Secret Rose Mini Musical Fest June 19, 2009

The Secret Rose Theatre in the NoHo Arts District of North Hollywood will present the “Secret Rose Mini Musical Fest” in June and July 2009. The evening will feature seven 10 to 15 minute musicals.

In “Change of Plans”, (music, book, and lyrics by Michael Gordon Shapiro. Directed by Derrel Maury) a former entrepreneur, now in a rut, rediscovers his college journals. Confronted with his own aspirations from earlier in life, he's forced to decide which version of himself he's going to be.

What happens when an imaginative and single woman, turning 40, can’t wait any longer for a Tiffany diamond? Find out in “More Precious than Diamonds” (music, book and lyrics by Stephanie Hutchinson. Directed by Jonathan Levit.) Julie and Michelle enter Tiffany’s Beverly Hills. Her practical, married friend Michelle tries to talk her out of buying herself a diamond. A salesman persuades Julie to try on a ring, which gets stuck.

In “Myjovi el Musical” (music, book and lyrics by Jan Michael Alejandro. Directed by Rachel Myers) Carlos Carlos, an entrepreneur, leader in his community and ex-pro soccer player, is enjoying life. While celebrating his birthday with the employees of his successful sports drink company, his whole world comes to a screeching halt when he is served with a cease a desist order filed by a famous rock star and has to shut down his operation. This musical comedy is loosely based on a true story written in the New York Times.

Amongst these musicals is “The Queen & the Dragon” (libretto by Jan Michael Alejandro and Jonathan Price. Music by Jonathan Price. Directed by Kirk Smith.) It is Ancient Greek times, and Queen Cassandra vows her love to Adon, a warrior for the island kingdom of Kos, but Adon secretly loves Jason, the court singer. Cassandra orders Zeno, the alchemist, to make a love potion. What happens next is a beautiful new chamber opera.

Ex lovers meet at a restaurant for a reunion which turns sour, and two dysfunctional couples with various problems try to navigate a cocktail party in “The Red Bouquet” and “Something Not Real” (music, book and lyrics by Joshua Fardon. Directed by Wynn Marlow.)

“Sweeney Tidd” (book and lyrics by Gordon Glor and Barb E. Rickard. Music by Gordon Glor. Directed by Barb E. Rickard) tells the tale of a church choir director who is driven mad by the church's unjust firing of him from his job, a job he has dreamed about doing all his life. In denial about what's happened to him, Sweeney starts holding rehearsals on an L.A. subway station platform, rehearsing a "choir" of stuffed Teddy bears whose singing only he can hear. Through one key link, one by one, strangers passing by are lured by the siren song of the anthem he has composed, and join the choir. Making music with Sweeney, while Sweeney’s fate remains ambiguous, betters the lives of the five choir members.

The “Secret Rose Mini Musical Fest” Opens on Friday June 19 and runs on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, Sunday matinees at 2 PM, through July 5. There is no performance July 4. Admission is 20 dollars. Thursdays are two for one. To make reservations call 1-877-620-ROSE (7673) toll-free or log onto www.SecretRose.com. The Secret Rose Theatre is located at 11246 Magnolia Boulevard (One and one-half blocks west of Lankershim) in the NoHo Theatre & Arts District of North Hollywood, 91601.

The Secret Rose is an handicapped accessible theatre.

Official Website: http://www.SecretRose.com