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Archive for September, 2013|Monthly archive page

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The Next BEND IN THE ROAD

In Family Entertainment, Music, Musicals, Our Work, Theater, Uncategorized on September 26, 2013 at 4:32 pm
"A Home For Me" from BEND IN THE ROAD: The Anne of Green Gables Musical. Photo by Carol Rosegg. © 134 West, LLC

“A Home For Me” from BEND IN THE ROAD. © 134 West

After a hugely successful run at The Pearl Theater on 42nd Street for the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF), BEND IN THE ROAD: The Anne of Green Gables Musical is now looking for it’s next production!  We are actively seeking theater and producing partners who are interested in a quality family musical that is both classic, inspiring and heartfelt with songs that send your soul soaring and stick in your head long after the show is over.

Alison Woods made her New York debut as Anne Shirley in BEND IN THE ROAD: The Anne of Green Gables Musical. Written by Benita Scheckel and Michael Upward. Based on Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery. Photo by Carol Rosegg © 2013 134 West, LLC

Alison Woods made her New York debut as Anne Shirley in BEND IN THE ROAD: The Anne of Green Gables Musical.  © 2013 134 West

Couldn’t make it to New York to see us at NYMF? Or didn’t catch us at the Carrie Hamiton Theatre at the Pasadena Playhouse? Then check out the BEND IN THE ROAD website for great production photos, videos and glowing reviews! We look forward to the next Bend in the Road in 2014. Here are some review quote highlights from New York:

“Bend in the Road would be most welcome on Broadway!”  -Huffington Post

“Bend in the Road is wonderful”
-Life Upon the Sacred Stage

“Absolutely Flawless!” -The Write Teacher

“Bend in the Road is a winner!”
– JK Theatre Scene

ABOUT BEND IN THE ROAD

Book and lyrics by: Benita Scheckel

Music and lyrics by: Michael Upward

Anne (Alison Woods) and Diana (Whitney Winfield). Walk Like Sisters (Kindred Spirits). BEND IN THE ROAD. Photo by Carol Rosegg. © 134 West, LLC

Anne (Alison Woods) and Diana (Whitney Winfield). Walk Like Sisters (Kindred Spirits). BEND IN THE ROAD. © 134 West

Cast Size: 14+

Ideal Band Size: 3-7
Style: Family Comedy

BEND IN THE ROAD: The Anne of Green Gables Musical is a fun and heartwarming family comedy musical based on the beloved classic novel, Anne of Green Gables, by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Bend in the Road tells the story of young Anne Shirley, an orphan, who is mistakenly adopted by siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert to help them on their Avonlea farm.

Gilbert Blythe (CJ Pawlikowsk) and Anne Shirley (Alison Woods) in BEND IN THE ROAD. Photo by Carol Rosegg. © 134 West, LLC

Gilbert Blythe (CJ Pawlikowsk) and Anne Shirley (Alison Woods) in BEND IN THE ROAD. © 134 West

Anne’s intelligent, joyous and imaginative ways change the lives of all those around her in this small town, including Matthew, Marilla and nosy town gossip Mrs. Rachel Lynde. Anne finds fast friendships at school and a rivalry with classmate Gilbert Blythe turns complicated as they grow up.

 

Photos by Carol Rosegg.  2013 New York Musical Theatre Festival.

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O BABY MINE: Sing a Song of Shakespeare

In Family Entertainment, Music, Our Work, Shakespeare, Theater, Uncategorized on September 26, 2013 at 8:00 am
Songs for all the seven ages inspired by the bard!

Songs for all the seven ages inspired by the bard!

134 West presents O BABY MINE: Sing a Song of Shakespeare, a new indie album of children’s songs and lullabies inspired by, and taken from, Shakespeare’s plays.  Producer/Director Susan Lambert conceived this new concept album when she adapted the lyrics of Twelfth Night’s O Mistress Mine to sing to her infant son while rocking him to sleep.

Alas, poor Yorick... Sing a Song of Shakespeare with O Baby Mine.

Alas, poor Yorick… Sing a Song of Shakespeare with O Baby Mine, a kid’s album inspired by Shakespeare plays.
© 2013 134 West, LLC

Executive Produced by Lambert. Produced by music and theater man-about-town Rob Kendt and featuring songs by Kendt, Madison Scheckel, Raymond Bokhour, Cinco Paul and many others! It’s a wonderful collection for smart and indie music loving families as well as theatre lovers and their kids. And, of course, for those who love the Bard, O BABY MINE is a wonderful way to share Shakespeare’s stories and words with all the seven ages.  And the great thing is, this music isn’t just for kids or for Shakespeare fans. When 134 West produces family entertainment, it means everyone enjoys the fun.

O Baby Mine Album art

O Baby Mine Album art – Front Cover – Sneak Peek
© 2013 134 West, LLC and Chad Calvert

Head over to O Baby Mine website for more info and to listen to some wonderful songs.  Explore the making of the album images and find some inspiring iconic Shakespeare moments re-enacted by kids.

Meanwhile, check out some of our album teaser with an exclusive sneak peek at our album art and the current track listing. The album is expected soon, so keep your ears open…

“Give me some music; music, moody food Of us that trade in love.”  – Antony and Cleopatra

O Baby Mine back cover art

O Baby Mine Album art – Back Cover – Sneak Peek
© 2013 134 West, LLC and Chad Calvert

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An Appalachian Twelfth Night

In Musicals, Our Work, Theater, Uncategorized on September 24, 2013 at 1:56 pm
Shakespeare's Twelfth Night set in 1938 Appalachia is a foot-stompin' comedy with music!

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night set in 1938 Appalachia is a foot-stompin’ comedy with music!

An Appalachian Twelfth Night is a story of loss, love, chaos, laughter and music. 134 West was part of the premiere production in 2002 with Dancing Barefoot Productions and is ready to bring this amazing production to new theaters looking for an accessible Shakespeare show for the whole family. The original production charmed LA audiences with foot-stompin’ fun, sold out shows and rave reviews.

“Playfully conceived by Williams and touchingly rendered by director Susan Lambert, the staging further benefits from an extensive use of old-time folk music. It’s a toe-tapping, laugh spreading good time. ” Daryl Miller, LA Times

“Imaginatively helmed! The production exudes a captivating rural humor all its own.” – Julio Martinez, Variety

“Lusty folk tunes. Devastating straightforwardness… The Globe Theatre hasn’t seen anything like this. It’s one of the best and most innovative productions of Shakespeare’s lyric comedy.”
– Laura Hitchcock, CurtainUp

– A Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Nominee for best musical direction.

Robert L. Williams’ original adaptation of Shakespeare’s “play with music” stunned and delighted Los Angeles audiences aligning rich, traditional mountain music with the poetry of Shakespearean verse. Setting Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night in an isolated coal-mining town in the thirties, it incorporates an Appalachian band “Rev. Karl and the Pikeville Pickers” and draws from the traditional folk music handed down from the Elizabethan ancestors of the mountain dwellers.

Check out the original cast recording on CDBaby or iTunes. Contact susan @ 134west.biz for more information.