HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 1

CONTENTS

Elizabeth An
and Catherine An
PHOTOGRAPHER
Irwin Jazmines

COVER December 2010

06 Crustacean Beverly Hills
Captivates all the Senses!

ENTERTAINMENT Email: editor@jacksonpublishing.com.

For Advertising inquiries call: (323) 934-6397
10 Rock With You or Online at: www.hollywoodweekly.net
Celebrating the Music of
the King of Pop LATIN Style
PUBLISHER, DIR. OF MARKETING PHOTOGRAPHY
16 Michele Vreeland EDITOR IN CHIEF Launy Rhem Irwin Jazmines
Never Not Myself Prather Jackson
LIFESTYLE EDITOR PRODUCTION
24 Scene In LA VICE PRESIDENT Niki Shadrow MANAGER
With NIKI SHADROW Bernice Harris Hector Santacruz
SENIOR EDITOR
56 Spotlighting OPERATIONS
Erskine D. McSwain
Pamela Spyrs CONTRIBUTORS
Anthony Calderon
The Best of 2010
(1991-2000) CREATIVE DIRECTOR Leah Michele
Autumn Hawarden Yananton
76 La Theatre Beat VP MARKETING Sarah Klegman
Down Home Charm Michael D. Coxson DISTRIBUTOR Adam Freeman
NEWSWAYS Pockross

FASHION VICE PRESIDENT

OF INTERNATIONAL STAFF WRITER
Rachel Stuhler
Leah Yananton
AFFAIRS Toria Gaylord Rayne Sieling
14 Top Five Parandis Khalili Steve Zall
Women’s Winter Must-Haves ASSISTANT EDITOR Sid Fish
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jenny Werth Lauren Selman
18 Mikey Koffman Anthony Calderon Zoi Patra
Behind La Fashion Weekend WEBMASTER
Autumn Hawarden
23 HW’s Holiday Gift Guide
For the Lady in Your Life
Hollywood Weekly is a monthly publication wholly owned by
Jackson Publishing Company. ©2010 All Rights Reserved. Re-
BEST OF HW 2010 production of any content without written permission of the
Publisher is expressly prohibited. Letters to the Editor may be
29 HW’s A Look Back sent to: Hollywood Weekly, 4221 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 290-06,
Los Angeles, CA 90010.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 3
 Pamela and Zoi

Senior Editor’s Note

December 2010
As yet another year comes to an end many find themselves
reflecting on the happenings that took place this past year.
We’re no different here at Hollywood Weekly. We also took a
walk down memory and looked at stories we published that
captured our reader’s eye. With that in mind our December
issue is a compilation of stories taken from various issues
throughout this past year highlighting the Best of Best in
2010.

While keeping in mind our philosophy, No Gossip ~ Strictly

Entertainment, we continue to focus on delivering true stories
about those who are in front of the camera to many who
are working behind the scenes of multiple industries related
to entertainment.

We expose those who dream, create and live inspirational

lives. Each story written takes you on a journey through
the lives of extraordinary people. People who are seen on
the red carpet, producing their own films, cooking it up in
the kitchen, establishing their own company or creating a
masterpiece.

Some may wonder who are these individuals, where are

they from and how exactly does their work connect them to
the entertainment industry? Quite possibly they are merely
people who believe in creating the life they love to live and
are influencing positive change in Hollywood and beyond! As
you read ahead you will be able to identify this yourself.

In addition to my role as senior editor at Hollywood Weekly I

am founder of INSPYRS, a company based on showcasing the
humanitarian efforts of talented artists and innovators with a
primary focus on “inspyring” others to “Dream It ~ Live It ~
Inspyre It”. And that’s exactly the types of stories we like to
share with our Hollywood Weekly readers.

We hope you enjoy reading our “Best of 2010” issue. We’d

love to hear from you. You can find us on facebook and twit-
ter or visit our website: www.hollywoodweeklymagazine.com

Happy Holidays from all of us at Hollywood Weekly!

Peace & Inspyration,
Pamela Spyrs, Senior Editor

4 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
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HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 5
 COVER

The A-lister hot-spot that defines what

a restaurant experience should entail.

Catherine An & Elizabeth An

CrustaCean
Beverly Hills
Captivates all the Senses!
“Crustacean is the Hollywood spot for
Written by: Jenny Werth
friends in the music industry and the
Photo by: Irwin Jazmines
equivalent in the OC is AnQi.”
6 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
 Toss the An family’s Crustacean is
An Catering was formed; it’s
known as the “star caterer to
restaurant fervor, culinary the stars.” Elizabeth’s baby
inventiveness and pas-
sion for delicious memo-
the Hollywood sister, Catherine An, is man-
aging partner of the catering
ries together and you
end up with Crustacean
spot for friends business and another House of
An restaurant, Tiato. It’s all
Beverly Hills. Few res-
taurant groups have the
in the music kept within the family; even the
secret ingredients in the oh-
impenetrable family bond
that the An family shares.
industry and the so-scrumptious dishes. People
from all over the world consid-
Even fewer boast an 80-
foot, see through ’walk
equivalent in the er Crustacean the ‘go-to’ res-
taurant, and now relish in the
on water’ Koi pond under
your shoes. But, when
OC is AnQi.” opportunity to have their own
events catered with its amazing
it comes to this creative food!
family, nothing is impos-
sible. Crustacean is the flagship restaurant in
the House of An’s award-winning portfolio; but HW: Crustacean is a huge hit in
their other restaurants such as AnQi and Tiato Beverly Hills and the rest of Los
are already winning prestigious awards! CEO of Angeles.... what do you think makes it
Crustacean, Elizabeth An, chats with Hollywood
Weekly about Crustacean’s philosophy for suc-
so unique from other restaurants?
cess, culinary gusto and the exciting things hap- An:. I think the fact that we don’t believe in that whole ‘Hollywood
pening at AnQi! Plus, she shares some of her attitude.’ When a customer comes to the restaurant, they know
they will have a great meal. And Crustacean has an established
mother’s, executive chef Helene An, most cov- atmosphere, it’s not ‘flighty;’ it’s consistent. People know they’re
eted menu items by some of Hollywood’s bright- going to get great, warm hospitality. Celebrities don’t get bom-
barded here, we don’t let paparazzi come into the restaurant
est stars! and bother them. It’s a home away from home. Here the food
is consistent and our staff is always hospitable.
Mind you, the first restaurant in the An fam-
ily was a little deli in San Francisco started
by Elizabeth An’s grandmother in 1971. From HW: Many restaurants are going
there, the empire just continued to flourish. under in this difficult economy... why
Twenty years later in 1991, the
first Crustacean was opened in
San Francisco. And as they say:
the rest is history. Elizabeth An
grew up in the restaurant busi-
ness and soaked in every thing
required to be a triumph. So
really, it’s no surprise she’s had
such great success since open-
ing Crustacean Beverly Hills in
1997. Elizabeth An is a woman
of strong integrity and admi-
rable business sense; she’s as
diverse as Crustacean’s amaz-
ing menu and still finds time to
give back to numerous founda-
tions throughout LA. Recently, The An Family
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 7

“80 ft walk-on-water Koi pond
does CrustaCean
Continue to tHrive?
AN: It’s because we’re a family business so
when things get tough, we slim down and
we put a lot of our own sweat into the res-
taurant to make sure the high caliber and
service is still there. Other restaurants that
don’t have the owner interests suffer in a
challenging economy. Again, it’s a matter
of consistency. People come to Crustacean
because they know the food is always con-
sistent, plus there’s always a family member
on the floor, and the service of the staff
is always consistent too. We’ve created a
safe haven.
HW: Please disCuss HoW
you got tHe faBulous and
unique ConCePt of Having
a glass floor WitH a vieW
of tHe fisH. WHo did tHe
interior design of tHe
restaurant?
An: I always love to do the impossible. It’s
my ‘walk-on-water’ concept. I wanted to
make it practical and it all came out. I
do all the interior aspects of the restau-
rant myself and then work with an archi-
tectural firm. The concept was inspired by
my grandfather’s family estate in Vietnam.
It makes you feel that you’re eating in the
courtyard of our family estate surrounded
by the bamboo garden while overlooking the
8 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
lamb chops. My mother also has an incred-
ible steamed sea bass dish with ginger scal-
lions and lemongrass.
HW: WHat are some
CeleBrities’ favorite
disHes at CrustaCean?
An: Magic Johnson always comes in for his
garlic noodles…. he came in recently to get
his fix of them. Will Smith loves his crab
puff (an appetizer) and has a double or-
der of it! Leonardo DiCaprio loves his lob-
ster. Catherine Zeta-Jones loves the Mama’s
Dragon Scallop Fried Rice. Jessica Alba has
a private room here that she loves. It’s a
private room for our Hollywood friends.
HW: HoW Would you
desCriBe your CHain of
Koi and water lily pond. It’s a classic, old restaurants? is tHere
world sensibility.
a Common ConCePt or
HW: Please disCuss tHe
menu. WHo Came uP
WitH tHe menu items?
are tHere any ‘family
reCiPes’ on tHe menu? FRIDAY DECEMBER 31
Please also inClude WE’RE CELEBRATING ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT!
Live Concert
any drink sPeCialties with POP-VIOLINIST Josh Vietti
tHat are unique. INDUSTRY FAV Joel Scott with Special Friends
&
AN: We have a really great bar! We Rick Vanderkleijn RECORDING ARTIST
hired an award wining mixologist and put
together a fabulous selection of cock-
CELEBRITY CHEF HELENE’S
tails using all natural ingredients. We’re
a high-end bar but really healthy too. NEW YEAR’S EVE A LA CARTE MENU
11:30AM – 10:00PM
We use only fresh berries, fruit and veg-
etables in our drinks. Our cocktails are SPECIAL DISHES FOR YOU TO CHOOSE FROM
hand muddled and hand pressed. This
is all keeping within the House of An THE GOURMAND’S
NEW YEAR’S EVE TASTING MENU $140
philosophy to ‘eat green, live green and
think green.’ A few popular cocktails are 9:00PM – MIDNIGHT
The Beverly and the Lavender Goose-
Berry Mojito. As for the food, Crustacean
5 COURSE GOURMET DINNER /
LIVE CONCERT / CHAMPAGNE / DANCING /
NEW YEAR’S NOVELTIES / BALLOON DROP
is what we call Euro-Vietnamese fine din-
ing. It has a twist of Japanese, Italian
and French influences. It’s ‘east-meets-
west’ at Crustacean. It’s not Japanese
or Chinese; it’s Vietnamese with a Euro-
Mediterranean flair. One signature dish
that’s a must have is the crab. Be pre-
pared to lick your fingers and have a
good time! Also be sure to try the
lobster with garlic noodles. And if you’re
not a shell fish lover we have awesome
310.205.8990 HOUSEOFAN.COM
9646 S. SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD I BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210
“Crustacean is a celebrity home-away-from-home.”
tHeme BetWeen tHem all?
AN: A. Yes, there is a common thread be-
tween the House of An restaurants. Crustacean
is more traditional while AnQi is more pro-
gressive. AnQi is what we call a ‘California-
Vietnamese’ restaurant. The common thread
is the fact that at each of our restaurants we
always serve the garlic noodles and every-
one loves that! During the holidays in just
one month we did 3000 orders of the garlic
noodles at just Crustacean. Within the House
of An chain you always see the garlic noodles
and a family member in the restaurant! And
with all House of An restaurants there’s al-
ways a little touch of Vietnamese. At Tiato in
Santa Monica, we have our own version of the
eggs benedict and the French toast. It’s called Cathy, Kourtney
Eggs on Bao and Viet toast. There’s always an
Asian sensibility inspiring all our dishes and
Kardashian and
my mother makes sure that she checks every
single recipe.

Scott
HW: Please tell me aBout Elizabeth and Dave Stewart Disick
tHe entertainment in tHe of the Eurhythmics at AnQi at Tiato
restaurant. WHat kind of
Elizabeth and
musiC do you Play? Selma Blair
An: We play ‘loungey’ music at Crustacean. at AnQi
There’s a piano bar and lounge and everyday
we have a one to three piece piano band.
ANQI
Halloween
HW: Please tell me aBout Party 2010

