Category Archives: Events

“SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THEME PARK ROUNDUP” Winter 2024 by Steve Zall and Sid Fish

2024, Column, Events, Theme Parks, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here’s what’s happening for the holiday season at our local theme parks:

The Holidays at Disneyland Resort Bring Classic Traditions, New Family Favorites and the Debut of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Entertainment includes visits with Santa Claus at the Fantasyland Theatre and live performances at Disney Festival of Holidays

The Happiest Place on Earth is now full of bright décor, festive fun and more as Holidays at the Disneyland Resort returned this year (through Jan. 6, 2025). Guests of all ages can recreate heartfelt traditions and discover favorites such as boarding “It’s a Small World” Holiday and other beloved attraction overlays, celebrating the multicultural Disney Festival of Holidays and witnessing plenty of wintry décor throughout Disneyland Resort.

Guests can ride the newly reimagined attraction, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, now open in Bayou Country in Disneyland Park. In addition, guests can meet Santa Claus and select Disney characters at the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland Park, search for decorative ornaments hidden throughout Downtown Disney District in Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail pursuit and experience new cultural performance groups at Disney Festival of Holidays in Disney California Adventure Park. Plus, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and some of their friends are debuting new looks at Disneyland Park and Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa are offering an all-new winter-inspired breakfast and brunch.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens at Disneyland Park

Adding more excitement to the holiday season, Princess Tiana’s story comes to life in a new way at Disneyland Resort when the attraction Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened Nov. 15, 2024, at Disneyland Park. With original music, favorite songs and intricate details throughout, guests can join Princess Tiana and jazz-loving alligator Louis as they encounter familiar faces, make new friends and travel through the bayou.

The attraction builds upon Princess Tiana’s storytelling that guests can experience uniquely at Disneyland Resort, whether it’s shopping at Eudora’s Chic Boutique Featuring Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets or dining at Tiana’s Palace quick-service restaurant. The reimagined merchandise locations now open in Bayou Country in Disneyland Park, Ray’s Berets and Louis’ Critter Club, feature themed merchandise inspired by the attraction that further immerses you into the world of Princess Tiana.

Disney Festival of Holidays and Disney ¡Viva Navidad!

The welcoming and vibrant Disney Festival of Holidays have returned to Disney California Adventure Park, highlighting a diverse season of celebrations in Southern California with a wide range of flavorful food and beverages, a variety of live entertainment, unique festival merchandise and more.

Guests can experience new and returning menu items at the Festive Food Marketplaces. The scannable Sip and Savor Pass, available for purchase in four-coupon or eight-coupon versions, can be digitally redeemed for select food and nonalcoholic beverages from participating marketplaces and dining locations in Disney California Adventure Park.*

Upbeat live entertainment expands the tapestry of diversity and brings high energy to the holiday fun. A slate of new cultural performance groups – along with returning favorites – are performing joyous music and dance across a range of genres. Plus, guests are able to enjoy holiday rhythms as iconic Disney characters march to the beat of festive music during the “Mickey’s Happy Holidays” cavalcade.

Paradise Gardens is home to the returning Disney ¡Viva Navidad! cultural celebration, which includes daily crafts, specialty dishes at Paradise Garden Grill, live music and décor inspired by Latin American traditions – with a dash of Disney flair. Here, guests may encounter Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, The Three Caballeros and Mirabel from Disney Animation’s “Encanto.” The Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party performs on select days, featuring The Three Caballeros accompanied by Mexican folklórico dancers and mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers and percussionists, and more. On days when Disney ¡Viva Navidad! street party is not scheduled, guests may encounter Mirabel from “Encanto” or Miguel from Pixar Animation Studios’ “Coco” in festive street performances that celebrate the holidays and the gift of familia, outside the entrance to Paradise Gardens Park. Guests can check Disneyland.com and the Disneyland app for performance schedules.

Holiday décor, entertainment and dining

Beloved Disney characters come together for a merry musical celebration during “A Christmas Fantasy Parade” in Disneyland Park. Every night, festive fireworks and stirring music bring the season to life during the “Believe…In Holiday Magic” nighttime spectacular at Disneyland Park. “Snow” is scheduled to fall every night along the Rivers of America, near “It’s a Small World” Holiday and portions of Main Street, U.S.A., in Disneyland Park. Hundreds of fountains dance to festive music and shimmering “snowflakes” fills Paradise Bay each evening during the nighttime spectacular “World of Color – Season of Light” in Disney California Adventure Park.

Guests are also able to enjoy dozens of limited-time, holiday-themed food and beverages, including returning hits like the Mickey Gingerbread. Among the novelties available during the season is the Holiday stainless steel tumbler. For amazing bites and sights, Plaza Inn dining packages with special parade viewing for “A Christmas Fantasy Parade” and a dessert party including seating for “World of Color – Season of Light” are available to book on Disneyland.com.

Guests can hear holiday stories about Walt and the Disney family during the Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Guided Tour.** Highlights include holiday themed treats and reserved viewing for “A Christmas Fantasy Parade.”

Several new holiday merchandise collections can be found throughout Disneyland Resort including the Mickey Mouse Family Christmas, Holiday Red and Snowman collections. Ideal for gifting to friends and family, an assortment of merry merchandise decks the halls at holiday shopping locations like World of Disney, Emporium, Elias & Co. and more.

This year, Santa Claus and select characters visit and create photo memories with guests at the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland Park, which also features cookie decorating, craft making, storytelling and atmospheric music throughout the day. Santa makes stops at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in Disney California Adventure Park, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel and Pixar Place Hotel daily through Dec. 24. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and some of their friends make appearances in Disneyland Park in all-new outfits reminiscent of writing heartfelt letters during the holidays. Select characters also dress for the occasion on Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure Park.

At Disneyland Park, “It’s a Small World” Holiday transports guests through a world tour of good cheer, while Jack Skellington from “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” brings whimsical sights and seasonal surprises to Haunted Mansion Holiday. In Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park, Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree have undergone transformations to become Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree.

Shining holiday décor embellishes both theme parks, Downtown Disney District and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. From Nov. 29 through Jan. 5, snow will also fall on the reimagined west end of Downtown Disney District. Throughout Downtown Disney District, guests can search for special ornaments along the all-new Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail pursuit through Jan. 1, 2025. Guests can purchase an activity map at select shopping locations in Downtown Disney District and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort to help their search and redeem it at World of Disney or Disney’s Pin Traders for a holiday keepsake.***

Guests can plan their stay at one of the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort this holiday season, located just a short stroll from both theme parks and the Downtown Disney District; check Disneyland.com for the latest hotel offers.

The Hotels of the Disneyland Resort feature special holiday offerings and entertainment. The lobby of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa displays an impressive gingerbread house inspired by pastries and candies in the lobby, as well as Mickey’s Holiday Pajama Party breakfast and brunch at Storytellers Café with seasonal décor and select characters sporting new pajamas. Plus, Tenaya Stone Spa is presenting bookable holiday experiences like the Underneath the Tree Signature Massage and Warmth of Holiday Foot Treatment. “Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates the Holidays!” at Disneyland Hotel once again features Chef Goofy and his pals dressed in their holiday best. New décor adorns the colorful, contemporary setting of Pixar Place Hotel for its first holiday season.

The Disneyland Resort is located in Anaheim and features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland Park (the original Disney theme park) and Disney California Adventure Park – plus three hotels and the Downtown Disney District dining, entertainment and shopping complex. The Hotels of the Disneyland Resort are Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the Disneyland Hotel – both AAA Four Diamond properties – and Pixar Place Hotel. Disneyland is open daily, and Holidays at the Disneyland Resort runs through January 6, 2025. For tickets and more information visit www.disneyland.com.

*An event Sip and Savor Pass will expire on the stated date and will not be valid at any other event or at any other time. Passes are nonrefundable, subject to restrictions, and not valid for Theme Park admission. Other restrictions apply. Both valid theme park admission and park reservation required for park entry.

**Separate fee and tour reservation required, and both valid theme park admission and park reservation required for park entry. Other restrictions apply. Subject to availability and change or cancellation without notice.

***Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail pursuit is subject to cancellation or change without notice including, without limitation, dates, keepsakes and prices. Purchase limits apply. Whether you choose to search for the ornaments or not, return your map for a small keepsake. 1 Map = 1 Keepsake. Maps are valid for redemption through 1/1/2025, or while keepsake supplies last.

Knott’s Merry Farm Returns Bigger and Brighter in 2024 with New Spectacular Tree Lighting Ceremony

Guests can enjoy the holidays now through January 5, 2025

The holiday season at Knott’s Merry Farm promises to be merry and bright as the park debuts the new ‘Tis the Season Tree Lighting Ceremony. The event in Calico Park invites everyone to kick off the evening’s holiday celebration with dancers, singers, and, of course, Snoopy. Also this year, guest favorites return along with new food offerings and new merchandise as the park transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland featuring a landscape of thousands of twinkling lights and miles of beautiful garland.

