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Spheria, Oct. 17 Pet of the Week

October 16, 2025 By Leave a Comment
AWWWWWWWWWWW

Trick or Treat! Spheria’s sweet! She would love a meet-and-greet! Senior Spheria’s an extremely friendly Lab who kept straying from her home and winding up at the shelter. The final time, her owner didn’t come for her despite every effort from Long Beach Animal Care Services. The volunteers say she’s a lovely dog, and at 11 years old, she deserves to spend her golden years in a real home with loving people. Could you give her that ultimate treat? Long Beach Animal Care Services is over capacity with dogs, so speed the process to adopt or foster Spheria or any of our other pets by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Our shelter hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors). Ask for ID#A594917

Filed Under: Featured Content, Pet Corner

Books of the Week: October 10th, 2025

October 10, 2025 By Leave a Comment
by Beatriz Gutiérrez Hernández (Godwin Books, Ages 4-8)

A deeply heartfelt picture book about sea turtle conservation efforts in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Papá Grande was once a sea turtle poacher but now he spends his days and nights caring for these endangered creatures. From greeting the turtles on the beach to protecting their eggs in the carefully constructed hatchery, there’s always something to do to help these turtles fight against looming extinction. With elegant text, lush illustrations, and detailed backmatter this book is the perfect way to introduce little ones to sea turtle conservation, ocean habitats and animal life cycles.

A great book that is educational and fun to read!

by María Dolores Águila (Roaring Brook Press, Ages 8-12)



This novel in verse, based on a true story, follows twelve-year-old Roberto Alvarez as he becomes the lead plaintiff in a landmark school desegregation case against the Lemon Grove School Board, challenging the enforced segregation of Mexican children into a retrofitted barn school during the Great Depression.

Twelve-year-old Roberto Alvarez is the youngest of his siblings, born on United States soil. He’s el futuro, their dream for a life away from the fire of the Mexican Revolution.

Moved by anti-immigrant and anti-Mexican propaganda, the Lemon Grove school board and chamber of commerce create a separate “Americanization” school for the Mexican children attending the Lemon Grove Grammar School. But the new Olive Street School is an old barn retrofitted for the children forced to attend a segregated school.

Amid threats of deportation, the Comité de Vecinos risk everything to stand their ground and, with the support of the Mexican Consulate, choose Roberto as the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against the school board in this vivid and uplifting novel in verse based on true events.

From critically-acclaimed author María Dolores Águila (Barrio Rising) comes an inspiring novel in verse set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and Mexican Repatriation, based on the true story of the United States’ first successful school desegregation case, two decades before Brown v. Board of Education ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. It is an extremely powerful story!

by Alliah L. Agostini; illustrated by Lala Watkins (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux BYR, Ages 3-6)

For fans of School’s First Day of School, this is a picture book about a young girl who is feeling mixed emotions about her first day of school.

Some feelings are so big, one word just doesn’t cut it.    

It’s the first day of school for Afua! There’s no one word to name her feelings. Is she scared? Excited? Oh wait, she’s scarecited! Her own combination of both. Why should she have to choose?

Scarecited on the First Day of School is a charming picture book that reminds us all that having the courage to be our authentic self is always just enough, and you can feel more than one big emotion at the same time. But if there isn’t one word to describe those feelings . . . there’s beauty in making it yourself.

Over 50 Recipes with Sweetness and Shadows in Every Bite
Helena Garcia
$16.99 | hardcover | 978-1-57715-543-0

he Little Gothic Bakeshop showcases over 50 spooky and inventive recipes from The Great British Baking Show star, Helena Garcia, who impressed the judges and audiences alike with her creepy creations. Brewing with mystique, this cookbook is your go-to guide to easily transform ordinary recipes into macabre masterpieces, including devilishly delicious cakes, cookies, pastries, breads, desserts, and drinks. 

Covering Bewitching Beverages, Spooky Cookies and Candies, Ghoulish Breads and Pastries, To-Die-For Desserts, and Macabre Cakes and Bakes, this book will be a hit!

A combination of tactile illustration and darkened photography throughout the book is a homage to the old Victorian aesthetic of gothic elegance. Step into the dark side of baking and discover recipes that are easy to make, fun and spooky to design, and delicious to consume. Whether you’re an everyday goth or Halloween-obsessed, The Little Gothic Bakeshop is filled with tricks and treats designed to bring some ghoulish fun to your baking repertoire! The perfect cookbook for Halloween!