tHe neW restaurants

House of an oPened!
An: Tiato and AnQi are our new babies, 2011
will be very exciting for House of An. Although
many restaurants were closing down, we
opened AnQi in the middle of the recession!
It just turned one! And Tiato was opened this
July in Santa Monica. AnQi is doing great;
it has a molecular menu and was just voted
#1 in Southern California by Gayot. Kobe
Brian comes in a lot with his wife Vanessa
and Magic Johnson also goes there. And
all the OC housewives visit AnQi all the time.
Taylor Dayne loves it so much she’s singing
there for New Years! Even Ziggie Marley to
Dave Stewart and Robin Thicke has performed
for us at AnQi. Crustacean is the Hollywood
spot for friends in the music industry and the
equivalent in the OC is AnQi. To continue
your Hollywood experience in the OC just go
to AnQi. And don’t miss the fashion show
and dinner at AnQi every other month on
Wednesday evenings!
neW year’s eve Parties at CrustaCean and anqi!
This New Year’s Eve there are two fabulous parties to choose from! To
hear the hot pop-violinist Josh Vitti, or recording artist Rick Vanderkleijn, head
on over to Crustacean. He’s going to play three twenty-minute- sets starting
at 8 p.m. In between there will be a band headed by keyboardist, Joel Scott.
Joel’s played with top musicians such as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and
Aretha Franklin. The celebration will include a five-course beautiful dinner by
Helene An; a champagne toast, dancing, balloon drop and more. Cost is $140-
this includes the meal and concerts. Call 310-205-8990 for reservations.
At AnQi located in the beautiful South Coast Plaza in the OC, there will
be a progressive and hip party! Taylor Dayne is headlining! Plus there will
be fantastic theatrical performances and a DJ for dancing! There’s even a
yummy breakfast bar that will be open until 3 a.m. For more information call
714-557-5679.
Get reAdy tO CAll in 2011 in Style!
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 9
 STAGE
rock With you
Celebrating the music of
the king of Pop latin style
The King Of Pop Latin Style
sounds simple enough and attractive in
concept: a stage show that takes the
music and moves of Michael Jackson
and re-imagines them with the rhythms
and flavors of the Latino dance culture,
right? And indeed, the show, which
runs from December 23rd through
January 2nd at North Hollywood’s his-
toric El Portal Theatre, is wildly en-
tertaining and accessible in the most
immediate of ways . . . . but like all
new productions, getting it to the stage
has been far more complicated. For
creator, director, choreographer and
lead performer Seaon Stylist-Bristol and
Producer Helen Azevedo, Rock With
You is the result of years of seem-
ingly unrelated choices and events that
placed them on a fortuitously inevitable
track that would land them in the same
place at the same critical time for each
of them, and for the show.
10 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Though Stylist-Bristol begins his
account of Rock With You’s origins with
the sudden death of The King Of Pop,
the chain can be traced back to his own
beginnings as a child in Guyana. The
performer may be well traveled and on
his third passport, but the Caribbean
and Latin cultures of his youth and
their artistic traditions are ingrained in
both his conscious mind and his sub-
conscious tendencies. Thus when he
moved to New York in his teens to
pursue his singing and train in other
performing arts disciplines, it was salsa
dancing that kept pulling him in. And
while this show incorporates a num-
ber of dance styles, including bacha-
ta, merengue, reggaeton, Afro-Cuban,
jazz and Latin-Jazz, Seaon is still best
known and loved around the world as
a salsa dancer, master instructor and
choreographer, a profession that kept
him “traveling every weekend for the
past 15 years.
It was Seaon’s reputation as “the
best” and in some cases “the only”
technical “NY On2 Salsa-style” dance
instructor that brought the passionate
dancer and the show’s enthusiastic ex-
ecutive producer together. Azevedo,
who is also Seaon’s manager and most
vocal supporter says, matter-of-factly
when asked what the end goal of this
show is, “You’ve GOT to hear him SING!
Seaon has an extraordinarily beautiful,
2 1/2 octave tenor voice with a unique
lyrical quality to it, He’s a natural
entertainer and actor, is totally com-
fortable on stage, obviously enjoys ev-
ery minute of what he’s doing, so the
audience can’t help but fall in love with
him.” Helen Azevedo, a former produc-
er, personal manager (Erik Estrada, Viva
Brazil) and professional dancer in her
own right, lived a separate life where
she had been working in the enter-
tainment industry, in nonprofit manage-
ment and as a university level language
instructor, among other things, until
three years ago when she divorced her
long-time husband and started fresh.
She explains, “the most natural thing
for me to do socially to get back in
“the swing of things” was to go salsa
dancing…But after a few events I real-
ized that two concussions and other
injuries I had suffered in a recent auto
accident had really screwed up my bal-
ance and my footwork.”
Her next task was to find some-
one to help her “retrain” her body to
dance again and especially to turn.
“After many months of searching, all
roads led to Seaon.”
This was just last February . . .
only days after Seaon performed the
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 11
Cast/Family/Production
Seaon with his mom, his kid brother and
Nikki, Seaon, Hera his grandmother after the SF workshop
Hera and Christina Helen Azevedo
Project Manager,
Christina Tica, Seaon,
Asst Choreographer,
Erik & Nikki Carina Fourmyle
first workshop of the show OUTSIDE
of the salsa community, at the Cowell
Theater in San Francisco. This was
also only a few months after Michael
Jackson’s death, an event that
Stylist-Bristol says “the Latin commu-
nity never got a chance to properly
honor in their own way.” The show
is not a tribute, though, and both
of the principals involved are careful
to emphasize that they created the
event as a stylized celebration of the
music, moves and legacy of Jackson,
but also a celebration of Latino cul-
ture and the arts. And what better
time to do this than Christmas???!!!
“I know this will bring some-
thing different to the holiday season
in addition to the standard Christmas
shows we’re all accustomed to see-
ing,” he said to me when asked to
explain the choice of Christmas for
the short L.A. run, “And we’ll be doing
some of the songs that Michael did
as a child with the Jackson Five, in-
cluding some Christmas songs.” And
as it is an alternative choice to the
usual holiday fare, Rock With You
is also an alternative to live musi-
cal shows as a genre. Even in Los
Angeles, with our enormous Latino
population, there are still, unfortu-
nately, a limited number of events
that embrace the Latin community
as an important constituency of the
mainstream audience, and even fewer
that actually dare to be innovative.
It was this way of thinking, as
well as improving and reviving her
own dancing “chops” that initially
12 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Executive
Producer,
Helen Azevedo
Seaon, post
show, with his
younger brother,
Stefon.
drew Helen to want to work with
Seaon. They initially agreed to work
together as a trade, his instruction
for her help promoting the show,
but now the relationship has blos-
somed into a full-on partnership,
and the sky’s the limit in terms of
what the artist is capable of achiev-
ing. Azevedo sees Broadway as an
inevitable landing spot for him, either
in this particular show, or helming
another dance-musical vehicle.
“As soon as I saw what he was
doing, I was knocked out. I loved it
and I wanted to help get it out to the
mainstream,” It’s so much fun, so joy-
ous . . . that you can’t help but join
in” she notes about the show, making
it clear she is not just an investor or
someone looking to exploit the situ-
ation. She has become involved in
every aspect of the production and
Seaon’s emerging career. She’s in it
for the long haul and its success will
be hers as well as his.
In addition, there are a number
of other artists involved in the show,
from the cast to the crew. “It includes
total of 16 dancers, an eight piece
Latin-jazz band and the Harmonies
Girls Choir who will be performing two
medleys and an additional song with
Seaon. The choir will also be the
beneficiary of the show’s Fundraising
Opening Gala on Sunday, January
26th after the 7pm show” This family
of performers will bring their sense of
community to the El Portal Theater
for their nightly shows, including 2
shows on Saturdays and Sundays,
which means 2 shows (6pm and
9pm) on Christmas Day and New
Years Day, creating an ideal way to
continue your holiday celebration
with the entire family and expand
the circle to include other friends,
colleagues and loved ones
And if you think the production
is geared toward a Latin-American
audience, think again! Latin rhythms
are as ubiquitous as Coca Cola to-
day. We expect the audience to be
just as diverse as the music of The
King Of Pop is. “When we did our
workshops, in San Francisco, New
York, and Germany, we definitely had
a wide demographic of nationalities
as well as age groups.” As Helen
explains, putting the show on for the
holidays creates a perfect evening
excursion after “all the presents have
been opened, the monumental din-
ners served and dishes cleaned up
and all the football games watched
and discussed.”
The music of Michael Jackson
is powerful in ways that transcend
cultural and physical differences, but
Rock With You: The King Of Pop
Latin Style will showcase a unique
interpretation and vision that invites
yet another culture to “own it” and
further expand and cement the last-
ing Global impact and influence that
the famed singer will have. Hopefully,
the show that Seaon Stylist Bristol
and Helen Azevedo have put together
will be as inspiring to the audience
as it has been for them and the rest
of the cast The show is called Rock
With You. . . and the creators want
to do just that. You’ll find yourself
singing along, dancing in the aisles
and in your seats. And to cap it off,
after every show you can learn a few
new moves or sharpen your tech-
nique as there will be a FREE SALSA
CLASS and open DANCING WITH THE
CAST, ON STAGE, EVERY NIGHT after
every show!
For More Information, Video Clips
and Online Ticket Purchases, go to:
www.rockwithyoutour.com
You can also keep track of show and
cast member activities on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/
RockWithYouTour
For Information About Discounts
and Ticket Purchases by Phone:
Call the El Portal Theatre Box Office
(818) 508-4200
 TOP FIVE
WOMEN’S
WINTER
MUST-HAVES
#1 THE MUST-HAVE ACCESSORY:
FAUX FUR
It’s a fur thing, and a sure
thing—this holiday you can’t go wrong
with decking out in faux fur. Gain
some instant style cred when you
choose fur-trimmed boots, handbags
or jackets. We’ve taken note of the
way this trend is spreading like wild-
fire with celebrities--Kim Kardashian
likes to layer on her blonde faux vest
when traveling, and Olivia Palmero
broke out her faux vest early in chilly
NYC-- a sleek black version she lay-
ered over black skinnys and a dark
sweater. Don’t think California is
exempt from this cozy look—as the
weather cools here in L.A. we’ll see
even more of this hot look around
town.
Can’t decide which fur is fur you?
While shopping for our favorite
faux-fur, we decided to go with a vest
from Foreign Exchange in Los Cerritos
Center that looked that it cost much
more than it’s affordable sticker price
of $44.
Pick a blend and style that fits
your personality—are you wild and
wooly with an edge? Pick a lon-
ger haired multi-hued vest. Are you
Jackie O’s refined elegance? Look
for shorter haired single-tone cropped
jackets.
14 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
#2 THE MUST-HAVE PRINT:
LEOPARD
Here kitty, kitty….this fall, a little
leopard makes your look large on
style. Don’t try to tame this wild
animal, 2010 is the year to feed your
inner feline. Grab that racy print-
ed heel, or cinch that waist with a
touch of cat-like couture---and know
you’re not alone. This fall we’ve
seen Angelina Jolie is wrapping up
in a stealth leopard trench, Victoria
Beckham’s been carrying her kitty on
her arm in a chain-strapped handbag,
and Keira Knightly tied on a purr-fect
printed scarf.
We spotted some decadent
leopard looks at Ann Taylor at
Westside Pavilion (model is wear-
ing a-line leopard skirt, Ann Taylor,
Westside Pavilion, $118).
Pick a lady-like pencil skirt,
pumps or cute cardigan, or step out
in a printed sheath, or ballet flats—just
call a cat a cat, and say that leopard
is topping your list for winter.
#3 THE MUST-HAVE COLOR:
GOLD
The old adage is being rede-
fined—all that glitters is gold this sea-
son. Get your glitz-fix this holiday
with this old-school glamour inducing
metallic. Start with jewelry, yes, but
2
then get creative and look to lamé
for new inspiration. Gold-plated blaz-
ers, skirts, handbags and headbands
are ruling the runways this winter,
with glinting new takes on trend-for-
ward pieces.
We recently caught Heidi Klum
donning a sequined golden stunner
during Milan Fashion Week, and Hilary
Swank looking ravishing in bustier
version at the London Film Festival.
When we hit the aisles and took
a quick peek inside Love Culture at
the new Santa Monica Place, we fell
in love with their collection of gold
tops and accessories. Our faves that
tipped the scales--everything from
sequined tunics to gold and rhine-
stoned cuff bracelets, all for $20 and
under.
#4 THE MUST-HAVE BOOT:
OVER-THE-KNEE
Over-the-knee boots are so
fashion-forward they may make you
WInTEr SEEMS TO
AlWAyS SnEAk UP On US
is your closet stocked with this sea-
son’s on-trend necessities? With so
many stylish trends and looks to choose
from, the task of narrowing down what
to buy and what to pass on by can be
daunting.

Want to know what will be in our

closet this year? We’ve pared the sea-
son’s trends down to our top five faves
to give you a lust-worthy, and essential,
list to shop from.

question your style identity—“is over-

the-knee for me?” The answer is
yes—the brave, the bashful and some-
where in between--even you can wear
them. So buck up, skivvy into some 3
skinnys and get to shopping, because
these boots aren’t optional. Get right
in a longer riding-boot flat version, or
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HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 15
 MUSIC

Today’s con-
temporary artists
are walking on
unmapped land,
where their craft
has been devalued,
their specialties
oversaturated with
talent, and their
audience seemingly
vanishing. For a
woman like Michele
Vreeland, whose
life goal was to
be a working art-
ist, the future can
seem daunting.
“There will
never be another
rockstar,”Michele
Vreeland notes
near the end of

MIChElE
our conversation,
which dealt primar-
ily with the strug-
gles of being an

VREElaNd
independent artist
and the courage it
takes to attempt
a career in the
By PhIlIP COSORES arts. “There isn’t
any mystery any-
more…and that’s
the taste of the
younger audience,
they don’t want
mystery.”
Indeed it is the in-
formation age and un-
fortunately for Vreeland
and many struggling art-
ists, music is treated like
16 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
information; something that people
have a right to rather than a com-
modity that that holds monetary
value. But what is remarkable is not
that she continues plugging along,
it is that she stays positive and
optimistic throughout her artistic
struggles. She notes that she would
“have to deliberately try to stop
making music” in order to get away,
that her creativity is so natural (in
fact, she also is a noted inventor in
addition to a musician) and inherent
to her self that stopping is never
really an option. Her album is called
Never Not Myself, after all.

In her ten years as a record-

ing musician, Vreeland has attracted
fans of all ages, from little girls
to seniors. She notes that” people
in their seventies or eighties have
come up to me and said ‘I haven’t
heard music like that in a long
time,” a complement that must be
attributed to her ability to vary her
style and genre. She sees the ben-
efits and detriments this, especially
when her peers are being tied to
an “indie” sound that is booming
commercially.
“The E.P. that is out right now
is really poppy compared to what
else is out the for independent mu-
sic. But people appreciate it because
it is in the pop music genre, but it
is different than the pop songs on
the radio, sort of a middle-ground
between indie and pop.”
And while her sound and
songwriting are attributes, it takes
more than just being good to make
it, especially in the unforgiving town
of Los Angeles, where everyone
is out to make it for themselves.
“It’s really all abut the circles that
you create,” she states in regard
the ease in which free music is ob-
tained these days, but is quick to
share the blame between artists and
fans. “Artists need to train people
in what they are going to require
of them, if they want to be a fan.
It’s being proven by these websites
like Facebook that people long for
community and they love connec-
tion. And it’s always been this way,
but now it’s in front of our eyes.”
This keen observation may be
the factor that makes art as market-
able today as ever, as she contin-
ues, “if as an artist or as a band,
you can create a sense of commu-
nity, then you will find success and
be able to make a living…That’s the
thing about music, you just cannot
do it by yourself.”
And though she is a solo art-
ist and produces much of her own
work, she did work with a co-pro-
ducer in Sean Gordon who she says
“brought a lot to the
table,” and is open
to the possibility of
working with other
producers and art art-
ists. However, she
qualifies this by add
add-
ing, “it comes down
to finding the right
people, and finding
the right time.”
Vreeland already has another al-
bum’s worth of songs that echo the
style of Never Not Myself, as well
as material for a prospective album
that would lean towards a younger
and trendier crowd. And if she finds
herself in the same place as she is
now when those albums run their
course, Vreeland will continue writ-
ing the music she feels, in what-
ever style she is drawn to. Because
even though the audience is seeking
connection by buying a record or
seeing a concert, the artist is just
as desperate for something real to
happen when they play their own
handcrafted songs on stage.
And these connections, which
Vreeland agrees can come from any
date, at any time, are why she will
continually play shows in the L.A.
area, why she is confident that suc-
cess can come with these people
behind her and why she wakes up
everyday and pursues the living of
her dream. No one told her it would
be so hard, but no one told her it
would be so rewarding, either.

