Mother's Day Celebration

Come celebrate Mother's Day with us! Have a nosh, beautiful music and celebrate the Bubbie in your life! Featuring Janice Mautner Markham and Alissa-Nicole Koblentz. Sunday, May 12th at 10:15 a.m. at Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center.

Chromolume Cabaret

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Excited to be welcomed back to the Chromolume Theatre for a new cabaret show. This time I will be joined by two of the most talented women in musical theatre; Rachel Howe and Dana Shaw. Join us April 14th for a great night of live music and storytelling.

 

Chromolume Cabaret Presents:

Alissa-Nicole Koblentz, Rachel Howe and Dana Shaw

Sunday April 14th, 2013 @ 6 p.m.

5429 W. Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90016
Phone: (323) 205-1617

 Presale tickets are now available at : http://chromolumeinc.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_7&products_id=72

Chromolume Cabaret Presents: Alissa- Nicole Koblentz & Rachel Howe

Rachel and I are reunited once again to perform our cabaret show at the newly relaunched Chromolume Theatre Company. Together we have performed our cabaret show at such venues as The Scarlet Tea Room (Scarlet Nights) and The Volunteer League of the San Fernando Valley (Broadway in the Key of Love). With Chromolume Theatre's relaunch at the Attic, it has instituted a Cabaret Series every Sunday night at 6pm in an effort to provide the talented performers of Southern California an arena to show their stuff... . Come see us perform some of our favorite material with special guests (including the talented Dana Shaw reprising her role as Maureen in RENT) and surprises!       TICKET INFO BELOW:           Sunday, September 23rd at 6 p.m. Chromolume Theatre 5429 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90016 http://www.chromolume-theatre.com/cabaret.html Tickets are $15 / 2 or more $13.50

Spring Awakening- I Believe

Spring Awakening has been a dream come true. I couldn't have asked for a more magical experience.Thank you to glory|struck for this incredible opportunity.

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 Once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the writer himself Steven Sater. He attended our show closing night.

Autographed poster for our fans.

                                        Totally Fucked with Jonah Platt and Paul T. Brindley

                                         The Song of Purple Summer.

              Spring Awakening Cast with Brittany Snow and Courtney Knowles of Love is Louder.

                                           

 With our conductor and my dear friend Rachel Howe.

Touch me with Payson Lewis.

"The Stork" as featured on Playbill.com

With our Adult Male Paul T. Brindley

Purple Summer/Finale.

 Here is a review from LA Stage Scene. http://www.stagescenela.com/2012/07/spring-awakening-in-concert/#more-11712

