Chelsea Emma Franko News

Monty Python'sSpamalot/book & lyrics by Eric Idle/music by John Du Prez & Eric Idle/directed by Chuck Ketter/Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre, Claremont/through October 19

A buoyant, truly impressive local revival directed by Alan Souza, 3-DT's DAMN YANKEES is a true audience pleaser, highlighted by an enthusiastic cast and spirited re-imagined sequences that are truly Broadway-caliber. This all-new production is now playing at the Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton through July 27, then travels to the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center from August 2-10.

The award-winning 3-D Theatricals of Orange County, CA opened Damn Yankees at the historic Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton, CA on July 11. Check out the opening night photos below!

Belonging to the Golden Age of Broadway musicals, Damn Yankees opened in New York in 1955, winning 7 Tony Awards and was made into a feature film in 1958, starring its original Tony winners Ray Walston and Gwen Verdon. In fact, Damn Yankees sparked the long-time fruitful collaboration between Verdon and choreographer Bob Fosse. Legendary stuff! Now in a dazzling revival at 3D Theatricals in Fullerton, America's number one sport baseball - well, in the 50s anyway - is given a finely honed treatment...the perfect summer entertainment.

Just in time for the country's favorite pastime, the award-winning 3-D Theatricals of Orange County, CA will not only present a rousing revival of the eternally effervescent American Broadway classic Damn Yankees at the historic Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton, CA tonight, July 11 - July 27 for eleven performances, but an additional six performances at South Bay's Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center in Redondo Beach, CA August 2 - 10, 2014.

Just in time for the country's favorite pastime, the award-winning 3-D Theatricals of Orange County, CA will not only present a rousing revival of the eternally effervescent American Broadway classic Damn Yankees at the historic Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton, CA July 11 - July 27 for eleven performances, but an additional six performances at South Bay's Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center in Redondo Beach, CA August 2 - 10, 2014.

And the winner of the 8th annual LA'S NEXT GREAT STAGE STAR talent competition is Jennifer Kranz, a senior at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles majoring in Theatre and minoring in Musical Theatre. On Sunday, Feb 16th, Ms. Kranz and 19 other talented young professionals sang their hearts out for the coveted prize. As winner, Ms. Kranz awarded a cash prize of $1000; an upcoming paid headlining concert engagement at Sterling's Upstairs; a vocal demo recording session from Tom Griep's Audition Trax; a photo session with Isaac James Creative; and is already in the process of scheduling meetings to be signed and represented by one of the lucrative competition's Equity Agent/Judges as the first step toward a professional career in musical theatre, television and film. Scroll down for photos from the competition!

On Sunday August 4 Kritzerland presented its monthly tribute this time in honor of composers Meredith Willson (right) and Gene de Paul. On hand were regulars host Bruce Kimmel, musical director par excellence Tom Griep and terrific singers Jane Noseworthy, Chelsea Emma Franko, Robert Yacko, and newcomers to Kritzerland: Charlotte Mary Wen, this year's winner of LA's Next Great Stage Star 2013, Allen Everman, Justin Jones, Bruce Merkle and David Zack. Special guest star was the beautiful Sue Raney who had a record contract at Capitol Records at the age of 17.

On Sunday July 7, Kritzerland presented its 35th show The British Invasion, music from UK musicals of the 60s and 70s, at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. I can only say to Bruce Kimmel, 'good show, ole' boy'!

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents The British Invasion, featuring songs from the UK musicals of the '60s and '70s today, July 7, 2013 at 7:00 PM.

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents The British Invasion, featuring songs from the UK musicals of the '60s and '70s on Sunday, July 7, 2013 at 7:00 PM.

The Full Monty/book by Terrence McNally/music & lyrics by David Yazbek/choreography by John Vaughan/directed by John LaLonde/Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre, Claremont/through June 16

Many people do not realize, with the exception of us theatre junkies, that Billy Barnes, who regretfully passed from us in September of last year, was without a doubt the keenest composer of the theatre revue. He also created special material for TV's Laugh-In and The Carol Burnett Show, among others. His ingenious theatre revues date back to the 50s with The Billy Barnes Revue of 1959 all the way up to 1983's Movie Star, which had a long run at the Westwood Playhouse, now known as the Geffen. Bruce Kimmel remembers, as he knew the man well and recorded Billy Barnes L.A. Thanks to Kimmel a whole generation of musical theatre fans got a chance to hear up close and personal some of Barnes' greatest, saucy, yet little known achievements at a special Kritzerland show Billy! on Saturday March 2 at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal.

To quote one of Steven Schwartz' most famous songs, it seems like Kritzerland monthy concerts are getting pretty darn 'Popular'. On Monday, February 4, an off night for Kritzerland - Bruce Kimmel wisely did not wish to compete with Super Bowl Sunday on the 3rd - Kritzerland Records presented a jubilant evening of Schwartz music, some tunes lesser known than others, with a stupendous cast including guest stars Karen Morrow and Adrian Zmed at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. Other singers included: Kim Huber, Lisa Livesay, Dennis Kyle, Dan Callaway, Chelsea Emma Franko, Jenna Rosen and Sarah and Sami Staitman. Trouper Franko stepped in as a replacement soloist at the eleventh hour. This was perhaps one the most enjoyable Kritzerland evenings, not only because of Schwartz' delightful music, but every single performer gave 150% to the material. It rocked!

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents The Stephen Schwartz Album tonight, February 4, 2013, at 8:00 pm. Kritzerland is performing today this month to allow you and The Federal to enjoy Super Bowl Sunday.

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents The Stephen Schwartz Album on Monday, February 4, 2013, at 8:00 pm. Kritzerland is performing on Monday this month to allow you and The Federal to enjoy Super Bowl Sunday.

The choices I have made are based solely on the plays and performances that I actually saw. I cannot see all the great talent that is out there in LA; it is physically impossible, as there exist far too many theatre/cabaret performances for one person to cover. So if a choice of yours is not on my list, chances are, I did not see that play or performance...or, it just did not make the final cut. I also do not separate Equity from Equity waiver; I consider all the productions/performances I select to be of top-of-the-line quality/professionalism.

3-D Theatricals' final show of the 2012 season is the Tony Award-winning musical HAIRSPRAY, featuring choreography by Dana Solimando, musical direction by Allen Everman, and directed by 3-D Theatricals Executive Producer and Artistic Director T.J. Dawson. HAIRSPRAY opened on Saturday, October 13 and performed through Sunday, October 28 at the historic Plummer Auditorium, 201 E. Chapman Ave. in Fullerton. HAIRSPRAY then traveled across town to perform at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., for three performances only, ending today, November 4. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the show's opening at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center!

3-D Theatricals presents the final show of its 2012 season, the Tony Award-winning musical HAIRSPRAY, choreography by Dana Solimando, musical direction by Allen Everman, and directed by 3-D Theatricals Executive Producer and Artistic Director T.J. Dawson. HAIRSPRAY began performances on Friday, October 12, and performs through Sunday, October 28 at the historic Plummer Auditorium, 201 E. Chapman Ave. in Fullerton. HAIRSPRAY will then travel across town to perform at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd. for three performances only November 2-4. Get a look behind the scenes with HAIRSPRAY's cast and creative team in the video below!