And right
now, the time is for
Never Not Myself,
an independent al al-
bum that marches
to the beat of it’s
own drum, connect
connect-
ing with a variety of
people along its rout.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 17
 FASHION
L.A. Fashion Weekend at Sunset Gower Studios
THE VALIANT
MASTERMIND
BEHIND
LA FASHION WEEKEND
Mikey Koffman
Mikey Koffman is ensuring that Los
Angeles’ talented fashion designers
will continue to be an essential part of
the celebrated fashion week line-ups
that light up star-studded catwalks
in cosmopolitan cities throughout the
world.
Her incredible fashion influence has quickly diverted
fashionista’s experienced eyes directly to the West Coast;
specifically Los Angeles where fashion columnists, their
loyal fashion-savvy apprentices and a fashion-forward audi-
ence has been taking notice! Hollywood not only gives
birth to a mind-blowing number of blockbuster movies; but
also holds an imperative influence on amazing fashions.
Indeed, Hollywood has a history of debuting fashion-state-
ments with the star-studded extravaganza that’s called the
red carpet. But now, the newest “IT” fashion trends have
become increasingly influential on the Los Angeles fash-
ion weekend’s (LAFW) catwalk. During the October 15th
to 17th LAFW show held at the acclaimed Sunset Gower
Studios in Hollywood, each model’s sultry strut down the
catwalk had most of the packed audience jotting down the
newest “must-have” items for their closets. And they have
Mikey to thank.
Like most of Tinseltown’s remarkable “real life sto-
ries;” Mikey wanted to be a cop when she was growing up.
She certainly had enough practice; she played with G.I. Joe
action figures as a child; protected the kids in her school
who were being teased by bullies; survived the relentless
violence of the LA projects where she was raised and,
naturally, became a marksman by the age of ten. Well, a
‘markswoman.’
This being said, it’s really no surprise that this fierce-
ly independent and self-proclaimed “bad-ass” became the
producer of Los Angeles Fashion Weekend. It’s also not
a shocker that Mikey’s full service marketing and produc-
tion company called The Gallery LA has flourished since
she opened it in 2005. Naturally, she had no hesitation
18 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Written By Jenny Werth
launching LA Fashion Weekend at the legendary Sunset
Gower Studios. And by doing so, she’s ultimately created
a whole new genius of fashion acclaim and recognition in
Los Angeles. But, Mikey, 35, had extensive experience and
the one thing essential for growing into a success in this
“cutthroat” town: determination.
“After completing LA fashion week events under
Smashbox for years, it was important for me to keep the
event going when they left this market,” recalls Mikey.
Indeed, Mikey is NOT one to ‘give up.’ So, after
Smashbox studios ended the Mercedes Benz LA fashion
week that she had helped establish and produce for many
years, she recalls, “at that point I knew I had to keep it
going…. and I felt like the only person who could make
it work… (who had) the tenacity and balls to do it was
myself.”
Lucky for us, it is simply in her blood to create as-
tounding fashion shows that leave our eyes staring at the
catwalk. “It’s like having a baby,” she says of producing LA
fashion weekend. One ‘baby’ she doesn’t intend on letting
go. Clearly, simply ‘stopping’ the shows was not in Mikey’s
plans. Instead, she took the reins in her capable hands and
moved the high profile event to the Sunset Gower Studios
in Hollywood creating what’s become an LA spectacle- both
for the fashion attendees and the energized media.
But then again, it’s not surprising that someone as
unique and strong-minded as Mikey has come out on
top. She’s constructed her life a lot like her prized Harley
Davidson Mortorcycle; piece by thoughtful piece. She
gained enough knowledge and experience to create her
own flourishing company and revolutionize LA’s spot in the
ever-extraordinary world of fashion. With an amazing work
ethic, she’s created a mini-empire by following her heart
and branching off on her own.
And while doing so, Mikey’s found her freedom from
a childhood filled with the insecurity that comes from living
in a very tough neighborhood. What sometimes destroys
one person can catapult another into great success. THIS
is the story of Mikey Koffman. She recalls there was a lot
of violence where she grew up. She explains that, “having
had that experience, I got the drive to never want to go
there again.” The once ambitious girl who literally put out
fires from discarded Christmas trees in her neighborhood,
has created her own flame throughout Los Angeles and the
 world. The smoke from her
personal fire is powerful. In
fact it’s almost surreal.
Keeokjay Designs
And it doesn’t stop
there. From Mikey’s debut
on the hit-reality show The
Real L Word to her sup-
port of multiple foundations
such as numerous eco-
conscious fashion design-
ers and groups to cancer
foundations, she’s rapidly
becoming Hollywood’s “IT”
girl. Sunset Gower’s VP of
Marketing, Terri Melkonian,
sums it up beautifully.
Beth Talbert Test Driving Volt “Mikey’s very charismatic…
there’s something from
within that draws people to
her. She’s very comfortable
with who she is and she
exudes that.” Her qualities
are amazing; she’s honor-
able and has an amazing
work ethic – just fantastic
to work with.” Without
question, since Mikey
started the first LAFW only
three-years-ago, it’s grown
into a red-carpet spectacle
packed with tons of sup-
porting celebrities, A-listers
and VIPS. This year’s LAFW
show was yet another hit in
what promises to be a long
The Chevy Volt career in producing memo-
rable fashion shows. Much to the audience’s delight, the show opened with a
fantastic performance by Christina Milian on Friday. And every day during the
exciting LAFW was filled with amazing fashions shows by some of LA’s most
talented and eco-friendly activists. The weekend ended with Richie Sambora
and Nikki Lund’s White Trash Beautiful fashion show collection on Sunday
evening where his daughter, Ava strutted the cat walk! Plus, this year LAFW
proudly had its first auto sponsor: Chevy’s Electric car, VOLT. Chevy’s exciting
new electronic car, VOLT, could be seen zipping around Sunset Gower’s lot
for attendees’ to test. The VOLT even goes up to 50-miles on only electric-
ity! Naturally, the VOLT’S ‘eco-friendly’ message supported the LA fashion
week’s crucial concept to ‘Go Green,’ and its proud Green Youth Movement
Sponsor (GYM).

Mikey feels “blessed” to be part of something as creative and popular as

LAFW. But, it’s all par for the course for Mikey- she keeps things fresh and
exciting through her various accomplishments. Let it be known that she will
not be returning for the second season of The Real L Word as she’s learned
the hard way that people can edit scenes to suggest she was saying or doing
things that she did not. She will be sorely missed. But without the show,
she will have more free time to do what she does best: create. Create and
move forward. She may be a “bad-ass” but if that’s so, then let it be noted
that she’s one unique bad-ass wrapped up in sweetness, humility and honesty.
Three unusual words to describe a rising star in a town where people tend
to lose themselves before they’ve even arrived. Fortunately for fashion-lovers
and reality-TV-show enthusiasts, Mikey has a firm grasp on herself and her
intentions. We just have to wait and see what she creates next. But, there
is a bit of gossip… first up, she’s turning LA Fashion Weekend into LA Fashion
Week at Sunset Gower Studios from March 13th through the 19th at Sunset
Gower Studios. The week long event will encompass a killer kick off affair
and end with a LA Fashion Week Awards Ceremony! And keep your eyes
on KTLA 5, her broadcast partner for LA Fashion Week. After hosting on air
fashion segments during LA Fashion Week, one never knows when Mikey will
pop up on the air again. The only thing certain is that we’ll be seeing a lot
more of her very soon.

For more information on The Gallery LA please visit thegalleryla.com

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 19
L.A. fashion Weekend RedCARPeT

Heather locklear and

daughter ava sambora
actress Charlotte ross who walked the runway in
on the red Carpet of la dad richie’s White trash
tatiana ali fashion Weekend. Beautiful designs.

singer and
television
host kimberly
Caldwell

ken davitian from

Borat and get smart

singer Christina milian

introduced her eye-
wear line at the show

ava sambora who

walked the runway in
actress Brenda strong and White dad richie’s White trash
trash Beautiful designer nikki lund. Beautiful designs.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 21
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HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 23
 EVENTS

niKi SHAdrOW
HOllyWOOd
scene in la

1: Izabella Miko • Bafta Awards

Red Carpet • Beverly Hills • Bafta
Images

2: Aubrey O’Day • Hennessy Walks

for Life • Bardot,Hollywood • John
Eder

3: Sarah Silverman, Kevin Nealon,

Brian Fischler, and Kevin Pollak •
Laugh for Sight • Hollywood Improv
• Petra Rajnicova Photography

4: Rossi Morreale, Chris Gravagna

Victor Daniel, Gary Mancuso •
Singles Gurus Rossi Morreale and
EliteMate.com host Singles Night
Out in Beverly Hills • Aqua Lounge
in Beverly Hills • Nasim Saleh

5: Zachary Levi • Hennessy Black

cocktails at his 30th birthday bash •
LA Hollywood • Michael Buckner

6: Bryan Fogel (center) & The Cast

1 2 Of Jewtopia • Jewtopia Play, Los
Angeles • Greenway Court Theatre
• Ed Kritzer photography

3 5
24 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
 6 7

7: Annie Madison, Eric Coleman, Adam Derry,Marcella Kroll • 8: Michael Madden, James Valentine, Adam Levine and Jesse Car-
ADBD Presents: 11:11 Pop Up Art Gallery • ADBD Gallery, Los michael • Bacardi, hosted Maroon 5’s Exclusive Halloween Party •
Angeles • ADBD Photography Hollywood Forever Cemetery • Charley Galley/ WireImage

8 9

9: Craig Martin & Peter Kuyanov (Cafe 50’s owners) • Cafe 50’s 10: Caroline D’Amore & choreographer/dancer brittany hughes
Los Feliz grand opening party by RedLight special events • Cafe • Caroline D’Amore performance • Playhouse, Hollywood • Rick
50’s, Los Feliz • Photo by Christopher Francisco. Williams

10
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 25

Speaking above
the Star’s
(The Voice of Reasoning)
Topic
Love
for The
Game
Today, I greet all my readers with a lethal but
legal dose of Love from the straight pathway of
a better day. Yes, Darwin’s doing it again and it’s
time to shower all the Star’s, Celebrities and VIP’S
of today’s world with some of that genuine love.
You know the kind of love that comes from above
and there is nothing that can change it.
Love is truly my best specialty and I have often been told that I
need to teach a class on this particular subject. What I am simply
trying to say is that class is now in session so please take your
seats. Love is what keeps the passion in everything that we pursue
and gives us the drive to be successful in all our endeavors. Love
can not be pulled out of the drawer or your pocket on Monday
and put back on Tuesday until you need it again on Friday evening.
Love is present at all times and it never goes away, like when they
say “it’s like white on rice” this statement speaks for itself. Love
is an unconditional deal which has no renegotiation clauses and
remains in place at all times.
Speaking of Love, it was some serious love in Chicago’s very own
Red Kiva Night Club where Owner Julie Palmer showed her classy
style power in which the ambiance is to die for at the album release
party featuring artist “Russoul” where he performed live. Russoul
was very impressive from the very start displaying a massive dose
of Love for the Game from the sound check all by itself. He spent
a great deal of time listening and evaluating the sounds of all the
musicians in the band. I believe Russoul is on his way to the top
Love’s Simplistic Way
Sometime’s there are words that you truly want to
say in the most simplest way, but your biggest fear
is that price you may have to pay if it is not taken
with the understanding of God’s heavy hands on
ones Heart. Sometime I simply want to tell you that
“ I Love You “ because that is the message I truly
want to convey on that particular day. We should not
fear the use of these three word’s because “ Love
Never Fell’s “ and ones Heart truly tells what Life
Compels during those moments of Love Spells. My
Heart is a tender deep love complete very concrete
super sweet passionate beat space to meet just to
say “ I Love You “ in Love’s Simplistic Way.
26 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
with a serious Love for the Game which in this case is
music for the souls healing process.
Earlier this summer the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago fea-
tured Phil Seed and Detour JazFunk. They performed again
after a marvelous performance at my Birthday Celebration
in May in which I closed the show by singing for all that
were present.
It truly was a pleasure enjoying a beautiful evening with the
likes of the Chicago Skyline and Phil Seed. Detour JazFunk
had the crowd moving and grooving to the beat bringing
back memories from the past and the present. Yes, Doc
Heard is calling for all the Star’s, Celebrities and VIP’S to
come see Chicago’s magical musical wonder every summer
with firework’s in the sky. With Chicago’s new urban jazz
scene Detour JazFunk presents old-school R & B’s soulful
and funky grooves combined with classic contemporary
jazz.
The band is lead by guitarist Phil Seed in which everybody
comes to see, Drummer Ben “Jammin” Johnson who in my
opinion is the best drummer on the planet. Then there is
electric bassist Kenery Kent Smith and keyboard wizard
Tim Gant who is headed to take a detour with the great
Vocalist Will Downing in Baltimore and Atlantic City. I have
also had the pleasure of offering the “Voice of Reasoning”
to Mr. Downing in which I have shared my mountain top
vision after one his amazing performances. I must admit
that I will make every attempt to experience Jazzing at the
Shedd every summer and keep close tabs on where Phil
Seed and Detour JazFunk will be performing moving for-
ward because they all truly have Love for this game.
Let me tell you about someone who also has a serious
Love for the Game and his name is Jabari Grover Jazz,
Vocalist from Atlanta Georgia. Just hour’s before I was due
to perform at my Birthday Celebration sponsored by the
Hollywood Weekly Magazine, Jabari personally called me
to say that he was honored to know that I had chosen to
perform his song “A Pocket Full of Dreams”. On that very
special night Jabari was just minutes from his performance
in the Hill’s of Georgia.
Brandon Galatz is an upcoming Chicago actor who has
nothing but love for the craft of acting. He has completed
three feature films, four theatre productions within the last
year and is currently working on an episodic web series,
all while attending Conservatory at Act One Studios in
Chicago. He plans to graduate in 2011 and has recently
been offered a role in an upcoming pilot series. Just as
all the true professional say Brandon feels we all are still
learning and he possess a true Love for the Game.
Attorney Jason L. Landgraf my friend and now business
partner has a true Love for the Game in which he truly
enjoys making a difference for all of his client being up
front and personal with his client first approach. I person-
ally think that Jason would make an excellent Judge due to
his level headed demeanor among other great attributes.
I invite all of my Stars, Celebrities and VIP’S to call upon
my services for Motivational Consulting regardless of the
circumstances and to look forward to next month column
for the new year entitled: Let’s get Motivated People.
Please take a journey back to learn more about the “Voice
of Reasoning” that started in July 2009. I leave you
one of Darwin’s Creative Strategies Poems entitled: Love’s
Simplistic Way.
Written By: Darwin Heard
(Hollywood Weekly Magazine)
Email: dheard@heardconsultingroup
Phone: (312) 933-6635
Please direct all Letters to:
Heard Consulting Group, Corp
P.O. Box 11353
Chicago, IL 60611
Hollywood Weekly’s
A Look Back to the Best of 2010
 trumP
CHiCago
ranks
Number
One

ivanka trump:
the Powerhouse
Written by toria gaylord

28 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
 the road down real estate development is nev-
er an easy task, it is full of many unexpected twists
and turns, but there was never a question of how
businesswoman ivanka Trump would handle the
ride when she got behind the wheel of construct-
ing the Trump Chicago Hotel back in 2008. She had
been preparing for it most of her life. From the start,
ivanka has been blessed with an incredible business
savvy and strong guiding principles that are hard-
wired into her dNA and her passion for the Trump
brand has just paid off. Travel and leisure magazine
recently named The Trump international Hotel
&Tower Chicago No. 1 as the Best large City Hotel
in the America for 2010 and the hotelier, designer
and author speaks candidly with Hollywood Weekly
about success of the Trump Chicago, her attention
for detail and her love for real estate.
ivanka, Congratulations to The Trump Chicago’s
number one ranking as the Best Hotel in America
by Travel and leisure magazine.
Thank you – it is incredibly exciting.

