14 minute read
THEATRE SPOTLIGHT
PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL
BROADWAY SUPERSTAR ADAM PASCAL STARS IN NEW SHOW BASED ON ONE OF HOLLYWOOD’S MOST BELOVED ROMANTIC STORIES
Advertisement
Just who is Adam Pascal? The answer is easy if you ask people who like musicals, or who are Rent-heads. The truth is Adam Pascal is much more than what most people think.
Yes, Pascal was in the original Broadway cast of the now historic musical Rent, but he was also in shows like Aida, Cabaret, Chess, Hair and Chicago.
Currently, Pascal can be seen in the first national tour of Pretty Woman: The Musical playing Edward Lewis, the role portrayed by Richard Gere in the iconic movie.
Southern Californians can catch Pascal in the show from Tuesday, July 5 through Sunday, July 17 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa and Tuesday, July 26 through Sunday, July 31 at Civic Theatre in San Diego.
Lately, it seems that many hit movies are being turned into musicals and not with much success. There are always many reasons for the lack of success for this, but with Pretty Woman the musical has at least a few reasons for its success: the talented Pascal, an original score by Grammy winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, and a book written by Garry Marshall. Still, one wonders what it was about this movie turned musical that caught Pascal’s eye.
“There are a lot of factors,” Pascal said. “The first one being this is what I do for a living. I predominantly do musical theatre. It’s the dominate part of my career, and the trend has been, clearly has been adopting a movie into a musical. So, if I rule that out, if it’s conceptually something I don’t want to be a part of, I’m not going to work.”
Pascal has other reasons as to why he decided to take on this show, even though other musicals like it didn’t have much success critically or at the box office.
“They all clearly have varying degrees of success,” Pascal said. “Some work and some don’t work. It’s hard to say why one thing works and one thing doesn’t. Sometimes it’s maybe the songs aren’t very good. It can
be a number of factors. With this particular show, first of all, I knew that it would be Bryan Adams music. It sits incredibly well in my voice and I knew that it would be a good role for me. I mean there’s not a lot of roles like this on Broadway or in musical theatre for a guy like me, a 50-year-old white guy. It ended up being the right decision and I haven’t always made the right decision. I knew that the producers were interested in me and had been for a long time, which is why I ended up doing it on Broadway. I had a relationship with them; it was the right chemistry.”
Fans of the movie can rest easy. The musical doesn’t stray from the original story that made Julia Roberts a household name.
“They stay pretty true to the story,” Pascal said. “That’s the point, the way they decided to make this movie adaptation. I think that they recognize there are a lot of the audience that are fans of the movie. That’s what they want; they want to see these iconic moments. They want to see what they remember, what made them laugh in the movie will hopefully make them laugh on stage.”
Pascal wasn’t a musical theatre kid by any stretch. His focus, before Rent came along, was being in a rock band and going by the name Rain. Pretty Woman possibly being a musical would’ve never occurred to him. It was just a movie to him when he saw it.
“Musicals where not even in my head when I saw Pretty Woman. I was playing in rock bands. I wasn’t doing theatre. I wasn’t an actor, so it would have never entered into my conscience, but also it’s not what they were doing back then. Movies weren’t being adapted into musicals like they are now but looking at it now, and of course I’m in it now, so it makes sense to me. It does work. So, any musicals like this are like Cinderella stories, that’s really what this is. It’s a romantic comedy where she is her own hero, they make her the champion she saves herself. It has all the elements; it’s a story that lends itself to a musical.”
Many readers may not have seen the 2009 film Wild About Harry, but they should. It’s a true story written and directed by Gwen Wynn, and is probably one of the best gay films out there that has been sadly overlooked. There are many reasons to catch this film, but the main one is to see Pascal disappear into the role of Tate Donovan’s lover. The film takes place in 1973 on Cape Cod and deals with two teenage sisters coming to terms with the fact that their widowed father is gay.
“I am so glad that somebody has seen that movie,” Pascal said. “It took years to come out. It’s not getting a lot of attention. I really appreciate that the producers took a chance on me. Tate was such a great person to do that part with. The whole experience of being in that movie. It was a true story. To get to play someone who is a real person that she loved that was a huge honor and we filmed it in this beautiful place in Cape Cod . . . the whole experience was amazing.”
To this day, Pascal said he kind of lives in fear that fans will realize that he’s a fake or a phony and that he’s really not as good as he truly is. That it’s possible he’ll never be hired again.
“That’s the nature of who I am,” Pascal said. “It’s just that I’m neurotic and insecure. I can look at my career and say I’ve done well. I can consider myself a success. I love my career but anyone with a career in show business . . . you feel you’re only one job away from it all disappearing. That’s the nature of this business. You are constantly going from one job to the next and trying to find that job. That’s the emotional grind of this whole thing and yet for somebody like me who is naturally a neurotic, insecure person one thinks that wait a minute, maybe what I do or what people like from me might get tired of it or somebody might come along and do it better. Of course, now it’s I’m too old . . . it’s always something.”
