July / August 2012
High Voltage Electrifies Three Stages Audience a review by Dick Frantzreb
TEN Questions with the man of a thousand voices, super-impressionist Jim Meskimen Honk! A musical for the entire family Weird Al Yankovic, Manhattan Transfer, and the Vienna Boy’s Choir All at Three Stages El Dorado Musical Theatre announces their 2012–2013 Season
Concert Review by Dick Frantzreb
A High Voltage Celebration of Broadway! High Voltage is a spin-off of El Dorado Musical Theatre (EDMT), the youth theater operation that rakes in Elly awards year after year. Since I discovered EDMT for myself a couple of years ago, I have attended every one of their shows, and I have come to recognize many of the young performers of High Voltage. To me, they are stars, who continually amaze me with the quality of their work. Their performance this past Tuesday evening at Three Stages in Folsom was up to the standards they set in the previous two shows
that I have seen. This particular event was a departure from their two-public-shows-a-year pattern. It was a benefit performance for Sacramento’s Shriner’s Hospital for Children, something added late in the season. It seems that among the special, non-public performances by High Voltage, a recent one that was the most meaningful to these kids was the one they did at Shriner’s Hospital. And the experience made them want to do something extra to benefit that organization. Tuesday evening’s performance consisted of 28 numbers (click here
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for the f ull program) that delivered two hours of pure entertainment for the enthusiastic audience. The selections were nearly all from contemporary Broadway musicals, and there was enormous variety among them, with pieces from wellknown shows such as: Wicked, Les Misérables, Hairspray, Spamalot, Shrek the Musical, and Mary Poppins – as well as numerous lesser-known shows. Most numbers involved ensemble singing, and it was all solid, often with sophisticated arrangements, delivered with energy,
Photo courtesy Warren Hearl
Photo courtesy Warren Hearl
accuracy, and good articulation. (I believe each performer had their own mic.) But I’d say that at least half the singing consisted of solos or duets, and when one heard these, it was clear why the ensemble singing was so good. Nearly everyone who had any solo role displayed a strong, pleasing, Broadway-quality voice. In fact some of them were astoundingly good. For example, Helen Regula nearly brought down the house with her solo performance of “Rose’s Turn” from Gypsy. The same was true of Lencia Kebede performing “I Know Where I’ve Been” from
Hairspray. But I hate to single out individuals, because there were so many wonderful voices on display. But it’s well to remember that these young people are first and foremost actors, and it was their stage presence and acting that really sold these numbers, as was especially evident in Helen Regula’s “Rose’s Turn.” And then there was the dancing. The choreography in EDMT productions is always a highlight, and these High Voltage performances are no exception. Nearly every number in Tuesday night’s performance 3
involved elaborate dance routines, most with moves that I, for one, have never seen before. I found myself marveling that these young people could keep those intricate moves in their heads and the words and music they were singing – and manage that incredible complexity with a smile piece after piece, often with no break in between. And while I’m reliving the amazing dancing I saw, I have to mention “Whipped Into Shape” from Legally Blonde the Musical in which Angie Rose Wilson (a brilliant dancer throughout the show) led the others continued on page 5
in dancing and singing, as they all were jumping rope (and performing a number of other complex actions with the jump ropes). It was stunning. The variety of costumes was another extraordinary part of this show. Nearly every number involved a costume change for the performers, and the costumes were themselves impressive: original, complete, and coordinate with the music being performed. OK, Elphaba (from Wicked) wasn’t green, but her outfit was very witch-like. The costume changing must have been a terrific challenge for performers and their helpers backstage. Often I noticed a solo performer from a previous number run back onstage with a new costume to join the ensemble in progress. And once or twice, it seemed that they were a little out of breath when they had a solo line. And to me, running back to join the ensemble says something about the morale and work ethic of this organization. One couldn’t help but notice it, and to me it’s a message that goes beyond the singing and dancing. There was a bit of nostalgia about this performance, because it would be the last for many of those on stage. EDMT only involves young people up to the age of 20. When they hit 21, they move on. And that makes everyone sad, including me, because I’ve seen many of my favorites “graduate.” But the quality of EDMT and High Voltage will persist because the organization is so strong. These kids are trained as performers from a very early age, and the wonderful things they are able
to do on stage begin in the minds of their mentors, Debbie Wilson (Director and Choreographer) and Jennifer Martin (Vocal Director). With the talents of these women and the support they get from an extensive organization, new young performers will take the place of those leaving, and will, no doubt, amaze and entertain audiences for years into the future.