WHat makes tHe Brunacci, cook for them WHat is your

trumP CHiCago
Hotel so
distinCtive?
There’s so much to
this property. The building
itself is architecturally stun-
ning; as the second tallest
building in Chicago – and
the seventh tallest in the
world – it has now become
integral part of the city’s
beautiful skyline. Whether
it’s in the guest rooms,
Sixteen (the property’s
award-winning restaurant)
or Rebar (the cocktail and
sushi lounge), the views of
Lake Michigan, the Chicago
River and Chicago’s histor-
ic architecture are unpar-
alleled. Chicago magazine
just named The Terrace
at Trump the city’s best
outdoor lounge in part be-
cause of its amazing views
of the city and the sum-
mer fireworks that take
place in Chicago every
week.
The hotel’s guest
rooms and suites are
spacious, contemporary
and luxurious. Every guest
room is outfitted with a full
kitchen featuring only the
finest in appliances, china
and stemware. In addition
to our great restaurants,
guests can also order
from an in-room dining
menu that was the first
in the country to be cer-
tified organic – or better
yet, they can request that
our executive chef, Frank
in their suite! The Spa at
Trump is a 23,000 square-
foot facility that includes
11 treatment rooms, a
heated indoor swimming
pool, fully-equipped car-
dio and weight rooms and
yoga and spinning studios.
There are also 53 special-
ly-designed guest rooms
located on the spa level,
which are perfect for a
spa getaway.
As the final phase of
our build-out, we recently
completed the River Walk,
which is adjacent to the
Chicago River and serves
as both a gathering place
and a gateway to the
famed Michigan Avenue.
What really unites all of
these components, though,
is the service. It is nearly
impossible to find service
as efficient and gracious
elsewhere. Our guests
know that Trump Chicago
is truly a home away from
home.
WHat does tHe
reCognition mean
to you?
It is an incredible
honor for the Trump Hotel
Collection, and a testa-
ment to our vision for
building and managing the
best hotels in the world.
Awards like these are great
motivation to maintain our
position, and continually
strive for more.
favorite Part
of tHe trumP
CHiCago Hotel?
When I’m not eat-
ing at Sixteen, I love The
Spa at Trump. Our signa-
ture gemstone massages
feature oils from Dubai
that are infused with ru-
bies, sapphires, emeralds
and diamonds. That ser-
vice, followed by one of
our Kate Somerville fa-
cials, is the perfect way
to unwind.
I know you were
heavily involved in the
design and construction
even down to the staff
uniforms.
My brothers and I
oversaw the Chicago proj-
ect – we worked closely
with the architects, design-
ers and construction com-
panies involved to define
the aesthetic and see it
through implementation.
We gave consideration to
every detail, down to the
uniforms worn by the hotel
staff. I wanted to ensure
that every piece was as
refined as the property
itself. Each look was de-
signed to reflect the as-
sociate’s purpose and the
area of the hotel in which
the uniform is worn. The
trick was to balance style
and practicality to create
a fashion statement that
was understated, fluid and
contemporary.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 29
30 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
To what do you
attribute your
successful leader-
ship in real estate
development?
I think it’s a com-
bination of energy,
drive and focus, asking
thoughtful questions, ne-
gotiating with confidence
and taking advantage of Growing up, when
the right opportunities,
even when times are
did you realize you
uncertain. wanted to go into
real estate?
What is a typical
day like for you?
My calendar is al-
ways full. A big part of
my job includes scout-
ing locations for new
projects, so I travel fre-
quently. When I’m home,
I usually get up at about
5:30 a.m., exercise and
read through a stack of
32 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
newspapers. Generally,
I’m in the office by 7:30
a.m., which is an ideal
time to respond to emails
or make overseas calls
since so many of the
deals we are doing are
abroad. I have meetings
and calls straight through
until about 6 or 7 p.m.
I don’t think there
has ever been a time
when I imagined going
down a different road,
in large part because I
grew up with real estate.
Both sides of my family
span generations of de-
velopment, engineering,
building and construc-
tion. Most of my forma-
tive memories include a
bulldozer or a construc-
tion site!
Does your Dad What is next for
give you a lot of you in real estate?
advice? We have many op-
My father’s experi- portunities that we are
ence makes his advice currently pursuing. Earlier
this year, we opened in
invaluable, and I always
appreciate his insight Waikiki, and Trump SoHo
just opened in April. We
are currently working
on Trump Panama and
What is the most Trump Toronto. Both are
challenging part very exciting hotel proj-
of your job now? ects that are opening in
early 2011. Trump Tower
Right now, I find Istanbul will also be open-
myself balancing be- ing next year.
ing young with also be-
coming – hopefully – a
visionary in business. I What pearls
appreciate every level of
detail that goes into our
of wisdom can
projects and have a thirst you offer to
for being very hands-on, entrepreneurs
which sometimes leads
me to micromanage. starting out?
Being a business leader I recently published
also means thinking big
a book called “The Trump
picture and delegating. Card: Playing to Win in
Work and Life”. In the
book, I encourage young
entrepreneurs to get
out there and try differ-
ent things; knowing what
you love is also in part
eliminating the things you
don’t enjoy doing. Young
people in the business
world shouldn’t be afraid
to be bold, work incred-
ibly hard and ask smart
questions. The level of
drive that stems from
passion is what will sepa-
rate someone from being
moderately successful to
being very successful.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 33
 CHrista Borden
I Rhyme With Orange
Hallelujah, a singer baptized through fire! Worldly scars to make
Leonard Cohen proud… Christa Borden’s lyrics are written in blood –
inside joke – but the pain is raw and real.
Christa’s life could have been very different. Reality “splits” with each
decision – somewhere, there’s another Christa. A girl who never fought
her addiction. A singer succumbing to her broken heart. Crumbling under
the weight of her own life. But, hey, we don’t live in that reality…
In our world, Christa rose out of lava! Slowly emerging like in some
B-Movie. Standing straight and strong, glowing hot fire red! Reborn,
Rebooted – hell, a complete Redux!
But, let me tell you what I really feel…
You can’t just “manufacture” a true artist. Anthony Burgess told us
this before – it’s unnatural, like “A Clockwork Orange.”
Artists are born out of circumstances. Situa
Situa-
tions that kill them or create them.
Singer Christa Borden has passed
this test – her CD “I Rhyme With Orange”
testifies! These lyrics touch dormant
chords inside you. Poetic truths that
shake the dust off your soul… No doubt,
she’s the genuine article…

34 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
 photos: Todd Korgan

By anthony Calderon

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 35
 This goes deeper than
Christa’s music degree.
Singing, for Christa, is a
connection. It grounds her, a
force stronger than gravity…
One’s destiny can never be
denied. Regardless of the
job Christa might have had –
“title” be damned, she would
sing just as sweet…
Her stroke of luck was
meeting David Carver. A
man who recognized her
potential – a talented singer
in recovery; en route to a
healthy, productive life. Essen-
tially, Christa was starting
Act Two.
The curtain rose here, in
Los Angeles. David became
Christa’s friend and Manager.
But, more so, he acted
as her mentor. Helping to
keep her sober and living
clean... They refined Chris-
ta’s musical message. David
found Producers to explore
her style. Huge talents like
Jeff Trott of Sheryl Crow
fame – and Christa and Jeff
clicked immediately. Creating
some of her most strongest
songs. Singing Jeff’s praises
is Christa’s new pastime.
And Jeff’s magic touch
can surely be heard. Christa’s
single “Empty Bottles” has
made waves – catchy melody
and soulful lyrics – not your
average mix in today’s music.
But nothing Christa does is
average. For starters, she
wrote all songs on her CD;
each one has a consistent
sense of truth.
“Cut Me Loose” deals with
a personal breakup. “Empty
Bottles” talks about addic-
tions – primarily how they
feed off each other. Insight
and wisdom that you can
move to…
But this is part of Christa
Borden’s image. Unpredict-
able and original. A stunning
beauty with depth, charm
and talent – and a resolve to
spread truth through music…
Christa wrote “Tonight”
while leaving for L.A. That

decision gave birth to her 3AM Club photos… This point

debut. Soon, she’ll be perform-
ing with the Goo Goo Dolls.
Along with Fray and pop singer
Kesha. Part of a Newfoundland
Labor Day Concert…
Not all dreams are realized
in L.A. But Christa Borden
came to this city formed. The
mold was cast, and Christa
just stepped out.
in her career, it’s only music.
Few artists are as focused on
their craft.
Christa’s father gave her
some advice on art. He told
her, “The pain life brings,
just use it.” Use the pain to
write her songs, and to sing
them…

You won’t be seeing her It sounds wrong, but her

on TMZ clips… No scandalous pain is now our joy…

36 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

HW magazine
knoWs HoW to tHroW a Party
Hollywood Weekly mag-
azine launched their August
2010 issue with an industry
soirée at plush Bar 210 at
the Beverly Hilton. I wasn’t
at the event long before I
realized there was some-
thing truly unique going on
under the soft pools of light
in this swanky hotel bar. To
my left, ordering his second
glass of champagne, stood
a long time talent manager
who had just finished ex-
plaining to me the best way
to go about packaging a
script. To my right sat a mu-
sic marketing manager from
Warner Music Group, here to
scope out the artist gracing
Hollywood Weekly’s August
issue’s cover. Next I spot-
ted actor and musician Mike
Rossi, who can be seen all
over this season of Bravo’s
smash hit Million Dollar
Listing, chatting up a sultry
brunette obviously absorbed
by his charm. Prying himself
away for a moment, he gave
38 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
me the scoop on his current
project, Creative Collision,
an LA-based arts and music
movement that combines live
music with visual and per-
formance art. At a quieter
corner table, up and coming
writer/producer Ben Bostick
discussed his latest feature
film with Kristen, an enter-
tainment news director.
As the flow of guests
into the posh lounge in-
creased, so did the pho-
tographer’s flashes. Chrissy
Sutphin and Tasya Swisko,
account execs from Luck
Media & Marketing were on
hand to oversee yet another
superbly executed show-
case for their client Christa
photos: irwin Jazmines
Written by tyler fascett
Borden. In addition to land- Weekly’s publisher, Prather
ing Christa, their classically Jackson. All Access Music
trained songstress, her first Group editor Mark Strickland
U.S. magazine cover with came out but kept a low
Hollywood Weekly, they had profile catching up with an
arranged for her to belt out associate in a cozy booth
a few songs live with her near the stage. I chatted with
band at the evening’s event. Ramela, a movie critic, whose
In the center of the
room Danny Bopp, a model
and pro stock car driver
in the NASCAR K&N series,
and his publicist posed for
a few quick photos while
holding court with Hollywood
spot on reviews made me
rethink everything I thought
I knew about modern alter-
native comedies. Brandon
Gibson, the publicity and
branding gun-for-hire who’s
been ahead of trends in LA
for years, made his rounds.
I met manager Michael
Dybnis, who summed up
his client strategy with
his ever-ready slogan, “I’ll
keep you famous.” There
were screenwriters on the
smoking patio, an about-to-
break fashion designer by
the back bar, and an en-
tertainment lawyer had just
arrived.
At this point, I had to
step back and survey the
scene. Staring out over
the now bustling lounge,
something struck me about
my company: these were
the people in the business
who actually get things
done. I’ve been to many
an event in Los Angeles
dubbed under the guise of
an “Entertainment Industry
Party,” but the majority of
these events consist of re-
cent LA transplants scour-
ing a lackluster crowd for
anyone they think they’ll
be able to hustle into fur-
thering their brilliant (and
inexplicably stalled) act-
ing careers. To a writer
who’s covered those types
of events before, there’s
even something olfactory
about that whole scene—
it’s the smell of shameless
self-promotion, with notes
of desperation, and subtle
Christa Borden with her Band
hints of fraud. This event
was far different. And for
that matter, the only de-
tectable scent was the
mouth watering aroma of
truffle oil wafting from the
plates of gourmet sliders
exiting the Bar 210 kitchen.
Something very unique, and
very refreshing was hap-
pening here. This eclectic
cross section of entertain-
ment industry profession-
als had been assembled by
Hollywood Weekly magazine
with the Hollywood Weekly
brand as their sole com-
mon bond.
It has been said
that networking, in its fin-
est form, exists truly as a
chemical reaction. Tonight
things were synthesizing
all around me. Individuals
in totally unrelated areas
of the business were mak-
ing connections. It wasn’t
about back scratching and
it didn’t matter if the direct
benefits of their relation-
ships were apparent. Art
and business, talent and
opportunity, musicians and
a racecar driver, all thrown
together in a pot and sim-
mering. And remarkably it
felt very organic. Publicists
and PR reps mingled ele-
gantly, while the celebrities
and the suits sipped marti-
nis and perused the pages
of the Hollywood Weekly
magazines that were dis-
played throughout the
lounge. People were genu-
inely enjoying themselves.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 39
 Just after 9pm the soulful
sounds of Christa Borden and
her band filled the posh Beverly
Hilton space, and the party
gravitated toward the stage. Her
upbeat “Better than She Can”
energized the room, and her di-
verse selection of cover tunes,
everything from the Eurythmics to
MGMT, kept us in the groove. But
it wasn’t until she hit the eerie,
soul-bearing notes of “Drowning”
that we really got it. It wasn’t just
the tragic beauty of her lyrics
that had us all transfixed, but the
sincerity in her voice.

After her set, I asked Christa

about her song writing process.
She described how, “Sometimes
inspiration is this mythical beast
that drags me out of bed and
forces me to sit at the piano in
the middle of the night and some-
times it is the tiniest moment or
a person I meet.” Though her
muses change, she’s always look-
ing for new ways to be inspired.

I suppose deep down it is

that ever present drive to get a
hold of some solid inspiration, or
maybe sometimes the quest for
a cocktail, that brings us out to
these types of events in the first
place. From what I could tell on
that summer night at Bar 210, no
one left empty handed.

photos: Irwin Jazmines

40 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
 Talent
Hollywood’s
Showdown
Each year Hollywood, the entertainment capital of the world,
hosts the prestigious World Championships of Performing Arts.

Over 75,000 applicants from 40 countries
and the USA auditioned for a spot to
compete at the 14th annual event.
Griff O’Neil, competition president and
founder, and a former executive of the
Miss Universe Pageant, recruited over
75 scouts and national directors to
scour the globe for outstanding talent.
“This is the only Olympic-style talent
competition ever created,” O’Neil stated,
“and a rare opportunity for the privileged
few selected to participate at this elite
world event.”
Talent from around the world take
center stage at the beautiful Westin
Bonaventure Hotel during an exciting,
fiercely spirited week of unsurpassed
rounds of outstanding performances July
17 – 25, 2010. Contestants ages 15 and
under will compete for the prestigious
Junior Grand Champion Performer of the
World title, and talent ages 16 and over
will battle for the coveted Senior Grand
Champion Performer of the World crown.
Hundreds of entertainment industry
“movers and shakers” (i.e. agents,
managers, casting directors, producers,
music industry reps) from Hollywood,
Nashville and New York are invited to
judge, conduct seminars and “go-sees”
at this conclusive world championships
for talent.
The event’s competition structure
reproduces as closely as possible the
processes in auditioning and casting for
film, television and Broadway. Special
emphasis is placed on “entertainment
value and marketability” during judging.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 41
 1 2

This in no way takes away from the
technical aspect of the performances;
however judges are looking for that
special charisma (the “it” factor) that
most top entertainers have. There
are rounds of eliminations thus talent
must be spectacularly presented in a
very short time period just as done for
auditions. Performance times of one
minute (60 seconds) are strictly enforced.
With entertainment industry personnel
judging, this event really becomes a
“giant Hollywood casting call” i.e. “to
cast World Champion” dancers, singers,
actors, models, instrumentalists and
variety artists – junior and senior age
groups!
Like the Olympics, an important prize
is the “gold”. However, overall age
division/competition category plaques
and Grand Champion trophies are
also given. The famed Millennium
Dance Complex in North Hollywood
awards $20,000 in scholarships and the
prestigious Conservatory for Dramatic
Arts School of Film and Television in
New York $100,000 in scholarships. And
the “real prizes” which every contestant
receives are the invaluable experiences,
priceless training and education, and
networking opportunities.
Kicking off the week’s slate of events
is the Opening Ceremonies where
each country’s delegates appear in
national costumes representative of
their respective countries in a colorful
Parade of Nations. First, second and
third “Best National Costume” prizes are
given. Each year celebrities and industry
VIPS are inducted into the “Performing
Arts Hall of Fame”. Some of the past
beneficiaries are Ann-Margret, Debbie
Allen, Liza Minnelli, Garth Brooks. This
year’s honoree is Linda Gray, award
winning actress, accomplished director,
a United Nations Ambassador and one
of the world’s most recognized and
admired stars. Then during the week,
over 5,000 acts will be narrowed through
rounds of eliminations to the “best of the

3 4 5

42 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
 6 7 8

best” for a spectacular standing-room-
only exciting FINALS webcast live around
the globe. Additionally, documentary
TV series in selected countries will be
produced starting with the selection
process and following the talent through
the competitions and beyond.
With shows like “American Idol” and
others vying for face time on TV, it’s no
wonder that there’s such a proliferation
of talent looking for a home. After all
is said and done, talent competitions
are nothing new. Everyone from Frank
Sinatra to Patsy Cline to Britney Spears
has been discovered on talent contests.
Talent contest judges initially rejected
some well-known stars, like Elvis Presley,
Buddy Holly and Drew Carey. The
genre’s been around on radio and later
TV for nearly 70 years, but the World
Championships of Performing Arts is by
far the biggest of its kind in scale and
scope, and seeks to turn the international
corridor between a country’s artists and
dreamers – and Hollywood’s “land of
dreams” – into a two-way street as a
launch pad for opportunity, recognition
and reward.
Contestants competing at the World
Championships of Performing Arts
have that very precious opportunity of
performing before and networking with
entertainment industry professionals.
Some will be signed and move to
Hollywood or New York; others will
return home to pursue whatever goals
they determine. But what is so critically
important is that everyone who has
the honor to experience this one-and-
only official world talent championships
has improved and gained inestimable
experience… truly a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity!
For information on being a contestant,
Scout or National Director of a country,
please contact: info@wcopa.tv or visit
the website: http://www.wcopa.tv

1: Senior Instrumental finalist: Artavazo Tadevosyan (Armenia)

2: Senior Dance Solo finalist from Canada: ERIK PIPESTEM (native Indian)

3: Senior Grand Champion Vocal Solo winner: KIMVERLIE MOLINA (Saudi Arabia)

4: Senior Instrumental finalist: CHEYNESH BAYTUSHKINA ( Russia)

5: Junior Grand Champion Actor: CALE MOON (USA)

6: Junior Vocal Solo finalist: SOFIYA DOLGANOVA BAYTUSHKINA (Russia)

7: Junior Dance Solo finalist: SITARA BAAL (Trinidad and Tobago)

8: Senior Grand Champion Female Model winner: ELIZABETH PETRONELLA (South Africa)

9: Senior Male Model finalist: MICHAEL SVENSSON (Sweden)

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 43
 COVER STORY
IMAGE
LOCATIONS
INC.

image is
everything
Photo Credit david Heisler By Anthony Calderon

When you enter Paul Kim’s “Concrete loft” and experience

downtown l.A.’s skyline through the giant floor to ceiling
windows encircling this legendary space, don’t be surprised
if you hear the Choral Finale of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony
singing in your ears. Too dramatic? i’ll put it another way: if
James Cameron decided to collaborate with imAX and film a
3-d documentary on downtown los Angeles, the view from
Paul’s Concrete loft would be the opening shot…
The Concrete Loft has literally been decorated and Celebrities; theatrical sets for filming motion pictures,
redecorated hundreds of times in a myriad of different television shows, cable series and commercials. The
styles and themes for every visual medium imaginable Concrete Loft functions as a virtual genie, changing itself
– photo shoots for top fashion magazines with A-List into and becoming whatever Paul’s clients’ desire.

