Costa Mesa’s Own Little Orphan Annie

Movie Mondays’ pre-performance theme contests, started last year, continued this past Monday with a Little Orphan Annie look-a-like contest prior to the movie’s screening. Taking first place was the adorable Grace Messerschmidt of Cosa Mesa who won four free tickets to the musical Annie when it comes to the Center in January and a gift certificate to Charlie Palmer’s restaurant. Audience applause was used to select the winner. The other contestants included Anna Richmond, Emma Moynihan and Merielle Billyon Palmer, and they took home two tickets to see Annie. (Pictured left to right: Merielle Billyon Palmer and Grace Messerschmidt.)

Next Monday’s showing of Footloose (July 27) starring Kevin Bacon and Lori Singer will feature a contest for the coolest ‘80s dance moves. The stage-to-film adaptation of the blockbuster musical Mamma Mia! (August 3), starring Meryl Streep Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth, will close out this summer’s Movie Mondays series with a trivia contest with questions about the show and the pop group ABBA. Everyone who participates in these contests will win treats from the Orange County Fair with the top finalists winning tickets to this year’s fair.

Set-up for the movies begins at 5:30 p.m. on the community plaza. The theme contests are open to all moviegoers and start at approximately 7:30 p.m. The movies begin at 8 p.m.

Photos from left to right

1) Jessica Block, Selin Karaogud and Blue Rangel

2) Emma Moynihan

3) Mahenna Lipscomb, Estelle and Chuck Vaughn, Emily Lipscomb, Kristen Farrell, Feather Lipscomb

Win with Free Movie Mondays

The Center’s popular free Movie Mondays kicked off last week with nearly 3,000 people watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on the community plaza. For the showing of Annie this Monday, July 20, there will be a contest for the best Annie look-a-like. Prizes will include tickets to the Orange County Fair, the musical Annie when it visits the Center for its 30th anniversary tour and more goodies.

The contests for the other upcoming movies include: coolest '80s dance moves for Footloose on July 27 and a trivia contest for Mamma Mia! on August 3 with questions about the show and the pop group ABBA. The theme contests are open to all moviegoers and will start at approximately 7:30 p.m.

The Movie Mondays series is held outside on the Center’s 46,000-square-foot community plaza with the films projected on the side of Segerstrom Hall. Guests can bring beach chairs or other seating items. Set-up begins at 5:30 p.m. with the movie starting at dusk (approximately 8 p.m.).

Kids With a Bang

Eight lucky children from the area were cast to perform in the Center’s engagement of the touring musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. They were selected from a pool of more than 100 who showed up at an open audition last month. The talented ensemble includes: Lucas Blankenhorn from Huntington Beach; Caitlin Cohen from Newport Beach; Mary Desmond from Rancho Santa Margarita; Clair Dwyer from Newport Beach; Tristan Egdorf from Newport Beach; Reagan Kilpatrick from Newbury Park; Audrey Miller from Newbury Park and Anna Pier Salvini from Laguna Beach.

Our flip camera captured the kids rehearsing their dancing and singing with cast member Paige Faure before opening night. Click on the video above to see the kids in action and also watch interviews. Many in the group hope to have careers in the performing arts field so we hope when they make it big, they’ll say they got their start at the Center. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang runs through July 19.

See the Python Behind Spamalot

Eric Idle will be a guest on the Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson Monday night (July 6) on CBS. A former member of Monty Python, Idle wrote the book and composed the music and lyrics with John De Prez for the Tony Award-winning Broadway show Monty Python's Spamalot. The show is lovingly ripped off from the comedy troupe’s classic film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, which tells the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail. The hilarious musical comedy will open the Center’s 2009-2010 Broadways Series October 6 – 18.

Aside from his work with Monty Python in films and on TV, Idle has written numerous plays, novels and songs. He has also sung opera, acted in movies, appeared on television and even crossed America performing comedy. There’s no telling what Idle might do next so be sure to catch him on the Late, Late Show.

NY Loves Esperanza Spalding

Esperanza Spalding - who will perform in the Center's Jazz Series Nov. 6 and 7 - made quite a splash at New York's Central Park SummerStage festival this weekend. The New York Times raved about the up-and-coming musician's "ebullient singing and her agile bass playing," deeming her a charismatic and talented artist, bandleader and vocalist.

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, 24-year-old Spalding has also caught the eyes of President Obama and has twice performed in the White House. She is also a member of the faculty at Boston's prestigious Berkelee School of Music, her alma mater. Spalding's latest album, Esperanza, has been hailed by critics for its successful blending of Cuban and Brazilian influences with classic soul and contemporary pop - an irresistible fusion she is sure to exhibit during her visit to the Center this fall.

Read the full NY Times review of her latest performance here.

Go Green with the Center

The Center will hold a free e-waste recycling drive on Friday, June 19 from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday, June 20 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Everyone is invited to drop off their unwanted electronic items for safe disposal including: computers, printers, PDAs, rechargeable batteries, VCRs/DVRs, cabling, cell phones, TVs, digital cameras, LCD monitors, phone systems and more. Electronic products can contain harmful chemicals such as lead, mercury and cadmium that may seep into the water table. This event will ensure all items are disposed of in an environmentally-safe manner and that any useable devices or parts are repurposed so it doesn't end up in already crowded landfills.

The collection drop-off site will be on the Center's community plaza with access from the Avenue of the Arts (Center address is 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 92626). A map of the exact location is below.

The e-waste collection drive is being organized by the Center's Green Team which was formed earlier this year to put energy-efficient principles to work throughout the campus. The Green Team has worked to reduce paper usage, institute more recycling bins, stock the kitchen with reusable mugs and improve green office signage around the office. The Green Team is part of the Center's overall commitment to conserving energy and using energy more efficiently.

For more information about e-waste disposal, please visit: http://www.erecyclingservices.com/.

Don't Miss Legally Blonde on the Emmys!

Be sure to catch Becky Gulsvig, who plays Elle Woods in Legally Blonde the Musical, perform a song from the smash hit show at the Tony Awards this Sunday, June 7 on CBS. Local audiences will have the chance to see Becky at the Center when Legally Blonde the Musical makes its Orange County debut September 8 - 20. (Becky is pictured right with Frank as Bruiser.)

The Tonys always showcase musicals nominated for awards but this year's telecast will also include performances from three national tours. Legally Blonde the Musical was chosen along with Jersey Boys and Mamma Mia!. Neil Patrick Harris will host the 63rd Tony Awards from Radio City Musical Hall.

For those who haven't seen the popular MGM film or musical, Legally Blonde follows sorority star Elle, an underestimated blonde who doesn't take "no" for an answer. When her boyfriend dumps her for someone more "serious," Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.