Christmas in Calico continues as the Snow and Glow experience fills the buildings and paths with thousands of lights dancing to the beat of Christmas music while “snow” gently falls throughout Ghost Town. The Wilderness Dance Hall transforms into Santa’s Christmas Cabin, where the entire family can create fond memories by taking photos with Santa Claus and his friends. At The Bird Cage Theatre, Knott’s melodrama company presents a reimagined Charles Dickens classic, A Calico Christmas Carol. The theatre will also present the heartwarming Knott’s version of O. Henry’s classic tale of love and sacrifice, The Gift of the Magi, 1885.

Knott’s own vocal quartet, the Calico Carolers, transports guests back in time to a Victorian Christmas as they perform the season’s songs throughout the streets of Ghost Town. A down-home dose of Christmas cheer is in store for those who join Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies for a foot-stompin’ show with energetic music and comedy for the whole family. Yuletide cheer is in store with Home for the Holidays, where joyous merriment takes over the Calico Mine Stage with dancing and fun set to popular holiday tunes.

Over at the Walter Knott Theater, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang take to the ice in Snoopy’s Night Before Christmas. This guest favorite returns with the Knott’s Ice-Skating Ensemble and Snoopy retelling the classic poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” re-imagined Peanuts style.

At the Fiesta Plaza Stage, guests can enjoy Latin Caribbean and New York salsa as well as current American top 40 songs, but with a Latin band format and rhythms provided by Adelaide Pilar.

It’s not a holiday celebration without festive food. Throughout the park, guests can indulge in traditional holiday classics with a twist, including a Merry Farm favorite, the crispy breaded “Turkey Ball” filled with perfectly seasoned stuffing and sweet cranberry sauce, or the vegan and gluten-free pistachio orange cookie.Knott’s Christmas Crafts Village is back with dozens of local artisans selling their unique gifts, including chainsaw wood carvings and elegant glass blowing.

Knott’s Christmas Crafts Village is back with dozens of local artisans selling their unique gifts, including chainsaw wood carvings and elegant glass blowing.

Turn your Merry Farm experience into a holly jolly hotel getaway with an overnight stay at The Knott’s Hotel. The Knott’s Merry Farm Holiday Package includes hotel accommodations, Knott’s Merry Farm admission for one day for each registered guest, and hotel parking. Upgrade to the Hotel Breakfast Package for an unforgettable holiday celebration. For hotel reservations, please visit knotts.com.

Knott’s Berry Farm and Knott’s Hotel are located in Buena Park. Knott’s Berry Farm is open daily and Knott’s Merry Farm runs through January 5, 2025. For more information about Knott’s Merry Farm, please visit www.knotts.com or download the Knott’s Berry Farm app for your smartphone. Join the festive conversation using the hashtag #MerryFarm on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

Holidays at LEGOLAND® California Returns with an Elf Extravaganza!

The Merlin Entertainments theme park in Carlsbad, CA, will be ‘bricking the halls’ starting November 23

Tis the season for fa-la-la-la-LEGO® fun! LEGOLAND® California Resort’s Holidays event is turning Carlsbad, CA, into an “elf extravaganza” this festive season. Elves are using festive décor, twinkling lights, garland and even falling snow for the Holidays kicking off Nov. 23 and running select days through Jan. 5.  All festivities are included with general Park admission and select annual passes.

This year, Santa’s zaniest helpers have taken over Imagination Zone and transformed it into an elf extravaganza. Guests can immerse themselves in the holiday spirit by training to become an elf at the new Elf Training Academy, taking “elfies” with the all-new LEGO® elf characters, Ivy and Frode, or mastering their jolly good dance moves at the new Holly Hype Dance Party. And don’t miss the North Pole Postal Service where guests can mail letters to Santa by dropping them in a special mailbox, where eager elves will ensure they make their way to the North Pole.

The elf fun continues as you stroll through the Park where you’ll be greeted by the iconic three-story-tall twinkling LEGO Christmas tree built out of more than 364,481 LEGO® and DUPLO® bricks. Capture core memories with Christmas card photos in front of the larger-than-life LEGO wreath, sample sweet treats with a holiday twist, and get a head start on holiday shopping at The Big Shop. Explore festivities, including:

  • Holiday Fireworks: Watch the elves light up the sky with an end-of-day festive fireworks show on Saturdays in December and Dec. 21 through 30.
  • Holly Hype Dance Party: Join Reindeer Girl and jump, prance and boogie down in this interactive holiday dance party!
  • Brickmas Greetings: Meet and greet with our LEGO Toy Soldier, sing along with Toy Soldier’s Marching Band, and get some holiday shopping in at The Big Shop.
  • Meet LEGO Santa and Friends: Your favorite holiday LEGO characters are back and ready for holiday hugs, pictures, and selfies. Meet friends including LEGO Snowman, Reindeer Girl, Gingerbread Man, Toy Soldier and new elf characters, Ivy and Frode. Plus, T-Rex Guy has dressed up for the season and is bringing the holiday spirit inside the Resort’s newest land, Dino Valley!
  • Jingle Jamboree: Celebrate the holidays with the final show of the day and see favorite LEGO Holiday characters sing and dance to merry tunes.

After the Christmastime celebrations, ring in the New Year on Dec. 31 with dazzling fireworks, delicious treats, festive entertainment, and more at this year’s Kids’ New Year’s Eve. Countdown to LEGOLAND California’s version of midnight (which is a kid-approved 7 p.m.), with fireworks and special 3D glasses that turn the bursts into LEGO bricks!

LEGOLAND believes awesome is for everyone! To ensure every visitor has a fun Holidays experience, all LEGOLAND Resorts in North America are Certified Autism Centers after working with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards to train and certify staff in sensory, environmental, and emotional awareness – ensuring families can build a bricktastic vacation and make unforgettable memories.

LEGOLAND California’s 2024 operating calendar can be found here. For more information about LEGOLAND California, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.  To book a Vacation Package at LEGOLAND Hotel, visit our Vacation Packages page. Guests can also purchase single-day tickets or annual passes with or without a hotel stay. 

LEGOLAND California Resort and Sea Life Aquarium are located in Carlsbad. Legoland is open on select days, and the LEGOLAND® Hotel and LEGOLAND® Castle Hotel are open daily year-round. For more information call 760-444-5600 or visit www.legoland.com/california/.

Six Flags Magic Mountain Celebrates 10 Festive Years of Annual Holiday in The Park Event

Families, friends, and thrill-seekers are invited to join in the merriment starting November 28

Six Flags Magic Mountain, the undisputed Thrill Capital of the World, lights up the holiday season with the park’s 10th Annual Holiday in the Park, on select days from November 28 through January 5. Beginning at 5:00pm, the magic of the season takes over as the park transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland with more than two million twinkling lights amidst a thrilling collection of world-class coasters and family attractions, visits with Santa, festive treats and more. From coasters to cocoa, it’s a holiday spectacular for all to enjoy!

Guests of all ages can enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds of the holiday season as the park transforms into a magical winter wonderland.

Three new festive Holiday in the Park shows include:

  • NEW! Unwrapped: Holiday Magic – As the magic of Holiday in the Park takes over each night, witness this dazzling new opening ceremony featuring an ensemble of energetic dancers and costumed characters, holiday light displays, and festive music.
  • NEW! Elf-a-Palooza – In a dazzling all-new show, Santa’s larger-than-life toy soldiers are joined by the spirited tinsel toy elf dancers where their playful antics and choreographed dance moves are sure to fill the audience with joy and wonder.
  • NEW! Reindeer Dash – A thrilling new slider show that showcases the incredible skill and magic of Santa’s reindeer as they gear up for their most important night of the year. Perfect for all ages, this lively holiday spectacle is packed with music, laughter, and a contagious festive cheer that will make your holiday season unforgettable.

Returning Holiday in the Park one-of-a-kind themed areas and entertainment:

  • North Pole Junction is home to Santa and Mrs. Claus along with their merry elves. Visit Santa in his cottage or enjoy crafts with Mrs. Claus, snap a holiday photo, pen a letter with your holiday wish list, or take a ride aboard the North Pole Express train. Beginning at 1:00pm on Holiday in the Park days through December 24. Located in Whistlestop Park; 
  • Holiday Village offers a variety of festive eats and treats including Santa’s Hot Chocolate Bar, Blitzen’s Bread Bowls, Mrs. Claus’ Homemade Sweets, and S’mores perfect roasting over an open fire pit.
  • HollyRock! takes guests back in time through a lighted time-travel tunnel into the fabulous 1950’s, for a rockabilly holiday extravaganza featuring thousands of lights, a dazzling 22-foot tree, classic cars, festive “oldies” music, and an open fire pit to roast s’mores. Located in The Underground;
  • Gleampunk District transports guests into the 19th century with the sights and sounds of the Industrial Revolution, in this beautifully lit area featuring thousands of lights along the tree-lined streets and planters. Located near Twisted Colossus;
  • Holiday Square dazzles guests with a kaleidoscope of hundreds of thousands of breathtaking colored lights on trees and buildings throughout the area sprinkled with the wonder of falling snowflakes for everyone to enjoy. Located in Six Flags Plaza; and
  • The Wishing Ridge dazzles all with a whimsical light show choreographed to festive music and thousands of glimmering lights. Located near Viper.