About the Author:

Author, baker, and television personality Helena Garcia was born in Spain. Helena was one of the 2019 Great British Bake Off contestants, winning the hearts of the nation with her eccentric style, spooky approach, and fun-loving personality. She has also appeared in several television shows, including the hit series What We Do in the Shadows, and she continues to write for national and international publications.

Obsessed with anything witchy, Helena’s self-published book, Introduction to Witchery: A Magical Guide for Witches that Craft, is a go-to guide for crafty witches that covers a bit of history of witchcraft in Britain, a guide to magical plants, and plenty of craft projects and recipes to help you live like every day is Halloween. Her second book, The Wicked Baker, was released in 2020, followed by The Witch-Crafting Handbook in 2021 and The Book of Gingerbread in 2023. Her first picture book, My Mummy, was also published in 2023.

Helena lives in Yorkshire with husband Will, daughter Flora, and rescue wolf-dog Kato.

Karina Yan Glaser makes her historical fiction (+illustrator!) debut with daring heroes and dim sum in THE NINE MOONS OF HAN YU AND LULI

This dual-timeline story follows two young heroes—one in 731 China, and one in 1931 Chinatown—on perilous journeys to save their families. While Han Yu and Luli are living centuries apart, Karina masterfully weaves their stories together through the characters’ shared love of bao, silks, poetry, furry friends, and their families. The result is a timeless story that will encourage young readers to trust their instincts, step outside their comfort zones, and see the magic in their own lives. 

Middle school readers will love this book! It has adventure, and readers will be able to really relate to the characters! I also love that there are animal friends, and it truly is a magical story!

Self Disclosure: I received free copies of the above books to feature as book choices. I only feature books that I recommend. Cover images were also provided.

Filed Under: Media Reviews

It’s starting to look like Halloween!

October 10, 2025 By Leave a Comment
Delicious Chocolate! These are my favorite truffles!

Halloween isn’t just for the kids. Adults will love this chocolate!

More adults than ever are celebrating the spooky season with chic parties, themed gatherings, and elevated takes on the holiday’s sweetest tradition. Instead of handing out the usual sugary candy, Alter Eco is here to enchant grown-up ghouls and goblins with chocolate designed for a more refined palate.

Perfect for haunted cocktail soirées, wickedly cozy movie marathons or as a host gift with a playful twist, Alter Eco’s line of chocolate bars, truffle thins, and truffles are devilishly decadent. Imagine sinfully dark chocolate with a touch of sea salt, melt-in-your-mouth truffle thins that work like magic and silky truffles so indulgent they feel a little wicked.

Crafted with clean ingredients, fair-trade sourcing, and eco-friendly packaging, Alter Eco makes indulgence feel good…for both you and the planet. Because this Halloween, grown-ups deserve treats that are as thoughtful as they are spellbinding.

Find out more here.

yummy! I love their cupcakes!

Halloween is sweeter when everyone gets a treat! Antonina’s Gluten-Free Bakery is helping families, schools, and party hosts serve up festive fun with its Chocolate and Yellow Cupcakes. Certified gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, and Kosher, these cupcakes come topped with rich buttercream frosting, which makes them a safe, delicious option for classroom celebrations, family gatherings, and Halloween parties. 

Perfect for decorating stations or DIY fun, Antonina’s cupcakes are the ideal blank canvas for spooky creativity. 

Try these simple ideas: 

  • Monster Mash: Add candy eyeballs and colorful sprinkles. 
  • Batty: Use a chocolate cookie for the body and half cookies for the wings  
  • Spooky Spider: Place a chocolate cookie on top and use frosting to draw the legs 

Antonina’s Gluten-Free products are available at more than 5,000 grocery stores nationwide, including Walmart, Sprouts, Albertsons, Safeway, Tops, Fresh Thyme, Jewel, and ShopRite. Look for them in the bakery section, primarily in the bakery freezer. No baking required, just thaw, decorate, and serve. Parents can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying Halloween moments with their kids. 

Antonina’s Chocolate and Yellow Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting are certified gluten-free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO), Kosher by KOF-K, and available at grocery retailers nationwide. 