Pascal isn’t wrong about the fickle business called entertainment, but he has more than proved himself to be a great actor and singer. He is someone who can take on any role and make it his own. After all, isn’t that what acting is, to be believable in any character? Pascal has done that and continues to do so.
scfta.org 714.556.2787 or broadwaysd.com 619.564.3000
OUTSIDE SCR RETURNS TO ORANGE COUNTY
South Coast Repertory will partner with Mission San Juan Capistrano for the return of Outside SCR featuring a fully staged production of the smash hit musical Million Dollar Quartet. Outside SCR allows theatre-goers to gather safely outdoors and experience world-class theatre under the stars.
On Dec. 4, 1956, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins united for one night to play music and make history. This Tony Award-nominated musical takes us inside one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions ever recorded with four legendary musicians doing what they loved most: expressing life’s joy and sadness through song. Million Dollar Quartet will have you rocking down memory lane with more than 20 chart-topping hits including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Walk the Line,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” and “Hound Dog.”
Director James Moye will bring his million-dollar experience to the new Outside SCR production.
“Jim has acted in 11 musicals on Broadway, including the offBroadway production of Million Dollar Quartet,” SCR Artistic Director David Ivers said. “He is part of a small handful of collaborators who’ve directed Million Dollar Quartet across the country. In addition to being an exceptional multi-disciplinary artist, he especially knows his way around a musical. I am certain our audiences will find his production of Million Dollar Quartet at Mission San Juan Capistrano a complete delight.”
Performances will take place from Saturday, July 30 through Sunday, August 21.scr.org 714.708.5555
BROADWAY-BOUND LEMPICKA IS NOW AT LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE
This much-anticipated West Coast premiere musical is based on the remarkable true story of Art Deco painter Tamara de Lempicka. Lempicka is now on stage at the Mandell Weiss Theatre at La Jolla Playhouse through Sunday, July 24.
Amid the violence of the Russian Revolution, a young painter named Tamara de Lempickaand her aristocrat husband are forced to abandon their luxurious lifestyle and flee to the dubious safety of Paris. Relying on raw talent and relentless ambition, Tamara claws her way from penniless refugee to in-demand portraitist, earning a place among Parisian high society. Her world is upended once again when she meets Rafaela, a free spirit from the city slums, who introduces Tamara to a new world of decadence and passion. Torn between her new muse and her husband, and fighting to leave her mark on an ever-changing world, Tamara must discover the depths of her own strength to survive.
Spanning decades of political turmoil and told through a thrilling, popinfused score, Lempicka boldly explores the contradictions of a world in crisis, a woman ahead of her era, and an artist whose time has finally come.
“After a long pandemic pause, it is an honor to mount this stunning new musical at the Playhouse. Lempicka tells the story of a woman who defiantly sets her own course amid the political turmoil and cultural repression of 1920s Europe, and I cannot wait to see this stellar company share her fascinating journey on our stage,” said Christopher Ashley, the Rich Family Artistic Director of La Jolla Playhouse.
Madonna is known to be an admirer and collector of Lempicka’s work. The Material Girl has featured Lempicka’s work in several of her music videos. She also used paintings by Lempicka on the sets of her 1987 Who’s That Girl and 1990 Blond Ambition world tours. lajollaplayhouse.org 858.550.1010
A HOT SUMMER “FEVER” AT THE LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE
Put on your boogie shoes and get ready for the hottest musical of the summer. Saturday Night Fever, one of the most loved dance stories of all time. It will be at The Laguna Playhouse from Sunday, July 3
through Sunday, July 17.
‘What Kind of Fool’ would miss this sizzling musical to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday and summer in Laguna Beach? It would be a ‘Tragedy’ if you missed this show that spent many ‘Nights on Broadway’ and is sure to be the theatre party of the season!” Executive Producing Director Ellen Richard said.The year is 1979 and Tony Manero doesn’t have much going for him on weekdays. He still lives at home and works as a paint store clerk in his Brooklyn, N.Y., neighborhood. On the weekends, however, he is the king of the dance floor at the local disco where he and his friends dance the night away. When a big dance competition is announced, he wrangles the beautiful and talented Stephanie to be his partner. As the two train for the big night, they start to fall for each other as well. Packed with disco classics including the Bee Gees’ hits “Stayin’ Alive,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Night Fever,” “Tragedy” and “More Than A Woman,” the musical is filled with explosive energy and sensational choreography. lagunaplayhouse.com949.497.2787
CYGNET TO REMOUNT ONE OF ITS BEST-SELLING HIT MUSICALS
A dark, daring and provocative musical, Cabaret is an eight-time Tony Award winner featuring music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and book by Joe Masteroff. Cygnet Theatre’s new production will run from Wednesday, July 13 through Sunday, August 21 and will feature Karson St. John returning to her role as Emcee, for which she won a San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award in 2011 (Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical). This comes full circle for St. John, who took a hiatus from acting shortly after playing the Emcee in 2011, so reprising this role will mark her return to the stage after nearly a decade.