To add to the merriment, guests can take home Holiday in the Park gifts and souvenirs, including novelty apparel, ornaments, and soft plush toys. With a visit to the North Pole Junction, guests can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and take home a souvenir holiday photo.

Enjoy a Taste of Holiday in the Park with a wide variety of specialty holiday-inspired main courses including cranberry ribs, traditional tamales, chicken tortilla soup, loaded baked potatoes, and many more tasty eats. Plus, indulge in festive sweets and treats including freshly made peppermint bark, festive funnel cakes and thrill shakes, and much, much more. Guests can also cozy up with loved ones and roast marshmallows over an open fire pit at one of several locations around the park.

Six Flags Magic Mountain is located in Valencia, and Holiday in the Park event days include November 28-30, December 1, 6-8, 13-31, and January 1-5. For more information on Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Magic Mountain, including operating hours and show schedules visit sixflags.com/magicmountain/events.

Six Flags Season Passes & Memberships

For the ultimate holiday gift, get 2025 Six Flags Season Passes or Memberships during the Six Flags Cyber Sale, November 25 through December 2.  For a limited time choose a Gold Membership starting at just $6.99 a month plus take advantage of huge discounts on add-ons like All-Season Dining and THE FLASH™ Pass. For more details visit sixflags.com/magicmountain.

Universal Studios Hollywood Celebrates the All-New Addition of Joyful Holidays in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD Along With “Grinchmas” and “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” From November 29 through January 6, 2025

Holidays Extend to Universal CityWalk with Nightly Tree Lightings and an Array of Shopping and Dining Options

‘Tis the season and Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk ‘tis the place to make unforgettable holiday memories. 

From Friday, November 29 through Monday, January 6, 2025, guests can experience the magic of the season with SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ which features an all-new holiday celebration, while enjoying such family traditions as “ Grinchmas™” and “ Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.™” 

Plus, with so much to see and do at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2025, an Annual or Season Pass with a savings of up to $50 now through April 23, 2025, when purchasing online, is the ideal stocking stuffer for guests of all ages. Blackout dates and restrictions apply. Visit UniversalStudiosHollywood.com for details.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD joins this year’s festivities with holiday décor, inviting guests to celebrate alongside Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad within the Mushroom Kingdom. Guests can shop for new, exclusive holiday-themed merchandise, including a holiday sweater featuring a snowman adorned in a Mario cap and scarf, a Mario snowman plush and a Mario snowman headband, along with apparel, drinkware and more.

Toadstool Cafe™, located within SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, also sweetens up their menu with an all-new holiday treat as a complement to its popular menu items.

The spirit of the Who-lidays will shine brightly this “Grinchmas” season with an assortment of fun holiday favorites, including an “Always Naughty” Grinch Spirit Jersey ® and a “Dashing through the Nope!” women’s boxy fit t-shirt along with pins, key chains, blanket, home décor and other apparel.

This year, Grinchmas serves up an array of tempting items available at the “Who-bilicious Treats” venue located within Universal Plaza. Highlights include such whimsical favorites as Who Pudding, Whoville Present Cookie, Cocoa Cookie, Grinch Donut, 2 Sizes Too Small Cupcake, Who-bilicious Cinnamon Roll, Heart Grew 3 Sizes Sugar Cookie and The Grinch™ Heart Lemonade.

“Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” spellbinds with a collection of treasures and treats offering unique magical gifts for friends and family, from a new line of sherpa items, including a blanket, backpack and trapper hat, to bespoke ornaments, stationery, apparel and home décor inspired by the Wizarding World.

With an opportunity to personalize gifts for all the special witches and wizards in one’s life, items such as robes, key chains, wands, scarves, journals and hats can be engraved with individual names and is available at select locations within “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” and at the Universal Studio Store inside the theme park.

Holiday-themed fare, including the English Holiday Meal and Pumpkin Pasty, plus a selection of Butterbeer™ – hot, cold or frozen – will further enhance the overall Harry Potter experience.

For other theme park holiday merchandise favorites, guests can visit Super Silly Stuff, the Animation Studio Store, Jurassic Outpost and the Universal Studio Store for a wide selection of collectables primed for holiday gift giving and stocking stuffers. Additionally, select items can be personalized to “Make It You-niversal,” from engraving and embossing to embroidery and embellishment at the Universal Studio Store.

Universal CityWalk joins in on the holiday festivities with nightly tree lighting ceremonies, dining and shopping. In particular, the all-new and very-popular Hello Kitty® and Friends Cafe features a selection of delicious menu items, including a 50th Cookie Sandwich, a 50th Anniversary Cake and a Sparkling 50th Drink, offered now through the end of the year to celebrate Hello Kitty’s 50th Anniversary. At the Sanrio Smile Shop, located next door, offers a variety of Hello Kitty merchandise and exclusive holiday-themed items from ornament to apparel and a must-have holiday glass tumbler.

The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen introduces a new seasonal milkshake, the Wintermint Spice Shake, available both at the Foundry milkshake bar and in the dining room. Voodoo Doughnut will feature all-new, seasonal doughnuts such as the Candy Cane, Grandma’s Hot Cocoa, Peppermint Chocolate Bar and Snowball to celebrate the holiday season. Antojitos Cocina Mexicana serves up a variety of festive-themed drinks, including Champurrado, Chestnut Horchata, Mistletoe Mule and Apple Cider Margarita. NBC Sports Grill & Brew cheers to the holidays with a tasty Peppermint Mocha Martini, while VIVO Italian Kitchen presents a new dish, Aranci, which is comprised of crispy-fried risotto, sun-dried tomatoes, pancetta, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, Grana Padano® cheese, marinara, balsamic glaze and oregano.

Guests must be 21 years or older and have a valid photo ID to purchase or drink alcoholic beverages.

More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). Admission to Universal CityWalk is free.

Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City is open daily year-round, and Universal Studios Hollywood Holidays runs November 29, 2024 through January 6, 2025. For more information call 800-864-8377 or visit www.universalstudioshollywood.com.

© Nintendo. Nintendo trademarks are properties of Nintendo.

Dr. Seuss properties TM & © 2024 Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. All rights reserved.

HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. J.K. ROWLING`S WIZARDING WORLD™ J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s24)

Whatever you do for the holiday season this year, we hope you have a fabulous time!

Opening Night Reception for “Love Actually Live” at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills!

2023, Events, Openings, , , , ,

Written by Steve Zall and Sid Fish

The stage was set for the show to start

Your publisher and editor were lucky enough to be invited to attend the opening night of “Love Actually Live” at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. At this memorable event we enjoyed this year’s version of this multimedia spectacle that left the audience on their feet cheering for more from the uber-talented cast!

By intermission the set had been completely transformed. Kudos to the amazing set design!

After the show, we exited the theater to attend the outstanding reception in the Wallis Grand Hall upstairs, where we were treated to a champagne toast with delicious deserts in the magnificent marble covered reception room…

… and had our pictures taken several times as well!

Everyone had a fantastic time at the event, and we want to thank all of the staff at the Wallis Public Relations Department for hosting such a stellar event!

DONATIONS STILL NEEDED!

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MAISON DE MUSIC FOUNDATION & LA VOIX STUDIO MUSIC
GALA HONORED MOTOWN’S RECORD BREAKING AND
MOST INFLUENTIAL GIRL GROUP OF ALL TIME –
THE SUPREMES!

Students and Stars performed side-by-side at the Gala!

BEL AIR, CA | Sunday, April 23, 2023 – La Voix Studio in association with the Maison De Music Foundation showcased their 10th Annual Gala honoring Randy Taraborrelli, and had a special Tribute to The Supremes. The gala brought out musical legends and artists to honor Motown’s record-breaking and most influential girl group of all time. Celebrity guests included Scherrie Payne, Lynda Laurence, & Susaye Greene, all formerly of THE SUPREMES, Freda Payne, Joyce & Pam Vincent (from Tony Orlando & Dawn) Randy Taraborrelli (biographer of Diana Ross and Beyonce), Janie Bradford (former VP of Motown), Gloria Hendry (from James Bond “Live And Let Die”), Betty Kelly (of Martha Reeves and the Vandellas), Reggie Dozier (Grammy Award Winning Music Engineer), Donald Welch (Producer & Director), Charlo Crossley (of Bette Midler’s Harlettes), Marla Gibbs (from “227” and “The Jeffersons”) and many more!These inspiring musical greats welcomed a new generation of emerging artists that performed special tributes of chart-topping memorial hits in an effort to help raise donations for The Maison De Music Foundation. The long-awaited Annual Gala of the year was held at the American Jewish University in Bel Air, California. The event was scheduled to be from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm, but lasted until at least 11:00 pm, because everyone was enjoying the night by dancing to the classic hits played by the DJ.

