WAR HORSE CAST WELCOMES LOS AMIGOS HS

Nothing inspires dreamers more than meeting those who are living theirs. Ms. Rubin’s drama class at Los Amigos High School in Fountain Valley met a number of performers from the Broadway show War Horse who were living their dreams at Segerstrom Center the past two weeks. On Friday, February 1, the class attended a performance and met several cast members afterwards in Founders Hall. The aspiring young actors had the opportunity to quiz their new mentors about the show and their careers. 

Founders Hall is a “black box” rehearsal space – a traditional room in all theaters where rehearsals usually take place. As Ms. Rubin commented, “For them, this is the first time they’ve actually been in a black box – now they know they really exist and what they look like!” If luck holds, some of her students may end up spending a lot of time in similar rooms during the course of their careers.

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

Center Celebrates a New Season of Broadway and Curtain Call

Musicals took center stage at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall during a preview event held for subscribers, groups, fans and press on August 20. The audience attending the Broadway and Curtain Call Series preview event was treated to special performances, behind-the-scenes footage and surprise video shout-outs from today’s brightest Broadway stars.  
 

L-R Bryan Fenkhart, Tim Kashani, Bob Bucci and Crystal Joy discussing Memphis 

Bryan Fenkhart and Crystal Joy from Memphis

Angel Reda performing from Wicked

Segerstrom Center’s President Terry Dwyer made opening remarks and welcomed the crowd. Bob Bucci from Broadway Across America served as host for the evening.

 
And what an evening it was. Bryan Fenkhart and Crystal Joy performed rousing selections from the four-time Tony Award® winning Broadway hit Memphis. Angel Reda from the ever-Popular Wicked sang the hauntingly beautiful "The Wizard and I.” The debonair Gomez Addams (Douglas Sills) made a video appearance letting the audience know how thrilled he is to spend the holidays with his “family” in Orange County. Special behind-the-scenes videos from Billy Elliot, featuring remarks from Sir Elton John and Stephen Daldry, and Sister Act, with messages from Whoopi Goldberg and Alan Menken, were also highlighted.

Bob Bucci with Joey from War Horse

L-R Bob Bucci with Tim Lewis (Captain Nicholls), Tommy Luther (Joey Head),
Stuart Angell (Joey Heart) and Ian Piears (Joey Hind) from War Horse

 

L-R Tommy Luther (Joey Head), Stuart Angell (Joey Heart) and Ian Piears (Joey Hind) from War Horse

The evening concluded with the company from War Horse bringing to the stage Joey as he galloped across and showcased his lifelike movements, sounds and magnificent beauty. Afterwards, the three puppeteers who perform as Joey returned on stage and discussed the collaborative process in bringing Joey to life.

 

Before closing the evening’s festivities, Executive Vice President Judy Morr provided a preview of the other series’ offerings in the coming season before introducing a special video from the company of Anything Goes.

For more information about the 2012-13 season, please visit: http://www.scfta.org/seasontickets.

2012-13 Broadway Series: Memphis, The Addams Family, War Horse, Billy Elliot the Musical, Flashdance and Sister Act

2012-13 Curtain Call Series: Wicked, Catch Me If You Can and Anything Goes

STOMP returns to the Center as a special Bonus option for series subscribers

 

Photos by Xuong Do