Cygnet Artistic Director Sean Murray, who also received a San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award in 2011 for Cabaret (Outstanding Direction of a Musical), said “Cabaret is the innovative1966 inspiration for all concept musicals. Through several revivals it has adapted and morphed over the years and remained a visceral warning as to the subtleties and dangers of rising extremism. Famous for its brilliant score, it is both entertaining and thought provoking, qualities Cygnet values in the plays we choose for our audience. I have returned to this show again and again over the years and each time it reveals new insights and perspectives. I truly love this musical.” 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of Bob Fosse’s Oscar winning movie adaptation of the 1968 Broadway musical. The film won eight of the 10 Academy Awards for which it was nominated, losing only Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay to The Godfather. The film also proved to be groundbreaking for Liza Minnelli, giving the young actress her first opportunity to sing on screen, eventually winning the Academy Award for Best Actress. On Wednesday, July 20, theatre-loving members of the LGBTQ community are invited to join Cygnet for OUT Night. Enjoy a pre-show mixer with an extended happy hour on Cygnet’s beautiful Elaine Lipinsky Patio. Everyone is welcome. A theatre ticket for the evening’s performance of Cabaret is required to attend. cygnettheatre.com 619.337.1525
SAN DIEGO JUNIOR THEATRE PRESENTS NEW MUSICAL COMEDY
San Diego Junior Theatre, the nation’s longest-running youth theatre program, will present the San Diego premiere of the laugh-out-loud love story set to the music of the iconic hit songs of the 1980’s all-female rock band The Go-Go’s.
An inspired mash-up of posh and punk, Head Over Heels is an unpredictable Elizabethan romp about a royal family that must prevent an oracle’s prophecy of doom. To save their beloved kingdom, the family embarks on an extravagant journey where they are faced with mistaken identities, love triangles and self-discovery. This fearlessly fresh new musical comedy includes the hit songs “We Got The Beat,” “Our Lips Are Sealed” and “Vacation.”
Since 1948, Junior Theatre’s mission has been to provide engaging, innovative, high-quality theatre education and productions for children of all cultural heritage, ages, abilities and levels of interest. Junior Theatre training fosters creativity, imagination and independent thinking that helps a young person face life’s challenges and discover themselves and their place in this world.
Head Over Heels will run from Friday, July 29 through Sunday, August 14 in Balboa Park’s historic Casa del Prado Theatre. Recommended for ages 12+ for mature content and themes. 619.239.8355juniortheatre.com
Don’t be a “beauty school dropout” this summer. This exciting, transformative production of Grease, one of the world’s best-loved musicals, will run on select dates from Friday, July 8 through Sunday, July 24, at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center at Cal State Long Beach. Show-goers are encouraged to dress in their best 1950s-era outfits.
Jackie Cox of RuPaul’s Drag Race fame will come to the Musical Theatre West stage for multiple fabulous roles within the talented and inclusive cast. The “Persian Princess” will showcase her range as the sassy and savvy Teen Angel, serenading Frenchy to stay in school with the fan-favorite song “Beauty School Dropout.” Jackie will also steal the spotlight with her shushing of the rowdy Rydell High students as no-nonsense English teacher Miss Lynch.
“I’ve loved Grease since I was a kid but never saw myself in the show, so I’m beyond thrilled that we have a new more inclusive vision for Grease,” Cox said. “My drag is very much influenced by that era, and I can’t wait to pay homage to Eve Arden (amongst other iconic divas) in my portrayal of Miss Lynch.”
Paul Garman, executive director of Musical Theatre West, added, “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Jackie Cox in our latest revival of Grease. It is important to us that all theatre-goers can see themselves on-stage and feel represented, especially in our beautifully diverse community of Long Beach. Jackie is an extreme talent whom we can’t wait for audiences to experience this summer, along with the rest of our amazing cast and creative team.”
Cox will present a new take on the iconic Teen Angel character, adding, “Drag was underground in the ‘50s and ‘60s but it certainly existed. In the way I see my Teen Angel, I’ve come up with a backstory where Frenchie met some queer people in beauty school who introduced her to whatever underground drag shows are happening near Rydell. So, her vision of Teen Angel just happens to be a fabulous drag queen!” musical.org