A portion of the proceeds from the event’s ticket sales went to the Maison De Music Foundation for student scholarships. The Maison De Music Foundation is a Nonprofit Organization created for the community to provide diverse services to several music and dance studios, actors workshops etc., by offering scholarships, musical instruments, and transportation. The foundation prides themselves on building a personal relationship with all students, parents, and instructors. The non-profit’s main purpose is to make music lessons more accessible and encourage individuals to pursue music education.

La Voix Studio is the studio where singers develop and improve their voices. It is located in the heart of Studio City and operated by top vocal coaches and celebrity professional singers. The studio offers private vocal lessons with an instructor, group sessions, sight reading classes, singer’s classes, master classes and online lessons as well as piano and guitar lessons. La Voix Studio helps students prepare for auditions, expand their range, enhance their power, confidence, strengthen their voice and eliminate their breaks, all to gain control and preserve the longevity of their voices. The celebrity studio houses great vocal talent and wishes to continue to spread the wealth of knowledge among others. Visit www.lavoixstudio.com for more information.

The event was intended to be a fundraiser for the Maison De Music Foundation scholarship fund, but sadly very few people donated to the fund although they clearly enjoyed the event. However, we have some good news! There is still a way to donate to this very worthwhile cause, even if you didn’t attend the gala, and ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE! Please help by donating today! The link is: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/maison-de-music-foundation/sponsorship.

Reported by Sid Fish, All Beverly Hills Publishing

Gala Grand Opening Event at The Geffen Playhouse for “The Inheritance – Part 1 & Part 2”

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Westwood, CA – Sunday, October 16, 2022:

The Inheritance – Part 1 & 2 at the Geffen Playhouse

The Geffen Playhouse hosted a fabulous opening event on Sunday for the west coast premiere of Matthew López’s masterpiece “The Inheritance – Part 1 & 2”. Invited media experienced the production starting with the premiere of “The Inheritance – Part 1” in the early afternoon, which was moving, evocative, and thought-provoking, with laughter, tears, and ending in thunderous standing ovations as the audience cheered for more!

The story is set in contemporary Manhattan, where Eric and Toby are 30-somethings who seem to be very much in love and thriving. But on the cusp of their engagement, they meet an older man haunted by the past, and a younger man hungry for a future. Chance meetings lead to surprising choices as the lives of three generations interlink and collide—with explosive results. A new perspective on today’s gay culture and how the AIDS crisis has affected the world we live in today. We saw Part 1 early in the afternoon.

The street was blocked off for our safety.

After this, we exited the theater to find Le Conte Avenue blocked off on both sides in front of the theater and decorated in a festive style, with a cherry tree as the centerpiece of the circle. This was followed by a lovely outdoor dinner and picnic held on the grounds of the UCLA campus and served up by the UCLA Event Catering staff along with a gourmet ice cream truck, a unique shaved ice truck, a specialty Churro cart and a high-end coffee stand.

There were also a number of information booths available for various LGBTQIA+ associations. Representatives from each group were on hand to answer questions and give out literature.

Beautiful music filled the air which was provided by a live guitarist at the event. Groups of people gathered together and chatted about what we had witnessed in Part 1 of this amazing show prior to the break. Everyone remarked at how moved they were by what they had seen, and agreed that they were anxiously awaiting what was yet to come in the upcoming Part 2 which was set to begin later that day. (During the run of the production, audiences will see Part 1 on one day and then see Part 2 separately on a subsequent day, but the media was being allowed to view both parts the same day for this special event.)

The center of the street was filled with huge semi-transparent plaques, on which were written significant quotes about gay acceptance, love, self-identity, and the many ways that AIDS has changed the world. These were potent images intended to get people thinking about things in a different way.

As the sun set, the group headed back into the Geffen patio and lobby to enjoy some more music and have a few drinks before Part 2 began. Just before 7 pm we all headed back into the theater.

When Part 2 of The Inheritance concluded, the entire audience was once again on their feet, with thunderous applause for the entire cast of this momentous production as they took their well-deserved bows. Most of the audience then headed to the after party at STK Steakhouse Los Angeles in The W Los Angeles hotel on Hilgard. There we were able to meet many members of the cast and enjoy some more fabulous food served by STK on a stunning buffet table.

We had a fantastic time at this incredible event, and want to send our special thanks to Gil Cates Jr., Executive Director, and Zenon Dmytryk, Director of Public Relations, and the entire staff of the Geffen Playhouse for organizing, producing and hosting this evening!

(left to right) Steve Zall and Sid Fish at the Grand Opening Gala of the Inheritance Part 1 & 2

“Scene in LA” August 2022 by Steve Zall and Sid Fish

2022, Calendar, Column, Events, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Most theaters have returned to normal operations again, however county mandates for mask requirements are still being decided as we go to press, so please check the current guidelines before you leave to attend any performances. Covid protocols also vary from venue to venue, so you may still have to show proof of vaccination, and/or wear a mask during the show, so please check with the theater before you attend an event to find out what their current policy is.
The information presented in this column is the latest available at the time of printing, however you should check with the theater to confirm it before making definite plans. Here are the shows that have announced opening dates for this month, or are already running at this time:

OPENING

“Xanadu” XANADU follows Clio, the lovely and precocious Greek muse who decides to don her roller skates and legwarmers to become Kira in order to help Sonny Malone, a chalk artist with half a brain and a heart of gold, rediscover his own creativity. With both help and hindrance from the other muses — and from a clarinetist-turned-real estate mogul named Danny Maguire — Sonny and Clio work to rebuild their “apex of the arts,” a roller disco. XANADU is the rare musical with a big heart, an even bigger funny bone, and a tongue stuck firmly in its cheek. The smash-hit score includes “I’m Alive,” “Magic,” “Have You Never Been Mellow,” and “Xanadu.” Written by Douglas Carter Beane, with music by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, and directed by Paula Hammons Sloan, it runs August 7 through August 21 at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach. For tickets call 949-497-2787 or visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com.

“A Salute to Sondheim” countertenor John Holiday has performed at world-renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall and London’s Barbican Centre. Known for his star turn on The Voice, Holiday has curated The John Holiday Experience to showcase his affinity and talent for many different genres, from pop to jazz and R&B. Holiday has released three pop singles: “Alive in Me,” Waste Mine” and “Love Finds a Way.” In the 2021–2022 Hollywood Bowl season, Holiday made his debut at the premier venue, under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel, in an all-Gershwin program with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, followed by his Metropolitan Opera debut in Matthew Aucoin’s Eurydice. Written by Stephen Sondheim, with music by Stephen Sondheim, and directed by Ernest H. Harrison, it runs August 13 through August 14 at the UCLA’s Royce Hall in Westwood. For tickets call 310-267-4465 or visit www.GMCLA.org.

“Mud” After the collapse of society, a group of people band together for safety, survival, and community. As they begin to rebuild, they examine the failures of the past with an eye on Truth. But can they escape the Beast that haunts them and avoid falling into the holes humanity has left behind? Written and directed by Bree Pavey, it runs August 19 through September 11 at the Loft Ensemble in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-452-3153 or visit www.loftensemble.org.

“Nunsense” is a hilarious spoof about the misadventures of five nuns trying to manage a fundraiser. Sadly, the rest of the sisterhood died from botulism after eating vichyssoise prepared by Sister Julia Child of God. Thus, the remaining nuns – ballet-loving Sister Leo, streetwise Sister Robert Anne, befuddled Sister Mary Amnesia, the Mother Superior Sister Regina, and mistress of the novice Sister Mary Hubert, stage a talent show in order to raise the money to bury their dearly departed. With catchy songs and irreverent comedy, NUNSENSE is sure to keep audiences rolling with laughter. Written by Dan Goggin, with music by Dan Goggin, and directed by Alta Abbott, it runs August 26 through October 2 at the Theatre Palisades in Pacific Palisades. For tickets call 310-454-1970 or visit www.theatrepalisades.org.

“Valley Song” In this poignant and hope-filled coming-of-age story that transcends politics, a young girl seeks the courage to embrace the future while her grandfather searches for the wisdom to let go of the past. Written by Athol Fugard, and directed by Caryn Desai [sic], it runs August 26 through September 11 at the International City Theatre in Long Beach. For tickets call 562-436-4610 or visit www.InternationalCityTheatre.org.

CONTINUING

“Pageant of the Masters: Wonderful World” The Pageant of the Masters is arguably one of the most unique productions in the entire world. Each evening during the summer season, classic and contemporary works of art are faithfully re-created with theatrical illusion and real people posing as living pictures. Enjoy art that comes to life under the stars in the Pageant’s outdoor amphitheater. A kaleidoscope of international art becomes your passport to distant lands, cultural celebrations, and fascinating history in the 2022 production of Wonderful World. Transported through the theatrical art of living pictures, the Pageant sets sail in pursuit of seasonal festivities, ancient and modern, promising new surprises at every turn. Prepare to be amazed by the Pageant’s intoxicating blend of original music, storytelling, and stage illusions. Wonderful World is a love letter to our common humanity, and the countless ways in which artists have asked the eternal question: “Why are we here?” The show runs through September 2 at the Festival of Arts Grounds in Laguna Beach. For tickets call 949-497-6582 or visit www.PageantTickets.com.