No simple live recreation of the musical’s cast recording, Spring Awakening In Concert gives audiences the entire Broadway show including dialog—but with a focus on the music this time round. Contemporary outfits replace the 1890s+2000s Broadway mashups, and “movement” takes the place of Bill T. Jones’ choreography. Blocked somewhere between a concert and a theatrical production with a live eight-piece onstage orchestra backing a cast of a dozen of the best vocal talents in town, Spring Awakening In Concert will hold you spellbound from the first notes of “Mama Who Bore Me” to the final chords of “The Song Of Purple Summer.”
For those who may not be familiar with the musical adaptation of Frank Wedenkind’s groundbreaking 1891 drama, the original German play broke plenty of ground indeed with its depiction of on-and/or-offstage masturbation, child abuse, bondage, rape, abortion, and suicide among 14-year-olds just now awakening to their sexuality.
Sater and Sheik’s musical adaptation follows Wedekind’s storylines, though thankfully not too much to the letter. There are its two teen heroes, the handsome, popular, self-confident Melchior (Jonah Platt) and his introverted, inhibited, wet-dream-plagued classmate Moritz (Topher Rhys), and its heroine, the all-too-innocent but no less sexually inquisitive girl-next-door Wendla (Kelley Jakle). Surrounding the trio are Melchior and Moritz’s ever-horny classmates and Wendla’s equally randy girlfriends. A pair of more seasoned actors (Paul T. Brindley and Alissa-Nicole Koblentz) stand in for all the adults in these teens’ lives.
What makes Spring Awakening work so brilliantly is not merely Sater’s streamlining of Wedekind’s melodramatic plot threads, though an effective streamlining it is. Far more important to the musical is singer-songwriter-pop star Sheik’s catchy alternative rock score, the likes of which has probably never before been heard on a Broadway stage.
Like its New York and Hollywood predecessors, Spring Awakening In Concert begins quietly, with sexually burgeoning Wendla wondering if she’ll ever be told the truth about man-woman relations in the acoustic “Mama Who Bore Me,” followed by a very funny sequence in which her highly embarrassed mother (Koblentz) avoids the question entirely, an omission which proves ultimately disastrous. The song then takes on a rock beat as Wendla’s girlfriends Anna (Jamie Lee Barnard), Martha (Olivia Noelle), and Thea (Jilli Marine) join her in a reprise, mikes in hand. Without missing a beat, we’re transported to Melchior and Moritz’s Latin class, where the former is attempting to rescue the latter from the ire of their monster of a teacher (Brindley). Suddenly and without warning, the burning need to express what’s going on inside the teens’ minds and bodies erupts into “The Bitch Of Living,” a rock-n-roll expression of the adolescent rage felt by Melchior and Moritz and the equally pissed off Ernst (Anthony Starble), Georg (Payson Lewis), Hanschen (Nathan Parratt), and Otto (Michael Christopher Luebke).
And this is only the begging of a musical/rock concert that works equally well in its quieter moments, which also feature some of composer Sheik’s and lyricist Sater’s most memorable compositions. The Pink Floyd-esque “Touch Me,” in which the youthful cast of characters express their desire for intimate physical contact; the anthem-like “I Believe,” which sets the stage for Melchior and Wendla’s sexual flowering, and the exquisitely sad “Left Behind,” sung at a funeral for one of these teens, are just three among many such songs.
The original Broadway production emphasized the contrast between these young people’s late 19th Century lives and the 21st Century music that took control of their bodies whenever hands got hold of wireless mikes, whether pulled from inside their school uniforms or handed to them by fellow students. Spring Awakening In Concert has a more contemporary feel from start to finish, but is no less powerful, particularly since you’d be hard-pressed to find a more vocally gifted cast backed by a more musically gifted bunch of musicians that those onstage at L.A.’s historic Hayworth Theatre.
Director Kate Sullivan Gibbens deserves major snaps for making Spring Awakening In Concert uniquely its own show while at the same time remaining faithful to the source material.
Since this is a contemporary rock concert, performers use hand mikes even during most dialog scenes, though they are also head-miked as well. One particularly effective “microphone moment” has Wendla encircling Melchior’s hand with her own, even as his hand encircles his ever-present mike. The boys in Latin class write in modern notebooks with ballpoint pens rather than the original’s slates and chalk. Melchior occasionally picks up a guitar or accompanies himself on keyboard, as do a couple more of the boys. And though musical numbers aren’t “choreographed” per se, there are plenty of rock concert moves that come close to dance in numbers like “The Bitch Of Living” and the Act Two showstopper, “Totally Fucked.”
Since Spring Awakening In Concert has been cast primarily with singers and singer-songwriters as opposed to the usual musical theater triple threats, it’s hardly surprising that vocal performances are as exciting as it gets, from Jakle’s exquisite “Mama Who Bore Me” and “Whispering” to Platt’s heart-stirring “All That’s Known” and “Mirror Blue Night” to Rhys’s pulsating “And Then There Were None” and achingly powerful “I Don’t Do Sadness.” As Ilse, the town runaway, Caitlyn Ary brings her big smoky vocals to “The Dark I Know Well” alongside Noelle’s own set of power pipes, then returns for an unforgettable “Blue Wind.”
Other vocal highlights include the full cast’s catchy “My Junk” and ethereal “Touch Me,” Parrett’s and Starble’s touching “The Word Of Your Body (Reprise),” and “Those You’ve Known,” performed to tear-inducing perfection by Rhys, Jakle, and Platt.
Yes, indeed, these are some of L.A.’s finest singers, a number of whom have competed on NBC’s The Sing Off or The Voice or on Fox’s American Idol or performed at The Roxy, Whisky-A-Go-Go, or other Los Angeles rock or cabaret venues. It’s an unexpected treat, therefore, to find out what fine actors most of them turn out to be. Platt, for example, captures both Melchior’s swagger and his heart, while the terrific Rhys gives us a Moritz who is less flamboyant than usual, but one whose internalized pain is no less palpable. Lewis reprises the role of Georg from the Hollywood production, and he is once again a charismatic standout. I loved Brindley’s and Koblentz’s somewhat broader than usual but no less effective takes on the adult characters. As for Parrett and Starble, the duo are the first I’ve seen who play Hanschen’s seduction of an eager-to-be-seduced Ernst precisely as it should be played, as a very real connection between two very real boys and not as comic relief.
Luebke doubles, sensationally, as music director. Vocal director Rachel Howe conducts a couldn’t-be-better octet of musicians—Alex Seller on lead guitar, Eric Schackne on piano/keys, Adam Stackpole on guitar, Bob Gallagher on bass, Fernando Rensi on drums, Jeness Johnson on cello, Morgan Paros on violin, and Shanon Michelle on viola. Sound designer Drew Dalzell and mix engineer Sean Kozma deserve highest marks for the production’s just-right sound and mixing.
Scenic designer Carlo Maghirang has created a rock concert-ready set, the Hayworth’s black walls covered with chalk graffiti and drawings, vinyl LP, posters, and a great big green chalkboard which reads Frühlingserwachen In Concert. Josh Holt’s excellent lighting design both captures the feel of a rock concert and ups the dramatic power of the story being told. Kudos go also to wardrobe stylist Sara Stuhl.

