MOSTLY NEW MUSICALS SINGS KEVIN RAY
BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO
New York City is considered the mecca of musical theater which makes sense given its history with the genre that goes all the way back to operetta. Thus, it comes as no surprise that there are countless venues and organizations that provide an outlet for new musicals to present their work. However, the further you get from the NYC area the opportunities become significantly less. That’s where Mostly New Musicals steps in. The monthly L.A. concert series produced by Amy Francis Schott provides new musical writers with a space to showcase their work. As an added bonus, these Monday night cabarets feature some of the best performers in town, and are comfortably located at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s cozy supper club in Studio City.
The October 2019 edition of Mostly New Musicals featured selections from two musicals by prolific songwriter Kevin Ray accompanied with a live band. The first musical presented was entitled Notes from Juarez a piece inspired by the escalating immigration debate and border politics in Texas.
The cast for the evening included: Rhett George (MEMPHIS, WICKED, SWEET CHARITY), Tommy Hobson (“Fresh Beat Band,” Ovation Award winner: AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ at La Mirada), Laura Dickinson (“Phineas and Ferb,” 4x Grammy® winner, 3x Emmy® winner), Eric B. Anthony (B’way: THE LION KING, Skylight Theatre: BRONCO BILLY), Gabriela Carrillo (PRINCE OF EGYPT at Tuacahn, AMERICAN MARIACHI at South Coast Rep), Marisa Matthews (EVITA at San Diego Rep, upcoming ROCK OF AGES in Hollywood), Elysa Gomez (Las Vegas: ROCK OF AGES, world premiere: CONGA), Miatta Lebile (CBS Diversity Showcase), Kelley Dorney (NICE WORK at Musical Theater West, GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE at 3D and Tuacahn), Bella Hicks (national tour: BEEHIVE, AMERICAN IDIOT at La Mirada), Justin Luciano (WEST SIDE STORY at VA Rep), and Kevin Ray.
Notes from Juarez featured country-pop musical style with clever lyrics and exciting country melodies. Notable performance in this show included: “Wrong Side of the Line” sung by Gabriella, “Leave Tonight” sung by Elysa Gomez, “Across the River” sung by Marisa Matthews and Kevin Ray, and “Price” sung by Justin Luciano and Kevin Ray at the piano.
The second musical featured was Central Avenue Breakdown which transported audiences back to 1940s Los Angeles on Central Avenue, in the shadow of Hollywood where hot swing blows all night long. Brothers Bill and Jim Marcel are sax players struggling to carve out their own legacies while trying to overcome a destructive rivalry before it’s too late.
Central Avenue Breakdown offered a contrasting score from Juarez that combined blues, bop, and vocal jazz and was performed with a swingin’ six-piece jazz combo. Notable performances included: “A New Kind of Blues” sung by Tommy Hobson and Rhett George, “Unnatural Attraction” sung by Laura Dickinson, “Black Monday” sung by Bella Hicks and Rhett George and “Hot Bop Fastball” sung by Eric B. Anthony, Miatta Labile, Kelly Dorney, Bella Hicks and Kevin Ray.
Musical theatre writers and theater lovers are fortunate to have an organization such as Mostly New Musicals that shares new musicals with L.A. audiences. The next scheduled concert of Mostly New Musicals is on November 4thand will feature Brett Ryback’s musical Joe Schmoe Saves the World.
TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION:
Next Concert: Monday November 4th, 2019
http://www.mostlymusicalsla.com
TICKETS: $25/general admission and $35/VIP
Available at: www.feinsteinsatvitellos.com
Doors open at 6:30pm for dinner and drinks, showtime is 8pm
LOCATION: Feinstein’s at Vitello’s is located on the upper level of Vitello’s Restaurant at 4349 Tujunga Avenue, Studio City, CA.
A minimum of $20.00 is required per person while inside the showroom. Dining in the restaurant or any of our bars does not apply to the showroom minimum. Service fees apply to all tickets purchased via Eventbrite, at the door, and/or at the Box Office. Valet parking available with validation for $6. Guests requiring accessible seating should book directly by calling 818-769-0905. Parties of 7 or more must be booked directly with the venue by calling 818-769-0905. Large group seating is not guaranteed.
