Q&A with Amanda Braun of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

The CATCH ME IF YOU CAN tour company. © Carol Rosegg

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, the high-flying Broadway musical that captures the astonishing true story of con artist Frank Abagnale, Jr., will make its final stop at Segerstrom Hall from June 25 - 30. We've invited cast member Amanda Braun to join us on Center Scene to reflect on some of her favorite moments with the show and to tell us why Orange County will love CATCH ME.

Nice to meet you! Please tell us your name and role in CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.
Hi! My name is Amanda Braun and I am in the ensemble of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!

What do you love about the show? 
There are so many things I love about the show. The way the story is told through the music is very clever and heart-warming. It's a very lively show with a great score. I also love the dancing of course - it is a blast!

What do you think Orange County will love most?
I always say CATCH ME puts a modern appeal on a classical Broadway show. You have a variety of musical numbers from cute and energetic to sultry and sexy. Orange County will be in for a surprise when they see this beautiful show, and will be totally entertained by the story, the music and the dancing.

Do you have a favorite moment to watch and/or perform?
That's a hard one! My favorite moments have changed a couple of times throughout the course of performing the show. I'd have to say my favorite song right now is "Don't Break The Rules" because of the intensity of the song as well as the choreography.

Can you tell us about your most memorable stop and why?
I loved visiting Denver and Chicago. Both of those cities were exciting and there was a lot to do! We were in hotels right in the downtown area, and for two weeks, which really gives you a feeling of getting to know the area, the people and the sights. But I bet Costa Mesa will be a new favorite too!

The CATCH ME IF YOU CAN tour company. © Carol Rosegg

Now that the show is nearing its end of the run, what will you miss the most?
Oh boy! There is so much I will miss about my tour experience. The cast and crew have become my second family. We have spent so much time together and have shared so many fun memories. Many friendships I will now have forever and always cherish! CATCH ME IF YOU CAN means so much to me, as I always wanted to have the opportunity to be in this show's cast, and it's been fantastic! Not performing in CATCH ME every night will definitely be missed!

What are you most looking forward to after the tour? 
My sister is getting married at the end of the summer so I am definitely looking forward to that! And of course spending time with my family, and catching up with my friends!

Do you have any final thoughts or reflections? What did you learn from the show? 

This tour has definitely been one of the best experiences of my life. It gave me the opportunity to travel the country and see how different and beautiful every state is. This show has taught me how important it is to take care of yourself so that you can give each and every audience a special performance to remember. Our job is to make an impact on that audience. When I see someone out there having a great time, I know I am doing my job and that is why I love it so much!

Thank you, Amanda! We look forward to seeing you in the show.

Catch it now before it closes. To learn more about CATCH ME IF YOU CAN and to purchase tickets, please visit www.SCFTA.org. 

Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev: Ballet's Power Couple

Osipova and Vasiliev. © Gene Schiavone

Gregory Wayne comments in DuJour magazine that not since Nureyev and Fonteyn have two dancers so captivated dance audiences as Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev. Wayne writes, “Now that the 2013 season is upon us, dance mavens are gathering again to witness the magic.” He is referring to Osipova and Vasiliev’s appearances in New York, but Southern California dance audiences can see them in a special program being created for them by the Center and Ardani Artists that will be performed January 24 – 26, 2014. The evening will include “The Kingdom of the Shades” scene from Petipa’s La Bayadère, Petit’s Le Jeune Homme et la mort as well as a world premiere work. As Wayne says, “The annals of millennial-era ballet have not seen a more mesmerizing duo than Ivan Vasiliev and Natalia Osipova.” Tickets to the Center’s engagement are available now through subscriptions to the 2013 – 2014 International Dance Series.

www.dujour.com/2013-06/1226/ivan-vasiliev-natalia-osipova-american-ballet-theatre 

Vasiliev in The young man, and death. © Damir Yusupov

Osipova as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. © Gene Schiavone

The Center’s 2013 – 2014 International Dance Series also includes an exclusive engagement by the incomparable Diana Vishneva, On the Edge, with all new choreography. Returning to Segerstrom Center are Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo with the American premiere of Jean-Christophe Maillot’s LAC (Swan Lake), the Hamburg Ballet performing the American premiere of John Neumeier’s award-winning production of Liliom and the always amazing Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

2013 - 2014 Season Announcement

The Center is proud to announce its 2013 – 2014 Season, featuring the very best in performing arts across dance, Broadway, jazz, cabaret, classical music, enriching family entertainment and more.

Information for renewing season ticket holders for the upcoming season will be sent to current subscribers, with new priority order for new season tickets available soon. Single tickets will go on sale approximately six weeks prior to individual engagements.

For more information and detailed descriptions, please click the respective series titles or visit SCFTA.org.

International Dance Series

• Diana Vishneva: On the Edge (November 6, 7, 9 & 10, 2013)

• Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev (January 24 – 26, 2014)
• Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo: Swan Lake (February 27 – March 2, 2014)
• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (March 27 – 30, 2014)


Broadway Series

• EVITA (December 10 – 22, 2013)

• The Wizard of Oz (February 11 – 23, 2014)
• The Book of Mormon (May 13 – 25, 2014)
• Jersey Boys (June 24 – July 13, 2014)
• Ghost The Musical (July 22 – August 3, 2014)
• ONCE (August 19 – 31, 2014)


Curtain Call Series
• Priscilla Queen of the Desert (October 22 – 27, 2013)
• CHICAGO (January 28 – February 2, 2014)
• I Love Lucy® Live On Stage (March 18 – 23, 2014)


Special Bonus Productions






• Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (January 14 – 19, 2014)
• Mamma Mia! (April 8 – 13, 2014)