www.springawakeninginconcert.com
www.facebook.com/springawakeninginconcert
www.youtube.com/springinconcert
–Steven Stanley
July 21, 2012
Cast photo: Nicole Priest Photography
Other photos: Eric Schackne via Instagram - @LetsGetCaught

Spring Awakening- Love is Louder

I am very honored to share my Love is Louder photos from our Spring Awakening Photoshoot.

Paul T. Brindley and Alissa-Nicole Koblentz as the Adult Authority Fugures.

glory|struck productions is proud to align its art with a cause.
With its heavy themes of self-identity, acceptance and overcoming pain, the emotionally poignant message of SPRING AWAKENING is as powerful and resoundingly relevant today as it was when it first premiered.

In recent years, the media has done well to illuminate the surge of youth troubles in our society. There are increasing pressures for teens as they navigate their lives and, too often, we hear a tragic case of one who succumbs to their inner turmoil – Their bullying. Their wounds. Their voices lost to the world as a whisper.

Performances are presented in accordance with LOVE IS LOUDER.
LOVE IS LOUDER was started by The Jed Foundation, MTV and Brittany Snow to support anyone feeling mistreated, misunderstood or alone. It has labored to create a community for the hundreds of thousands of people who have come together to raise the volume around the message that love and support are louder than any internal or external voice that brings sadness.

Individuals, communities, schools and organizations have embraced this movement as a way to address with issues like bullying, negative self-image, discrimination, loneliness and depression. Their message promotes finding the strength to cope with hard times by focusing on the positive.
The opportunities for support, help and love, are always louder and more powerful than the pain.
http://springawakening.glorystruck.com/SALoveIsLouder.html

Spring Awakening

I am thrilled to announce I will be playing "Adult Female" in Spring Awakening coming this summer to the Hayworth Theatre, Los Angeles.

Spring Awakening information:
 We are proud to bring a stylistic, music-driven production of the rock sensation SPRING AWAKENING to Los Angeles. This heartbreaking story, with its themes of teen suicide, sexuality and identity, coupled with a pulsing folk-rock score is still as poignant today as it was when it premiered off, and on, Broadway in 2006.

In a limited engagement, SPRING AWAKENING will raise the volume of awareness for Love is Louder for six performances.


Book and Lyrics by Steven Sater
Music by Duncan Sheik
Based on the play by Frank Wedekind

Directed by Kate Sullivan Gibbens
Musical Direction by Michael Christopher Luebke

Produced by
Topher Rhys
Jamie Lee Barnard
Nathan Gardner

Presented by
glory|struck productions
Love is Louder http://loveislouder.com/.

For more information about the show go to: http://springawakeninginconcert.com .

A Chorus Line/ I Remember Lou

Spring 2012 updates!
 Currently music directing the spring teen production of A Chorus Line for the Academy of Children's Theatre. Performances start in April at Theatre West. For more information and tickets go to http://www.act-1.org/.

In other exciting news, I am thrilled to announce that I will be directing the new full length musical     I Remember Lou at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks. Performances run June 1st - July 8th. For audition information please go to http://casting.backstage.com. Auditions start March 21st.