To see why Antonina’s Gluten-Free Bakery says, “You won’t believe it’s gluten-free,” visit www.antoninasglutenfreebakery.com. 

The Crunch Replacing Candy in Trick-or-Treat Bags This Year.
My favorite is the Mango!

Crispy Fruit by Crispy Green are all-natural go-to snacks made from just one ingredient: 100% pure fruit. They’re crunchy, delicious, portable, and available in handy 4-packs (each with four single servings in one pouch). It’s the guilt-free Halloween hero.

I love that they aren’t too sweet! They will be a hit with both kids and adults! Allergen-friendly: Peanut-free, gluten-free, and school-safe — perfect for classroom parties.

Grab-and-go convenience: Shelf-stable and backpack/purse/work-bag friendly, Crispy Fruit is available in seven delicious varieties — apple, mango, pear, banana, tangerine, pineapple, and strawberry.

Learn more about Crispy Fruit here.

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to feature for the holiday. Images were also provided.

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

Nationally Ranked Castle Dark Haunt Event Returns to SoCal!

October 8, 2025 By Leave a Comment

 Get ready for a Halloween experience like no other: Castle Dark is back at Castle Park in Riverside, bringing terrifying thrills and family-friendly fun to Southern California. Running on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from September 19 through November 1, Castle Dark 2025 offers visitors a full night of scares, excitement, and entertainment—all included with a Castle Dark ticket. Tickets include access to all mazes, scare zones, live shows, and park rides.

National-Scale Haunts and Highlights for 2025:

  • Three All-New Mazes: Step into twisted worlds with Feary Tales (dark fairy tales), Midnight Manor (a cursed mansion), and Containment Breach (science gone wrong).
  • Chilling Scare Zones: When night falls, twisted characters roam The Endless Chapter, The Forgotten Kingdom, and Outbreak, filled with monsters, creatures, and spine-tingling surprises.
  • Live Shows: Echoes from the Grave debuts as a theatrical performance set to mesmerize audiences.
  • After Dark Party: Step into the Big Top Tent for high-energy fun with a live DJ, delicious food, refreshing beverages, and specialty cocktails and drinks for guests 21 years and older.

For families seeking more treats than scares, Castle Park also presents Día de los Muertos every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5:30 p.m., September 20 through November 2. The event celebrates Mexican and Latin American fall traditions with vibrant decorations, local performers, kid-friendly activities, and trick-or-treating.

Tickets & Admission:

Castle Dark promises thrills for Southern California and visitors from across the nation. Don’t miss your chance to experience the ultimate Halloween event—including rides, mazes, and scares—all in one night.

For more information on Castle Park, visit https://castlepark.com

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

Peanut, Oct. 10 Pet of the Week

October 8, 2025 By Leave a Comment
AWWWWW!

No matter how good a shelter is, it’s no place for a dog, especially a big and bighearted one like Peanut.Peanut, an American pit bull terrier, came to Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) over a year ago, which makes him one of the shelter’s longest-stay residents. When he first came, he was overwhelmed by the noise and strange smells and was terribly shy. But the staff and volunteers were determined to get Peanut out of his shell! They taught him commands like sit and stay, motivated him with treats, and took him on a recent photo shoot to Dogma Portraits. You can see his inner goo’ boi in the photo! Peanut also took a Fido Field Trip in a car driven by his friend volunteer Ellen — he had a wonderful time rolling in the grass and reveled in the quiet of an actual backyard! Life in a shelter kennel, said volunteer Nici, can make even the best dogs feel invisible, and Peanut has been overlooked too many times. It’s starting to weigh on his spirit. Please come in and meet Peanut—you’ll find that he’s not at all a tough nut to crack! The shelter’s way over capacity with dogs, so speed the process to adopt or foster Peanut or any of our other pets by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Our shelter hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors. Ask for ID#A728674).

Filed Under: Pet Corner

Laguna Art Museum’s 13th Annual Art + Nature Reveals Family Friendly Events Schedule

October 8, 2025 By Leave a Comment
Ana Teresa Fernández holding SOS acrylic mirror on Main Beach. Photo courtesy of LAM.