standing ovations lately, but for this there should have been something more – maybe standing on our seats to recognize an especially high level of achievement. Reprinted with permission from The Sacramento Choral Calendar. Read more reviews from Dick Frantzreb at: http://www.sacchoralcalendar.com/Reviews.htm and http://www.greatlocalshows.blogspot.com/
Photo courtesy Warren Hearl
The audience at Three Stages was a bit thin, as perhaps might be expected for a Tuesday night, though I know there are thousands of people out there who would have loved this show, but who are completely unaware of EDMT and High Voltage. It makes me wonder why professional-quality local performing organizations (and there are others) have to struggle so hard for recognition. To some extent it was a partisan crowd on Tuesday night, with EDMT alumni, family and friends in the audience, but no one could doubt that the quick standing ovation at the end was earned. I’ve seen a lot of 5
High Voltage 2011-2012 Company Julia Adams, David Bryant, Quintin Casl, Heather Clark, Jonathan Cranmer, Jillian Curry, Asher Dubin, Allison Frew, Terry Hicks, Olivia Kaufmann, Lencia Kebede, Alex Levy, Jordan Maxey, Madeleine McConnell, Clara Regula, Helen Regula, Carly Speno, Kaileen Teter, Braiden Wells, Andrew Wilson, Anjie Rose Wilson, Zachary Wilson
ANNOUNCING THE THREE STAGES
2012–13 SEASON! TICKETS GO ON SALE
THE ARTOF THREE BRANFORD MARSALIS
“WEIRD AL” YANKOVIC
ONLINE JUNE 30, 10 am BY PHONE JULY 2, 10 am Over 100 events sold out last season. Don’t be left out—purchase early!
LILY CAI CHINESE DANCE COMPANY
CLINT BLACK
The Manhattan Transfer RAIN (Beatles Tribute) Black Watch – Pipes and Drums Shrek The Musical Drummers & Dancers of Burundi Lord of the Dance Los Lobos Paco Peña Madeleine Peyroux Vienna Boys Choir NY Gilbert & Sullivan Players Dailey & Vincent Natalie MacMaster Aquila Theatre Bill Medley Russian National Ballet Theatre Inti-Illimani Cirque Chinois And many, many more!
HUNDREDS OF PERFORMANCES TO CHOOSE FROM
916-608-6888
ThreeStages.net
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Questions
with Jim Meskimen
You may recognize his face from national commercials or movies such as Ron Howard’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas . . . 7
. . . You’ve certainly heard him, although you may not recognize his voice. His name is Jim Meskimen. An amazing impressionist, and voiceover actor, his countless characters range from Woody Allen to Morgan Freeman.
performing. Their friends were actors, and our house was full of wonderful story-tellers, guys playing guitar, singing folk songs. It was the 60’s, you know? The third wave of Americana was passing through. Now we’re on something like the fifth
very particular about ‘‘ I’m what I want to bring to audiences;
I’m really only satisfied when people have been very inspired and moved and amused.
’’
Scott Simon of National Public Radio recently referred to Jim as “The greatest impressionist of our times.” Not bad! Jim Meskimen became an internet sensation in July of 2011 when his video “Shakespeare in Celebrity Voices” went viral. To date it has accumulated over eight-hundredthousand views on YouTube. We caught up with Jim to talk about acting, his show JIMPRESSIONS and being the “man of infinite voices.”