Jazz Series

• Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club® featuring Omara Portuondo, Eliades Ochoa, Guajiro Mirabal & Barbarito Torres with special guest Roberto Fonseca (September 17, 2013)

• ACS: Geri Allen, Terri Lyne Carrington and Esperanza Spalding (October 25 & 26, 2013)
• McCoy Tyner and Joe Lovano (December 13 & 14, 2013)
• Dr. Lonnie Smith (February 21 & 22, 2014)
• Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis (March 14, 2014)
• Fred Hersch Trio (May 2 & 3, 2014)


Cabaret Series 
• Bernadette Peters (October 11, 2013)
• Marilyn Maye and Clint Holmes (November 14 – 16, 2013)
• Peter Gallagher (February 13 – 15, 2014)
• Patti LuPone (March 22, 2014)
• Jimmy Webb and Maureen McGovern (April 11- 13, 2014)


Concert Series

• Pacifica Quartet with Marc-André Hamelin (November 12, 2013)

• Jeffrey Kahane, Joseph Swensen and Carter Brey (December 12, 2013)
• Emerson String Quartet (January 10, 2014)
• St. Lawrence String Quartet (February 20, 2014)
• Philharmonia Baroque Chamber Players (March 16, 2014)


Family: Discovery Series
• The Okee Dokee Brothers (December 7 & 8, 2013)
• Still Awake Still! (February 8 & 9, 2014)
• Cre8tion: Fluff (April 5 & 6, 2014)
• Bristol Riverside Theatre: The Little Prince (April 26 & 27, 2014)
• Lightwire Theater: The Ugly Duckling and The Tortoise and The Hare (May 17 & 18, 2014)


Family: Explorer Series

• Perth Theatre Company: The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer (October 18 – 20, 2013)

• The Intergalactic Nemesis Book Two: Robot Planet Rising (November 9 & 10, 2013)
• Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (January 17 – 19, 2014) – Explorer Series subscribers have a unique and special opportunity to see the full production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in Segerstrom Hall as a part of their subscription package.


Opera Series






• LA OPERA In Concert: Falstaff (November 26, 2013)
• LA OPERA In Concert: Thaïs (May 27, 2014) – previously announced for May 22, 2014

From Screen to Stage

 

Following the premiere of Billy Elliot at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival, a sobbing Elton John, who by chance happened to be at the screening, had to be helped from the theater.

“It touched me so much,” he said. “The story is very similar to mine: Trying to be something out of the ordinary. Having a talent and wanting to break free from what your parents want you to do. Wanting approval from your father, especially when your father doesn’t approve of the profession you’ve chosen.” The five-time Grammy Award® winner, Kennedy Center honoree and Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Famer was so moved and so inspired by the movie that he immediately envisioned the piece as a stage musical.

Billy Elliot is the story of an adolescent who discovers he has talent and passion for ballet, and pursues it despite the vehement objections of his father and the derision of his community, a coal-mining village in Northern England. Intertwined with Billy’s journey is the unfolding of the 1984 coal miners’ strike in Great Britain, an event so devastating that the repercussions are still felt to this day.

To learn more about Billy Elliot, please visit SCFTA.org.

WICKED Ways to Be A Winner

WICKED fans are testing their luck by entering their names into a special ticket lottery. The day-of-performance lottery for a limited number of orchestra seats is being held for every performance through the end of the engagement on March 17. Winners have the opportunity to purchase orchestra seats for just $25. 

On opening night, we saw friends and families gather around the Segerstrom Hall Box Office, eagerly waiting for their names to be called. Enjoy a few snapshots of our excited fans! 

Two and one-half hours prior to each performance, WICKED fans can come to the Segerstrom Center box office and have their names placed in a lottery drum. Thirty minutes later, winning names are drawn for a limited number of orchestra seats that can be purchased for $25 each, cash only. This lottery is available only in-person at the box office, with a purchase limit of two tickets per person. Lottery participants must have a valid photo ID when submitting their entry form and, if chosen, when purchasing tickets. The number of available lottery tickets may vary from performance to performance. Winners also receive an “I Won the WICKED Lottery!” button as a keepsake. For more information, please call the Box Office at (714) 556-2787. 

 

Loading In WICKED

Yesterday morning, Segerstrom Center welcomed back the WICKED stage crew as they began load-in for tonight's opening in Segerstrom Hall!

Members of the media and our very own marketing team had the special opportunity to meet some of the behind-the-scenes staff– Kevin BeeBee, Company Manager and Jason Daunter, Production Stage Manager– to learn about the challenges of managing a large-scale touring production such as WICKED. 

Take a sneak peak at our interview with Jason below: 

Tickets are still available, but please visit our website at SCFTA.org as you don't want to miss this Broadway blockbuster!

 

All photos by Joesan Diche.

Not Just Horsing Around!

© Doug Gifford

Audiences coming to Segerstrom Center for the Arts to see War Horse can explore a winner’s circle of fun and fascinating facts on the Orchestra Level lobby. There is a special interactive exhibit that illustrates the artistry and history behind the show as well as WWI artifacts and uniforms. They will learn more about the magnificent “Joey” puppet created by Handspring Puppet Company, see behind-the-scenes footage featuring Adrian Kohler and Basil Jones - puppet designers for War Horse, try their hand at operating a puppet created in the style of “Young Joey” and learn from an American WWI soldier what life might have been like during “The War to End all Wars.” 

The WWI soldier is none other than Center Arts Teach artist Jon Monastero, a former history teacher and actor who brings historical characters to life and the puppetry artist is Arts Teach artist Rogue Artist Ensemble.

© Doug Gifford

© Doug Gifford