REVIEW: “Cast Doesn’t Fail” in La Mirada Production of RENT
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| The Company performs "Seasons of Love" in the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment production of the Tony Award-winning "RENT" - directed by Richard Israel and now playing at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts through November 15th. |
One of La Mirada's greatest places to visit is the Theatre for the Performing Arts.
How lucky are we residents to have Broadway shows and stars grace the stage of our community theatre? The number of shows and variety more so has offered my husband and me a great reason to find time for a date night sans children. Not to say that our children's theatre shows aren't great--- they are!
However, when I want to rock out to some classic rock, take in a musical, or simply have a good cry, there is always a show I can take in at the La Mirada Theatre for Performing Arts and this time around, it just so happens that we were lucky to take in RENT.
I went in to seeing RENT knowing that it would knock my socks off. Then again, the opinion I received about how fabulous the show would be was from a good friend who has seen it ten times. You read that correctly, ten times. Both her and her husband had their reviews about the different performers who have taken on the role of Mark, Roger, Mimi, Tom, Angel, Maureen, and Joanne.
Of course, I didn't know who any of these characters were until the curtain dropped at the end of the evening. To say that I was pleasantly pleased is an understatement.
RENT is a musical, so expect plenty of singing and songs, oh the songs! It wouldn't be considered PC for me to sing "Out Tonight" amongst my kiddos at home, but I've heard "Seasons of Love" sung by friends as well as the original cast years ago on an afternoon talk show appearance.
This cast doesn't fail you at all. Mark Whitten, Devin Archer, Lawrence Cummings, and John Devereaux' voices are gorgeous but Cummings definitely steals the spotlight in his performance as Angel and "Today 4 U". And watch for the vocals of both Emily Goglia and Amber Mercomes, yes honey, on the same stage, singing the same song. Wow. Did I say wow?
I encourage you to take a date night for yourself and your main squeeze. Go see RENT. Don't deprive yourself of this opportunity to see what all the hype and history of this musical is about. And don't forget, No Day But Today!
POWER OUTAGE INFO
There is a power outage currently affecting residents and businesses in the Biola/Stage area of La Mirada.
So Cal Edison website is reporting power should be restored by 7:30 a.m.
La Mirada Blog and Gateway Guardian Announce Partnership
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| Stories from the La Mirada Blog will begin appearing in the Gateway Guardian newspaper this week as recently announced by Blog Founder/Editor Tony Aiello and Gateway Publisher Melinda Kimsey. |
La Mirada~Gateway Guardian Newspaper Inc., based in Artesia, will begin a partnership with the La Mirada Blog as they expand their coverage into La Mirada, recently announced by Publisher Melinda Kimsey.
The Gateway is a bi-weekly paper that currently covers the cities of Artesia, Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens & La Palma.
La Mirada Blog stories will begin appearing exclusively in this weeks edition.
"I am excited and proud about the prospect of the Blog being available in print," said founder and editor Tony Aiello, "We were one of the first to provide local news on-line. My inspiration of course, was local print newspapers."
"The La Mirada Blog website model has been extremely successful, nobody informs residents as efficiently as we do. But also, there is room and a need for print newspapers in smaller communities, it's just that simple. This is just another way of getting our stories in front of more eyes and keeping people informed."
The Gateway newspaper can currently be picked up for free at key locations throughout its distribution area including Artesia, Cerritos and Hawaiian Gardens city halls.
You can also get the the Gateway delivered straight to your home for $25.00 a year by sending in the form located inside the paper or you may call (562) 522-8776.
The Gateway Guardian is also available on-line at gatewayguardiannews.com.
Escalona Elementary Emphasizes Giving Back During Red Ribbon Week
La Mirada~Escalona Elementary will be hosting several events for Red Ribbon Week that allow parents, students, and staff members to "give back" to the community.
Each day, the school will have a dress-up day that corresponds and encourages ways for students and others to give back.
MONDAY: On the 26th, the school we will be hosting a blood drive in coordination with PIH Health from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Also, students are encouraged to wear red and a “Just Say No” assembly will be held in cooperation with La Mirada Public Safety.
TUESDAY: Students will be wearing red, white and blue and writing letters to soldiers.
WEDNESDAY: Crazy Hair Day. Several students are either donating hair previously cut or cutting their hair in front of the school. The hair is being donated to the "Wigs for Kids" organization.
THURSDAY: Crazy Sock Day. Students are bringing in a pair of new socks to donate to a local shelter.
Contact Renee Ivy at rivy@nlmusd.k12.ca.us for more information or to sign-up to donate blood.
Dulles Elementary Selects Student of the Month
La Mirada~Often, being called into the principal’s office means you’re in trouble. However, Norwalk-La Mirada’s Dulles Elementary is turning that stigma around.
This month, first-grader Nicolas Diomedes said he enjoyed being called to the principal’s office to be highlighted as the Student of the Month.
The reward program, coupled with the Staff of the Month award, is part of Dulles’ Positive Behavior System to employ recognition to foster good student behavior and recognize the work of teachers and staff who have made a “Dulles Difference” by contributing to a supportive learning environment.
RENT Opens for First Time at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
La Mirada~La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts& McCoy Rigby Entertainment (2014 Ovation Award Nominee for Best Season!), announce the second show of their 2015-2016 season, RENT, book, music & lyrics by Jonathan Larson, musical direction by John Glaudini, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Richard Israel (Floyd Collins).
RENT will preview on Friday, October 23, 2015 (with a press opening on Saturday, October 24) and run through Sunday, November 15, 2015 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.