“90th Annual Festival of Arts” This summer the Festival of Arts is celebrating a major milestone: its 90th anniversary. On Saturday, August 13th,1932 the Festival of Arts opened its doors for the very first time as two dozen artists hung their paintings on fences, trees, and buildings along Laguna’s main street hoping to lure tourists to the first Festival of Arts. This summer, on Tuesday July 5th, 2022, the world-renowned Festival of Arts Fine Art Show opened its doors to celebrate 90 years of art, welcoming hundreds of patrons to relish in one of the nation’s top fine art festivals. The Festival of Arts is sponsored in part by Volvo, Fidelity Investments, Celebrity Cruises, KOST Radio 103.5, and The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel.

In celebration of its 90th anniversary, the Festival of Arts will host 120 award-winning artists through September 2nd. This professionally juried fine art show features a diverse selection of artwork including paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics, jewelry, and more from artists around Orange County. Since opening in 1932, thousands have shown and sold their artwork at the Festival and many have their work featured in the private collections of leading art collectors, celebrities, and museums around the world. For a full list of the 2021 participating artists, please visit www.foapom.com/exhibitor-gallery.

The Festival has been rated one of the top festivals in the nation and each year hosts over one hundred of Orange County’s most talented artists. Recent accolades include Orange County Register’s Best Place to Buy Original Art, Art Fair Calendar’s Top Five Art Fairs in the West and Top 5 Art Festival in the nation voted by USA Today readers. “Avid art collectors and festival-goers will have an outstanding variety of fine art to browse and purchase as they walk among the artists’ displays,” says Marketing and Public Relations Director Sharbie Higuchi.

In addition to the variety of artwork, the Festival of Arts offers a wide range of daily activities that the whole family can enjoy. The calendar includes nightly live music, guided art tours, art workshops and weekly series including Concerts on the Green, and Art, Jazz, Wine, and Chocolate (sponsored by Charles Schwab and Cambria Estate Winery). Several special one-day events will return this year, including the very popular Festival Runway Fashion Show and Family Art Day. On August 13, the Festival of Arts will celebrate its 90th anniversary with a Birthday Bash filled with fun activities including a concert with Stray Cat Lee Rocker in partnership with the City of Laguna Beach. The Festival’s Art Center, sponsored by Bank of America, will be a buzz with creative energy with art classes for all ages Friday – Sunday and free drop-in art workshops offered daily.

“Looking back at the original Festival of Arts in 1932, there was something for everyone to enjoy. That tradition continues today,” said Higuchi. “With beautiful art, nightly live music, workshops for all ages, and unique events, the Festival is truly a full arts experience.”

EVENT INFORMATION

Special Events
For a complete list visit www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org. Free with admission unless otherwise noted.

  • That Girl Can Sing! Music Series
    Tuesdays, July 12 – Aug 30, 5:30pm
  • Laguna’s Finest Music Series
    Wednesdays, July 13 – Aug 31, 5:30pm
  • Art, Jazz, Wine and Chocolate
    Thursdays, July 7 – Sept 1, 5:30pm
    $20 additional fee for tastings
    Sponsored by Charles Schwab & Cambria Estate Winery
  • Tremendous Tributes Music Series
    Fridays, July 8 – Aug 26, 5:30pm
  • Concerts on the Green
    Saturdays, July 9 – Aug 21, 1pm
  • Spotlight on the Grand Piano Music Series
    Sundays, July 10 – Aug 28, 5:30pm
  • 90th Anniversary Birthday Bash
    Saturday, Aug 13, 12pm
  • Family Art Day
    Sunday, July 10, 12pm
  • Festival Runway Fashion Show
    Sunday, Aug 21, 12pm
  • Special Fundraising Event
    Saturday, August 27

Art Workshops for Everyone
For schedule and reservations visit www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org.

  • Creativity runs wild at the Festival’s Adult and Teen Art Classes where students will make their own masterpieces under the instruction of professional artists. ($65)
  • Uncork your creativity Friday nights at Wine and Painting Nights or Saturday nights at Pints, Pinots and Prints. Create a work of art with easy-to-follow instruction by Festival artists and enjoy complimentary wine or beverages. Must be 21 and up. ($80)
  • Friday through Sunday, the Festival hosts Youth Art Classes, art classes for children ages 5 to 12. Classes include sculpture, printmaking, painting, and much more. ($25)
  • The Festival Art Center, sponsored by Bank of America, will be open weekdays from 4pm to 8pm and weekends from 12noon to 8pm for hands-on artistic fun. Reservations not required, drop in anytime!

ART TOURS
Free art tours, sponsored by PBS SoCal, are held Monday through Thursday at 4:30pm and Friday through Sunday at 12noon and 4:30pm. Meet the artists and learn firsthand about their techniques through discussions and artist demos.

SPECIAL EXHIBITS

  • The Festival’s Junior Art Exhibition, sponsored in part by the FOA Foundation, California First Leasing Corporation and Mark Porterfield of Laguna Beach, will be comprised of almost 400 pieces of artwork from Orange County school children (grades PK to 12). The quality of art represented in the exhibit will astound art lovers of all ages.
  • Support the arts by purchasing artwork from the Art-to-Go Exhibit themed “What the World Needs Now” donated by Festival artists with proceeds benefiting The Artists Fund at the Festival of Arts.

DINING OPTIONS / GIFT SHOP

  • Terra Laguna Beach is the on-property dining destination and focuses on California cuisine with sustainable food practices and utilizes farm stand fresh ingredients and artfully crafted meals. For reservations, call (949) 494-9650.
  • Intermission by Terra is a grab-to-go concession stand where patrons can purchase food to enjoy on the Festival grounds.
  • The Festival of Arts boutique-style gift shop is the perfect place to find t-shirts, art books, posters, and many other items to remember your visit.

The show runs through September 2 at the Festival of Arts Grounds in Laguna Beach. For tickets call 949-497-6582 or visit www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org.

Our local theme parks are operating at full capacity. Most require advance reservations online, as well as advance ticket, and possibly food, purchases. You will need an app in some to be able to take full advantage of all attractions and restaurants. Please check their websites for details, restrictions, and availability before planning a visit:
Disneyland Resort
Disney’s California Adventure 		www.disneyland.disney.go.com
Knott’s Berry Farm www.knotts.com
Legoland California www.legoland.com/california
SeaWorld San Diego www.seaworld.com/san-diego
Six Flags Magic Mountain www.sixflags.com/magicmountain
Universal Studios Hollywood www.universalstudioshollywood.com
Some theaters still provide online offerings in addition to or in lieu of live performances, with many events you can experience on a virtual basis. A few of these online events are only available on a one-time basis, while others are ongoing and can be viewed on-demand anytime. Visit each of the web sites below to see what they are currently offering. You will find free content as well as pay-per-view to choose from. Here are the links to web sites with online offerings:
3-D Theatricals www.3dtheatricals.org
“A Death-Defying Escape” www.deathdefyingescape.com
A Noise Within www.anoisewithin.org
“Annie and Frannie Go to a Funeral” www.opendoorplayhouse.org
Antaeus Theatre www.antaeus.org
“Blood/Sugar” www.dianawyenn.com
Boston Court Pasadena www.bostoncourtpasadena.org
“Breakable” www.opendoorplayhouse.org
CaltechLive! www.events.caltech.edu
www.youtube.com
Chalk Repertory Theatre www.chalkrep.com
Coeurage Ensemble www.coeurage.org
East West Players www.eastwestplayers.org
Echo Theater Company www.echotheatercompany.com
El Portal Theatre www.elportaltheatre.com
“Escape from Cottage Woods” www.opendoorplayhouse.org
Films.Dance www.films.dance
For the Record Live www.ForTheRecordLive.com
Fountain Theatre www.fountaintheatre.com
Garry Marshall Theatre www.youtube.com
Hero Theatre www.herotheatre.org
IAMA Theatre Company www.iamatheatre.com
www.woollymammoth.net
www.queenstheatre.org
International City Theatre www.InternationalCityTheatre.org
“John Cullum: An Accidental Star” www.vineyardtheatre.org/an-accidental-star
Kentwood Players www.kentwoodplayers.org
www.youtube.com/kentwoodplayers
Laguna Playhouse www.lagunaplayhouse.com
L.A. Chamber Orchestra www.laco.org/laco-at-home
L.A. Theatre Works (fee & free) www.latw.org/black-voices
www.latw.org/broadcasts
www.latw.org/hd-screenings
www.latw.org/setting-stage-learning
Loft Ensemble www.loftensemble.org
Long Beach Opera www.longbeachopera.org
“Lovers and Other Strangers” www.showtix4u.com/event-details/52157
Morgan-Wixson Theatre www.morgan-wixson.org
www.youtube.com
Moving Arts www.movingarts.org
Odyssey Theatre www.OdysseyTheatre.com
Pepperdine University www.arts.pepperdine.edu
“Rainbow Girls Detective Agency” www.opendoorplayhouse.org
Robey Theatre Company www.therobeytheatrecompany.org
Rogue Artists Ensemble www.rogueartists.org/rogue-lab
Rubicon Theatre www.rubicontheatre.org
Sacred Fools www.sacredfools.org
Santa Monica Playhouse www.santamonicaplayhouse.com
Segerstrom Center for the Arts www.scfta.org
Shakespeare Center LA www.shakespearecenter.org
Sierra Madre Playhouse www.sierramadreplayhouse.org
South Coast Repertory www.scr.org
The Actors Gang “We Live On” www.theactorsgang.com
The Blank Theatre (fee)
The Blank Theatre (free) 		www.patreon.com/TheBlankTheatre
www.youtube.com/TheBlankTheatreCo
The Broad Stage www.thebroadstage.org
The Geffen Playhouse (fee) www.geffenplayhouse.org
The Latino Theatre Company www.latinotheaterco.org
The Road Theatre Company www.roadtheatre.org
www.youtube.com
The Soraya www.thesoraya.org
The Victory Theatre Center www.thevictorytheatrecenter.org
The Wallis Center for the Performing Arts
The Wallis Studio Ensemble 		www.thewallis.org
www.thewallis.org/streaming
Theatre 40 www.theatre40.org
Theatre 68 www.youtube.com/68centcrewtheatre
Theatre West www.theatrewest.org
“Trouble: A Calamity Adventure” www.opendoorplayhouse.org
Our best wishes go out to all of our readers as always, and we want to wish everyone a Happy Father’s Day this month! We also want to send heartfelt thanks to our Public Relations representatives who supply us with this great information, and to our editors and publishers who continue to publish these columns. We hope this year will be a safe and healthy one for theatergoers, reviewers, and everyone everywhere.
Sincerely,
Steve Zall, Publisher
Sid Fish, Co-Publisher and Editor