44 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

Dior used the Concrete Loft to look
like an upscale Manhattan Hotel for
a photo shoot they were doing with
Sharon Stone… Recalling this memory
fondly, Paul pointed to a white bed in
the corner of the Concrete Loft where
we were talking and said (with a slight
smile), “Yeah, Sharon Stone rolled all
over my bed… It was great.” And as
amazing as the Loft is, it’s only part of
Photo Credit david Heisler
Cover Photo: (from left back)
Jennifer Sanchez, Patrick Ward-
Perkins, Jason Radspinner, Alice Kim,
Aaron Haxton, Julie Corirossi, Josh
Woolf, Marisa Sullivan, Paul Kim
what makes Paul Kim’s Image Locations
such a fascinating company…
Image Locations, the Agency, was born
on April 1st, 2001. It was the brainchild of
Paul Kim, who is a native Angeleno, and
is the culmination of two extraordinary
talents that Paul possesses: (1) he has
an uncanny ability to spot business
opportunities where most of us would
Photo Credit Woolf-Haxton
see nothing; and (2) Paul, more than
anyone I’ve ever met, has an unwavering,
personal interest in keeping people in
Los Angeles employed…
While scouting for the upcoming
“Transformers 3,” Michael Bay needed
some shots to represent Washington,
D.C. Budget, let’s just say, is not really
an issue for a Director like Michael Bay,
ladies: Marisa Sullivan, Jennifer
Sanchez, Julie Corirossi, Alice Kim
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 45
 IMAGE LOCATIONS INC.
image is everything

the stahl House

Hollywood Hills

46 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
 sybersound
Malibu

Photo Credit Jim Wright

the goldstein House

Beverly Hills

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 47

IMAGE
LOCATIONS
INC.
www.imagelocations.com
image is everything
covers
own right. You couldn’t ask for a better
staff, and they couldn’t ask for a better
employer. Before my interview with
Paul, Marisa, and my Publisher Prather
Jackson got under way in the Concrete
Loft, Paul told me as a point of pride
that even during our recent recession
he kept his entire staff employed, and
all of them are covered with health and
dental care. In addition, his company
actually had one of their best years in
2009 – 3.6 million, which goes to show
48 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
so it would have been very easy for
him to pack up and fly to D.C., but why
do that when Paul Kim can transform
his Concrete Loft into the interior set
Michael Bay needed, and CGI can be
added to some of the partial views
outside the windows – which is exactly
what may happen, scoring one for
Image Locations in getting local L.A.
production workers the jobs instead…
When Showtime’s “Big Love” needed to
shoot a scene involving a Mexican jail,
Image Locations found an area around
the infamous Rampart Detective Police
that being cool and making money in
big business aren’t mutually exclusive…
So, why exactly was Paul’s Image
Locations able to burst upon the scene
and immediately grab hold of the
movie and photography industry? Paul
explained it best: “In the old days, a
Production Manager would call a scout
up and ask them to find a particular
location. That guy would go out and take
pictures – then take the time to develop
Station which could double for the
intended setting…
You may have gathered by now that
Image Locations is not your Daddy’s
Movie & Print Location business by any
stretch of the imagination. Paul Kim
can probably best be described as an
extremely business minded, internet-
savvy artist with swagger…
Paul’s employees, starting with PR
Director Marisa Sullivan, also embrace
the best of our culture: hip, original,
educated – tech-wicked – artists in their
those pictures, put them in a manila
folder and FedEx them back. The digital
camera changed the business. You now
had an image instantaneously. Using the
internet to e-mail those digital photos of
locations made everything move faster.
But we have an added edge: everyone
in my company has some kind of artistic
background, primarily photography and
production, so we know how to get
in, take the best possible shots that
represent the location for the Production
Managers or Fashion Editors, and send
them out quickly... So, it’s the speed
of the technology, our ability to utilize
that technology, and maximizing our
artistic backgrounds to get the job done
efficiently that sets us apart…”
And what are some of the “jobs” that
Image Locations gets done? In the
fashion industry alone, if you went
to a newsstand looking to buy every
magazine Image Locations hasn’t worked
on, you probably wouldn’t spend very
much money… Vogue, Vanity Fair,
Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, People
Magazine, OK! Magazine, In Style, FHM,
Allure and Elle just to name a few…
As for the “models” on some of these
covers – Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston,
Angelina Jolie and Robert Downey, Jr.
of the production – translation: Steven
Spielberg might very well be exclusively
looking for a dilapidated shack, in
which case, if you own one, hooray for
Hollywood!
Image Locations, however, does
generally tend to gravitate toward the
more “modern-looking” homes, so, the
loyal devotion you have for your “hovel,”
notwithstanding, it probably won’t make
the cut… Surprisingly, many celebrity
are all scheduled on Marisa’s Blackberry;
past cover models Image Locations
worked with include Charlize Theron,
Rachel McAdams, Eva Longoria, The
Pussycat Dolls, L.L. Cool J., a pregnant
Maya Rudolph, Taylor Swift, The Jonas
Brothers, Amanda Seyfried, Jaime
Pressly, Heidi Klum, Tony Hawk, Ashley
Greene, Megan Fox, Kate Winslet, Zoe
Saldana and the cast of Entourage…
Many popular cable and television series
have worked with Image Locations,
Showtime’s “Californication” and ABC’s
“Castle” being the most recent… And, of
course, there’s the movie industry – the
aforementioned “Transformers 3” being
a highlight, as well as Judd Apatow’s
upcoming “Get Him To The Greek.” Music
Videos have become a fixed feature in
homes are part of Image Locations’
library… For shooting feature films,
television and cable series, commercials,
music videos or magazine layouts,
signing up with Image Locations could
be a great source of extra income for
many L.A. homeowners…
Anyone wanting to take a closer look
at Image Locations can find them easily
on either your iPhone or Blackberry by
accessing their application – all part of
Paul Kim’s overall vision of keeping his
Image Locations repertoire; they just
worked with Justin Bieber and Sean
Kingston, and Beyonce’s latest music
video was shot at a home in Hollywood
Hills, which is part of Image Location’s
vast “library…”
This brings to mind an interesting
question which hundreds of Angelenos
call Image Locations every day to
find out: how can you get your house
featured in movies or fashion magazines?
Of course, if your home was designed
by Frank Lloyd Wright, as some of the
homes in Image Locations’ library are,
you’re a clear candidate… For everyone
else, Paul stresses that the home should
be “architecturally unique.” He did admit,
though, that any home can technically
work, because it’s all about the needs
company as current and accessible as
possible…
What Paul has actually created with
Image Locations is a harmonious balance
of environmental awareness, economic
sensitivity to our L.A. workforce, and
a company that has transformed and
elevated the business of location scouting
to “fine art.” In short, he has composed
a symphonic world befitting of the title
“Beethoven’s 10th…”
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 49
 Cover Story
PrePaid
renegades “Basically, we just wanted to change the world
of teen finance as we knew it.” That’s how the con-
versation starts with the founders of Plastic Cash
International (PCI), Brian Newberry (CEO) and Danny
Klein (President and CMO). Perched in their Huntington
Beach office on Main Street, overlooking the ocean
above the historic Jack’s Surf Shop and just steps
away from the sand, are two men on a mission. In
fact, they’re on a few missions. Mission One: create a
revolutionary prepaid product that helps this genera-
tion’s teenagers to budget and spend money respon-
sibly. Mission Two: give parents a secure and con-
venient way to manage their teens’ money. Mission
Three: revolutionize the financial industry. And above
all: keep it cool.
photo credit: David Heisler
50 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
 As former owners of a youth-
geared advertising agency, Newberry
and Klein first got into marketing
and branding financial services while
creating campaigns for client Bank
of America. The duo developed the
first wave of “alternative branch-
ing” campaigns, launching Bank of
America mini-branches inside of
Ralphs supermarkets, primarily to
add greater convenience for people
with busy lifestyles. It was all a part
of the genesis of understanding how
banking can meet their customers
halfway. This ideology is a large
part of what makes PCI successful
today.
Newberry and Klein then fo-
cused their efforts on the youth
market. They saw a disconnect
between, parents, teens
and banking, and
what happened was
remarkable. In 1999,
Newberry and Klein
partnered up with
Maverick Records
(Warner Bros.) and
created a direct
mail campaign and
mailed over 1.5
million compilation
CD’s to college-
bound
h i g h
school
seniors and
college fresh-
men, linking con-
sumers to label and artist
websites, as well as to BofA’s site.
Loan volumes increased as response
rates shot to an astounding 6.5%.
They realized early on that teenagers
were becoming powerful consumers,
more so than anyone had predicted,
and it was all about captivating the
audience with an approach that was
more teen, and less bank. The key?
Deliver the power of music and en-
tertainment in a platform that met
their banking needs, by talking with made parents’ lives easier. MYPLASH
them, not at them. was just the answer. “We wanted
to create a product teens would
What Newberry and Klein fore- want and use that resonated with
saw, and acted upon, was the notion their individuality while meeting the
that teens would become the new parents’ core values and needs. We
power consumers. They also realized wanted to create a financial tool
that teens had no financial tool to to help teens and parents commu-
make purchases at retail and online nicate about finance in a language
other than using a parent’s credit they both could understand,” says
card or cash. That was over ten Newberry.
years ago, and now it has become
an absolute reality. A $189.7 billion “With today’s credit card
reality in 2006, projected to rise to rules and regulations, and the gen-
$208.7 billion by 2011 (marketingvoxx eral state of the world economy,
study, 2007). This was how the birth there needs to be a way for this
of Plastic Cash International and upcoming generation to learn to
its MYPLASH Prepaid Card brand manage their money
came about. safely. We want the
adults of tomorrow
to be smart about
spending, and
saving. We want
informed, yet
independent
cardhold-
ers”, says
Klein.
S o
how does
one go about
capturing this
group of power
consumers? It’s
all about the
infusion of
top recording
artists, action
sports ath-
letes, relevant
youth brands and movie li-
censes that teens like most.
With MYPLASH, teens can take
control of their wallets, while
There maintaining the individuality
was a and personal identity that is
void in the so crucial to them. MYPLASH
marketplace was created from the ground
for harnessing up, breaking the conventions set
this teen spend- by the old-guard financial mar-
ing power in a cool and safe way, keters. One example is the ever-
while still providing a product that expanding MYPLASH MALL, where
cardholders get exclusive access to
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 51

discounts on cool youth products
from the hottest brands, retailers
and band merchandise sites. “It’s
no secret that teens don’t care
about rent-a-cars and airline miles.
They want music, band merchan-
dise, movie tickets and stuff that
fits their lifestyle,” says Klein.
In addition to offering card-
holders the most convenient, hi-
tech benefits MYPLASH offers ex-
clusive content that brings teens
into the world of their favorite
artists, athletes and brands. One
look at the media page on www.
myplash.com and you’ll be riding
52 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
dirt bikes with the Metal Mulisha
crew, hanging on the tour bus with
rock band Hinder, surfing with Roxy
pro surfer Kassia Meador, and roll-
ing through the studio with hip hop
artist Flo Rida.
Perhaps the most notable
aspect of MYPLASH Prepaid Cards
are their branding, with brightly
adorned cards bearing images of
the hottest, recording artists, ac-
tion sports athletes and lifestyle
brands. What seems to make these
collaborations special is that all
the athletes, and celebrities in-
volved are making a statement as
well. Though PCI’s business model
was primarily developed to provide
great benefits for its MYPLASH
cardholders, Newberry and Klein
have paid very special attention to
the long-term needs of their music,
sports and brand partners. “PCI’s
goal has always been to boost
sales, and drive additional revenue
and awareness for our partners,
while helping to build their fan
base,” says Newberry.
PCI has clearly earned the
respect of top artists, athletes and
brands across the board. “I trust
Brian and Danny to market my ath-
letes in the prepaid space because
they keep MYPLASH core and rel-
evant for the fans -- and it’s all
about the fans,” says Bob Walker,
President of Connexions Sports &
Entertainment, the management
firm which handles MYPLASH ath-
letes Brian Deegan, Josh Grant and
Trey Canard.
“Anyone can see that we
aren’t ‘suit and tie’ guys. But that’s
not all that separates us from the
crowd. Our lifestyle and experi-
ences allow us the liberty to think
exactly like our cardholders,” says
Newberry and Klein. “We live and
breathe it daily.” Brian (Newberry)
and I surfed competitively, and we
still skate, snowboard, ride dirt
bikes, and do everything in be-
tween to stay connected,” says
Klein. They clearly practice what
they preach.
So, what is next for these
renegades? Continued growth at
retail, while going global, and go-
ing mobile. Starting the company
in the U.S., like many native en-
trepreneurs was the most natural
approach. MYPLASH is now sold
in over 7,000 major retail loca-
tions in the US and growing, mak-
ing it the largest distributed teen
branded prepaid product in the US,
displayed in a dedicated section
on center aisle end caps in the
biggest grocery stores, with over
75 million people a week walking
past its products. PCI isn’t stop-
ping there and is now negotiating
major distribution deals in Canada,
Europe, Mexico, Asia, and South
America. “While expanding is not
only inevitable and important to us,
the most important aspect of our
growth is keeping our roster fresh
and relevant,” says Klein. The duo
is so passionate about MYPLASH
that their excitement is contagious.
As Newberry puts it, “We just have
so much happening this year from
events, and collaborations to our ex-
also had to learn a lot of what they
know today by trial and error. “Failure
is not a sign of weakness. As long
as you move forward, pick up the
pieces and build a better model, it’s
a sign of strength. You have to fail
to understand how to succeed. We
couldn’t have gotten here any other
way,” explains Newberry.
for innovation”. Newberry and Klein
are truly the renegades of prepaid,
transforming a generation while
throwing the old business models
out the window. For now, all eyes
in the industry are fixed on what
they’ll do next, and it seems every-
one wants to play in their sandbox.