I Remember Lou is a musical comedy in classical Broadway style. It's filled with melodic, easy-to-sing live music, romance, dancing and likeable characters. Lou Goldfarb wants to be a good son, husband and father, but his devotion to his job of helping poor people who live in slum buildings makes it hard to get his life in balance. Did he succeed?



High Noonish Performing at the Thousand Oaks Festival September 17th and 18th

We are getting the good, the bad and the just plain ugly back together for two full performances of High Noonish at the Thousand Oaks Arts Festival. Under the direction of George Lindsay Jr. and music by Scott Martin. Performances September 17th & 18th. Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza
2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

http://www.toartsfestival.com 

The Little Mermaid Running Thru November 19th

 I'm a Demure Little Rose

 Wedding Day with Prince Fredrick ( Brian Alexander)

 Would It Be So Wrong? (Alissa-Nicole Koblentz as Wilhelmina and Brian Alexander as Prince Fredrick)

Wilhelmina berates her servant girl Maggie.

The Little Mermaid Now - November 19th

The Little Mermaid opened this Saturday. For more details and tickets go to:


Glendale Centre Theatre  •  324 North Orange Street  •  Glendale, California 91203
(818) 244-8481  glendalecentretheatre.com

With the talented Tiffany LaBarbera Palmer as Sea Witch.

The Little Mermaid

Very excited to announce that I have been cast as Wilhelmina in The Little Mermaid at Glendale Centre Theatre. Show runs July 18th- November 26th. For tickets and more info go to:

Glendale Centre Theatre 

•  324 North Orange Street  •  Glendale, California 91203• (818) 244-8481 

glendalecentretheatre.com

Arsenic and Old Lace

A few photos of the show.... Show running now through June 26th. Thursday-Saturday 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30.

Home of the Clyde Porters West Valley Playhouse

7242 Owensmouth Ave., Canoga Park

wvplayhouse.com.

 Alissa-Nicole Koblentz with Sylvia Alloway and Marilyn Lazik.

Alissa-Nicole Koblentz with Anthony Liveri, Sylvia Alloway and Marilyn Lazik.

 Alissa-Nicole Koblentz with Anthony Liveri and Michael German.

 Alissa-Nicole Koblentz with Anthony Liveri, Brian Bookbinder and Bob Bielecki,

 Alissa-Nicole Koblentz as Elaine Harper

Alissa-Nicole Koblentz and Anthony Liveri.

Photos Courtesy of The West Valley Playhouse

Arsenic and Old Lace (Backstage)

Great opening weekend of Arsenic and Old Lace. Here are a few fun backstage snapped photos.

 

Alissa-Nicole Koblentz and Michael German (Teddy)

Opening Night present from director Kathleen Chapin.

 

  Alissa-Nicole Koblentz and Marilyn Lazik(Martha Brewster)

    Jim Follet (O'Hara) and Alissa-Nicole Koblentz

    Alissa-Nicole Koblentz and Anthony Liveri (Mortimer Brewster)

Great seats still available. For more info to go wvplayhouse.com or call (818)884-1907.

Arsenic and Old Lace Opening Tomorrow!

The Clyde Porter West Valley Playhouse is proud to present Arsenic and Old Lace a classic madcap comedy that kills with kindness.
Directed by Kathleen Chapin
Opening Night May 27th at 8:00 p.m.
Performances May 27th- June 26th, 2011
Shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

For tickets and more info go to:
www.wvplayhouse.com
Box Office:(818) 884-1907

Check us on at NoHo Arts District:

http://nohoartsdistrict.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_mtree&task=viewlink&link_id=2248&Itemid=50
Come see me as Elaine Harper!

Musicals in LA

High Noonish is now on Musicals in LA. Don't forget to follow their blog!                 http://musicalsinla.blogspot.com/

Coming Soon....

High Noonish Opening!

 High Noonish is finally open! We had a great opening show! Hope you can come join us.

Western Musical Melodrama High Noon-ish.Come take a romp with us through the wild west with everything from villians to heroes and all sorts of in betweens. With a wonderful new score and lots of laughs! Show opens April 9th and runs thru April 30th. All shows are a 1 p.m. Fun for ALL AGES so bring the kids!
For more information and tickets check out:


Performing at the Clyde Porter's West Valley Playhouse
7242 Owensmouth Ave, Canoga Park, CA 91303
(818) 884-1907
For more information, visit wvplayhouse.com

     Cast of High Noonish

    Cast and Crew of High Noonish