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts 2022/2023 Season Announcement Event!

2022, Calendar, Events, Press Releases, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts announced its 2022/2023 season at a special live event for invited guests in the Bram Goldsmith Theater, on May 31, 2022. We were pleased to be among the honored guests attending this special event!

(L-R) Sid Fish, Co-Publisher & Editor; Steve Zall, Publisher; Joel Hile, Director of Marketing & Communications; Chandra Jackson, Marketing & Communications Content Manager
PHOTO CREDIT: DVR Productions
The staff of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts joins some of the artists who will be appearing at The Wallis during its 2022/2023 season.
PHOTO CREDIT: DVR Productions

THE WALLIS ANNENBERG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
ANNOUNCES PROGRAMMING FOR 2022/2023 SEASON

Distinctive Range of Performances, Programs, and Events Feature Groundbreaking Produced and Presented Works in Theater, Dance, Music, Film, Cabaret, Conversation, and Family Entertainment

Celebrated Artists Whose Work is Represented Include Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Bradley Bredeweg, Sheldon Epps, Xiang “Sean” Gao, Emma Rice, Kwame Alexander, Lisa Fischer, Thelma Houston, Osvaldo Golijov, Lillias White, Stephanie J. Block,Anthony McGill, Isaac Mizrahi, Ulysses Owens, Jr., J’nNai Bridges, Jeffrey Kahane, John Irving, Reza Aslan, and many others

Extraordinary Dance and Music Companies Featured Range from Mambo Kings, Ballet Hispánico, Luminario Ballet of Los Angeles, andBODYTRAFFIC to Pacifica Quartet, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and more

Sing for Hope, The Wallis’ 2022-2023 Season Company-in-Residence, its Founders, Sopranos Camille Zamora and Monica Yunus, Artists-in-Residence, and The Wallis Present U.S. Premiere of THE LAST SORCERER (LE DERNIER SORCIER), an 1867 Masterwork Salon Opera 150 Years Ahead of its Time

Programming also Features Continued Partnerships with Writers Bloc, ASCAP, and Film Independent; Return of the Signature Sorting Room Series; and Sunday Fundays with Free Family Entertainment

The Wallis’ Ninth Season Begins in late September 2022 and Continues into the Summer of 2023

(Beverly Hills, CA, June 1, 2022) – The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts has announced a robust and distinctive range of performances, programs, and events for the 2022/2023 season, including two world premieres, one U.S. premiere, one West Coast Premiere, and one Los Angeles Premiere, featuring groundbreaking produced and presented works in theater, dance, music, film, cabaret, conversation, and family entertainment. Among the celebrated artists whose work is represented are Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Bradley Bredeweg, Sheldon Epps, Xiang “Sean” Gao, Emma Rice, Kwame Alexander, Lisa Fischer, Thelma Houston, Osvaldo Golijov, Lillias White, Stephanie J. Block, Anthony McGill, Isaac Mizrahi, Ulysses Owens, Jr., J’Nai Bridges, Jeffrey Kahane, John Irving, Reza Aslan, and many others. Extraordinary dance and music companies featured from around Southern California, the United States, and the world range from Mambo Kings, Ballet Hispánico, Luminario Ballet of Los Angeles, and BODYTRAFFIC to Pacifica Quartet, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and more. Sing for Hope, The Wallis’ 2022-2023 Season Company-in-Residence, and its founders, sopranos Camille Zamora and Monica Yunus, Artists-in-Residence, present, with The Wallis, the Sing for Hope Production of The Last Sorcerer (Le Dernier Sorcier), an 1867 masterwork salon opera 150 years ahead of its time. Programming also features continued partnerships with Writers Bloc, ASCAP, and Film Independent; the return of the signature Sorting Room series; and Sunday Fundays with free family entertainment. Under the leadership of Executive Director/CEO Rachel Fine, The Wallis’ ninth season begins in late September 2022 and runs into the summer of 2023.

“The Wallis launches its 2022/2023 stronger than ever,” says The Wallis’ Executive Director and CEO Rachel Fine. “With this full slate of bold, diverse, and ambitious programming, we’re prepared to wow, engage, and move our audiences during a time when we all need to be elevated and nurtured by the performing arts. We are pleased to be operating at full throttle, once again, thanks to the invaluable support of The Wallis’ Board of Directors, the City of Beverly Hills, the Annenberg Foundation, and our loyal community of supporters, artists, staff, and friends.”

“The Wallis’ 2022/23 season provides a place for our communities, our audiences, and our artists to be revived with inventive programming that inspires, entertains, challenges, reflects and uplifts,” says Associate Artistic Director Coy Middlebrook. “The breadth and depth of the work being presented during this season showcases the work of some of LA’s and America’s leading, and emerging, artistic thought-makers in dance, theater, music, film, and literature. Their contemporary perspectives paired with their tremendous creativity generates work that is as fresh and gripping for these times we find ourselves in as it is timelessly poetic and enthralling.”

Theater offerings further broaden The Wallis’ commitment to new work, with two World Premieres, one West Coast Premiere, and one Los Angeles Premiere. From November 22 to December 17, 2022, The Wallis presents INVINCIBLE – THE MUSICAL (World Premiere) FEATURING THE MUSIC OF PAT BENATAR & NEIL GIRALDO, which reimagines the timeless story of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet for the 21st century through an intricate weaving of the four-time GRAMMY® Award-winners and 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees’ legendary catalogue and inspired new songs. With a book by Bradley Bredeweg, music direction and arrangements by Jesse Vargas, and orchestrations and arrangements by Neil Giraldo, Invincible – The Musical is presented by Special Arrangement with Jamie Cesa, Cody Lassen & Bel Chiasso Entertainment.

The pioneering SHANGHAI SONATAS: A NEW MUSICAL IN CONCERT (World Premiere) is presented from March 16 to 18, 2023 by The Wallis in collaboration with the University of Delaware Master Players Concert Series. Concept, music and produced by Xiang “Sean” Gao, one of Musical America‘s Top 30 Professionals of the Year, Shanghai Sonatas brilliantly shows the power of music to build bridges across cultures. With book by Alan Goodson and lyrics by Joyce Hill Stoner, Shanghai Sonatas is directed by Chongren Fan.

Sheldon Epps (Blues in the Night) returns to direct The Wallis Production of MY LORD, WHAT A NIGHT (West Coast Premiere) from May 23 to June 11, 2023, a new drama written by Deborah Brevoort based on the real-life friendship between legendary Black contralto Marian Anderson and physicist Albert Einstein, two icons of the 20th century, who dealt with the injustices of a highly divided era in American history.

From January 11 to 22, 2023, The Wallis Presents Wise Children’s WUTHERING HEIGHTS (Los Angeles Premiere) based on the novel by Emily Brontë and adapted and directed by Emma Rice (Brief Encounter, Tristan & Yseult). Rice returns to The Wallis to transform Brontë’s masterpiece into an intoxicating story of revenge, shot through with music, dance, passion, and hope.