 Laguna Art Museum (LAM) proudly announces the return of its 13th annual Art + Nature, a vibrant celebration that explores the relationship between art and the natural world. Starting the week of November 1, this dynamic event brings together thousands of attendees and continues to be one of LAM’s marquee events, as emphasized by this year’s unprecedented free admission throughout November generously provided by the Office of Vice Chair Katrina Foley, Orange County Board of Supervisors.“The 13th annual Art + Nature continues to deepen the museum’s exploration of the profound relationship between creativity and the environment,” said Julie Perlin Lee, Executive Director of Laguna Art Museum. “This year’s events and exhibitions invite the community to engage with the natural world in bold new ways, reflecting our commitment to inspiring dialogue, awareness and action through art.”

This year’s Art + Nature will feature a full schedule of exhibitions and community events, including:

SOS by Ana Teresa Fernández:

This year’s Art + Nature commissioned artist, Ana Teresa Fernández, presents SOS, a multi-dimensional project incorporating sculpture, performance and photography that will bring a dynamic and community-focused approach to Art + Nature 2025. 

From November 6 – 10, Fernández’s  SOS  will unfold in phases, culminating in a collective activation involving 800 participants holding circular mirrors. The sculptural installation, An Ocean in a Drop, will invite exploration on Main Beach while Fernández engages visitors with a photography station named We Are Water, where visitors can pose with Fernández’s artwork that reflects the ocean. 

Silence and Solitude: Conrad Buff and the Landscapes of the American Southwest:

Silence and Solitude will be on view from September 20, 2025 -January 25, 2026. This landmark exhibition, curated by Dr. Deborah Solon, marks the first major museum exhibition dedicated to modernist painter Conrad Buff. Through evocative depictions of the American West, Buff forged a unique vision that contributed to California’s artistic identity in the 20th century. 

image.png

On the Road to Zion, Oil on canvas, 47 1/2 x 64 1/2 in. Courtesy of Phoenix Art Museum

Eternal Construction: Photographic Perspectives on Southern California’s Built Environment:

Eternal Construction will be on view from September 20, 2025 – January 18, 2026. This exhibition brings together artists from Laguna Art Museum’s permanent collection who have engaged deeply with themes of urbanization, infrastructure, environmental transformation and conceptual interpretations of space. Rather than presenting a wide survey, this exhibition offers an in-depth exploration of artists with multiple works in the collection, allowing for a richer, more layered engagement with their investigations of land-use and development. 

image.png

Barbara Kasten (b. 1936), Construction A&A, 1984. Polacor ER Photograph. 28 x 21 1⁄2 in. 1994.127. Gift of the Richard H. Mumper Trust. Image courtesy of Laguna Art Museum.

Event Highlights:

Saturday, November 1, Art + Nature will kick off with Upcycled Couture: Restoring the Future Runway Show at Laguna Art Museum. This innovative runway show brings together the creative talents of students and early-career designers with the impactful missions of LAM’s community partners. The runway will feature one-of-a-kind sustainable and upcycled designs, which artfully interpret and illustrate the partner organizations’ missions, blending sustainability with high fashion. This exciting showcase highlights the powerful synergy between art, nature and our community.

On Sunday, November 2 , Art + Nature will host a Block Party at Main Beach featuring local non profit partner organizations, local vendors and family art activities.

On Thursday November 6,  Ana Teresa Fernández will debut her multi-dimensional project, SOS. The project incorporates sculpture, performance and photography that will bring a dynamic and community-focused approach to Art + Nature 2025 and will be on view from November 6 – 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. daily at main beach. Also on November 6, artist Ana Teresa Fernández will host an engaging Artist Talk at Laguna Art Museum. 

On November 9 at 10:30 a.m., 800 participants will come together on Laguna’s Main Beach to create Fernández’s social sculpture SOS. The participants will use the artist’s handheld acrylic mirrors to spell “SOS” or “Save Our Seas” in morse code along the beach and mimic the movement of the waves on the shoreline. Sign up as a participant in the SOS Social Sculpture here.

Other special events include an SOS Performance by Laguna Dance at Main Beach on November 7, Keynote speech by former NASA scientist Jonathan Trent on November 8 and an SOS Paddle Out on November 11.  To sign up as a participant in the SOS Social Sculpture and all other events, visit lagunaartmuseum.org/event-calendar. 

