Curtis Theater

• Brea’s Rising Stars, Carly & Christine Johnnie

  500 days ago by bbonadmin

  

  Carly and Christine Johnnie.

  Frequent visitors to BBON are already familiar with Carly and Christine Johnnie. These two talented young ladies are featured in several BBON videos, from opening night at the new Farrell's to a look behind the scenes at a Curtis Theater Production. But, their appearances as BBON's kid reporters are just a small part of their exciting schedule.

  Just recenly, both appeared in the three-weekend run of "The Wiz" at the Curtis Theater, and this weekend they were on the set in Santa Ana for a film called "Abigail". Directed by Tim Kressin and produced by Jamie Geoghan, the film tells the story of a 14-year-old girl struggling to find hope in the foster care system. Carly and Christine portray foster children.

  The sisters are also featured as zombies in "1, 2, Z", directed by Genna Ford, a post WWII horror/comedy that premiered in December, 2011. They spent two days on the film set, with two hours just for make-up. But, the girls really enjoyed the stunt training they received and the film crew kept the set fun for all the kids.

  Coming up in 2012, the girls appear as Irish dancing students in Katie Valovcin's "Treble Reel", set to be released in late Spring.  They also appear as school childlren in Cliff Breakfield's, "The Things We Left Behind", another film set for a late Spring release.  During filming, the girls had a reunion with another child actor they appeared with last year in "Wash Me", by Director Winston Tao.

  These young ladies are so talented and love performing. With such a long list of credits in their young careers, we can look forward to more appearances in BBON videos,  Stagelight, the Jazz Festival, Farrell's, and film work.

  As their Mom says, "They are busy".

• 

  Brand New Show Opens at Curtis Theatre in Brea

  511 days ago by bbonadmin

  

  Last Sunday evening, I had the privilege of attending a "sing-through" rehearsal for the brand new musical "The Piano Party."  I was able to meet with the production team and listen to 16 talented performers go through the musical numbers.  With such a large cast, obviously the quality of the singing voices differed somewhat.  However, I felt that all the voices were all good to excellent.

  The show weaves together songs from a wide variety of broadway shows.  Some are standards that are very well known from classics such as Oklahoma, My Fair Lady and West Side Story.  Others songs were from more recent shows, many of which were Tony winners.  Wicked, of course, was included in that group.

  This entertaining new theater experience will debut at the Curtis on February 10 at 8 p.m. with other performances Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.  Ticket prices range from $24 for adults, $21 for seniors and $18 for children.   For more information call the box office at 714 990-7722 or go to the web site ate www.curtistheatre.com.

• BBON Behind the Scenes at Peter Pan

  566 days ago by bbonadmin

  A fascinating look behind the scenes at Stagelight Productions' 2011 Peter Pan production at Curtis Theater. Hosted by BBON Kid Reporters - Christine and Carly Johnnie.

• Fascinating Facts: Brea and the Arts

  590 days ago by bbonadmin

  

  Brea's Red Lantern Theater. (Photo from Brea: Celebrating 75 Years)

  1.) In 1921, a group of Brea  businessmen formed an investment group, and in October, broke ground on Pomona Avenue (now Brea Blvd) for Brea's first theater, The Red Lantern.

  2.) By the 1930's, The Red Lantern theater was renamed The Brea Theatre and in 1938, when she was 14-years-old, child star Judy Garland made an appearance on its stage.  One Brean, who was at the event, recalled that Miss Garland  "didn't sing,  she just stood there for a few minutes and then left the stage".   Her uncle, Robert Gumm, managed the theater at the time of her appearance.

  3.) In the 1920's and 30's, Brea was the backdrop for more than a few Hollywood "moving pictures".  Mary Pickford shot scenes for a silent movie in the hills above Brea.  William Boyd, who would later make a name as "Hopalong Cassidy", played a heroic oilman near the intersection of today's Brea Blvd and Lambert Road.  In the 1940's, John Garfield and Lana Turner drove in a car down Brea Blvd, between Lambert and Central, taking advantage of the scenic California Pepper Trees that once lined the road for "The Postman Always Rings Twice".

  4.) At the Curtis Theater, in 1982, the Brea Foundation was host to Nobel Prize Winner, Dr. Henry Kissinger, for a special fundraising event.  Other foundation fund raisers at the theater have featured noted actors, teen idols, and singers.