REVIEW: Catch the Dream at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
When it comes to diversity in the arts, the McCoy Rigby Entertainment Group is ahead of the game (you know what I'm talkin' about), especially with their latest presentation, the Tony and Oscar Award winning musical Dreamgirls, currently in its off-Broadway run from now through April 17th at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts that continues to bring phenomenal productions to our own diverse community.
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| Brittney Johnson, Jasmin Richardson and Danielle Truitt star in the production of "DREAMGIRLS" - Directed and Choreographed by Robert Longbottom and now playing at LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. |
Set in the early 60's when the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York was busting at its seams with performers like Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and The Supremes, an amateur night of sorts is where Dreamgirls begins.
This musical moves quickly as The Dreamettes (channel The Ronettes) miss out on their chance of stardom. They are quickly offered to sing back up for the star known as Jimmy "Thunder" Early and despite hesitation by the groups lead singer, Effie (played by Moya Angela) Lorrell (Brittney Johnson) and Deena (Jasmin Richardson) the other two-thirds of The Dreamettes convince Effie this can be the groups "big break."
Cut to The Dreamgirls, now taking stage with Early, popular with hit after hit--- no. What actually happens is indicative of the early 60's when musicians like Little Richard or Muddy Waters penned the songs that would be sung by the non-African American contemporary--- a popular hit on the backs of an artist not credited. Soon the tension becomes apparent amongst The Dreams (formerly The Dreamettes) and a split and replacement of a lead singer transpires. Over a course of nearly a decade, we see the evolution of a female trio, the decline of a musical genre, and the success of writers and performers alike.
I went to see Dreamgirls without much known of the story as I have never seen the movie that starred Beyonce, Eddie Murphy, and Jennifer Hudson. I'm happy I didn't because going in with preconceived notions on how this cast "should" perform hits like "one Night Only" and "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" would be unfair to the cast.
Progress Continues on La Mirada Library Renovation
La Mirada~As part of Supervisor Don Knabe’s “Operation Libraries” project, over $45 million is being invested into the restoration of County libraries in the Fourth Supervisorial District, including $4 million to renovate the La Mirada Library.
The City is managing the design and construction of the renovation project and the library will be returned to the County following completion of the work. Emar Studio for Public Architecture is the architect on the project and Citadel CPM, Inc. is the construction management firm.
The project will be completed in two phases, a demolition phase and a construction phase. The project team has completed the first phase of the project which
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| The library renovation team completes the first phase of the project which includes the removal of the interior walls and fixtures. The $4 million dollar project is expected to be completed at the end of this year. |
included the removal of the majority of the interior walls and fixtures.
The architect also prepared plans and specifications for the second phase. Work includes modifications to the lighting and ceiling; new carpet, paint, and service desks; improvements to electrical, mechanical, and telecommunications infrastructure; installation of new furniture, fixtures, equipment, and signage; replacement of all existing window framing and panels with energy efficient dual glazing; and required ADA upgrades.
The City Council recently awarded the contract to The Nazerian Group. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in mid-April.
The temporary library is located on the lower level of the La Mirada Resource Center, 13710 La Mirada Boulevard. The library operates at the following hours:
Monday – Closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday – noon to 5 p.m. Saturday – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday – Closed
La Mirada Receives High Ranks for Fiscal Health
The City of La Mirada was recently ranked in the top 96th percentile for overall fiscal health from United States Common Sense. United States Common Sense is a national organization dedicated to opening government data to the public and educating citizens about how their governments work.
The United States Common Sense organization collects Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) statements annually from governments across the United States and uses the data to create a free, comprehensive public finance database.
Since it was founded in 2010, United States Common Sense has been featured in well-known publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Forbes, Reuters, and more.
For this year’s ranking, evaluators received CAFRs for more than 13,000 local governments and all 50 states, and reviewed almost 10,000 audits. The information is used to rank governments on budget balance, asset flexibility, and pension funding.