’’
world of working voice actors. I’ve just got a much stronger affinity for making sounds and voices than most people and even most performers, I guess, and I have been lucky enough to find ways to exploit that in my goals as an entertainer, to bring diversion and fun to people through my art. I’m very particular about what I want to bring to audiences; I’m really only satisfied when people have been very inspired and moved and amused… anything less and I feel a bit like a bum. Like a second baseman who’s batting 280 and has a couple of errors every game, just to use a baseball analogy. But I guess it’s fair to say that although I had noodled around with imitations and accents and stuff for years in my childhood, it wasn’t until I was really pursuing acting on a day-to-day basis, when I was in my twenties, that I realized I might have an edge as an impressionist or voice person. At that point I was doing a lot of improv, and that lead to commercials, and that lead—after some long time—to movies and television.
wave of folk music and those stories. So, it was very natural to me to imitate people, create characters, and have fun in that way, along with the roller skates and crayons and all those other important things in a kid’s life. I watched the Wizard of OZ and Now I’m all about the internet, loved Bert Lahr. I vividly remember YouTube and that stuff, because doing his “’ ‘F I were King of the that’s the future. And of course, live Forehehehehst!” song. Great stuff! audiences, which is the best of all. Magic! And people laughed. That was my downfall. I was hooked!
Q. How did you first begin
Q. When did you discover
acting and then later begin doing impressions?
you had this incredible talent with voices?
You know, I was just a little guy, I don’t know how incredible my playing around. My parents were talent is, I think It’s quite credible both in the theater, and knew about and actually pretty ordinary in my 8
Q. You have been in a number of films that were directed by Ron Howard, how did that relationship develop?
Well, I met Ron when I was about 12 or 13 maybe, on the set of Happy Days. I was aware of Ron as a child
actor, and my mom used to point him out to me on the television, saying “That’s Ron Howard !” in a way that communicated to me, “Pay attention to THAT guy. . . he’s special.” And he is! Later, when she was Marion Cunningham on Happy Days, she brought me and my friend Danny Sternfeld to Paramount and we met Ron, who was maybe 18 or 19 years old and already a seasoned veteran. So, I saw him quite a lot, and his family. We didn’t hang out, since I was a lot younger, but at one point when he was either about to leave the show or actually gone, he asked my mom if she thought I would like to help him as a go-fer for a feature film he was directing on the
weekends, and she immediately saw the benefit of getting me out of the house. ( I was a teenager by that time, and not very sanitary. ) So I wound up working about six weekends on his film, which he never finished, because partway thru, Roger Corman—the great indie producer—made a deal with him to direct and star in another couple of movies and he was off on to his dream career. About 20 years later, I got the call that he wanted to see me for a part in a film he was doing in NY, called The Paper, and I auditioned for him and got my first movie role, for which I will always be grateful. It was a nice little scene with Marisa
Tomei, still one of the best parts I’ve ever won. Since then, Ron has given me several other roles in his films, the best being Apollo 13, in which I played one of the mission controllers. That is a great, great film and I am very proud to have been in it.
Above: Jim Meskimen at Mission Control in Ron Howard’s Apollo 13. Below: The myriad faces which belong to just a few of the infinite voices mastered by Jim Meskimen.
Q. What was the inspiration
improvise and, hopefully, make it a little better each time. I have my for creating your show friend Tait Ruppert as the director JIMPRESSIONS? and he and I are very united in our My goal is to reach audiences vision of how the show should be. I really love taking the show with an uplifting evening that will give them relief from the troubles of around, and I’ve been able to get it the day, show them something they in front of audiences in Sydney, haven’t seen or heard before with Australia, Chicago, Toronto, and the whole family, and also leave England. It is always an interesting them with their faces hurting from thing to see the different reactions certain voices get. I have even done laughing so much. To that end, I put together my parts of the show for elementary best, most amusing impressions kids, and they seem to enjoy it too.
There’s not much blocking me that way. I just decide to change the viewpoint and “become” that character and “boom!” Observation, practice and decision. Those are the deadly weapons of my craft. And I guess a kind of relentless love of mischief.
