Assembly: The History of Musical Theatre in 42 Minutes and 28 Seconds is an educational revue written by Kevin McMahon that encompasses the rich history of the American Musical Theatre. Developed specifically by the Musical Theatre Guild for youth audiences, the piece spans the gamut of early shows such as Rose-Marie, moving straight through to the groundbreaking musicals of Show Boat and Oklahoma! and continuing with performances recently seen on Broadway stages (Rent, The Lion King, Ragtime). A piano and four singer/actors are all that is needed to illustrate the colorful history and development of this true American art form. The elements that make up a musical and the development of the genre are humorously presented, along with the significant historical events of the time periods involved. This program is an excellent introduction to this original American art form and is sure to inspire and excite a new generation of theatre artists and audiences.

From the Page to the Stage is a celebration of the magic that occurs when an inspired work of literature is taken down from the shelf, receives a make-over from playwrights, lyricists, and composers, then emerges onstage in a live performance, totally reinvented as a new work of Musical Theatre.The five uniquely engaging shows featured in this revue are Man of La Mancha based on Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote, Big River from Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown based on the iconic "Peanuts" comic strips by Charles M. Schultz, Seussical, based on various books by Dr. Seuss, and the satirical "prequel" to Frank Baum's Oz books, Wicked based on Gregory Maguire's book of the same name. A wonderfully versatile company of four singing actors magically inhabit multiple roles, performing songs in many musical styles. A feast for the imagination, From the Page to the Stage will surely inspire both young and old to take another look at great literature!

The Musical Theatre Guild is a non-profit company with a large membership of professionals who are committed to keeping this American art form alive by performing staged, concert versions of wonderful, but almost-forgotten musicals with live accompaniment. Since its inception in 1995, the Guild has produced over fifty such concerts. The artists in these productions are professionals who have been trained in many performing arts skills. Physical and vocal characterization, singing, dancing, projection, diction, improvisation, and script analysis are just a few of them. Collectively, they become a singing quartet representing four major singing ranges: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Baritone. Individually, they have appeared in many other plays and musicals.

Assembly Price:
One Performance = $1,300
Two Performances = $1,600

Age Group (History of Musical Theatre): All Ages
Age Group (Page to the Stage): Elementary
Capacity: 500 Students
Availability: 2008- Oct 17th-26th. 2009- March 9th-14th and 22nd-27th, June 16th-30th

To design an arts education program with this artist, please call (213) 250-ARTS or email education@musiccenter.org.

Prices are for services between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009.