“We didn’t read books on how to reach teens, or how to

surf or skate, for that matter. We just did it, “ says Klein.
“And that is how we approach the MYPLASH product
every day, from a place of true understanding, with a
constant need for innovation”

panding markets. We’re now having With a calling

a hard time choosing who makes the to help society,
roster, as we are getting bombarded reform the finance
with new artists, brands and, now, industry, and still
movie licenses who want to be a have fun, it seems
part of the revolution we not only the men behind
created, but are now the market MYPLASH are here
leaders in. We are excited about our to stay as the
growth and going to the next level, renegade mar-
bringing key partners with us,” says ket leaders in a
Newberry. $200+ billion dol-
lar industry, in the
When asked what these men US alone. Their
would be doing if they hadn’t start- unconventional ap-
ed PCI and developed MYPLASH proach to business
they just laugh. “Well, we wouldn’t and teen finance
be working in a cubical that’s for seems to be do-
sure,” proclaims Newberry. If their ing just what they
die-hard-creative-entrepreneur-to- wanted: changing
the-core spirit wasn’t readily appar- the world – or at
ent, it is now. “We like to break least an industry,
rules, and rewrite them, which is the for the better.
best way to have a positive impact
on an ever-changing society. I don’t “We didn’t
know what we would be doing if we read books on how
weren’t building MYPLASH, but that’s to reach teens,
what it would look like,” says Klein. or how to surf
or skate, for that
As with most serial entrepre- matter. We just
neurs, the road for Newberry and did it, “ says Klein.
Klein has had its fair share of bumps “And that is how
and unexpected turns over the years. we approach the
Aside from shrugging off the count- MYPLASH product
less claims of “you can’t do that” every day, from a
or “you guys will never pull this off” place of true un-
from industry peers and people who derstanding, with
“thought they knew better”, they’ve a constant need

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 53
 WORLD
Photo Credit: eva skaya
the Blessings
of a Bigger World
A
s the first decade of the new
millennium draws to a close,
I have been reflecting upon
the many changes I have
observed in the world
since my childhood in
the 1960s and 1970s. Happily, many
of these years’ best aspects have re-
turned to guide my actions during the
second phase of my life.
The idealistic zeal that marked
my youth appears to have been
transmitted to the Facebook genera-
tion. I don’t have children of my own,
but people half my age keep finding
their way to me in cyberspace. Their
54 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
exuberant talents shine forth in many of
the photos printed with these monthly
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY pieces.
Because of the Internet, saving
the world has never seemed so easy,
or so hard. Global crises can now be
eliminated with mere clicks of a com-
puter mouse. Social media may have
a real role in causes such as suicide
prevention, ensuring that no one with
online access need ever feel alone, un-
loved, or unwanted.
However, one may often feel
overwhelmed by the work that remains
to be done in our globalizing world.
Written by dr. laura Wilhelm
lauraWil intercultural
As with paying jobs, I have always
tried to choose volunteering options
that were close to my heart. Literacy
tutoring and translation work have al-
lowed me to benefit others with my
lifelong love of foreign languages and
literatures. Groups such as Designers
4 Africa attempt to restore some bal-
ance between the richest and poorest
nations on earth by means of art.
These same poorest nations on
earth were among the first to em-
pathize when terror was unleashed
upon America’s proud Twin Towers of
world trade on 9/11. The inconceiv-
ably affluent US may have forgotten
“We must en- our common destiny, but smaller nations

sure that the

only too familiar with tragedy had not.

I know emigre artists in their ear-

ly twenties who often donate products

global market
and profits to American environmental
causes. Their example should humble us
all. The young still have their ears to
the heart of the world and appear very

is embedded in anxious about its condition.

In the words of emerging novel-

broadly shared
ist Todd Riemer (author of INFERNO):
“My writing serves to show a possible
destination, a possible vision of where
we are heading. Though disturbing and

values and prac- dystopian, my vision is one that brings

out the essence of the human experi-
ence; the choice to fight oppression or

tices that reflect

to submit, the choice between what is for Heaven Has no doctrine.
right and what is wrong.” artist: Christine yee
This month I plan to teach my

global social holiday ESL students about Thanksgiving,

Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and New
Year in quick succession. Our freedom

needs, and that

to pursue seemingly limitless options still
makes America stand out among the
world’s greatest nations. May this sense
of abundance continue to spread across

all the world’s the globe.

A much-loved military intelligence

people share the

officer once joked that he shouldn’t like
me so much since career-wise I was the
enemy, and if he kept listening to me he
might be out of a job.

benefits of glo- Reinventing ourselves as global

citizens may well be the price of peace.
Knowledge empowers only if we act upon

balization.” our convictions.

The more we come to know, the

more we come to care. As long as we
-Kofi Annan keep learning from each other, we’ll be
fluent in no time.

the inferno cover artist is dave kinsey.

Photo Credit: april davis

Photo Credit: nina naydenova

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 55
56 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
 Hollywood Weekly’s
Top Picks for Voice Coaches
Speak Up...
By: Brea Tisdale
Has anyone ever
told you to speak
up or speak more
clearly? Have you
ever felt that your
voice doesn’t reflect
who you are or ex-
press your thoughts
and feelings as fully
as you’d like it to?
Well it may not be your fault;
you may just need to learn how
to use your voice more effec-
tively. You can develop a more
responsive and resonant voice
and clear speech. Or perhaps
just explore and discover your
voice and self, deepen your
physical awareness to unblock
your voice, opening you to new
possibilities and opportunities.
You can get all this from
Adele Cabot, a voice, acting,
speech, and dialects profes-
sional. She is the founder of
LAVoicejoy, The Voice, Speech,
and Acting Connection in Los
Angeles. Ms Cabot offers pri-
vate individual coaching, group
classes, on and off-set coach-
ing for actors, audition prepa-
ration, corporate seminars,
presentation coaching, voice,
acting, speech, dialects –includ-
ing General American, and personal ex-
ploration work. Ms. Cabot is known for
her creative yet practical approach. She
brings her sense of artistry and play to
each class, session, or workshop. Her
own background and training combined
with over 25 years of coaching experi-
ence in LA, NY, and all over the world
reflect a sensitive and nuanced mix
of art and craft. She is a Designated
Linklater Voice Teacher (a rigorous 3+
years intensive training process with
the world-renown voice teacher, Kristin
Linklater and other master teachers)
and has an MFA in Acting from Brooklyn
College - CUNY. She trained in and
practiced Improvisation with Paul Sills
(co-founder of Second City, Chicago),
and incorporates the principles of The
Alexander Technique and yoga into her
work. She coaches film and theatre and
www.lavoicejoy.com
is also currently an Adjunct
Professor in Voice and
Speech at UCLA’s School of
Theatre, Film, & Television.
The approach is
psycho-physical and holis-
tic. She works to integrate
voice, body, thought, imagi-
nation, emotion,
spirit, psyche –all
aspects of the
individual into
the voice training. When the
voice is integrated a deep
sense of personal connec-
tion can be communicated.
Adele is the place
to go if you are an actor.
Actors discover a deeper
level of the craft of access-
ing the whole voice and self
while working creatively in
the presence of the acting
moment. Working profes-
sionals or just any average
person can find more power
through their voice, gain the
understanding and the tools
they need to better them-
selves and their communica-
tion skills.
LAVoicejoy Studio is a
beautifully renovated studio
located on the west side,
near the 10 and 405 free-
ways. It is a light and airy
newly renovated space with cork floor
for ease on the body and joints.
Don’t worry any vocal concern you
might me having, you are welcomed and
safe with LAVoicejoy, The Voice, Speech
and Acting Connection.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 57
 loose tHe damage
& find your voiCe
I am that person who will constantly sing in
the shower, the car, at work, pretty much any-

By: Brea Tisdale

where. The “problem” (as others would like to describe it) is
that I’m not very good; I am never on pitch, in tune or frankly
even singing the right words. But like so many of us out there
(even if you don’t admit it) we really have a desire to learn
how to sing, whether it be for professional gain or for the
sheer joy of sounding good at the local Karaoke bar. Never
have I met someone that actually gave me the confidence to
think, “I could be a good singer, or actually learn how to sing
and be good at it.” Then I met Roger Burnley, who much to
my shock, told me he doesn’t believe people are tone deaf.
He believes anyone can learn to sing, where there is a will
there is a way.

Roger is originally from Chicago where he began his

singing career in grade school at the mere age of 12. He was
selected to be a member of the Chicago All City High School
chorus, which was quite an honor. It was with this choir and
the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, that he got his first profes-
sional experience.

Roger then moved to New York City where he focused

on Musical Theatre as well as some opera. In 1982 he settled
in Los Angeles where he continued his studies with many dif-
ferent vocal coaches. Roger was dealing with his own vocal
issues, and through this he began developing his own train-
ing techniques and has been teaching voice since 1988. All

of this really began in a unique way
when a doctor in Beverly Hills, began
referring patients to Roger for rehabili-
tation. The doctor would send over the
“problem” in medical terms (which as
we all know can seem like a foreign
language) so Burnley began research-
ing each issue and worked with each
patient to take care of his or her vo-
cal issues. A lot of this understanding
came from Roger’s own insecurity in his
voice; he was always having problems
with his voice. Regardless of all his own
personal vocal success, he never really
trusted his ability. He felt there was
something that he wasn’t doing quite
right. So he always continued to learn.
It was through all this he discovered
something that he was doing wrong.
Something in his voice, that was never
corrected, resulting in him damaging
his voice. After coming to the realiza-
tion that no one needed to damage
their voice in order to be a profession-
al singer, Roger began teaching others.
Roger has such a talented ear that
he can hear right away, when listen-
ing to his students, what the problem
is in their voice. Roger has taught the
likes of Macy Gray, Brandy, Ray-J, Macy
Gray, Brandy, Ray J, Nona Gaye (Marvin
Gaye’s daughter), James Tormé (son of
Mel Tormé) Adam Yauch (Beastie Boys),
Eric Balfour, Dee Dee Warwick, Viola
Wills, The Beauties with Jason Nesmith
(son of Mike Nesmith, the Monkees),
Solomon Burke, Jr., Pepper MaShay,
and many more session singers, song-
writers and rising stars.
As we all know, the Internet is
a massive vessel for all sorts of good
or bad information. Well… Roger has
tapped into the good side. He has just
realized his third vocal instructional
video “Roger Burnley’s Singing-Made-
Simple.” But it is so much more than
an instructional video; it’s a whole vo-
cal training program; it’s one on one
lessons, without having to get out of
bed. For every single person that gets
“Roger Burnley’s Singing-Made-Simple”,
you get access to a members only site.
Here you can upload questions directly
to Roger, upload MP3’s and video for
Roger to critique
and give feedback,
read Roger’s blog,
and interact with
other artists and
users. Not only
that, but there are
a few extras that
only members get
access to. The
key element that
I found to make this truly unique was
that you could correspond back and
forth with Roger on a personal level.
He doesn’t just send his training videos
to you and leave you there to figure it
all out by yourself.
Some people heard I was writ-
ing an article about Roger and since
then, I have been getting emails from
complete strangers telling me how dear
and special Roger is to them, and what
an impact he has had on the vocal
community. I’d have to say I was the
most impressed with Roger and how he
uses his talents, patience, the Internet
and his passion to help inspire artists
and individuals all over the world.
For more information, or to con-
tact Roger, visit: www.RogerBurnley.
com”

58 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
 Inner Accent
Discovering Your
They say laughter is the best medi-
cine; well it is also a terrific teaching
tool. This is the motto that Claudette
Roche, the Accent Coach, lives by. And
her raw talent for discerning and teach-
ing the way we speak is nothing to joke
about.
Born in London, England, Claudette moved to
Montreal, then Toronto, Canada before making Los Angeles
home. Consequently, she found her accent ever changing
as she adapted to her new surroundings. She developed a
love and respect for accents and an exceptionally keen ear
for phonetics from living in four of the most cosmopolitan
cities in the world.

Claudette is an award winning actress and a veteran

of stage and screen, as well. She has appeared on more
than 100 television shows, numerous theatrical plays and
many commercials throughout her career, using her gift for
accents to create a broad range of characters in many of By: Brea Tisdale
her roles. She draws on her own experience when working
with actors to help develop full characters.

She states, “Foreign actors working here need Claudette teaches well-established and
an American accent. It’s crucial to being versatile aspiring actors, working one-on-one in her of-
www.twitter.com/TheAccentCoach
www.theaccentcoach.com

and more cast-able.” As her students’ testimonials fice, on film/TV production sets or via Skype.
attest, she is astonishingly adept at teaching the She adds, “ There’s no accent I can’t do or
way we Americans really speak. Her attention to teach.” As part of her dedication, she’s in con-
detail is impressive, pointing out to me how we very tact with people from all over the globe, absorbing
often use the word ‘innernet’ for ‘internet’, removing their delicate lilts and rhythms. And she generously
the middle T and barely using the final T. And ‘I’ll Tweets accent how-tos every week.
go’ becomes ‘all go’. She picks up on the slightest
Claudette encourages actors to build a rep-
sounds that many Americans don’t notice we make.
ertoire. Her advice, “Assess your look and learn
Fascinating.
accents for which you will most likely be cast. Be
And Claudette’s foreign accent repertoire is prepared to land that next role, no matter what the
amazing. As we chatted, she spoke in a perfectly accent. Book the PAHT and become a STAH.”
neutral American accent but in a flash she switched
to Cockney, Irish, New York, French, Texan, Chinese,
Jamaican and Russian. And what’s so wonderful isn’t
just that she can do accents, it’s that she can teach
them. Within 15 seconds, her accessible technique
had me speaking with a British accent. She wrote
down the word PART and then underneath, wrote
PAHT, saying, “AH is the sound you make when you
see a cute baby.” It’s this rare combination of charm
and talent that sets her aside, it’s not something
we’re all born with. It’s a true gift.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 59
 San Francisco
LA meets
When looking for
www.voiceoneonline.com
good voice-over and
acting training, Los
Angeles and New
York usually top
the list. That is un-
til I found Voice One in
San Francisco. For over
twenty years, Voice One
has offered a compre-
hensive voice-over and
acting training program.
Under the direction of owner/founder
and author of the best selling voice-
over book, There’s Money Where
Your Mouth Is, Elaine Clark offers a
one-stop-shop to learn how to make
money as a professional voice-over, stage, film,
and commercial actor.
Why San Francisco rather than LA? Well, the City
(that’s what the locals call it) has it all. It’s known
for its creative ad agencies. In fact, many consider
San Francisco the 4th largest market in advertising
after LA, NY, and Chicago. Silicon Valley, home to
By: Brea Tisdale
many high tech companies like Apple, Google, Ebay,
and Yahoo, provides a wealth of corporate narration
and on-camera spokesperson jobs. The video game
industry, which started in the Bay Area, is thriving.
Toy companies like Leap Frog guarantee toy voice
work for many local actors. The independent film
business is steady and TV shows, like Trauma, hire
local actors. Plus, the Bay Area has little compa-
nies like Pixar, Lucas Arts, Skywalker Sound, and
Electronic Arts in its backyard.
The driving force behind Voice One, Elaine
Clark, is an award winning actor, director, producer,
teacher and playwright. She is a member of SAG
and AFTRA and has performed in hundreds of voice-
over and on-camera commercials, industrial narrations, video
60 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
games, toys, films and TV. Voice One also performs produc-
tion services in casting, directing, and recording.
Curriculum at Voice One is based on four major com-
ponents: Sub-text, Technique, Spontaneity, and Style. Core
curriculum classes include four tracks: Commercial, Narration,
Character, and Business/Marketing. Classes are ongoing
throughout the year. During the summer, Voice
One offers a three-week Summer Fast Track.
It includes one full week each of commercial,
narration, and character classes. Students from
all over the world (including Japan, Germany,
China, Canada, and Mexico) train at Voice
One.
Every teacher at Voice One is a working
professional – actor, producer, director, tal-
ent agent, casting director, or engineer - with
real life experiences and knowledge to share.
Classes are designed to help students become
professional actors or at the very least be-
come better communicators. What I learned in
talking to Ms. Clark is that the job of a great
communicator is to engage the audience, make
them feel the message, and take action. That, it turns out,
is harder than you think!
Average class size is around a dozen people but var-
ies based on class structure. The place to start, Intro to
Voice-Over and Acting, is offered every six weeks or so.
Investment is only $30. Weekends and evenings are primary
class times.
Voice One provides a supportive, nurturing environ-
ment that offers students with the tools and strengths
they need to become working professionals in the voice-
over and acting business. So whether you are new to the
business or want to improve your skills, Voice One in San
Francisco has you covered. Indeed, like the title of Ms.
Clark’s book, “There’s Money Where Your Mouth Is!” To
learn more about Voice One, check out www.voiceoneon-
line.com, call 415.974.1103, or email vone@aol.com.
 training takes the form of a dedi-
cated vocal coach who inspires her
students to think outside the box..
In today’s professional environment
it isn’t good enough to be good.
You must bring something fresh and
original to the table. Tapping into
your uniqueness and authenticity is
what makes us hirable and gives our
careers longevity.
In her Alhambra studio Suzanne
trains students to do just that. “It all
begins with developing sound vocal
technique,” says Suzanne referring
to her use of the time-honored Bel
Canto method, “The speak-
ing and the singing voice
are the same voice. There is
one voice; but many styles
of singing.” Suzanne guides
We profes-
Voice with Song
Connecting
years of what Suzanne humbly refers
to as “on the job training” in over 28
shows on and off Broadway, Tours,
including a sixteen year affiliation with
the Disney Company, are the founda-
tion for her practical approach. “It’s
all air compression. In singing, your
body is the instrument; your voice is
the music. You sing with a still open
throat. It takes both physical and men-
tal coordination to accomplish this,
much like playing tennis or dancing,”
explains Suzanne. Summing up, she
adds, “When a student stops listening
to the sound of his or her own voice

her students through the

sionals all discovery of this connec-
tion navigating the technical
know how requirements of the music
crucial it which paves the way for cre-
ating compelling moments in
is to find your performance. “This is
training what engages the listener—
critics, casting directors, mu-
that pro- sical directors, and audience
pels us members included. It’s those
to break moments that tip the balance
in your favor and separates
through you from the other hundred
our barri- people they’ve heard,” ex-
plains Suzanne. “Which is
ers of ex- exactly what happened in

