Tony Award-Winning Disney Musical, Newsies Comes to Long Beach!

Disney Newsies–The Broadway Musical

By Erin

Disney Newsies by Musical Theater West in Long Beach California

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Newsies to hit Long Beach this July! Southern California’s premier theatre company, Musical Theatre West (MTW), is bringing Broadway to the beach with the Tony Award-Winning Disney musical, Newsies. Based on the 1993 Disney film of the same name, Newsies follows a group of Newsboys at the beginning of the 20th century who take on the Pulitzer and the World Newspaper… and win! Musical Theatre West has always been dear to my heart as I grew up going to shows put on by MTW, back when they were at La Mirada Theater! I am SO excited to see their production of Newsies!

An inspiring story of young heroes fighting for justice and freedom, MTW’s production of Newsies will run for a limited time, July 12 – July 28, with an official opening night celebration on Saturday, July 13th. Tickets are on sale NOW, starting at $20 USD each and are available by phone at 562-856-1999 or online at musical.org.

“Summer is the perfect season to celebrate friendship and cheer for the underdog, which is why we’ve chosen Newsies to share with our audiences,” shared Paul Garman, Executive Director and Producer for Musical Theatre West. “The timeless tale of finding the courage to collectively stand together in solidarity is a message that transcends the ages and encapsulates a feeling of hope that will inspire our audiences to seize opportunities that affect positive change in our shared human experience.”

The rousing tale of Jack Kelly and his fellow “newsies’”, inspired by the true story of the Newsboys Strike of 1899, will have theatre-goers rooting for the underdog as they take on a publishing powerhouse to challenge unfair conditions and ultimately stand up for what’s right. Newsies will inspire audiences of all ages to consider the power of the press and remember the age-old adage: “All for one and one for all!” Featuring the Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act), Jack Feldmen, and a book by Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots), ticket-holders can expect to be thrilled by high-energy dance performances and MTW’s renditions of now classic songs “Seize the Day,” “Carrying the Banner,” and “Santa Fe.”

Musical Theatre West’s production of Newsies will premiere at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on select dates, July 12 – July 28, 2024.

Tickets start at $20 and are available for purchase by phone at 562-856-1999 or online at musical.org. Fees may apply. Student rush tickets for $15 are available at the Box Office one hour prior to showtime, with a valid student ID. More information, a full line-up of performances, and additional details can be found at https://musical.org.

Newsies by Musical Theatre West

Dates: July 12 – 28, 2024, select dates and times

Where: Carpenter Performing Arts Center

Tickets start at $20, Purchase here

Student Rush tickets are $15 at the Box Office

Rated PG More details can be found at https://musical.org/upcoming-events/

ABOUT MUSICAL THEATRE WEST

The story of Musical Theatre West is the 72-year journey from a group of volunteers performing in a high school auditorium to one of the largest and most respected theatrical production companies in Southern California. Utilizing professional talent, and producing regional and even world premiere musicals while continuing to honor the tradition of classic musical theatre, MTW is the largest arts producer in the Long Beach area. The company continues to receive critical acclaim and national recognition – and many performers who cut their teeth on the MTW stage have gone on to successful careers on Broadway and in television and film. Just as importantly, stage and screen veterans now come to Musical Theatre West to perform, finding it to be one of the friendliest and most fun venues to work in. A key aspect of the company is its dedication to education, and the Education and Outreach Programs of Musical Theatre West bring the joy and magic of musical theater to over 17,000 children each year through special morning performances, traveling shows and school assemblies, and the Summer Youth Conservatory. Musical Theatre West has a mission to enrich the community with Broadway-quality productions, preserve musical theatre as a unique American art form, and expose people of all backgrounds to the excitement of musical theatre.

Experience Winter Magic at The Queen Mary’s CHILL: Alice in Winterland!

The Queen Mary’s CHILL: Alice in Winterland!

By Erin

*We will be attending as media*

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It’s that magical time of year! The Queen Mary’s 5th Annual CHILL returns to the majestic ship November 23, 2016 with a special opening night of festivities including the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, hosted by Pitch Perfect 2 star, Chrissie Fit, and Teen Choice Award nominee, New District, with help from Santa Claus. Open select dates through January 8, 2017 CHILL is Southern California’s coolest holiday adventure complete with ice-skating, ice tubing, swingin’ sleigh rides, visits with Santa, gingerbread decorating and the all-new interactive attraction, Alice in Winterland. I cannot wait to see everything that is new this year!

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NOV. 23 OPENING NIGHT ACTIVITES:

  • 3-7PM: Tune in to KOST 103.5FM’s holiday broadcast with Mark Wallengran live from CHILL
  • 7PM: CHILL opens to the public
  • Experience the gift of giving and donate a toy to ABC7 and Firefighters Spark of Love Toy Drive at the ticket box office for 50% off of general admission ticket. Restrictions may apply.

