Musical Archives - The Orange Curtain Review

June 20, 2017 | Musical, Review, Theater, Uncategorized, Vanguard Uni Like Comments (0) |

American Coast Theater Company Presents : The Beat Goes On @ Vanguard University in Costa Mesa – Review

photos by Susie Sprinkel Hudson

Written by Daniella Litvak

Rock ‘n’ roll belongs to everyone, but the origin of The Beat Goes On belongs to Orange County. Back in 2014 Vanda Eggington created The Beat Goes On as a showcase for Vanguard University’s students. It was a hit. Now it’s back, but it’s not just a repeat of a previous success. This time The Beat Goes On is an American Coast Theater (the resident professional theater of Vanguard University) production. In addition to the professional upgrade, Eggington has also made some changes that include more material. Continue Reading

June 5, 2017 | La Mirada Theatre, Musical, Review, Theater, Uncategorized Like Comments (0) |

Man of La Mancha @ La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts – Review

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(PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Lamont)

Written by Daniella Litvak

Miguel de Cervantes was born near Madrid in 1547 and died in Madrid in 1616. He was a soldier, a prisoner, a poet, and a playwright. He is also credited with authoring the first modern novel —Don Quixote. Hundreds of years have passed since it was written, and the world still loves Don Quixote. The novel has spawned numerous adaptations. One of the most popular is Man of La Mancha — a Broadway musical created by Dale Wasserman, Joe Darion, and Mitch Leigh that debuted in 1965.^[1] Continue Reading

May 26, 2017 | American Coast Theatre Company, Costa Mesa, Musical, Uncategorized, Vanguard Uni, Video Like Comments (2) |

Interview with Writer/Director Vanda Egginton creator of The Beat Goes On @ Vanguard University in Costa Mesa

An interview with Vanda Eggington creator of Boomers, American Rhythm, and Love Makes the World Go ’Round. We will be talking about her latest project present by The American Coast Theatre Company: The Beat Goes On a Rock and Roll road trip through the last half of the 20^th Century with stops in small town malt shops, sunny California beaches, mirror ball disco halls, and MTV studio extravaganzas.

June 2nd- July 30th

May 2, 2017 | Laguna beach, Laguna Playhouse, Musical, Review, Uncategorized Like Comments Off on Who is Roger Miller? : King of the Road The Roger Miller Story @ The Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach – Review |

Who is Roger Miller? : King of the Road The Roger Miller Story @ The Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach – Review

(Photo by Ed Krieger)

Written by Alina Mae Wilson

I recently went over to the Laguna Playhouse and saw King of the Road, the Roger Miller Story. Last week if someone asked me to tell them about Roger Miller, I might have responded he has a familiar name, and that would have been it. Since then I have been educated and can inform you that Roger Miller was a famous songwriter, musician, and actor. Although I can now spout a few soundbites about the man, I have not been transformed into a passionate fan nor have I been passionately enlightened. King of the Road tries to tell us Roger Miller’s story but its more successful at bombarding us with trivia instead of telling us (what should be) a rich and fulfilling story. Consider me educated –not moved. Continue Reading

April 23, 2017 | Musical, Review, Stage Door Repertory, Uncategorized Like Comments Off on Blood Brothers @ Stage Door Repertory Theatre in Anaheim Hills – Review |

Blood Brothers @ Stage Door Repertory Theatre in Anaheim Hills – Review

Written by Daniella Litvak

If you are familiar with London’s West End theatre scene you may have heard of Blood Brothers. It holds the distinction of having the third longest show run —among musicals —on the West End —behind only Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera. Unfortunately Blood Brothers did not achieve the same popularity here in the states as it did in England, and productions of it are rare. Fortunately, the denizens of Orange County are currently in luck because Blood Brothers is playing right now in our very own backyard. Continue Reading

April 13, 2017 | Costa Mesa, Musical, Review, Vanguard Uni Like Comments Off on Grimm Happy Tales : Into The Woods @ Vanguard University in Costa Mesa – Review |

Grimm Happy Tales : Into The Woods @ Vanguard University in Costa Mesa – Review

(photo credit: Susie Sprinkle–Hudson)

Written by Patrick Chavis

A few years ago if I had mentioned Into the Woods, I may have been lucky enough to run into a theatre goer who had heard of the musical. Now that Hollywood has adapted it into a film, the show is about as hidden for theatre folks as Comic-Con is for geeks. Everyone knows about it now, and that’s not changing anytime soon. As a consequence this is a well-known show and with that comes interesting challenges for the performers. How do we make this production ours? What is this show about, and how can we communicate it in the best way possible? Vanguard University took on the challenge of producing such an epic musical and, under the direction of Vanda Eggington, pulled off an entertaining night of theatre but also missed opportunities to capitalize on the show’s vital moments. Continue Reading