Latest La Mirada Crime Report
The following is the La Mirada crime report for March 14 - March 20, 2016 as provided by the City of La Mirada:
Robbery-A robbery was reported on the 14500 block of Leffingwell Rd. A firearm was used to demand cash from the victim. No injuries were reported. The incident remains under investigation.
Aggravated Assault-An assault was reported at La Mirada Blvd. and Excelsior Dr. The incident remains under investigation. A domestic assault was reported on the 14800 block of Springford Dr. The incident remains under investigation.
Vehicle Burglary-A book bag was stolen in a window-smash burglary on the 13300 block of Beach Blvd. A vehicle burglary was reported on the 15800 block of Alicante Rd. A baseball bag with equipment was stolen from the vehicle. A flat screen television was stolen in a window-smash burglary from the 16100 block of Rosecrans Ave. Car speakers and various tools were stolen from a vehicle on the 14200 block of Gannet Rd. A cell phone was stolen in a window-smash burglary on the 12200 block of La Mirada Blvd.
Grand Theft-A theft was reported on the 15500 block of La Mirada Blvd. A commercial air conditioning unit was stolen.
Grand Theft Vehicle-A sedan was reported stolen from the 14300 block of Galicia Dr. The vehicle was recovered later the same day by La Mirada deputies on the 14500 block of Hardaway Dr. A pick-up truck was reported stolen from the 11600 block of Toerge Dr. A commercial truck was reported stolen from the 14400 block of Firestone Blvd. The vehicle was recovered by the Los Angeles Police Department two days later.
Teen Series Continues at La Mirada Library
The La Mirada Library is pleased to announce the “How to be a Grown Up for Teens”, a life skills series, will continue at the La Mirada Resource Center during renovation. This project was supported in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
This program series is ideal for teen’s grades seven and higher to gain essential life skills for surviving adulthood. Don't get caught off guard, come learn about getting fit and staying healthy and how to present the best you to the world.
Upcoming topics include:
Cyber Safety and Social Media on April 5, 2016, 6:00-7:00 PM Fitness on April 19, 2016, 6:00 -7:00 PM
Please note: The La Mirada Library is closed for refurbishment and this program will be held in the La Mirada Resource Center lower level at 13710 La Mirada Blvd.) For more information about this program please call 562-943-0277.
For other programs in this series please visit the County of Los Angeles Public Library website: colapublib.org.
Easter Egg Hunt at La Mirada Regional Park
The City of La Mirada invites community members to attend the annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 26 from 9 to 11 a.m. at La Mirada Regional Park.
The free event is perfect for the whole family to enjoy and features crafts, games, music, and the popular Easter Egg Hunt. The Easter Egg hunt is for children ages 10 and under and begins promptly at 10:15 a.m.
The Easter Bunny will be making a special appearance at the event and is available for photos for a small fee.
Support the La Mirada Kiwanis Club as they will be serving a pancake breakfast before the egg hunt. After the egg hunt, the Kiwanis club invites everyone to join them at Splash! for the annual Duck Derby, which raises funds to support various community causes.
For more information, call the La Mirada Community Services Department at (562) 943-7277.
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts Presents Dreamgirls
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment present the fourth show of their 2015-2016 season, an all-new spectacular DREAMGIRLS, book and lyrics by Tom Eyen, music by Henry Krieger, musical direction by Dennis Castellano and directed & choreographed by Robert Longbottom. Dreamgirls will preview on Friday, March 25, 2016 (with a press opening on Saturday, March 26) and run through Sunday, April 17, 2016 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.
Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, the sensational new production of Dreamgirls tells the story of an up-and-coming 1960s girl singing group, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune. With music by Academy Award nominee Henry Krieger and book and lyrics by Tony and Grammy Award winner Tom Eyen, Dreamgirls features the unforgettable hits: "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," "One Night Only" and "Listen." This Tony and Academy Award winning musical sparkles like never before.