By: Brea Tisdale

pectations my career. I was cast in the
first Broadway show I audi-
and craft tioned for. I was the only
to possi- one called back out of the
bilities that three hundred other singers
auditioning that day because
otherwise I had a moment that stood
lie just out from the crowd.”

outside Suzanne points out

that today’s talent are no
our grasp. longer given the same op-
For those who
portunity for preparation as
study and work
in the days of the Hollywood
with Suzanne
studio system when studios
Lukather, that
took young talent under their
and starts focusing on the visceral ex-
wings and trained them to
perience of singing, they are on the
sing, dance, and act. This
right track.”
system produced stars
like Gene Kelly and Fred Suzanne struck me at first im-
Astaire, who were not pri-
pression, as someone who is honest,
marily singers, but had the
passionate, and confident. I am happy
voice training to introduce
some of the most famous to report after getting to know her
standards in the Great more, first impressions are lasting.
American Songbook.
Suzanne Lukather’s professional
Suzanne’s undergradu- affiliations include AEA, SAG, AFM, and
ate and post-graduate study NATS.
at University of California
and Julliard as well as thirty Studio contact: 800.676.5204

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 61
 “The Science
of Switching”
Steven Memel, one
of our Top Picks for vo-

By: Brea Tisdale

cal technique and perfor-
mance coaches, is leading
a New Revolution. He is
the energy behind and the
inventor of “The Science
of Switching On.” This new
and disruptive technology
is a step-by-step approach
that brings together the vi-
tal elements every artist
must have. It’s the magical
interplay between technical,
emotional, mental, and en-
ergetic elements that make
unforgettable, compelling
He doesn’t’ buy into the idea that there is
performances. right or wrong when it comes to art, there is just
you. He believes that in order to get the most out
I was able to speak with Steven last week and
of your voice you have to develop all parts of
found myself enlightened by what he had to say. I dis-
yourself. “The Science of Switching On,” is the first
covered that he became a teacher at the young age
system that integrates the physical, mental, emo-
of 19 years old. It happened by chance in College;
tional, and energetic parts to deliver the best you.
a teacher pulled him aside and told him that he was
too qualified to be in the class. Steven needed the Steven is committed to
easy credit so he struck a deal with the professor. being a contribution to his
Steven taught part of the class for the rest of the students, and most impor-
semester; and that was when and where the magic tantly to the world. Steven
began. has the ability to open the
door to spontaneous cre-
Steven’s belief in people is beyond extraordinary.
ativity that gives way to im-
He truly believes that there is only one art, and that
mediate transformation. His
art is you. What is refreshing is that Steven doesn’t
students literally step over
adhere to most rules, he finds them limiting. The prin-
the line from good to great.
ciples behind the “The Science of Switching On” are
Steven works with Singers,
based on methods that break patterns and literally
Actors, Voiceover Artists and
take the mask off traditional voice and performance
Public Speakers.
coaching.

62 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
HW’s Top Picks for Acting Coaches
Your Artistic
Community
By: Brea Tisdale
As an actor, one is always
looking for a trusted solid com-
munity one can be apart of. A
community that will allow them
to spread their wings, and grow
as a person and as an actor.
Unfortunately for some they fall in
the wrong place and fortunately
for others they fall into a place
that is established and trusted, The
Beverly Hills Playhouse.
The BHP is one of Los Angeles’
oldest and most respected acting
www.bhplayhouse.com
schools. Founded by renowned
director and teacher Milton
Katselas, the BHP has for over thirty
years offered ongoing intensive
scene-study classes for both the
professional actor and those who
are looking to develop themselves
into professional actors.
The BHP trains actors in a
down-to-earth fashion, with easily
applied techniques to create full,
believable performances that en-
lighten and entertain. In addition
to its approach to Acting, the BHP
instructs its students in the areas
of Career Administration and the
proper Attitude that will help you
survive and handle any negativity
that comes up in the pursuit of a
life in the arts.
Breaking into the entertain-
ment industry is hard enough, so
don’t let the training and guid-
ance you choose be a burden,
trust a place that was trusted by
so many others.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 63
Lesly’s
Non- Method
www.leslykahn.com
Lesly Kahn & Company is
not a conservatory program
promoting love and passion for
the craft of being unemployed!
Most acting schools teach one
of the several derivatives of
Method Acting (like Strasberg,
Adler, Meisner, etc) For those of
you unfamiliar with it, Method is
an acting technique originated
by Stanislavski at the Moscow
Art Theatre in Russia in the late
1800’s. It’s an incredible thing,
but it’s also old. More impor-
tantly- it was created for the
stage before film and television
exsited. Method acting prob-
ably isn’t the reason an actor
quites college/ the family busi-
ness and/ or pissed off their par-
ents/ dumped their high school
sweetheart to do.
So what do people come
to Lesly Kahn for? They come to
64 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
get an audition today and be
able to book it tomorrow, to in-
stantly figure out what the writer
wrote and make it their own. To
learn to immediately translate
casting director “language”
into actor “language”- so that
you can execute the requested
adjustments. Here you will also
learn to survive the ups and
downs of life as an actor and
conquer.
At LK and Company you
will rarely hear about actions,
objectives, substitution or sense
memory. There will be no per-
sonal objects, no repetition or
private moments. At Lesly Kahn
they are teaching you to be
prepared for real life situations
you will face as an actor in Los
Angeles in 2010. So ditch the
method, because it won’t get
you the job!

Acting Fire
www.kimberlyjentzen.com
In acting, we often hear
CD’s, directors and coaches
talk about listening, connect-
ing and finding your center.
Actors have to stay grounded
and learn to navigate through
life experiences, emotions and
fears. We don’t come out of
the womb prepared to go
after a career in acting; we
need someone to guide and
direct us. We need a teacher
who can help us tap into our
creative force and access our
inner-selves.
Luckily, actors in Los
Angeles have premier act-
ing coach, Kimberly Jentzen.
Jentzen has been coaching
successful film, television and
theatre actors for more than
twenty years. She has been
featured in numerous publi-
cations and voted “Favorite
Acting Coach” in Los Angeles
How to Ignite Your
By: Brea Tisdale
multiple times. Jentzen cap- Jentzen has created a
tures the essence of artistry in unique series of Power Tools
each individual, incorporating that enable actors to go be-
Chekhov, Adler, Strasberg and yond their limits to bring out
Meisner - she is THE expert in ar- their best performance. “The
tistic creation. Jentzen Technique” generates
consistently strong auditions
Jentzen’s students
and characters that stand out
have booked roles on hit TV
from the pack. “A career is
shows such as Dexter, Lost,
built on one good audition after
Flashforward, The Forgotten,
another,” says Jentzen. “When
Grey’s Anatomy, Madmen,
you consistently give better
Heroes and 24 and in feature
and better auditions, you gen-
films including The Notebook,
erate the confidence to create
Confessions of a Dangerous
professional breakthroughs.”
Mind, Flags of our Fathers,
She goes on to explain that a
Zodiac and Resident Evil, to
great actor doesn’t get caught
name just a few. Under her
watching themselves, but rath-
tutelage, her actors have also
er lives into the life of the role.
gone on to star in Broadway
productions such as Rent and Just by talking with Kimberly
Mama Mia. Jentzen, one will begin to feel
empowered, feel that little act-
Classes start with a warm-
ing light inside begin to flicker.
up, a visualization exercise
Jentzen believes there is a fire
that connects actors internally
inside all of us and that we must
and channels their imagina-
find the energy that ignites it.
tion and concentration. She
Her book, Acting with Impact:
teaches techniques that build
Power Tools to Ignite the Actor’s
the actor’s process: scene
Passion will be available soon
work, monologues and cold
and is a must read for anyone
readings as well as on-camera
wanting to find their fire.
work, charac-
ter develop-
ment and script
breakdown.
Actors develop
confidence and
hone the skills
necessary to
book jobs and
build successful
careers.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 65
Discovering
The Playground
www.theplaygroundlosangeles.com
They say kids are some of
the most honest people, they
haven’t been around long
enough to be “tainted” or jad-
ed by society. They don’t un-
derstand tact, or the concept
behind a “white lie.” They are
real, honest and define the def-
inition of living in the moment.
For Gary Spatz, Director
of the “The Playground”, this is
exactly what he does. When I
met Gary I walked into what
looked like the most amazing
place to hang out, play, dis-
cover and find my inner child.
His studio consists of multiple
rooms, with different types of
sets, and “playgrounds.” Even
though it was silent when I was
there, I could tell these walls
were graced with the presence
of innocent creativity, laugh-
ing children and kids learning
what it is to be an actor.
Gary says it is his privilege
to be working with children. He
spends all his weekend down
at the studio, running around
“The Playground”. Spatz ex-
plains teaching children is
66 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
By: Brea Tisdale
unique because they absorb involve into the superstars we
so much, so you are inevita- all know them as.
bly making a large impact
The challenges Gary and
on who they will become.
the teachers (who by the way
Spatz explains that kids keep
are all actors themselves) find
you grounded, forcing you
is that you have to keep ev-
to be a better teacher, more
erything playful. Gary says that
engaged, conquering chal-
acting is a child’s art form,
lenges. You have to keep the
adults have to give themselves
children constantly involved,
permission to pretend, children
so they aren’t “skipping” out
on the other hand, are escap-
on you. So he is constantly up-
ing reality at all times. They will
dating his material and lessons,
trust in the reality that you tell
in fact he has a huge library
them to be true. So when they
scripts ranging from television
escape to the moments on the
shows, past and present, films
script, they exist in this world,
and theatre. So there is always
they are apart of it.
something for everyone, allow-
ing a young actor to really ex- Let’s be honest though
pand his or her wings. dealing with children can be
very difficult at times too, it
Gary worked as an acting
takes a special person to be
coach and creative consultant
able to do the things Gary
on the Mickey Mouse Club,
Spatz does. He has the es-
and he said it was such a plea-
sence of a child, the insight of
sure to watch the kids (which
an adult, and a heart of gold.
I think we all know who these
The magic that happens over
very famous group of young
at The Playground you can tell
ones are) stay on the path and
is real, honest and empower-
continue their journey. I sup-
ing, if I wasn’t 25 years old I
pose that is one of the major
would have been down at The
benefits to coaching young
Playground myself!
children, you get to see them
tHe World of
imagination
www.stuartrogersstudios.com
You don’t have to travel
all the way to Russia to learn
about some of the wonderful
things to come from there (and
no I am not talking just about
Vodka). Here in Los Angeles
you can find someone who
is founded in the teachings
of Stanislavski, Chekhov and
many other incredible Russian
acting teachers, that set the
foundation for what is know as
“the method”. Locally, Stuart
Rogers has his studio founded
in the core and “imagination”
of these great Russian acting
teachers.
Stuart is a third generation
entertainment professional;
coming from a father who was
a prominent theatre producer.
Stuart himself was an actor for
12 years and was a member of
the Circle Rep. Theatre; in fact
he has been in over 50 equity
plays. Not only did Stuart em-
brace himself into the perfor-
mance aspect of things, he
also put himself through the
entire spectrum of the film
and theatre; from sweeping
the floors, to stage-managing,
writing, directing and produc-
ing. Eventually leading him to
have his own theatre company
By: Brea Tisdale
here in Los Angeles; Theatre
Tribe- www.theathretribe.com
At Stuart Rogers studio
. Which he won an Ovation
you will find yourself filled with
award for directing and has
knowledge, experience, cre-
been nominated for several
ative growth and chance
Circle Awards.
to really enter the world of
So what makes his teach- imagination.
ing so special? The classes are
no more than 26 people, and
the students are put together
not based on how long they
have been there, or any sort
of interview process. They are
placed with people that are
at the same level of them
professionally. So you truly
are surrounded by a group
of your peers, meaning the
things that you are experienc-
ing and going through profes-
sionally, everyone around you
in your class is going through
the same thing. You grow with
your professional experience.
Another thing I enjoyed about
Stuart’s set-up was that all of
the teachers involved in the
studio are not teaching be-
cause they couldn’t make it
as an actor, they all at some
point made it as an actor and
are teaching because they
want to be teaching, not be-
cause they have to.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 67
 Exploring Your Voice
www.dialectsandvoice.com
www.methodsworkshops.com Sometimes we let our nerves,
feelings or just plain lack of
knowledge get in the way of let-
ting our true ‘voice’ come out.
Understanding one’s voice and
how to use it properly is the most
important tool one has when giv-
ing a speech, communicating on
a daily level or most importantly
when acting.
Actors are not only sometimes
required to speak in different dia-
lects; they must be understood/
heard by the audience. To bet-
ter do this one needs to explore
how their breath works inside their
body to produce speech. This
can seem overwhelming to any-
one who is thinking of working with
the voice as a means to reach a
deeper or different level of acting,
however with the help of Amy Sue
Fall this process can be much less
daunting and perhaps even fun.
Amy Sue is a certified Associate
Teacher of Fitzmaurice voice
work® and a certified Colaianni
Speech Practitioner. She received
her MFA from Roosevelt University
Conservatory in Chicago &
Linklater trained by a Master
Designated Linklater Teacher.
Amy Sue was introduced to
Louis Colaianni when having prob-
lems with a dialect teacher. A
friend of hers recommended him
and put them in touch. Through
Louis and his “phonetic pillow”
technique, Amy Sue fell (even
deeper) in love with voice and
speech work. After apprenticing
with him, she started teaching
Louis’s work at universities across
the US, but eventually the warmer
weather called and she made
the move to Los Angeles seven
years ago.
68 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
By: Brea Tisdale
Amy owns and teaches out
of Isis Studio just a few miles north
of the No Ho Arts District. In addi-
tion, she is a dialects, voice and
speech teacher at the Idyllwild
Arts Academy and just finished
coaching CSUN Opera, “Street
Scene”. By combining Fitzmaurice
with all that she has learned along
her journey she has developed her
own unique way to help students
and clients access their emotions
and bring those emotions onto
text. Amy Sue strives for truth; so
much so that what she works to-
wards in her teaching is honesty.
One can be truthful in what they
say, but it may not always be
honest.
Amy Sue is constantly grow-
ing and learning herself, from
other teachers and from working
directly with people. She believes
in the importance of constantly
expanding and moving forward
yet always staying in a very honest
‘space.’ To this end she has cre-
ated the “Methods Workshops”.
Here she gathers teachers from
around the globe, from different
English speaking disciplines (voice,
speech, Shakespeare, movement
etc.) to teach together in one
week. This allows dedicated stu-
dents an “all in one” studio train-
ing experience by working directly
with Masters of a specific field.
Amy Sue Fall believes in the
power of the Voice and has the
love, honesty and dedication to
back up her extensive training
and certification.
 Let’s Make Believe
www.aaronspeiser.com
Let’s face it Los Angeles is
home to the land of entertain-
ment, dreams and endless pos-
sibilities. Many of us come here
to try and “make” it. Trying to
achieve what everyone back at
home said was impossible, scary
or “too risky.” The problem is dis-
covering what is real and what is
someone trying to take advan-
tage of you? Especially for ac-
tors, where does one go to find a
good mentor, someone who will
guide them and teach them in
an honest way? And when they
do find these teachers, are they
going to give them the tools to
work professionally or are they
only going to teach them how
to rehearse and perform in a
closed private classroom?
Enter Aaron Speiser, a man
who truly is inspiring and infor-
mative to listen to. I found myself
getting off the phone with Aaron
wanting to know more, learn
more, discover more. Aaron has
15 years experience as an actor;
he got his MFA on the east coast,
where he continued to perform
in countless Broadway shows.
He finished his studies at the Uta
Hagen studio. Speiser made it
his point to understand all the
techniques out there on acting,
because he believes techniques
are a process to get you to living
in the imagination in the script.
He likes to minimize the faking
and use the imagination, when
talking and listening. Saying it’s
about knowing how to make the
imagination real, his bottom line
is “make yourself believe.”
The unique thing about
Aaron is his specialty is film and
television since we are locat-
ed in Los Angeles, the hub of
Film and TV. He believes this is
the 21st century and that there
should be no rehearsal, in fact
he doesn’t let any of his students
rehearse, he says that in the real
world, you don’t have the luxury
By: Brea Tisdale
of multiple rehearsals. It is of up
most importance to him that his
students be prepared for the
real world, be prepared to be a
working, paid actor. It’s also very
important to him that every one
of his teachers at the school are
teachers, not “part time” actors.
He says that if you are a teach-
er, than you are committed to
teaching and to the training of
teaching the craft.
Most of Aaron’s students are
with the studio for two years, and
he says that when they leave
they are ready for the profes-
sional world and not the world of
class. Aaron knows the hard work
and dedication it takes to being
an actor and he knows how to
harness, prepare and achieve
results to get actors ready for the
working environment.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 69
 60 beers | full bar | kitchen
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70 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
 Shaun Twiddy