DAHLAK BRATHWAITE: TRY/STEP/TRIP from February 2 to 5, 2023, written and composed by Dahlak Brathwaite, is a spoken word, multi-character musical performed through the language of step dance. Directed by Roberta Uno, it is choreographed by Toran X. Moore, with assistant choreography by Freddy Ramsey, Jr., and orchestrations and additional compositions by Teak Underdue.

The Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences On Tour Production of ACOUSTIC ROOSTER’S BARNYARD BOOGIE: STARRING INDIGO BLUME from April 22 to 23, 2023, is a brand-new stage show recommended for ages five and up. Adapted from the books by New York Times best-selling author Kwame Alexander, it is written by Kwame Alexander and Mary Rand Hess with music by Randy Preston, and directed by Lili-Anne Brown.

Among the dynamic blend of dance companies presented during the season are two making their Wallis debuts: BALLET HISPÁNICO, October 7/8, 2022, in celebration of the incomparable company’s 50th Anniversary, and LUMINARIO BALLET OF LOS ANGELES, February 17/18, 2023, a thrilling repertory ballet, aerial, and modern dance company. Returning favorites are BODYTRAFFIC, October 21 to 23, 2022, which has conquered the contemporary dance world with its stunning performers, technical mastery, and a commitment to the most challenging repertoire; BLUE13 DANCE COMPANY, noted for its rhythmic and exuberant genre-bending artistry that blends hip-hop, ballet, modern, and traditional Indian dance, on May 12/13, 2023; and ALONZO KING LINES BALLET, June 9 to 11, 2023, performing a new work featuring Grammy Award-winning vocalist Lisa Fischer set to a score by jazz pianist, composer, and MacArthur Fellow Jason Moran.

Additionally, pop, opera, jazz, blues, classical, Broadway, and Latinx artists, many making their Wallis debuts, are among the sweeping and diverse array of music performers.

As part of Sing for Hope’s residency, The Wallis presents the U.S. PREMIERE of the Sing for Hope Production of THE LAST SORCERER (LE DERNIER SORCIER) on March 3, 2023, preceded on March 2 by a Center Stage panel. One hundred fifty years ahead of its time, Pauline Viardot’s 1867 masterwork salon opera was written on a libretto by her lover, the great Russian novelist Turgenev. A feminist eco-fable in operatic form, it premiered to great acclaim with Viardot at the piano in her Baden Baden villa and her students in the roles. After the original piano-voice manuscript was held in a private collection for over a century, it essentially vanished without a trace until acquired several years ago by Harvard Library, which gave Sing for Hope co-founder Monica Yunus permission to publish and produce the recording of the world premiere of the work. New English language narrations take the place of French dialogue that would have come in between each musical number, punctuating the concert story-book-style.

AN EVENING WITH MOTOWN – A Bristol Entertainment Production (October 1, 2022), a uniquely entertaining music experience, features Grammy Award-winning artist Thelma Houston and other remarkable talents.

As part of Sing for Hope’s residency, HAVANA NIGHTS (October 13, 2022) showcases the MAMBO KINGS and star soprano CAMILLE ZAMORA, hailed as a leading interpreter of classical Spanish song by NBC Latino, with a sultry, passionate, and exciting evening of Latin music from Spain and the island of Cuba. Canadian-Trinidadian pianist STEWART GOODYEAR performs in his Wallis debut (October 15, 2022) selections from his latest album, PHOENIX, including original works by Goodyear as well as Debussy, Jennifer Higdon, Anthony David and others that obtain new life by arising from the sound world, past traditions, and gestures of Franz Lizst. FALLING OUT OF TIME (October 27, 2022) is a gripping new song cycle from Grammy-winning composer OSVALDO GOLIJOV with an ensemble of musicians, led by acclaimed violinist Johnny Gandelsman, that finds its roots in David Grossman’s novel of the same name.

BROADWAY @ THE WALLIS & MARK CORTALE PRESENT, the internationally acclaimed concert series, returns with two star-studded evenings. LILLIAS WHITE WITH SETH RUDETSKY, HOST & PIANIST, on November 3, 2022, features Tony, Obie and Emmy Award-winner White (The Life, Fela!, Dreamgirls, Barnum, Once On This Island, Chicago, Disney’s Hercules, Pieces of April, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, “The Get Down,” “Russian Doll, “Search Party”) in conversation and performance with SiriusXM Radio star Rudetsky. STEPHANIE J. BLOCK WITH SETH RUDETSKY, HOST & PIANIST (May 4, 2023), is an evening with Tony Award-winner Block (The Cher Show, Falsettos, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, 9 to 5: The Musical, Boy From Oz, Wicked) revealing behind-the-scenes stories and music from Block’s stellar Broadway career.

The virtuosic LOS ANGELES CHAMBER ORCHESTRA makes its Wallis debut with two appearances, the first of which is Baroque Concerti (January 28, 2023), an evening of chamber performances featuring soloists Yura Lee, principal viola, and David Washburn, principal trumpet, performing works by Johan Baptist Georg Neruda, Corelli, Geminiani, Telemann, and Handel. Masterworks for String Orchestra (May 6, 2023) immerses audiences in the majesty of the string orchestra through a program of rich and varied compositions by Bingen, Britten, Mendelssohn, Hindemith, and Greig, curated by LACO Concertmaster and Director of Chamber Music Margaret Batjer.

The Grammy Award-winning PACIFICA QUARTET, which has achieved international recognition as one of the finest chamber ensembles performing today, is joined by the brilliantly multifaceted ANTHONY MCGILL, principal clarinet of the New York Philharmonic, on February 23, 2023. Actor, host, writer, acclaimed fashion designer, and producer ISAAC MIZRAHI, whose one-of-a-kind show on March 4, 2023, combines comedy, commentary, and an array of classic and soon-to-be classic songs from Stephen Sondheim to Blondie, from Comden & Green to Madonna. Cellist SETH PARKER WOODS  (March 9, 2023), recipient of the 2022 Chamber Music America Michael Jaffee Visionary Award and hailed by The Guardian as “a cellist of power and grace,” performs works by Rachmaninov, Liszt, Kagel, Chinary Ung, Respighi, Lembit Beecher, and Reinaldo Moya. ULYSSES OWENS, JR. & J’NAI BRIDGES in NOTES ON HOPE (April 27, 2023), bring together mezzo-soprano opera star J’Nai Bridges and Grammy-winning jazz trailblazer percussionist Ulysses Owens, Jr., in a program of works by Debussy, Ravel, Duparc, Satie, Poulenc, Ellington, and more. Pianist JEFFREY KAHANE,recognized around the world for his mastery of a diverse repertoire, performs his interpretation of BACH: GOLDBERG VARIATIONS (May 11, 2023), long regarded as the most serious and ambitious work for the keyboard. All of these artists are making their Wallis debuts.

On May 20, 2023, the award-winning MIRÓ QUARTET (Daniel Ching, violin; William Fedkenheuer, violin; John Largess, viola; Joshua Gindele, cello), one of America’s most celebrated string quartets, is reunited with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer KEVIN PUTS, who has been hailed as one of the most important composers of his generation. Critically acclaimed for a richly colored, harmonic, and freshly melodic musical voice that has also been described as “emotional, compelling, and relevant,” Puts has had works commissioned, performed, and recorded by leading orchestras, ensembles, and soloists throughout the world.

The season’s music programs conclude on June 1, 2023, with an evening featuring the chamber trio of JORDAN BAK, viola, GENEVA LEWIS, violin, and EVREN OZEL, piano. With myriad colors and sounds spanning two centuries, this evening offers a unique blend of artistic collaboration and instrumental and interpretational distinctiveness between performers and composers, from works by Debussy, Schumann, and Mozart to Max Reger’s Piano Trio No. 1 in B minor, showcasing the young 18-year-old composer’s musical and technical maturity and brimming with bravura, sensitivity, and promise.

The Wallis continues its partnership with WRITERS BLOC for a series of CONVERSATIONS providing insight into the literary process featuring AN EVENING WITH ANTHONY DOERR (September 29, 2022), AN EVENING WITH JOHN IRVING (October 23, 2022), and AN EVENING WITH REZA ASLAN (November 1, 2022). For 26 years, Writers Bloc has fostered the significance and importance of literature as an art form, enhancing the public’s knowledge and awareness of contemporary writers and thinkers who have made a significant impact on the cultural and literary landscape.

The Wallis’ wildly successful SORTING ROOM series, which transforms the Lovelace Studio Theater into an intimate nightclub, returns during the holiday season to offer the best talent from a wide range of genres including the American songbook, spoken word, comedy, classic cabaret, storytelling, dance, contemporary music, and more.

Film presentations in partnership with FILM INDEPENDENT, featuring screening events and conversations with celebrated actors and filmmakers, will be announced.

The ASCAP Musical Theater Workshop and Festival also returns in partnership with the ASCAP Foundation. In addition there will be a special Evening with Stephen Schwartz concert in celebration of his 75th birthday. (Dates and tickets to be announced soon.)