Q. Just as important as how a character sounds, is what they say. How would Robin Williams complete this: “Two men walk into a bar . . . ”
Yes, that “what they would say” is totally related to “how they would look at it,” and is the senior thing, Jack Nicholson beyond the perfect technical rendition. If Jack Nicholson had his larynx removed and didn’t sound like he does anymore, his viewpoint would still be his own, and the sound wouldn’t much matter. It’s a clue to the character, but a less important, his own less telling one than this thing “Viewpoint.” That’s what I go off of. Of course, it’s an amusing thing from my long list of celebrities, and I think that’s mainly because of the to really capture some of the quality wove it together into the show I variety and the quick changes, and of the sound of a well-known person, now do; a kind of journey through the fact that a grown-up is being so and we impressionists love that voices and show business. Of course ridiculous. game, who can unravel a voice and it’s always evolving. spring it on the public, fool them for A couple of pieces that I created a second. It’s like a magic trick. Q. You change from to promote the show are on YouTube. I now actually perform those bits in character to character Q. In the show, you the show. I’m always polishing and instantaneously, How do impersonate celebrities refining and finding how to make you do it? the show funnier and more interestI have practiced so much, from George Clooney to ing to the audience. It’s not stand- —onstage in my old improv groups, Kevin Spacey, from William up comedy, exactly, it is more in the night after night, and in the Shatner to Morgan Freeman theatrical vein, but I do what stand- professional world, the thousands and even Flipper. Who are ups do and record the shows, see or tens of thousands of auditions, your favorites? The show is kind of composed of what the reactions are to the not to mention the actual paying material, polish and hone and jobs—that I’m pretty grooved in. all my favorites, and my usual answer
had his ‘‘ Iflarynx removed and didn’t sound like he does anymore, his viewpoint would still be .
’’
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to that is that my favorite at the time is that voice that I feel best illustrates how I feel in that moment. That being said, I love doing Tommy Lee Jones and also Ricky Gervais. If I’m at home and trying to get something difficult done, having trouble with the computer or something, I start to complain in a Ricky Gervais voice. For some reason that seems appropriate. Orson Welles is another one that I like doing. It’s always good to bulk up one’s self esteem.
Q. About how many different characters do you do?
I don’t know! Because I’m always changing the number I don’t even keep track anymore. They said Rich Little—the great impressionist who I idolized as a kid—did about 300 terrific voices. I do about 75 in my show. But there are new ones every day. Suddenly I’ll go, ”Oh yeah! That guy too!” and have to put him on the list. There are a lot of great actors from the history of film and TV, and new ones all the time, in the news. That’s why I started billing myself as “The Man of An Infinity of Celebrity Voices,” which is completely selfserving, but saves me a lot of time. I’ve experimented with doing some “Hybrid Celebrities” too, just to see what that would be like. It’s on my YouTube channel. indulge in an artistic way. To me, creativity implies making something key to creativity? out of thin air, one’s ideas, one’s Well, I don’t claim to know what vision, dreams, what have you. the key to it is, but I think it is When I was a kid, I used to draw something that one should always cartoons endlessly. I loved it so
Q. What do you feel is the
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much. I was always creating stuff, some of it in imitation of artists I loved, other stuff I just kind of dreamed up and wanted to experience. I liked feeling what I was drawing, like the emotion of a
particular character; it’s like when you’re reading and you suddenly begin to vibrate at the frequency of a certain person in the story. I would get a picture in my head and start to draw it, and soon I would be making the face (my mom would point that out) and kind of grimacing as if I was the creature I was drawing. That’s very much part of the fun of creating. You don’t have to move to Wyoming and get a job on a smelly ranch, put on a bunch of scratchy clothes, and sleep on a pallet to be a cowboy, you can just draw one, or act like one, or just believe that’s who you are. Then you can knock it off and just be yourself, too. Just in time for lunch!
Q. You’ve performed
Q. What do you like about
Q. What did your mother
doing a live show as opposed to doing a movie?
JIMPRESSIONS from Hollywood to London to Sydney, Australia. Are audiences different? What do they find funny?