New Talent
Aloha, meet 10-year-
old Shaun Twiddy
from Hawaii

He is an actor, model,
singer, ukulele player,
bowler and aspiring
director.

By the first grade, he

had already gotten
a role as an extra on
“Lost.” Shaun was
very curious about
how television shows
are produced, and how
the cameramen and
Hair color: black director work.
Eye color: brown Shaun’s agent believes
Height: 4’ 6” Shaun will be the next
Ron Howard because
Weight: 62 lbs of this. He also likes
being in front of the
camera and meeting
Cell: (808) 368-7993 new friends.

jntwiddy@hawaii.rr.com

email: LRUEM@Yahoo.com (310) 836-2446 Beverly Hills (773) 973-1251 Chicago

ADVERTISE WITH HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY!

(32 3 ) 9 6 5 - 0 5 5 5
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 71
72 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
 actress/model:

sia
darmos

Contact:uem
management:(310)836-2446
email:modelmgr@gmail.com
siadarmos@yahoo.com
Credit:speeddemonPhotography.com

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 73
74 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
 actress/model:

sHar monroe

Contact:uem
management:(310)836-2446
email:modelmgr@gmail.com
sharmonroe@gmail.com

Photo Credit: Patrick Bastien Photography

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 75
 THEATER
la tHeatre Beat
Winter is finally here, and though
it’s really cold now for southern
California, our local theatres are hot-
ter than ever with new shows, like:
“Island of Brilliance” the play revolves around Eve,
a unique young college woman who displays unusual hon-
esty and generosity. When her older sister (who has an
IQ of forty) begins reciting poetry, her life is disrupted
in a complex series of events that shape Eve’s future.
Written by Dawn O’Leary and directed by Wynn Marlow, it
runs December 2 through January 16 at Pacific Resident
Theatre in Venice. For tickets call 310-822-8392 or visit
www.pacificresidenttheatre.com
“Remembering The Ladies” salutes the legendary
ladies with song, story and film clips, featuring memorable
moments from the legendary careers of Judy Garland,
Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, Debbie Reynolds, Carol
Channing, Shirley Bassey, Liza Minnelli, Lucille Ball, Lena
Horne, Peggy Lee, Edith Piaf and more. Written by Toni
Morrell and directed by Karen G. Cadle, it runs December
2 through December 31 at the El Portal Theatre in North
Hollywood. For tickets call 818-508-4200 or visit www.
elportaltheatre.com.
“Traveling Carnival Freakshow” A holiday-themed
show featuring an amalgam of elements of theatre, dance,
burlesque and cabaret. Written by Chelsea Sutton and
76 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
By STEVE ZAll ANd SId FISH
Questa Gleason and directed by Chelsea Sutton, it runs
December 3 through December 19 at The Eclectic Company
Theatre in Valley Village. For tickets call 818-508-3003
or visit www.eclecticcompanytheatre.org.
“Radio City Christmas Spectacular” The West
coast production was specifically designed for large-scale
venues and replicates on a grand scale the exact produc-
tion of The Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall.
Audiences are taken on a theatrical journey that the entire
family can enjoy together. Children thrill as Santa takes
the audience on a magical sleigh ride to the North Pole,
while parents marvel at the unparalleled precision dance
of the Radio City Rockettes. The Christmas Spectacular is
truly unique in its universal appeal to people of all ages.
From small children to grandparents, this dazzling holiday
production is guaranteed to bring smiles to their faces and
help create wonderful family memories to last a lifetime.
The production is enhanced by an immense LED screen
that transports the audience from a wintry landscape to
Times Square to Santa’s Workshop right before their very
eyes. The larger than life sets and awe-inspiring special
effects allow families to connect with both the intimacy
and grandness of The Christmas Spectacular as they are
immersed in the warmth and grandeur of the holiday
spirit. From the moment guests settle into their seats,
the audience becomes part of the spectacular’s magical
experience. Fan-favorites like the legendary “Parade of the
Wooden Soldiers,” which continues to set the standard as
the signature Rockette number for precision performance,
and the “Living Nativity” remain a vital part of the show’s
core. And the Rockettes will undoubtedly bring the audi-
ence to their feet with a Rockette finale “Let Christmas
Shine,” which honors and celebrates the Rockettes as the
stars of the show. Directed and choreographed by Linda
Haberman, it runs December 6 through December 7 at
the Honda Center in Anaheim, and December 9 through
December 12 at the Nokia Theatre LA Live in Los Angeles.
For tickets call 800-745-3000 or visit www.ticketmas-
ter.com.
“Bullshot Crummond and the Invisible Bride of
Death” Vile Teutonic arch-villain Otto Von Bruno and his
femme fatale companion Lenya have gained control of a
powerful and effective invisibility formula. They pursue a are to be hunted, thrown into prison or killed. Can the
fiendish plot to steal the Crown Jewels of Britain as they Animal Kingdom ban together and save the Wolf’s tail
plan a course to achieve world domination. Only two peo- in time? The story is humorous, with a message that
ple stand in the way of the wicked Von Bruno and Lenya: is universal. Written and directed by Vinnie Torrente, it
The intrepid adventurer Bullshot Crummond, champion of runs through December 12 at the Raven Theatre in North
all that is good and British - and his beautiful bride Hollywood. For tickets call 323-960-7726 or visit www.
Rosemary. But to retrieve the Crown Jewels, Bullshot and plays411.com/theanimals.
Rosemary must not only defeat Von Bruno and Lenya, but
also the Moroccan terrorist and self-rule fanatic Al Shaitan
and his army of cutthroats. Written and directed by Ron
House, it runs December 10 through January 16 at the
Whitmore-Lindley Theatre in North Hollywood. For tickets
call 800-595-4849 or visit www.bullshotisback.com.

“The First Jo-el” is a comedic parody of the story

of the nativity with the help of Piano Man, Billy Joel. Let
go of that New York State of Mind, and Say Goodbye to
Hollywood, and hello to Bethlehem! She’s Got a pregnant
Way About Her, but when they Tell Her About It that
there’s no room at the inn, Joseph and Mary are Movin’
Out to the manger. Come out and enjoy yourself for The
Longest Time! Written and directed by Matt Walker, it runs
December 10 through January 16 at the Falcon Theatre
in Burbank. For tickets call 818-955-8101 or visit www. “Uptown Downtown” Leslie Uggams stars in this
falcontheatre.com. dazzling musical evening where, in stories and song, she
recreates her extraordinary journey from uptown to down-
“Julia” set against a crumbling urban backdrop, this town, from Mitch Miller to “Roots,” from the Apollo Theater
is a touching and tender examination of a fifty-year-old to Broadway. Directed by Michael Bush with musical direc-
love – lost and reclaimed. Written by Vince Melocchi and tion by Don Rebic, it runs through December 12 at the
directed by Guillermo Cienfuegos, it runs December 11 Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena. For tickets call 626-
through January 30 at Pacific Resident Theatre in Venice. 356-7529 or visit www.pasadenaplayhouse.org.
For tickets call 310-822-8392 or visit www.pacificresi-
denttheatre.com “Broadway Holiday” features much loved holiday
tunes as well as hits ranging from classic shows such as
“Calligraphy” Take one part stable cousin in Los My Fair Lady and South Pacific, through groundbreakers
Angeles, one part sexy blonde-wig-sporting cousin in Tokyo, like West Side Story and Chicago, to current blockbusters
and two parts aging mothers. Add ice, tension, shake it up, like Jersey Boys, and Wicked – performed by five top per-
and serve. Written by Velena Hasu Houston and directed formers from Broadway and a three-piece band. Created
by Jon Lawrence Rivera, it runs through December 12 at by Neil Berg, it runs December 17 through January 2 at
Los Angeles Theatre Center in Los Angeles. For tickets the Gil Cates Theater in the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood
call 866-411-4111 or visit www.thelatc.com. Village. For tickets call 310-208-5454 or visit www.gef-
fenplayhouse.com.
“Nightsong for the Boatman” Harry Appleman, an
aging, washed-up poet, plays dice with fate and loses.
Through various cunning contrivances, he tries to avoid
his mortality. He discovers his humanity when he learns
he can’t sacrifice his daughter, but a tricky graduate stu-
dent will do. Written by Jovanka Bach and directed by
John Stark, it runs through December 12 at the Odyssey
Theatre in West Los Angeles. For tickets call 310-477-
2055 or visit www.odysseytheatre.com.

“Cinderella: A Musical Extravaganza” takes the

“The Animals and Me” is about the rights of all
mankind, as seen through the eyes of animals, as Wolf
and his family are stripped of everything they own. They
traditional children’s fairytale and sets it to today’s music
and places it in a unique setting that has a comical twist
and incredible magic such as a pumpkin turning into a
carriage with real live ponies right before your very eyes.
Produced and directed by The Lythgoe Family, it runs
through December 19 at the El Portal Theatre in North
Hollywood. For tickets call 818-508-4200 or visit www.
elportaltheatre.com.
“A Christmas Carol” is an all-new musical adapta-
tion of the classic Christmas story. Written by Charles

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 77
Dickens and directed by Christina Harris, it runs through
December 23 at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra
Madre. For tickets call 626-355-4318 or visit www.sier-
ramadreplayhouse.org.
“Rock with You, The King of Pop’s Latin Side” is a
celebration of music and dance masterpieces made famous
by the late, great Michael Jackson, done with a Latino beat
and re-orchestrated in rhythms such as Salsa, Cha-cha-cha,
Merengue, Bachata, Reggaeton and even some Latin Hip
Hop. Written and directed by Seaon Stylist Bristol, it runs
December 23 through January 2 at the El Portal Theatre in
North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-508-4200 or visit
www.elportaltheatre.com.
“A Christmas Carol” is a musical adaptation of
the classic holiday tale. Written by Charles Dickens and
directed by Tim Dietlein, it runs through December 24 at
the Glendale Centre Theatre in Glendale. For tickets call
818-244-8481 or visit www.glendalecentretheatre.com.
“A Christmas Carol” is the traditional staging of the
classic holiday tale with many of the familiar actors seen
in this production in previous years. Written by Charles
Dickens and directed by John-David Keller, it runs through
December 26 at the South Coast Repertory theatre in
Costa Mesa. For tickets call 714-708-5555 or visit www.
scr.org.
“Sweet Mama String Bean: A Celebration of Blues
Woman Ethel Waters” is about legendary performer Ethel
Waters, star of radio, TV, Broadway and feature films, who
was the daughter of a 12-year-old rape victim, but worked
her way up through vaudeville to become a celebrated
blues singer and star in 12 Broadway productions, ulti-
mately becoming one of the highest paid entertainers in
America. Written by Vallimar Jansen and William L. Stout, it
runs through December 31 at the Fremont Centre Theatre
78 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
in South Pasadena. For tickets call 866-811-4111 or visit
www.fremontcentretheatre.com.
“Daddy Long Legs” is an exquisitely moving story of
a young orphan girl named Jerusha as she blossoms into
a beautiful, intelligent and vivacious woman at the turn of
the last century. A trustee of the John Grier Orphanage of-
fers Jerusha a proper education, but the benefactor’s only
requirements are that Jerusha never know his identity, and
that she write him monthly (though he will not respond).
She sees him once in shadows and invents a nickname
for her mysterious patron—Daddy Long Legs. Her letters
to him paint a moving portrait of her lonely life in the or-
phanage, the development of her mind and spirit, and the
growing personal relationship that she develops with her
unseen benefactor. Written by John Caird and Paul Gordon,
it runs through December 26 at the Laguna Playhouse in
Laguna. For tickets call 949-497-2787 or visit www.
LagunaPlayhouse.com.
“Inspecting Carol” when a financially-strapped
Midwestern regional theater company is informed that their
annual endowment grant is in question, and an inspector
will be paying a visit to decide their fate, a case of mistak-
en identity wreaks havoc and puts a riotous spin on their
already unusual version of “A Christmas Carol.” Written by
Daniel Sullivan and The Seattle Repertory Company and
directed by Chris Winfield, it runs through January 2 at the
Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood. For tickets
call 818-700-4878 or visit www.thegrouprep.com.
“West Side Story” this musical follows the doomed
love story of two star-crossed lovers from rival gangs - the
Jets (a working-class white gang) and the Sharks (first-
generation Puerto Ricans). Tony, a member of the Jets,
falls in love with Maria, sister of Bernardo, the leader of
the Sharks. Directed by David Saint and choreographed by
Joey McKneely, it runs through January 2 at the Pantages
Theatre in Hollywood. For tickets call 800-982-2787 or
visit www.broadwayla.org.
la tHeatre Beat

Happy Holidays

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our publishers, ed-

itors, and support staff, for their tireless, ongoing efforts devoted
to making this column available to our readers each month. merry
Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all!

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