Of particular note, The Wallis continues its beloved free monthly outdoor SUNDAY FUNDAY family series from October 2022 through June 2023 with a variety of engaging programming that includes Debbie Allen & Friends’ Dance Sundays and quality live performances by groups ranging from Parker Bent to Broadway Babies and Spring Groove, plus Holiday Hanukah with Mostly Kosher in December and a bilingual concert in June with Nathalia – all designed to spark young peoples’ imagination and fuel creativity. No reservations or tickets are required for Sunday Funday events.

Subscriptions to The Wallis’ 2022/2023 Season are on sale now. Single tickets will be available at a later date. The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is located at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills. To purchase subscriptions and for more information, please call 310-746-4000 (Monday – Friday, 10 am to 6 pm) or visit www.TheWallis.org.

The Wallis is closely monitoring the ever-changing local health and safety environment carefully and addressing known health factors at the moment. Should plans change and any performance be required to be postponed or cancelled or if venue capacity limitations are instituted, ticket holders will be notified immediately with options for their purchased tickets per The Wallis’ ticketing policies.

The health and safety of patrons, our staff, and artists inside and outside the venue are a top priority for The Wallis, which is requiring all patrons to provide, upon entry, proof of full vaccination or a negative PCR test result within 48 hours or a verifiable Antigen test within 24 hours from your performance date, along with a government issued photo ID. Facial masks, covering both the mouth and nose, are still required at all times while within the venue. The Wallis’ health and safety protocols are also subject to change at the venue’s sole discretion or in accordance with LA County and City of Beverly Hills regulations. Current Health & Safety Protocols and updates may also be accessed at www.TheWallis.org/Safety. Policies are subject to change.

About Sing for Hope

Founded by Camille Zamora and Monica Yunus, Sing for Hope harnesses the power of the arts to create a better world. Creative programs bring hope, healing, and connection to millions of people in hospitals, care facilities, schools, refugee camps, transit hubs, and community spaces worldwide. Sing for Hope partners with hundreds of community-based organizations, mobilizes thousands of artists in creative service, and produces artist-created Sing for Hope Pianos across the US and around the world. Sing for Hope traces its roots to 9/11, when Juilliard sopranos Zamora and Yunus organized fellow musicians to perform for the firehouse at Lincoln Center, which had lost twelve of firefighters that day. In the months that followed, realizing the power of the arts in times of crisis, they continued to reach out across the city to share soothing music and art with communities in need, growing their ranks from dozens of artists to thousands. In 2010, as a symbol and celebration of art for all, they launched New York City’s Sing for Hope Pianos, now one the country’s largest public arts projects. Sing for Hope Pianos is a global arts initiative that produces artist-designed pianos placed in public spaces for anyone and everyone to enjoy then transports and activates them year-round in permanent homes in schools, hospitals, transit hubs, refugee camps, and community-based organizations. Other key programs include Sing for Hope Healing Arts, research-based creative performances, workshops, and curated cultural experiences that promote wellness, connection, and respite in hospitals, vaccination centers, long-term care facilities, hospices, and treatment centers; Sing for Hope Education, dynamic arts workshops and standards-based curricula that inspire civic action and uplift youth, educators, and local communities; and Sing for Hope Global, creative advocacy, leadership, and program design that drive the integration of the arts in policy and at global convenings on social change. Sing for Hope is the official Cultural Partner of the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates. As a champion of art for all, Sing for Hope believes the arts have an unmatched capacity to uplift, unite, and heal.

About the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is a dynamic cultural hub and community resource where local, national and international artists share their artistry with ever-expanding audiences. The campus, located in the heart of Beverly Hills, CA, is committed to robust and distinctive presentations and education programs curated with both creativity and social impact in mind. Distinguished by its eclectic programming that mirrors the diverse landscape of Los Angeles and its location in the entertainment capital of the world, The Wallis has produced and presented more than 350 theater, dance, music, film, cabaret, conversation, and family entertainment programs since its doors opened in October 2013. Hailed as “au courant” (LaLa Magazine), The Wallis was lauded by Culture Vulture, which proclaims, “If you love expecting the unexpected in the performing arts, you have to love The Wallis.” Its programming has been nominated for 79 Ovation Awards and nine L.A. Drama Critic’s Circle Awards. The campus itself, a breathtaking 70,000-square-foot facility, celebrating the classic and the modern, has garnered six architectural awards. Designed by acclaimed architect Zoltan E. Pali (SPF:architects), the restored building features the original 1933 Beverly Hills Post Office (on the National Register of Historic Places), which serves as the theater’s dramatic yet welcoming lobby, and includes the contemporary 500-seat, state-of-the-art Bram Goldsmith Theater; the 150-seat Lovelace Studio Theater; an inviting open-air plaza for family, community and other performances; and GRoW @ The Wallis: A Space for Arts Education, where learning opportunities for all ages and backgrounds abound. Together, these elements embrace the city’s history and its future, creating a performing arts destination for L.A.-area visitors and residents alike. The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is led by Chairman of the Board Michael Nemeroff and Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer Rachel Fine.

For more information about The Wallis, please visit: TheWallis.org.

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2022/2023 SEASON PROGRAMMING CALENDAR:

THEATER

NOV 22 – DEC 17, 2022
The Wallis Production of INVINCIBLE – THE MUSICAL
FEATURING THE MUSIC OF PAT BENATAR & NEIL GIRALDO

JAN 11 – 22, 2023
Wise Children’s WUTHERING HEIGHTS

FEB 2 – 5, 2023
DAHLAK BRATHWAITE: TRY/STEP/TRIP

MAR 16 – 18, 2023
SHANGHAI SONATAS: A NEW MUSICAL IN CONCERT

APR 22 – 23, 2023
The Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences On Tour Production of
ACOUSTIC ROOSTER’S BARNYARD BOOGIE STARRING INDIGO BLUME

MAY 23 – JUN 11, 2023
MY LORD, WHAT A NIGHT

DANCE

OCT 7 – 8, 2022
BALLET HISPÁNICO 50th Anniversary Celebration – Noche de Oro

OCT 21 – 23, 2022
BODYTRAFFIC

FEB 17 – 18, 2023
LUMINARIO BALLET OF LOS ANGELES

MAY 12 – 13, 2023
BLUE13 DANCE COMPANY

JUN 9 – 11, 2023
ALONZO KING LINES BALLET

MUSIC

OCT 1, 2022
AN EVENING WITH MOTOWN
A Bristol Entertainment Production

OCT 13, 2022
MAMBO KINGS & CAMILLE ZAMORA
HAVANA NIGHTS

OCT 15, 2022
STEWART GOODYEAR
PHOENIX

OCT 27, 2022
OSVALDO GOLIJOV
FALLING OUT OF TIME

NOV 3, 2022
BROADWAY @ THE WALLIS & MARK CORTALE PRESENT
LILLIAS WHITE WITH SETH RUDETSKY, HOST & PIANIST

JAN 28, 2023
LOS ANGELES CHAMBER ORCHESTRA PRESENTS
Baroque Concerti

FEB 23, 2023
ANTHONY MCGILL & THE PACIFICA QUARTET

MAR 3, 2023
THE LAST SORCERER (LE DERNIER SORCIER)

MAR 4, 2023
AN EVENING WITH ISAAC MIZRAHI

MAR 9, 2023
SETH PARKER WOODS

APR 27, 2023
ULYSSES OWENS, JR. & J’NAI BRIDGES
NOTES ON HOPE

MAY 4, 2023
BROADWAY @ THE WALLIS & MARK CORTALE PRESENT
STEPHANIE J. BLOCK WITH SETH RUDETSKY, HOST & PIANIST

MAY 6, 2023
LOS ANGELES CHAMBER ORCHESTRA PRESENTS
Masterworks for String Orchestra

MAY 11, 2023
JEFFREY KAHANE, piano
BACH: GOLDBERG VARIATIONS

MAY 20, 2023
MIRÓ QUARTET & SPECIAL GUEST KEVIN PUTS

JUN 1, 2023
JORDAN BAK, GENEVA LEWIS & EVREN OZEL

CONVERSATIONS

SEP 29, 2022
The Wallis & Writers Bloc Present
AN EVENING WITH ANTHONY DOERR

OCT 23, 2022
AN EVENING WITH JOHN IRVING

NOV 1, 2022
AN EVENING WITH REZA ASLAN

TICKET PRICES AND INFORMATION:

Subscriptions to The Wallis’ 2022/2023 Season are on sale now. Single tickets will be available at a later date. The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is located at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills. To purchase subscriptions and tickets and for more information, please call 310-746-4000 (Monday – Friday, 10 am to 6 pm) or visit www.TheWallis.org.

(Due to current health and safety variables, performances are subject to change, postponement or cancellation.)

Article by:
Steve Zall, Publisher & Sid Fish, Co-Publisher and Editor
All Beverly Hills Publishing