Art & Nature 2025 Events Schedule:

  • Saturday, November 1: 
    • 5 – 8 p.m.: Upcycled Couture: Restoring the Future Fashion Show at Laguna Art Museum
  • Sunday, November 2: 
    • 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Art + Nature Block Party at Main Beach
  • Thursday, November 6: 
    • 5 p.m.: Artist Talk: Ana Teresa Fernández at Laguna Art Museum
    • 6  – 9 p.m.: First Thursdays Artwalk
  • Friday, November 7: 
    • 3:15 – 5:00 p.m. – SOS Performance by Laguna Dance at Main Beach
  • Saturday, November 8: 
    • 3 – 4 p.m.: SOS Artistic Swimming Performance at Laguna Beach High School & Community Pool
    • 6:00 p.m.: Keynote: Jonathan Trent at Laguna Art Museum
  • Sunday, November 9:
    • 10:30 a.m.: SOS Social Sculpture at Main Beach
  • Monday, November 10:
    • 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.: SOS Paddle Out at Main Beach

Laguna Art Museum’s Art + Nature continues to bridge art and nature, inspiring creativity, sustainability and deeper reflection on the environment’s role in our lives. This year’s event promises to be an enriching experience for all ages, showcasing cutting-edge art and fostering environmental awareness.

Art + Nature is generously sponsored by early support from: Capital Group, Anonymous, McBeth Foundation, Laguna Beach Garden Club, FOA Foundation of Laguna Beach, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Kathleen and Richard Malcolm, The Bush Family Foundation, Jan and Ken Kaplan and Lori and Harley Bassman.

Free admission during the month of November is generously provided by the Office of Vice Chair Katrina Foley, Orange County Board of Supervisors. This support partially funds Laguna Art Museum’s 13th annual Art + Nature initiative.

For more information about Art + Nature and Laguna Art Museum, visit lagunaartmuseum.org. To stay connected and learn about upcoming events, follow the museum on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Credit: Laguna Art Museum.

Filed Under: Featured Events

Festival of Arts Debuts New Off-Site Exhibit at foaSouth: Magical Moments: Suspensions of Time

October 8, 2025 By Leave a Comment
“Brian and Friends” (2022) by artist Michaela Yoro

The Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach is pleased to announce the opening of its latest off-site exhibition at foaSouth, Magical Moments: Suspensions of Time, on view now through January 12, 2026. The gallery, located inside Active Culture at 1006 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, CA 92651, is free and open to the public daily from 9am to 8pm.

Magical Moments: Suspensions of Time investigates how still life and landscape genres can reframe everyday subjects into experiences that feel dreamlike, meditative, and timeless. Through realistic representations of objects and scenes, this exhibition highlights how the familiar can be transformed into something extraordinary, offering viewers moments of pause where the ordinary becomes otherworldly.

“The creation of images has evolved far beyond documentation, it’s about capturing a feeling or an experience,” said exhibition curator Morgan Matthews. “With Magical Moments, we hope visitors will slow down, reflect, and discover how these realistic depictions of familiar scenes can create emotional connections that feel almost suspended in time. We invite everyone to take the opportunity to experience these works firsthand during the run of the exhibition.”

The exhibition features works by Festival of Arts exhibitors and selections from the Festival’s Permanent Art Collection. Highlights include Robert A. Hansen’s “Mayan Vendors from Yucatan Passages Portfolio” (1994–2004) and “Winter Fog from Yucatan Passages Portfolio” (1994–2004); Sharon Hutchison’s “Arise” (2023) and “Veiled Light” (2023); Elizabeth McGhee’s “On the Rag” (2018) and “Tiny Tears” (2023); and David Milton’s “An American Flag in New England” (2013) and “Hollywood and Vine” (2023). Additional works on display include Michael Ward’s “Absorb” (2021) and “Moving Day” (2019); Marc Whitney’s “Teacup” (c. 1996); and Michaela Yoro’s “Brian and Friends” (2022) and “Trader Joe’s Run” (2023).

The public is invited to a special artist reception on Thursday, November 6, 2025, as part of First Thursdays Art Walk. Attendees can meet the artists, explore the exhibition, and enjoy an evening celebrating creativity and community.

