RECENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS
Annie Get your gun (Sacramento Music Circus, CA) |
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Annie Get Your Gun marked Gary John's fifth season directing at the venerable Music Circus. He was pleased to return to one of his favorite venues, this state-of-the-art, 2200-seat theatre in the round. Irving Berlin's masterpiece featured a gorgeous score that is a personal favorite, as well. Featuring the revised Broadway revival script and a large AEA company singing and dancing their Wild West hearts out, Annie was a sellout. "They say that falling in love is wonderful" – indeed!
cREATIVE MEMORIES |
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Creative Memories believes in and teaches the importance of preserving the past, enriching the present and inspiring hope for the future. Their Consultants offer expertise, encouragement and the highest quality photo albums, scrapbook albums and photo books to help you express yourself and tell your stories, one meaningful page at a time. Working with ADM productions, Gary John will stage the festivities of their 2011 Showcase that celebrates CM's newest ideas and products through dazzling multimedia, and featuring knockout singers and dancers and surprise guests.
The Marvelous Wonderettes |
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This Off-Broadway hit takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom where you meet the Wonderettes, four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts! As you learn about their lives and loves, the audience is treated to such classic ‘50s and ‘60s songs as “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” “Stupid Cupid,” “Lipstick On Your Collar,” “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me,” and “It’s My Party”! The Playhouse is located in the charming artistic colony of Nashville, IN and Gary John is happy to be making his debut there, directing and choreographing The Marvelous Wonderettes—a must-take musical trip down memory lane!
NEXT TO NORMAL |
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With a thrilling contemporary score, Next to Normal is an emotional powerhouse of a musical about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other. Gary John eagerly returns to POTS for a sixth season to direct and stage this groundbreaking Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical in its Regional Premiere. Opening on their beautiful, new Mainstage, he is excited to bring this complex, moving and thought-provoking piece to Midsouth audiences first.
Abbott: Accelerate to Win BIG! |
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Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to discovering new medicines, new technologies and new ways to manage health. It has sales, manufacturing, research and development, and distribution facilities around the world and they are recognized for their global reach. Gary John will direct the opening of their “All Americas Conference” whose theme is “Accelerate to Win BIG!” and which will feature fantastic local talent from the “Big Easy,” as well as the usual top-notch production values provided by Long Island-based ADM Productions.
T.G.I. Friday’s |
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Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, parent company of TGI Friday’s Inc., is a privately held company owned by Carlson, a world leader in the hospitality, travel and marketing industries. It operates franchises and licenses 1,019 restaurants in 46 states and 58 countries! Gary John will be working with Long Island-based ADM Productions on this annual meeting event and directing exciting surprise guest entertainers, along with leading company executives in celebration of the company’s 2011 accomplishments.
American Musicals Project |
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AMP has created a series of ten curriculum resource guides for 7th and 8th grade teachers, using American musical theater masterworks and evocative primary sources from the NY Historical Society’s vast collections. This gala, which Gary John will direct and stage, is a fundraiser that will feature numerous Broadway luminaries singing from the classic scores AMP utilizes. Performing in the beautiful, newly-renovated Robert H. Smith Auditorium, this will surely be a night to remember as Arts and Education come together in a most melodic way!
Fiddler on the roof |
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The legendary Bock/Harnick/Stein musical (based on the beloved stories of Sholom Aleichem) has become one of the most successful of all time. Once again, Gary John has been tapped to recreate the brilliant original (Jerome Robbins) direction and choreography. This illustrious regional theatre, which has nurtured several major new works in recent years, is nestled in the beautiful Berkshires Mountains, and known for quality productions. Gary John is very pleased to be making his debut here this spring.
The Sound of Music |
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Gary John makes his TriArts debut, directing and choreographing this Rogers & Hammerstein classic. Based on Maria Von Trapp's autobiography, "The Von Trapp Singers,” The Sound of Music has been enchanting theatergoers for decades and is a favorite of this director. As the Wall Street Journal has said about a previous production of his: “Sweet it most definitely is, but never cloyingly so.” It is sure to be a moving and memorable production at this delightful and historic New England summer theatre.
Seminars and Workshops (Spring, 2012) |
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Gary John will be a guest lecturer and give theatre workshops for visiting universities through the NY division of Actor’s Connection in conjunction with the students' Senior Class Agent Showcases. In addition, he will repeat these duties for the Theatre Arts Center, in residence at Queensborough Community College.
New Works (Current, New York, NY) |
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Gary John is currently involved with two completed scripts that are in development; one play and one musical that he will direct. Both are strong scripts with great heart and modest cast sizes. Another unique project is a new musical revue of a Grammy Award-winning composer/lyricist's hits that Gary John has conceived and written, and will direct and choreograph as well. Interested parties should contact Gary John directly to inquire about any of these exciting projects.
Coaching (Current, New York, NY) |
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While working on the above new projects in NYC, Gary John resumes his private coaching services. He enjoys helping actors and directors invigorate their careers no matter what level they are at. With his wealth of personal resource materials, he can guide you in finding that song, monologue or performance piece that will get you noticed. He will show you how to navigate the business, “direct” your own career and help you to be a more confident performer. Sessions are affordable and location is flexible. Contact Gary John to get your career on track! Please see the COACHING/WORKSHOPS web page for more detailed information.
“As for the work of director Gary John La Rosa – perfect.”
Jeanne McCartin – Portsmouth Showcase