  • 7:30PM: Pitch Perfect 2 star, Chrissie Fit, and Teen Choice Award nominee, New District, hosts the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony with a special visit from Santa Claus
  • 8:15-9PMAutograph signing with Pitch Perfect 2 star, Chrissie Fit, and Teen Choice Award nominee, New District
  • Special Performance by 14 year old Olympic hopeful, Gia Kokotakis, Bronze Medalist in the 2015 United States Figure Skating National Championships on The Looking Glass ice skating rink

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CHILL Attractions:

*Alice in WinterlandNEW!! Light up the night and follow The Queen down the rabbit hole this holiday season with the all-new interactive and digitally immersive attraction. A 14,000-square foot walk-through adventure. Experience larger than life lanterns as you venture with Alice and friends into the Hall of Doors, the White Rabbit’s Kitchen, Mad Hatter’s Work Shop, the infamous Tea Party, Hedge Maze, Caterpillar Garden and the newest addition to the beloved story, Queen of Diamonds.
*Glacier Glide Tubing Run! Grab a tube and barrel down the 150-foot, two-story .
*Magic Mushroom Martini Bar! NEW Experience!! A one-of-a-kind interactive bar with RFID technology featuring Winterland Vodka Flights and Magical Martinis in the all-new .
*Ice Skating! Lace up some ice skates and glide upon The Looking Glass Rink, a 6000 square foot outdoor ice skating rink under the stars.

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Halloween Horror Awaits at Dark Harbor at the Queen Mary-2016!

Dark Harbor-Halloween Horror Aboard A Haunted Ship!

*I attended as media for purposes of this post. All thoughts and opinions remain my own*

By Erin

It’s well into the Halloween season and Dark Harbor is my absolute favorite Halloween event that I look forward to attending every year. If you have not already been yet this season, make sure to put this at the top of your list of fun things to do to get into the Halloween spirit. If you have been, then you have probably already experienced everything I love so much about this horror filled experience.

dark-harbor-01From the darkest depths of your deepest hidden fears, Dark Harbor is resurrected this fall with a cast of sinister spirits ready to deliver another season of blood curdling terror. Live your nightmares aboard the haunted Queen Mary and join a horrific cast of ghouls, spirits, and undead for an unforgettable, frighteningly authentic haunted experience.

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*Just a few of the horrific cast of ghouls, spirits, and undead that you will meet during your stay at Dark Harbor.*

Another season of terrifying mazes and inventive entertainment awaits you, all in a lively party atmosphere. Dark Harbor has plenty of bars, food, mazes, fun acts, and live music to keep you entertained all night long! First- let’s talk about what’s new for 2016!

New for 2016

  • INTREPID: Do you dare go back to where it all began? Meet the mastermind, the creator and now the protector of the Queen Mary. The Iron Master has returned to reclaim the precious vessel he built, fiercely guarding it from the antics of the freaks and ghouls. Follow his maddening journey… if you dare step aboard.
  • PANIC: A one-of- a-kind 4-D Virtual Maze Experience
  • HEX Paintball Shooting Gallery- For $5 you get a gun full of paintballs and shoot at targets until it’s empty.

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  • Voodoo House features Happy Hour from 6 – 7 p.m. with potions and Tequila and Mezcal tasting flights

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$5 Shots at the Voodoo House

Returning Mazes

Many of your favorite mazes will be returning with some fun twists.

  • Circus: Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and experience the world’s most horrifying circus! Face your greatest fears as you wander through a terrifying tent of terror. Disorienting illusions, maniacal magic acts, and a cadre of sideshow freaks are certain to shock, stun, and startle even the bravest of souls.
  • Deadrise: Deadrise is a WWII escort ship that helped guide The Grey Ghost through enemy-infested waters. After a fatal crash during one of their dangerous voyages, Deadrise sank to the bottom and has been resting in her watery grave in the depths of the sea ever since. The wreckage of Deadrise has once again been called into service by the star of Dark Harbor, The Captain, to escort him and his armada of ghosts and monsters into a battle against the living to reclaim Dark Harbor
  • Soulmate: Gale has been haunting Dark Harbor looking for a soul mate since her mysterious disappearance. A meandering maze of mystery, Soulmate is where Graceful Gale lures potential suitors with her charm. Beware of her minions, whose job it is to chop up her suitors and reassemble them into the perfect man. Once you’ve been smitten by Graceful Gale, there is no escaping…even after death!e.
  • B340: What would drive a man to madness and murder? That’s the answer B340 attempts to answer as we take a schizophrenic sojourn into the psychotic mind of Samuel the Savage. Tight spaces, darkness mixed with flashing lights, and pulse-pounding noises would drive anyone to the brink of insanity. Beware the wrath of violence of Samuel the Savage and be careful not to lose your head or your mind!
  • Lullaby- Scary Mary:  Do you want to play? Scary Mary is back and looking for playmates. Ring around the rosy and a pocket full of nightmares. The new Lullaby maze takes the visitor on a spine-tingling trip through the story of little Scary Mary. Gone, but certainly not forgotten, Mary is looking for playmates to join her on the other side of hell. Will you succumb to the youngster’s pranks and tricks, or will you escape with your soul intact? The little girl is very real, and you go past the indoor swimming pool…the exact spot where she died.

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