Musical Theatre West (MTW), Long Beach’s premier theater company, will make musical magic with its spring show, An American in Paris. Known for its Broadway-caliber productions, MTW is excited to debut the latest rendition of the 1951 movie musical for the first time on the West Coast. Audiences can experience An American in Paris on select nights from April 14 – April 30, and are invited to celebrate the official opening night on Saturday, April 15. Tickets range from $20 – $125 each and are available by phone at 562-856-1999 or online at musical.org.

“Our goal at Musical Theatre West is always to bring the brilliance of Broadway to our local community and beyond, without having to travel to New York,” said Paul Garman, Executive Director and Producer of Musical Theatre West. “Our production of An American in Paris is going to be a classic silver-screen musical come to life- mixing theater, jazz, ballet, and more for one phenomenal performance.”

Originally a jazz-influenced orchestral piece by American composer George Gershwin that was first performed in 1928, this version of the An American in Paris musical is inspired by the Academy Award-winning hit 1951 movie of the same name that starred Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. An American soldier, an alluring French woman, and an indomitable European city each yearn for a new beginning in the aftermath of World War II. MTW’s An American in Paris will feature an enchanting score by George and Ira Gershwin, a fresh, sophisticated book by Tony nominee and Pulitzer Prize finalist Craig Lucas, and stunning choreography from tap to ballet that will sweep audiences off their feet!

MTW’s production will be helmed by Jeffry Denman as both Director and Choreographer, who has worked on Broadway, off-Broadway, and regionally on both traditional and more experimental works for over 20 years as an actor, singer, dancer, director, and choreographer. His credits include the cast of CATS, The Producers, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, and more. Denman has previously led award-winning productions of An American in Paris in Ogunquit, Maine in 2018 and Wichita, Kansas in 2019, and will bring his dazzling direction and captivating choreography to life on the West Coast for the first time. Music Direction will be provided by David Lamoureux, who has been creating music and theater on stages and in recording studios around the globe for over 20 years. Lamoureux’s MD credits include Spamalot (3-D Theatricals), Once (California Center For The Arts), and multiple previous Musical Theatre West productions.

“With a production like this I can’t imagine having a separate director and choreographer because the dancing is so much a part of the piece,” said Denman. “It is so infused into nearly every moment they become very hard to divorce from each other. I find that the vision all coming from one source makes the piece consistent.”

The Carpenter Performing Arts Center is designed for every seat to have a great view, so audiences can stay on budget and still experience the grand magic of Musical Theatre West’s An American in Paris. With tickets starting as low as $20 and $15 rush tickets available for all students, MTW is accessible, affordable, and delivers Broadway-caliber performances on par with the top theater companies across the nation.

“An American in Paris is a beautiful, enchanting story and appropriate for all ages, so we encourage people from all walks of life to enjoy an extraordinary experience at the theater,” continued Garman. “Even if you’ve never been to the theatre, ours will be a great first experience. Everyone is welcome at MTW!”

Musical Theatre West’s production of An American in Paris will premiere at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on select dates, April 14 – April 30, 2023, with a special ASL Interpreted Performance on Friday, April 21. Tickets start at $20 – $125, 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 1 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.

An American in Paris by Musical Theatre West

April 14 – April 30, 2023, select dates

Carpenter Performing Arts Center

Tickets $20 – $125, Purchase here

Student Rush tickets $15 at Box Office

Credit: MUSICAL THEATRE WEST.

 SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, the innovative, immersive and highly-anticipated themed land officially opens at Universal Studios Hollywood on Friday, February 17, 2023. So, get ready; this exciting debut marks SUPER NINTENDO WORLD’s official arrival to the United States.

This all-new, dynamic land will be a visual spectacle of vibrant colors and architectural ingenuity located within a newly expanded area of Universal Studios Hollywood. SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will feature the groundbreaking “Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge” ride, as well as many thrilling and interactive activities designed to engage the entire family within the captivating Mushroom Kingdom. Along with themed dining at the Toadstool Cafe™ and shopping at the 1-UP Factory™ retail store, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will be an inspiring, game-changing addition to the world-famous theme park.

