title of Best Local Theatre Production. Trustus is a Theatre Communications Group theatre with an eye on expanding toward a more regional and nationwide presence. Currently showing is Big City, winner of this year’s Trustus Playwrights’ Festival. Congratulations to the Trustus Ensemble, and my fellow cast members in Godspell! From the Free Times:

Best Local Theatre Company
Trustus Theatre
Runner-up: Town Theatre
Trustus Theatre prides itself on not only entertaining its audiences, but also challenging them. In the past year, it’s upended the aesthetics of a beloved musical (Godspell), helped a local band bring a biting folk-rock opera to the stage (The Restoration’s Constance) and hosted a series of plays exploring thoughts on gay marriage, among other bold moves — making the Trustus stage is a source of consistent excitement. Honorable mention: Columbia Children’s Theatre, Workshop Theatre, Village Square Theatre

Best Local Theatre Production
Godspell – Trustus Theatre
Runner-up: Evil Dead, The Musical – Trustus Theatre
The classic 1971 musical Godspell interprets the story of Jesus and his disciples through modern song, dance and improvisational storytelling. Cool? Cool. And Trustus did a bang-up production of it. Honorable mention: Sugar (Some Like It Hot) – Town Theatre, Young Frankenstein – Workshop Theatre, In The Red and Brown Water – Trustus Theatre

Satan in High Heels: The Musical

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1463115_535954503148466_1734777340_nI recently had the opportunity to participate in a demo recording for Satan in High Heels, a new musical based on the old movie by the same name. Written by Robbie Robertson, and with music and lyrics by Kevin Carter, this is a hilarious story of lust and its consequences. Others involved in the demo include Chris Cockrell (vocals and keys), Vicky Saye Henderson, and Caroline Jones Weidner. From the official site:

“An early 60s sexploitation movie bounces back to life….in the musical adaptation of SATAN IN HIGH HEELS written by Robbie Robertson, with music and lyrics by Kevin Carter.  SATAN tells the tawdry tale of Stacy Kane, a cunning and ambitious carnival striptease dancer who sleeps her way to the top in her sociopathic quest to become a Manhattan lounge singer. As she prepares for her NYC debut, Stacy engages in a series of torrid affairs with everyone from lesbian nightclub manager, Pepe, to the club’s owner, womanzing Arnold Kenyon—and even Arnold’s naïve college student son, Larry. Add in a drug addict ex, sex games and a shocking murder and you’ve got a sizzling stew of sleazy satisfaction.”

Having had a reading in New York City last week, we’re hopeful that the musical will take off! Check out the demo below, and listen to my songs at 2:43 and 3:28, and check out that choir diction on “tits in a tent”! Also LIKE the Facebook page, here.