For tickets visit the theatre website here or call the box office at (562) 944-9801.
Splash Into the 6th Derby Duck Race Saturday
La Mirada~The 6th Annual Going Quackers for Kids Derby Duck Race is this Saturday, March 26 immediately following the Easter Egg Hunt. This fun–for-all-ages event will take place at Splash! Enter the back gate of Splash! by following the duck prints! Bring a blanket, and enjoy some family time. All kids’ games and activities are FREE!
The Duck Race is sponsored by La Mirada Kiwanis and benefits multiple La Mirada community groups. Fifty percent of duck sales go directly to the selling groups. With $3,500 in cash prizes, and many other prizes, your odds are better than the lottery, and more fun! There is a corporate race, the main race with 5,000 ducks and a kids’ race. Kids participating in the activities, get a FREE duck entered into the kids’ race!
Individual ducks for main race are $5.00 or 6 for $25.00, visit the Duck Race web site for more information including how to purchase a duck corporate sponsorship.
We’ll see you and your family this Saturday at Splash! after the Easter Egg Hunt!
Olympian and Former La Mirada Softball Star Jersey to be Retired at LMHS.
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| Former Athletic Star and USA Olympian will have her jersey retired at a ceremony at La Mirada High School. Photo jenniefinch.com. |
La Mirada~Eighteen years after she graduated from La Mirada High School , La Mirada native and softball great Jennie Finch will be returning to the Matador diamond to have her jersey retired.
Finch’s number 27 will be honored in a ceremony Tuesday, March 22nd at 3:00 p.m. After, she will throw out the first pitch before the Matadores key rival game vs. Mayfair High School.
An 80’s kid, she was born and grew up in La Mirada. She began pitching at age eight, trained by her father when he noticed she had “a cannon of an arm.” She played on many traveling ball clubs before high school, winning two American Softball Association Titles, one at age 12 and the other at 14.
At La Mirada High she graduated in 1998 and lettered four times in softball and twice in basketball and volleyball. As a senior she was captain in all three sports.
She finished her career in softball at La Mirada with a 50-12 record, four Suburban league titles and an ERA of 0.15 including 784 strikeouts in 445 total innings pitched. She had six perfect games and 13 no-hitters.
She went on to play for the University of Arizona for four years where she left the program the career leader in strikeouts, shutouts, innings pitched and tied for no-hitters (8). Her jersey #27 was retired by the university in 2003.
For Team USA, Finch led the American team to a gold medal in the Olympic Games at Athens in 2004 and a silver medal at Beijing in 2008.
At the La Mirada ceremony, she is expected to attend with family and friends and be presented with a framed jersey, according to first-year head coach Brent Tuttle.
Tuttle also said Finch purchased a set of uniforms for the varsity team this year.
The event is open to the public.
The La Mirada Spring Market is Here
If you’re buying or selling a home in the La Mirada area, turn to the exclusive real estate partner of the La Mirada Blog, Century 21 Westworld. Located at the La Mirada Theatre Center, Century 21 Westworld is the only Century 21 office in La Mirada and offers a prime location for the most walk-in buyers.
Owner/Broker Joel Kushell and Century 21 Westworld Realty have served the La Mirada area since 1975 when the office was opened with just two agents.
The current team at Century 21 Westworld delivers professionalism and expertise unsurpassed in the area, making them the leader for buying and selling homes in La Mirada and the surrounding communities for over 41 years. There are 25 experienced real estate agents at Century 21 Westworld and the Broker, Joel Kushell is proud that 80 % have been with the company between 20 and 32 years.
Located in the center of La Mirada for over 41 years, caring for their clients is top priority at Century 21 Westworld. Agents avoid the use of transaction coordinators and assistants. From meeting appraisers to installing lock boxes, to fielding clients’ calls, agents walk clients through every aspect of the process, every step of the way.
“When our clients hire us, we feel we owe them our time and expertise. We are there for them when they need us,” says Kushell.
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