MUSICAL THEATRE GUILD - on tour
THE HISTORY OF MUSICAL THEATRE (IN 42 MINUTES AND 28 SECONDS) is an educational revue that encompasses the rich history of the American Musical Theatre. Developed specifically by the Musical Theatre Guild for youth audiences, the piece spans the gamut from early shows such as ROSE-MARIE direct to the groundbreaking musicals of SHOW BOAT and OKLAHOMA! and illustrates the sources, progression and development of the art form up through the present fare recently seen on Broadway (RENT, RAGTIME and THE LION KING). In addition, the educational piece explains, with humor, the elements that make up a musical and tracks the development of the genre with the significant historical events of each decade. The cast includes four actor/singers and is performed with live piano and is currently part of the prestigious Music Center on Tour roster. The show has also been presented for various adult and family audiences including performances at the Norris Theatre in Palos Verdes, CA, the Santa Fe Springs (CA) Public Library, the Los Angeles Migrant Educational Program and for the International Convention of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
WRITTEN BY KEVIN McMAHON
DIRECTED BY NICK DEGRUCCIO
CHOREOGRAPHED BY LEE MARTINO
MUSIC DIRECTION BY KATHRYN SKATULA
(Left Photo: L-R: Teri Bibb, Robert Townsend, Kevin McMahon, and Julie Dixon Jackson)
(Right Photo: Kim Huber & Jennifer Shelton)
FROM THE PAGE TO THE STAGE was created as a follow up to THE HISTORY OF THE MUSICAL THEATRE. In this lively revue, which encourages literacy, the characters from popular and classic literature pop off the page and onto the stage. The students are introduced to such classic characters as Tom Sawyer (BIG RIVER), Don Quixote (MAN OF LA MANCHA), Horton the Elephant (SEUSSICAL) The Peanuts Gang (YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN) and the Witches of Oz (WICKED). In addition to the primary focus on reading, the concepts of adaptation and visualization are two of the key components of this musical revue. The cast includes four actor/singers and is performed with a professional sound track orchestrated specifically for this program and is currently part of the prestigious Music Center on Tour roster.
Written by Kevin McMahon
Directed and Choreographed by Lee Martino
Musical Continuity by Tom Griep
The American Musical Theatre is regarded by scholars to be one of only two truly American Art forms. THE HISTORY OF MUSICAL THEATRE (IN 42 MINUTES AND 28 SECONDS) and FROM THE PAGE TO THE STAGE are an excellent introduction to this unique American treasure and hope to inspire and excite a new generation of theatre artists and audiences.
Professionally prepared Study Guides for both pre- and post-performance are available for each program.
Both programs comply with most state educational standards.
for more information contact: MTGonTour@aol.com
STUDENTS AT MTG
(L-R: Karen Culliver, Paul David Bryant, Shauna Markey and Kevin McMahon
with students from Brainard Elementary)
Nothing compares with experiencing live theatre in an actual formal theatre setting.
In addition to our extensive in-school outreach, thanks to generous grants from ASCAP and the L.A. Cultural Affairs Department, MTG provides FREE tickets to hundred to students throughout our season.
For many Los Angeles area students, attending a Musical Theatre Guild show at the Alex Theatre is their introduction to a lifetime of enjoying this truly American art form.
AWARDS AND GRANTS:
• THE LOS ANGELES DRAMA CRITICS MARGARET HARFORD AWARD
• THE ACTORS' EQUITY FOUNDATION
• THE ASCAP FOUNDATION
• THE CALIFORNIA ARTS COUNCIL
• CITY OF LOS ANGELES CULTURAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION
• THE BARBARA AND SHELDON PINCHUK DEVELOPMENT FUND
• THE FRIENDS OF THE CERRITOS CENTER DEVELOPMENT FUND
• THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES ARTISTC EXCELLENCE CITATION
• THE WESTON FAMILY FOUNDATION
"We have found their productions to be among the best assemblies we have ever seen (on ANY subject).” Jan Bajza - Coordinator, Performing Arts Special Events
Long Beach, CA Unified School District Visual & Performing Arts Office
“The most wonderful assembly that I have seen during the thirty years that I have been teaching”! Denise Magasin, Beverly Vista School, Beverly Hills, CA
“It is just right. Just light enough, just entertaining enough, just long (short) enough and just terrific”! Tom Hatten, KNX Entertainment Report
"It means a lot to us to see professional acting in real plays. It was especially generous of your company
to give us free tickets to the Alex because many of us would have never seen
another professional play otherwise."
Christine Hernandez, El Rancho High
"The majority of our inner-city students have never seen live theatre and the format used by
the Musical Theatre Guild made the performance entertaining, inspiring and
educational for our children. I know that the experience will change the way
they approach and relate to their reading and creative writing activities in the
Dr. Karen Kallay, Ascension Catholic School