People are different, but some things are universally hilarious, like George W. Bush. I almost cut him out of my show in Sydney, but they totally went nuts when I did my little salute to Bush. I didn’t know if they had any interest in American politicians. I want to go to South Africa and see what they know about and like in my act. I’ve had quite a lot of good press from South Africa from some of my YouTube videos recently.
say when you told her you were going to Folsom?
She asked me what I’d been convicted of, and when visiting hours were. She’s sentimental that way. Actually mom is a big supporter of JIMPRESSIONS, and I am a HUGE fan of hers; we recently went out to Toronto to see her starring in a great production of Lost in Yonkers, and it Movies are the best way to reach was just amazing. She’s 83 and still a mammoth audience, but the has total mastery. I’m so lucky to trade-off is that you lose a lot of know her. control of and connection to the whole process. I’m very comfortable You can see Jim Meskimen live in his ninety in front of a crowd of people, and I minute, two-act tour de force JIMPRESSIONS. like to know that my message is It performs at Three Stages on Wednesday, getting across, instantly. It’s a fun, July 25, 7:30 p.m. Seating is limited. Tickets fun time. are available at www.threestages.net or The live interchange. Movies are a protracted proccess. They take months —or even years—to get in front of an audience, and even then, the editor might still choose your worst take, or your worst side, or somehow lose your performance entirely.
call 916-608-6888 For more information about Jim Meskimen, visit www.jimpressions.net
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Jr.
A musical for the entire family HONK! Jr. is a musical based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale, The Ugly Duckling. It was transformed into a hit British show that won the award for Best New Musical beating both Disney’s The Lion King and Mamma Mia. Hans Christian Andersen completed the Ugly Ducking Story in 1842 while enjoying the beauty of nature during his stay at a country estate. He later admitted the story was a reflection of his own life. It is that personal element that has resonated with readers and helped the story remain relevant for 170 years.
The universal appeal of this classic tale has lead to a wide variety of adaptations. Three films have been based on the story, including two animated shorts produced by Walt Disney. Each of the Disney films received critical acclaim including an Academy Award for Best Short Subject in 1939. A variety of television programs and cartoons have also used the story of the Ugly Duckling for inspiration. The timeless fairy-tale has also seen a variety of 13
musical adaptations from opera, to ballet to a musical film staring Danny Kay. In 2000, the tale hit the stage on London’s West End in Honk! Hans Christian Anderson’s story of the awkward outcast warmed the hearts of audiences. Since then the show has been seen in over 8,000 different productions around the world, winning many awards along the way. El Dorado Musical Theatre brings this award-winning musical to local audiences at Three Stages performing arts center beginning July 6th.
Family entertainment with a positive message
theme of acceptance. As society attempts to deal with issues of bullying and discrimination, Honk! Honk! Jr. is EDMT’s Rising Stars Jr. brings to life the concepts of compassion and show for this season. It is the acceptance, opportunity for performers ages understanding. Honk! Jr. is about accepting the 6–14 to take the lead and demonstrate their talents. Although the uniqueness of others and celecast has an average age of 10, it brating everyone’s differences. includes true stage veterans. A number of the leads have been performing for over half their lives, some with over 30 Honk! Jr. opens July 6th and runs through shows to their credit. July 23rd. Tickets are available at This production combines www.threestages.net exciting live theater with a positive or call 916-608-6888
Interview: with Honk! Jr. Director Kat Bahry us who bring it to life onstage to use more of the essence of the characters so that they’re more human-like. What makes THIS a fun show?
First of all, the music is so much fun. There are fun songs like “Warts and All,“ “Don’t Play with your Food.” It’s a true musical comedy. There are great song and dance numbers. It’s got a warm down-onthe-farm feeling that the audience is going to want to be a part of. What makes Honk! Jr. unique?