The foaSouth gallery is part of the Festival’s commitment to providing year-round art experiences for the public. As a nonprofit organization, the Festival of Arts supports the arts in and about Laguna Beach through exhibitions, scholarships, and educational programs.

Magical Moments: Suspensions of Time is on view daily, 9am to 8pm, through January 12, 2026, at the Festival of Arts’ foaSouth gallery inside Active Culture (1006 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, CA 92651). For more information, visit www.foapom.com or follow @FestivalPageant on social media. To support the Festival of Arts and its programs, visit www.foapom.com/supportnow.

Credit: Festival of Arts.

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

Musical Theatre West Announces Talented Cast for Hello, Dolly! Including Tami Tappan Damiano’s Return to the Stage

October 8, 2025 By Leave a Comment

Musical Theatre West (MTW) is proud to announce the cast of its final production of the 2025 Season of Legends, the quintessential Broadway hit Hello, Dolly! Set to dazzle audiences for select performances October 17 – November 2, 2025, at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, this iconic musical comedy promises to be the season’s crowning jewel. Tickets are available today at musical.org.

Taking center stage is Broadway veteran Tami Tappan Damiano, making one of the most anticipated returns to Southern California theatre in recent memory as the irrepressible Dolly Gallagher Levi. Beloved by LA audiences for her powerhouse performances across the region, and by MTW audiences for standout roles in Spamalot, Guys & Dolls, Crazy For You, and Singin’ in the Rain, Tappan Damiano stepped away from the stage to raise her family. Now, with her child grown, she makes a triumphant return in one of Broadway’s most iconic roles. Her casting marks not only a homecoming to MTW but also a celebrated return to the greater Los Angeles theatre community, where she has long been recognized as one of its most cherished leading ladies.

She will reunite on stage with David Engel, who stars as the curmudgeonly yet endearing Horace Vandergelder. A six-time Ovation Award winner, Engel’s celebrated career with MTW spans over two decades, with memorable performances in La Cage Aux Folles, Hairspray, The Producers, Newsies, White Christmas, and many more. Known for his impeccable comedic timing and commanding presence, Engel is a true MTW legend.

Together, Tappan Damiano and Engel are no strangers to delighting audiences side by side, having starred together in MTW’s Singin’ in the Rain (2001), Crazy For You (2003), Never Gonna Dance (2006), and The Full Monty (2007). Their reunion in Hello, Dolly! marks a highly anticipated onstage pairing that promises sparks, laughs, and unforgettable moments.

“Concluding our 2025 Season of Legends with Hello, Dolly! is a dream,” said Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer of Musical Theatre West.. “Welcoming Tami back to our stage for such a triumphant return, alongside David’s remarkable legacy, is truly special. This production is not only a celebration of Broadway’s golden age, but also a celebration of MTW’s history and the artists who have shaped it.”

Joining the duo is an exceptional company of MTW favorites and fresh talent, including Robert Pieranunzi as Cornelius Hackl, Anna Mintzer as Irene Molloy, Benjamin Raanan as Barnaby Tucker, Natalie Holt MacDonald as Minnie Fay, Domonique Paton as Ermengarde, Landen Starkman as Ambrose Kemper, Jane Papageorge as Ernestina Money, Ricky Bulda as the Judge, Janna Cardia as Mrs. Rose, and Roger Castellano as Rudolph. Rounding out the cast is a dynamic 10-member student ensemble, bringing fresh energy and showcasing the next generation of talent through MTW’s commitment to arts education.

Set in turn-of-the-century New York, Hello, Dolly! follows the larger-than-life Dolly Levi, a quick-witted matchmaker determined to find love and adventure for herself and those around her. Bursting with Jerry Herman’s unforgettable score, including “Before the Parade Passes By,” “It Only Takes a Moment,” and the beloved title number “Hello, Dolly!” the show is a joyous celebration of love, second chances, and the spirit of community. With show-stopping dance numbers, lavish costumes, and a story brimming with heart, MTW’s production promises to deliver Broadway magic at its finest.

Hello, Dolly! is a musical by Jerry Herman and Michael Stewart, based on Thornton Wilder’s play The Matchmaker. Since its Broadway debut in 1964, the show has become a cultural touchstone, inspiring generations with its larger-than-life characters and timeless score.

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.

Credit: Musical Theatre West.

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News
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