An all-new production of Jonathan Larson's story of talented friends struggling in New York City in 1995 with drug addiction, AIDS, and poverty is one that transcends to current times. Mark, Roger, and Tom are friends living in the East Village of New York City. While Mark deals with the break up to his girlfriend Maureen to Joanne, Roger meets Mimi and Tom meets Angel. Together, they all strive for a life not full of riches but of love and the right to express such uniquely. Dashed with humor, this intensely emotional masterpiece by the late Larson is passionate and rocks with musical numbers and vocals.
RENT stars Mark Whitten, Devin Archer, John Devereaux, Lawrence Cummings, and Cassie Simone, Emily Goglia, and Amber Mercomes. Ensemble includes, Cooper Howell, Chassey Bennett, Daniel Dawson, Alyssa M. Simmons, Luke Monday, John Pinto Jr., Craig Michael Lucas, Aaron Gordon, and Chanel Edwards-Frederick.
RENT is directed by Richard Israel, choreographed by Dana Solimando, with musical direction by John Glaudini. Casting Director: Julia Flores. Scenic Designer: Stephen Gifford. Costume Designer: Thomas G. Marquez. Lighting Designer: Steven Young. Sound Desinger: Josh Bessome. Video Projection Design: Jonathan Infante.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, RENT has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages. This is theatre at its best -- exuberant, passionate, and joyous.
Performances will be 7:30pm on Wednesdays & Thursdays; 8pm on Fridays; 2pm and 8pm on Saturdays; and 2pm on Sundays. There will be no matinee performance on Saturday, October 24. Talkbacks with the cast and creative team will be on Wednesday, October 28 and Wednesday, November 11.
Tickets range from $20 - $70 and can be purchased at La Mirada Theatre’s website, www.lamiradatheatre.com or by calling the La Mirada Theatre Box Office at (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310. Student, Senior and group discounts are available.
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts is located at 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue where the 91 and 5 freeways meet. Parking is free.
La Mirada Shaquatics Hosts Scrimmage to Raise Funds for Injured Veterans
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| The La Mirada Shaquatics Water Polo Club recently raised $343.00 at Biola University for injured veterans. |
La Mirada~The Shaquatics Water Polo Club based in La Mirada recently hosted a charity scrimmage benefiting Homes for our Troops.
On Tuesday, October 13th students participated in a water polo game at Biola University and families each donated $10 per player. In addition, t-shirt sales also added to the donation.
The group raised $343.00 for Homes for our Troops, an organization committed to building mortgage-free, specially adapted homes nationwide for severely injured veterans post-9/11, to enable them to rebuild their lives.
For more information on the La Mirada Shaquatics Water Polo Club visit www.shaquatics.net/
Norwalk-La Mirada Schools to Hold 4th Annual College Fair
Norwalk~The Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District is inviting students and parents to attend its annual District College Fair from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21 at the John Glenn High School gymnasium.
NLMUSD Board President and Glenn alumni, Jesse Urquidi will kick off the event at a 5 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolically opening the door to an exciting future for all students.
The fair is open to the public and will feature more than 50 college representatives and several college workshops in both English and Spanish.
John Glenn High School is located at 13520 Shoemaker Avenue in Norwalk.
Follow-up: More than 4,000 students in Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District attended the District’s fourth annual College Expo on Oct. 21 at Glenn High School – nearly doubling last year’s attendance.
The Expo was part of an expanding stable of District programs aimed at boosting college- and career-readiness for students. Students and families met with more than 50 college and university representatives, attended workshops and learned about career pathways.
Interactive exhibits featured the District’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) and Project Lead The Way programs; a VIP reception was catered entirely by Norwalk High’s Culinary Arts students using a mobile kitchen designed and built by Norwalk High’s automotive class.
La Mirada Cyclist to Support Rotary’s Ride to End Polio
La Mirada resident Paul Milward will be representing the Rotary Club of La Mirada as a rider in El Tour de Tucson, an annual 100 mile bicycle race in Arizona to raise funds to end polio.
Milward will join Rotary General Secretary John Hewko and more than 9,000 cyclists raising funds for PolioPlus on November 21. The team’s goal is $3.4 million, which will be tripled by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, for a total of more than $10 million.
Although not a Rotarian, Milward takes Rotary’s quest to end polio throughout the world very personally. His father, Charles Milward, was afflicted by the disease. The elder Milward was a successful Santa Fe Springs businessman for many years until his death a few years ago.
Two Festive Events for the Family on Halloween in La Mirada
Visit La Mirada on Halloween, Saturday, October 31st for two festive and family friendly events. Splash! will be hosting a Pirate Pumpkin Bash from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. where you can participate in Halloween inspired games, crafts, and pumpkin decorating.
An area for children to trick-or-treat will be provided, and costumes are encouraged, but not required. The Pumpkin Bash is a free event. Splash!’s Buccaneer Bay will also be open for the final day of the 2015 season, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with special priced admission.
In the evening, the City of La Mirada will be hosting its annual Halloweenfest at the historic Neff Estate. The safe and family-friendly festivities will be held from 4:30 to 8 p.m.
This fun event includes haunted house tours, games, crafts, and costume contests. Children can collect candy throughout the night.
The costume contests at Halloweenfest will be held at the following times: Pets: 5 p.m. | Ages: 2 & under - 5:30 p.m., 3 to 5 - 6:00 p.m., 6 to 8 - 6:30 p.m., 9 to 12 - 7:00 p.m., 13 & up/Groups - 7:30 p.m.
For more information, contact the Community Services Department at (562) 943-7277.
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