Why are you excited about
them is the Olivier award, which is creating Honk Jr.? Honk is a special show because it’s not Britain’s equivalent to our Tony Award This is a special show. I feel that people only a musical comedy where people here in the U.S. It has received amazing are going to take away from it can enjoy a performance and a story, reviews. I think people are going to be something very personal about all the but it also brings out the personal impressed with its British humor. things they have gone through that triumph of someone. It’s also a story make them themselves. of acceptance. Accepting others for Will the performers be It’s a fun entertaining show that wearing animal costumes? who they are. everyone in the family will love. The message is that It’s o.k. to be Oh, absolutely not. The creators, Stiles different. It’s o.k. to be creative. And and Drewe, didn’t want that. They that we should accept everyone the didn’t want the faux fur and feathers. They wanted the characters to be Kat Bahry is the director and choreographer way they are. for Honk! Jr. She also recently won the Honk! Jr. is original and has won very enduring, and they have distinguished title of Teacher of the Year. many prestigious awards. One of accomplished that by asking those of 14
UPCOMING SHOWS
THREE STAGES, ONE NIGHT: TUXEDO JUNCTION
GUIDE Great entertainment coming to Three Stages
A Benefit for the Folsom Lake College Foundation, featuring THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER
College Foundation. For the inaugural event in 2012, Three Stages, One Night will feature The Manhattan Transfer. Saturday, August 18, 2012; 8 pm Winner of eight Grammy Awards and $150 (50% of which is tax deductible) countless Grammy nominations (they It will be the party of the year, and an set a record for 12 nominations of a annual benefit for the Folsom Lake single recording, Vocalese), The
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Manhattan Transfer has been wowing audiences all over the world with their impeccable vocal work and deft taste in musical material. “The most enduringly creative vocal group in jazz history” (JazzTimes) comes to Three Stages for a special evening.
“WEIRD AL” YANKOVIC THE ALPOCALYPSE TOUR Friday, August 10, 2012; 8 pm Saturday, August 11, 2012; 2 pm & 8 pm
His full name is Alfred Matthew Yankovic; more accurately known as “Weird Al” Yankovic, he brings his inspired lunacy to Three Stages this August. Since his early fame on Dr. Demento’s radio show, he has recorded over 150 songs —parodies of popular music, as well as his own original tunes—and has earned three Grammy Awards, four gold records, and six platinum records. In a typical show, he’ll play for two hours, covering 60 + songs. He’ll do a couple of dozen costume changes and adopt a couple of dozen different personalities. “He’s nonstop, and it’s nuts, and his crowd is nuts, and then he plays some songs about Yoda and it’s all over…[it’s like a] good, fast-paced comedy show.” (City Sound Inertia)
MADELEINE PEYROUX with Special Guest Rebecca Pidgeon
Thursday, August 23, 2012; 7:30 pm
The first thing to be noticed is her voice. Madeleine Peyroux was quickly crowned with the neo-Billie Holiday label, but her earliest influence was Bessie Smith, Queen of the Blues. With five recordings under her belt (the latest features a little of everything, from co-writing songs with former
Rolling Stone Bill Wyman to pianistic support from Allen Toussaint), she sits very comfortably between folk music and jazz, neither a show-off stylist nor a laid back crooner. “Peyroux sings as elegantly as Peggy Lee and writes lines bearing the downbeat clarity of Leonard Cohen” (Mojo). 16
FIRST PERSON:
SEEING AMERICA Featuring Ensemble Galilei, Bill Pullman & Lily Knight With Photographs from the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Sunday, October 14, 2012; 2 pm
In 2011, the Three Stages audience delighted to Universe of Dreams, Ensemble Galilei’s presentation of poetry, music, and images from the Hubble Space Telescope. Returning now with actors Bill Pullman (Independence Day, While You Were Sleeping, Too Big To Fail) and Lily Knight (Changeling, Boston Legal), the subject turns to great American
photographs, as culled from the extensive collection housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accompanying these moving images of America are readings from some of America’s finest writers, and music by Ensemble Galilei (“they play with energy, splendid ensemble, good humor and imagination,” Washington Post) — from Bach to Celtic and back. A new kind of theater experience, here in a theater near you!
