Spotlight! (LAArtsOnline.com)

^{Photos (L-R): Once cast members at Opening Night top, Perez Hilton at Casa Valentina Opening bottom, Patty Onagan and Ken Werther at LGBT Spotlight Mixer, pasta donated by Il Fornaio Beverly Hills, Pantages’ Martin Wiviott, Lorraine O’Brien, and Jeff Loeb, scene outside Pantages theatre, Fabiolus Cucina’s sandwiches at Pantages, cast members of Once, The Pasadena Playhouse’s Sheldon Epps and friend on Opening Night, Press Team for Casa Valentina, Alanna Ubach on red carpet at CV Opening Night, Entire cast of CV, Promo’s Donuts, Ken Werther, Tiffany Fuller, Patty Onagan at LGBT, scene in courtyard at The Pasadena Playhouse, and delicious sandwiches by Fabiolus Cucina.}

Sponsored Events!

Story / Photos By Paige Petrone

This month LAArtsOnline was proud to sponsor three amazing events. First up on March 15th we hosted the Opening Night for Once inside the legendary Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. Cast members mingled and enjoyed scrumptious cuisine from Chef Sergio Corbia of Fabiolus Cucina and cocktails sponsored by Diabolo, Evian, Leese – Fitch, and John & Pete’s Fine Wine & Spirits.

Second up we sponsored the Opening Night for Casa Valentina at The Pasadena Playhouse on March 20th in the courtyard. This was a super lively and an excited group. The entire cast and all the guests were treated to a feast graciously provided by our partners, Essential Chocolate Desserts, Fabiolous Cucina and Primo Donuts. We also would like to thank Diabolo, Evian, John & Pete’s Fine Wine & Spirits, Leese-Fitch, and Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin for the abundance of support.

Finally, we were so proud to sponsor the “LGBT Spotlight Mixer” for Casa Valentina at The Pasadena Playhouse on Saturday, March 26th. This was a special partnership between LAArtsOnline, Gay Men’s Chorus of L.A and the playhouse. Our guests mingled prior to the show in the elegant “Library” space (upstairs inside the theatre) while nibbling on bites from Fabiolus Cucina, Il Fornaio Beverly Hills, and The Counter in Pasadena.

To check out all the photos from our events, click here.

Once Again! (LAArtsOnline.com)

Once is playing at the Pantages Theatre and then
at Segerstrom Center in Costa Mesa

ONCE AGAIN!

By KEN WERTHER
Photo By Joan Marcus

Once, the Broadway musical based on the 2006 film received 11 Tony Award nominations in 2012 and won eight, including Best Musical. In the show, the cast also serves as the orchestra, and the set includes a bar at center stage that is used before performances and at intermission as a working bar for audience members. Sound unique? It is!
Once premiered at the American Repertory Theatre in Boston before transferring to New York Theatre Workshop Off-Broadway in 2011, and then moved to Broadway in March 2012. Met with critical and popular acclaim alike, the show is still running after 784 performances. It is playing in London and is on a U.S. national tour.

Set in Dublin, Once is the story of a Guy who gave up on his music—and his love—and the Girl who inspired him to dream again. Beautiful and uplifting, this show is not to be missed. Several actor friends of mine (the toughest critics I know!) have told me that Once is absolutely one of the best things they’ve ever seen. Fun fact: Cristin Miloti, co-star of the original Broadway production, was discovered while doing the show and tapped to play the Mother in the final season of How I Met Your Mother. How’s that for a success story?

Once is playing at the Pantages in Hollywood through August 10, and begins at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County on August 19.