By Shari Barrett
Last year at this time, I saw the family-friendly and totally entertaining Dog Man: The Musical at the Kirk Douglas Theatre presented by TheaterWorksUSA in which comic book hero Dog Man, with the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, does his best to save the city from Flippy the cyborg fish. And now Flippy is back, this time as the father of wayward frogs in Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical with Book and Lyrics by Kevin Del Aguila, Music by Brad Alexander based on the Cat Kid Comic Club book series by Dav Pilkey. at the Kirk Douglas Theatre through January 5, 2025.
The story centers around Cat Kid and Molly Pollywog (Janna Linae in both roles) who start a club to teach several rambunctious baby frogs (each dressed in a different color with large eyes on their foreheads) how to make their own comics and ultimately work together on their final project. Their fishy father Flippy (David VanDyke) is overjoyed that his kids will learn to unleash their creativity in a positive direction rather than demanding his attention every second of the day. But when the frogs’ constant bickering and outrageous imaginations send their comics comically off the rails, Flippy flips out! So it’s up to Cat Kid to organize the wayward frogs during a 4-day workshop so each can write their own comic book. And it’s quite the task! But Cat Kid, along with her fishy hand puppet, are up for the challenge!
Each kid’s comic book is acted out by the frogs through song and movement, beginning at the first “The Kit Cat Comic Club” meeting. A few of the frogs’ comic creations are “Dennis the Toothbrush Lawyer for Dinosaurs,” “The Cute, Little, Fluffy Cloud of Death,” and “Chubbs McSpiderbutt,” each performed with incredible energy and lots of costume changes to generate tons of laughter. Arrive early so kids can enjoy show programs which include photos “Introducing the Pets of CTG,” pages for kids to design their own comic (art supplies and activities available in the lobby), and lots of frogs to color.
Along with Linae and Vandyke, the talented ensemble includes Jimmy Henderson, Jeremy Fuentes, Diamond Destiny, Savannah Trotter, Leslie Baez, Troi Lennoxx Gaines. It’s easy to see how their eye-catching choreography is a real crowd-pleaser for kids of all ages, grabbing your attention while entertaining your spirit with lots of comic wit. While all the frogs have their moment in the spotlight, the two siblings who lead the club are Naomi (Diamond Destiny in yellow) and Melvin (Troi Lennoxx Gaines in orange) who bicker and distract each other non-stop until creating their own comic books.
Rainbow-hued scenic design by Cameron Anderson, costume design by Jen Caprio, lighting design by David Lander, sound design by Scott Stoufer and Jesse Desrosiers, and puppet design/fabrication by Acheson Walsh Studios make this entertaining TheaterWorksUSA production an excellent way to introduce young ones to the wonders of live theatre. And I know parents will appreciate the story’s anti-bullying theme which teaches kids to honor everyone’s individuality while learning to work together as members of the same club.
Performances continue at The Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd, Culver City 90232 through January 5, 2025. Run time is 60 minutes without an intermission. All-in pricing tickets start at $34.50, available by calling (213) 628-2772 or at https://www.centertheatregroup.org. This hilarious and heartfelt family adventure is perfect for everyone! Free parking is available below City Hall, across Culver Blvd. from the theatre with validation available at the theatre.
TheaterWorksUSA returns to the Kirk Douglas Theatre with El Otro Oz, a bilingual, Mexican folk-infused musical inspired by The Wizard of Oz from March 29 to April 13, 2025, in which Dora, a contemporary Latiné teenager, struggles with her family’s ideas about tradition and dreads her impending quinceañera. Tickets and info at https://www.centertheatregroup.org
There’s another extraordinary world premiere family musical on local stages: It’s All Your Fault, Tyler Price! with music and lyrics by Ben Decter, book by Decter and Kristin Hanggi, who directs the production. In program notes, Decter shares how his personal experience having a daughter with childhood epilepsy and learning disabilities led him to write this entertaining musical to remind us the most important thing a family can do is to communicate honestly with each other, with anti-bullying and acceptance of others messages fueling the story.
The musical follows Jackson (12-year-old triple-threat Charlie Stover), a middle school boy with big feelings who’s in big trouble after punching his bullying classmate, Tyler Price (Jonah Orona), for mocking Jackson’s sister, Lucy (15-year-old Faith Graham in a star-making role) who has epilepsy and related learning challenges. To avoid expulsion, Jackson’s principal Mrs. McKackney (Desi Dennis-Dylan) insists he explain himself to the entire school. In response, Jackson stages a scrappy, heartfelt musical using music he “borrows” from his composer dad and his own original songs. And in the process of creating and performing the musical apology, Jackson and his family realize the only way they can survive as four such different people is to learn to communicate honestly about everything, good or bad. And through each family member’s bravery in telling the truth, we watch as healing begins throughout the school. Director Hanggi shares, “this story of family, acceptance, and the power of creative expression is universal.”
The entire cast and production team are to be commended for such an extraordinary production on all levels, with conductor Kyle Detarnowsky on piano leading the rocking onstage 4-piece band, which includes “the real Jackson” Leo Decter (Ben’s son) on guitar. Along with the above-mentioned actors, the cast features CJ Eldred as Daniel (the father), Jenna Pastuszek as Emma (the mother), Erin Choi as Coco (Jackson’s best friend), Enrique Dueñas as teacher Mr. Torres, and Dahlya Glick as the school’s UFO enthusiast teacher Ms. Friss. The creative team includes choreography by Maxx Reed, music director Kyle Puccia, amazingly creative multi-level scenic design by David Goldstein, costume design by Jessica Champagne-Hansen, lighting design by Jamie Roderick, sound design by Robert Ramirez, casting by Zachary Spiegel, CSA , with technical director/production manager Max Oken, stage manager Hope Matthews, and assistant stage manager/prop master Nico Parducho keeping the show flowing seamlessly from scene to scene.
It’s All Your Fault, Tyler Price! six-week limited engagement runs through December 15, 2024, at The Hudson Backstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. (Scheduling notes: There will be no performance on December 6 with an added show on December 8 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at www.TylerPriceMusical.com and www.onstage411.com/TylerPriceMusical starting at $25. For more information about the show, visit www.tylerpricemusical.com and follow @tylerpricemusical on social media for the latest updates. On-site valet or street parking. Read signs carefully.
Historic Downtown Culver City welcomes everyone to the 2024 Holiday Tree Lighting Sled-tacular on Thursday, December 5 from 5:00pm to 8:30pm at Town Plaza, 9400 Culver Blvd, Culver City 90232. This year 50 TONS of fresh snow will be on Main Street starting at 5pm, followed by the beloved Tree Lighting ceremony at 6pm, with a show featuring 250 local students, and a countdown to Santa’s arrival led by the Mayor, City Council, Board of the Downtown Business Association, and other special guests. Parking and more info at https://downtownculvercity.com/getting-here/.
This celebratory play with songs about the importance of community and inclusion features joyful holiday favorites performed by Rex & Friends, talented musicians with disabilities. Created and directed by Laurie Grant, with musical direction by Laurie Grant and Devin Weitz, Heart of the Holidays runs December 6-14 on Fri & Sat at 7:30pm, Sundays at 3pm at ArtsUP! LA’s theater, The Blue Door, 9617 Venice Blvd. in Culver City 90232. Tickets are $20 available at https://www.artsupla.org with discounts available at the box office for veterans, seniors, and students with proper ID.