fuss was about—the 1960’s was an exciting, innovative decade in the history of popular music. Through a creative blending of live music performance, film, dance, lighting, computer-generated imagery, and high-concept stage design, This Is The 60’s offers an evening’s immersion into the pop culture of the 1960’s, suitable for the whole family. Utilizing everything from TV commercials, retro dance numbers, vintage fashions, and historic newsreel footage, seven performers will faithfully recreate a wide range of music from the period. Monday, October 15, 2012; 7:30 pm The set list includes everything from Tuesday, October 16, 2012; 7:30 pm the Rolling Stones to The Supremes; Wednesday, October 17, 2012; 7:30 pm from Simon & Garfunkel to Crosby, Whether you were there to see it, or Stills, & Nash; from Procol Harem to just missed it—or if the young ones in The Byrds; from Led Zeppelin to The the family can’t imagine what all the Who—over 30 songs in all.
THIS IS THE 60’s
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ELIANE ELIAS
recorded duets with Herbie Hancock ALFRED HITCHCOCK’S and classical music with opera senThursday, October 18, 2012; 7:30 pm sation Denyce Graves. She has been nominated for numerous Grammy Tuesday, October 23, 2012; 7:30 pm With a musical style that blends Brazilian Awards and all of her recordings have Wednesday, October 24, 2012; roots, a sensuous, alluring voice, and reached the top five on Billboard. And 2 pm & 7:30 pm impressive compositional and piano then there is the spell she weaves over skills, “there is really nobody like Elaine her audience. “Elaine Elias does sultry A “gleefully theatrical riff on Hitchcock’s film, fast and frothy…Theater at its Elias” (New York Observer). She has very well” (Icon). finest”(NewYorkTimes).This Hitchcock classic features 150 characters played by four actors, often executing their EL DORADO MUSICAL THEATRE WELCOMES costume – and set– changes in front of the live audience. A three year run on Broadway and two Tony Awards later, The 39 Steps comes to Three Stages for its first extended run in the capital region. A bored pretty boy AS THE ORGANIZATION’S LEGAL COUNSEL brings home a gorgeous spy; she is murdered in his flat and the mystery WE APPRECIATE MR. SANDERS’ WILLINGNESS story is set in motion. “The great fun of TO ASSIST US IN MEETING OUR LEGAL NEEDS The 39 Steps is its invention” (City Beat). ABOUT ROBERT SANDERS Mr. Sanders is a local attorney who It’s faithful to Alfred Hitchcock—with focuses his law practice on: a dash of Jason Bourne and Monty ESTATE PLANNING Python mixed in. Living Trusts, Wills, Probate
THE 39 STEPS
NATALIE MACMASTER
BUSINESS LAW Corporation/LLC Formation & Governance Contracts, etc. COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS Purchases, Leases, Financing Robert Sanders resides in El Dorado Hills with his wife and four children. He is a strong supporter of the community and is active in his Church and the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce.
PLEASE CONTACT MR. SANDERS WHEN YOU HAVE LEGAL NEEDS IN HIS AREAS OF EXPERTISE. 5170 Golden Foothill Parkway, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
916.235.6840 Ã www.rsanderslaw.com
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Thursday, October 25, 2012; 7:30 pm
“To call Natalie MacMaster the most dynamic performer in Celtic music today is high praise, but it still doesn’t get at just how remarkable a concert artist this Cape Breton Island fiddler has become” (The Boston Herald). Her incandescent musicianship, her boundless energy, her collaborations with Alison Krauss, the Chieftains, Paul Simon, Pavarotti, and more, her world-class step dancing, her exceptional band— there is nothing quite like a concert with Natalie MacMaster.
VIENNA BOYS CHOIR Friday, October 26, 2012; 7:30 pm
at Three Stages “There’s no more gratifying sound than that of children singing. And there’s no more polished ensemble of children’s voices than the Vienna Boys Choir” (Fort Worth Star-Telegram). The world’s most beloved choir has been thrilling
audiences young and old for over 500 years. Today, these choristers between the ages of 10 and 14 perform 300 times a year around the globe. And they are beloved for good reason: Artistic Director Gerald Wirth “programmed an
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impressive mix of art songs, opera choruses, American classic pop (Harold Arlen and Irving Berlin), a sacred hymn (sung in Lebanese), and more. Their texts covered no fewer than six languages” (Washington Post).