From the moment guests pass through the iconic green pipe, a journey filled with exploration, discovery and play awaits that is entirely unlike anything they’ve experienced before. Their journey begins as they enter Peach’s Castle before venturing further into the colorful Mushroom Kingdom.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will sweep guests into the 360-degree world of Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach where they will become an integral part of their exhilarating universe. Plus, with purchase of a Power-Up Band™ – wearable, interactive wristbands – guests will be able to deepen their interactions across the land.

As the countdown to the grand opening begins, here’s a sneak peek of what to expect:

• “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge:” This all-new, technologically-advanced ride, inspired by the popular Mario Kart™ video game series, will seamlessly fuse cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) with projection mapping technology and actual set pieces along a moving ride track. Set against a multi-sensory backdrop of color, sound and movement, guests will be seated in stadium-style, four-seat vehicles as they navigate familiar courses through the creative use and integration of head mounted AR goggles. This unique feature is a key point of differentiation that distinguishes this ride from other theme park attractions.

The premise of “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” is simple but equally inspiring and challenging, appealing to guests of all ages regardless of gaming experience. As part of Team Mario, guests will steer through underwater courses and courses in the clouds to compete for the Golden Cup while collecting coins to defeat Team Bowser and win. “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” raises the stakes for guests as an intriguing and repeatable ride with a variety of outcomes.

• Mount Beanpole: This towering landmark sits at the heart of the land and also serves as the entry queue for “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.”

• Bowser’s Castle: Adorned with a breathtaking sculpture of a large and powerful Bowser, this structure serves as a key centerpiece of the land, home to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD’s signature ride, “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.” As guests navigate the winding corridors and pass through the hall of medallions and trophies of the ominous castle towards the “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” ride, they will learn more about Bowser’s calculated plans to defeat Team Mario for the coveted Golden Cup.

• Power-Up Band™: These wearable, state-of-the-art wristbands sync with Universal Studios Hollywood’s free downloadable app to level-up the guest experience within the land and enhance its many interactive elements. These include, but are not limited to, keeping individual and team scores, collecting digital coins and obtaining keys after winning challenges throughout the land. Power-Up Bands will also invite guests to enjoy extra-special interactions with Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach. They will come in six design options with character themes and will be available for purchase both within the land and at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD retail shops located in the theme park and on CityWalk. 

• Interactive Gameplay: Within the land, guests will become fully engulfed in an engaging world of real-life gameplay, including punching ? Blocks to collect digital coins and a variety of interactives. They will discover a new dimension of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD via the interactive binoculars employing augmented reality technology positioned within the land. Guests can beat the four Key Challenges and collect keys from Goomba, Koopa Troopa, Piranha Plant and Thwomp interactive activities to ultimately allow access to the culminating boss battle with Bowser Jr.  These energetic, familiar and fun interactive games will further enhance the entire kinetic experience within the land and immerse guests into the unique world of Super Mario.

• Toadstool Cafe™:  The land’s signature restaurant Toadstool Cafe will serve a gourmet menu perfected by Chef Toad where he will greet guests upon entry. Menu items prepared fresh daily include Toadstool Cheesy Garlic Knots, Super Mushroom Soup, Piranha Plant Caprese, Mario Bacon Cheeseburger, Luigi Pesto Chicken Burger, ? Block Tiramisu and Princess Peach Cupcake.

• 1-UP Factory: What better way to commemorate a visit to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD than to visit the 1-UP Factory retail shop to purchase collectable memorabilia. The 1-UP Factory will offer an extensive selection of merchandise from Mario and Luigi themed apparel to iconic character hats and an array of plush characters, including Mario, Luigi, Yoshi and Bowser.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is conceived in partnership with Nintendo and the visionaries at Universal Creative to deliver exhilarating entertainment with innovative technological achievements inspired by characters and video games that have appealed to Nintendo fans for generations.

            More information and details will be shared soon. In the meantime, guests can visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com for theme park updates. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.

Credit: Universal Studios Hollywood.