This summer, experience the most amazing theater training program in the region
Imagine an intensive 5-day experience where young people who love musical theater can work directly with experienced Broadway performers. As a student, you’ll attend classes on acting, singing, and dance—all at levels that match your experience. And you’ll be working with people who have performed at the highest levels in theater. EDMT’s Summer Musical Theater Intensive is open to performers age 13 years and up. Experienced younger performers may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Make musical theater training a part of your summer. Get all of the details at:
www.edmtSummerIntensive.info
July 23–27
For more information about EDMT: 916-941-SING (7464)
www.edmt.info
El Dorado Musical Theatre
Season Tickets Now Available The 2012–13 season has been announced and tickets are now on sale at the EDMT website. The season features some recent Broadway hits, some classic shows, and lots of entertainment. Here is what’s you can see from EDMT:
Seussical the Musical
High VoltagE
Legally Blonde
A Main Stage Production
A Musical Review
An Encore Production
Performs November 2–18, 2012
Three Stages at Folsom Lake College One of the most performed shows in America, Seussical The Musical is a magical, fantastical, musical extravaganza! The story centers on Horton, who finds himself faced with two challenges; not only must he protect his tiny friend Jojo (and the invisible Whos) from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although he faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping, and a trial, Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him, the only one who knows “his kind and powerful heart.” Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant, in a story that makes you laugh and cry.
Holiday Celebration
Performs December 17, 2012
Three Stages at Folsom Lake College Exceptional singing and dancing? Highenergy entertainment? Flat-out fun that will have you on your feet? You’ve just described High Voltage, the premiere performing group from El Dorado Musical Theatre. The High Voltage company consists of 20 young performers. They perform a highenergy, fast paced review that features the talent of the entire cast. This Holiday Celebration performance features classic holiday songs mixed with a few surprises. Last year’s show was a sold out success. This year’s show just might be even better.
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Performs February 15 - March 3, 2013
Three Stages at Folsom Lake College Legally Blonde is a hit Broadway musical with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin and book by Heather Hach. The story is based on the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name. It tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner. She discovers how her knowledge of the law can help others, and successfully defends exercise queen Brooke Wyndham in a murder trial. Legally Blonde provides a multitude of great songs, laughs and high energy fun.
StagePass is published six times a year by El Dorado
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Bye Bye Birdie
Musical Theatre.
A Main Stage Production
A Rising Stars Production
www.edmt.info/stagepass
Performs April 19 - May 5, 2013
Performs July 5 - 21, 2013
Three Stages at Folsom Lake College
Three Stages at Folsom Lake College
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a classic Broadway musical which won seven Tony Awards, the New York Drama Critics Circle award, and the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The story concerns young, ambitious J. Pierrepont Finch who, with the help of the book How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, rises from window washer to chairman of the board of the World Wide Wicket Company. In 1967, a film based on the musical was released by United Artists. A 1995 revival starring Matthew Broderick and Megan Mullally was mounted at the same theatre as the original production and ran for 548 performances. A 50th anniversary Broadway revival starring Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette opened in March 2011 and ran for 473 performances.
The original Broadway production of Bye Bye Birdie a Tony Award-winning success. It spawned a London production and several major revivals, a sequel, a 1963 film, and a 1995 television production. Bye Bye Birdie is one of the most captivating musical shows of our time. It’s a satire showing the fondest affection telling the story of a rock singer about to be inducted into the army. Put on a Happy Face, A Lot of Livin’ to Do, Kids, Rosie, and Spanish Rose are musical theatre classics. This is the tops in imagination and good old fashioned fun.
Don’t miss a minute of the El Dorado Musical Theatre’s 2012-2013 season. EDMT is one of the best theater ticket values in Northern California. As a season ticket holder, you can save even more. Get your EDMT Season Tickets at: http:// www.edmt.info/seasonsubs.html
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