Bronco Billy – The Musical (2019)
Book by Dennis Hackin
Music and Lyrics by Chip Rosenbloom, John Torres
Additional Lyrics by Michele Brourman
Musical Director: Anthony Lucca
Choreographer: Janet Roston
Produced by Gary Grossman, Tony Abatemarco
Directed by Hunter Bird
A brand new musical –
THE STORY: The country’s going crazy; partisan politics, civil rights threatened, technology exploding. That's right, it's 1979! Somewhere in America’s heartland, with more heart than sense, Bronco Billy struggles to keep his traveling Wild West show alive. But when Billy and his ragtag troupe of misfits meet Antoinette, a Manhattan heiress on-the-run, the ride gets even wilder as she turns Billy’s world upside down.
Based on the Warner Bros. Motion Picture written by Dennis E. Hackin
By special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures
Opening Night Photos available at LA ARTS ONLINE.
Check out our Behind the Scenes photos and videos on our Social Media channels.
SCHEDULE
Skylight Theatre
May 10 - July 21, 2019
Opening Night May 18, 2019
WORLD PREMIERE
2018-2019 Season
REVIEWS
A FUN ‘BRONCO BILLY’ roams the Wild West to a disco beat… manages to tug at the heartstrings with its notions about dreamers intent on making their lives — and, possibly, the world — a little bit better.
- LA Times
SPECTACULAR world premiere two-steps its way to Fame at the Skylight Theatre. I cannot offer enough superlative-laden adjectives to describe the brilliance of the cast. No doubt the performances are going to sell out. - Broadway World
L.A. MUSICAL THEATER AT ITS RIP-ROARING BEST. Quite possibly the most tuneful and entertaining L.A. cast Broadway hopeful since Sister Act. Infectiously crowd-pleasing. WOW!
- Stage Scene LA
TOP TEN. SPLENDID MUSIC, SINGING AND DANCING...smartly directed...performed with infectious élan by the ensemble. RECOMMENDED - Stage Raw
IT'S WHOLLY ORIGINAL. The American West, The American Dream, and The American Experience rolled into a rollicking musical comedy is just what we need. - Stage and Cinema
The END CAME TOO SOON; I was enjoying it that much. Kudos to the writing team. I just went and bought tickets to see it again.
- CA Highways
COMEDY IS KING in Bronco Billy - The Musical. It’s got bells and whistles, romance, danger, and disaster, yet it never loses sight of its humanity...and good old-fashioned fun. - Musicals In LA
2019
THE ARTISTS OF BRONCO BILLY
Dennis Hackin
Book
Novelist, Screenwriter, Playwright and Producer Dennis Hackin is an author of screenplays and novels and is the founder of The Invisible Theatre in Tucson, AZ and a Vietnam vet. Hackin wrote and co- produced the film version of his novel Bronco Billy with Neal Dobrofsky, as a homage to his parents who wanted to be cowboys and moved their city slicker family from Chicago to Arizona to live out their dreams. The film was released on Warner Bros. in 1980.
Other novels by Hackin include: Star Boy, Android Roy The Paranoid Androidand H: Forbidden Love.
Chip Rosenbloom
Music & Lyrics
Chip is a composer, songwriter and filmmaker whose work in entertainment has produced outstanding music, award winning films, and documentaries. Chip has composed songs that have been recorded by artists including Sheena Easton, Rita Coolidge, Dayna Lane, John Torres, and the Jones Project. His songs have been featured in over a dozen movies and TV shows. His songs have been on the Oscars shortlist twice (‘Open Your Heart’ from SAVING SHILOH and ‘You Don’t Have to Be a Star’ from FAME HIGH). This year, the Budapest Symphony recorded an album of his instrumental compositions for a new project called Artstra.
Bronco Billy - The Musical is his first musical production.
John Torres
Music & Lyrics
John has had his music featured in The Real World and Alias; earned a John Lennon Songwriting Award, American Independent Music Award nomination, and was on the short-list with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (FAME HIGH). As a vocalist, he originated the lead roles of Peter in BARE: A POP OPERA, and Drew in ROCK OF AGES and has performed at venues such as Disney Concert Hall and Dodger Stadium.
Michele Brourman
Additional Lyrics
Michele composed the music for several theatre scores including The Belle of Tombstone with lyricist Sheilah Rae (Off-Broadway) and the musical Dangerous Beauty with collaborator Amanda McBroom (Pasadena Playhouse). With McBroom, she’s written the songs for 18 animated features for Universal Studios, including the beloved “Land Before Time” series, writing for Reba McIntyre, Donny Osmond, Olivia Newton-John, and a host of other singer/actors. Her song “My Favorite Year” (lyrics by Karen Gottlieb) has become a cabaret standard, with recordings by Michael Feinstein, Margaret Whiting, and Dame Cleo Laine.
Hunter Bird
Director
Hunter has directed and developed new work at: Ars Nova, Roundabout Theatre Company, The McKittrick Hotel, Signature Theatre with Columbia University, The Getty Villa, 59E59, NAMT, Lincoln Center Education, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and Musical Theatre Factory. Upcoming works include, XY at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre Workshop; Village Theatre Workshop; and NAMT ‘18. Awards and Affiliations include: Jonathan Alper Directing Fellow at MTC- 2017 & 2019; The Civilians R&D Group- 2018/19; the Samuel J. Friedman Assistantship at MTC- 2015; SDCF Observership- 2013; The UCLA Emerging Director Award- 2011; and the Gilbert Cates Fellowship- 2009. Hunter has also worked as Line Producer of ANT Fest 2018 at Ars Nova; Colony Coordinator of the Johnny Mercer Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals from 2014 – 2016; and he has a BA in Directing & Musical Theatre from UCLA.
www.hunter-bird.com
Eric B. Anthony
Actor
(Bronco Billy) is the recipient of several awards, including: Ovation, NAACP Theatre, Broadway World, YoungArts, and ACT-SO Award. Eric is a proud member of Actors Equity, SAG-Aftra and NAACP. For a full list of credits, please visit www.EricBAnthony.com. “Gratitude to my supportive family and friends for the unconditional love. Appreciation for the entire team that made this possible. Thank you for supporting live theatre. Glory to GOD for everything.
Stay in touch @EricBAnthony!”
Michelle Azar
Actor
(Constance) holds a BFA in Drama and an MA in Drama Therapy, both from NYU. She grew up singing with Placido Domingo and has performed in cities worldwide with her solo show, FROM BAGHDAD TO BROOKLYN. Selected LA stage work: MY BARKING DOG - Stage Raw Award, at Boston Court; Bella in LOST IN YONKERS at La Mirada; and Berthe in BOEING, BOEING at La Mirada. Selected Television/Film: HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER; THE MAGICIANS; AQUARIUS; CRIMINAL MINDS; and the soon-to-be-released film SENIOR MOMENT with William Shatner and Christopher Lloyd. Her new web series, HOW TO BEAT YOUR SISTER IN LAW (AT EVERYTHING!), is currently streaming on YouTube. Many thanks to Michael Donovan and the BRONCO BILLY team.
Full bio at michelleazar.com.
Benai Boyd
Actor
(Doc) From Los Angeles, some of her credits include: Creating and performing in Disney’s FROZEN: LIVE AT THE HYPERION; recurring role as Gary Coleman in the Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning HBO hit BIG LITTLE LIES; Lula Buffington in the LA Times Critics Choice & Ovation Nominated VIOLET at Actor’s Co-Op (2018); West Coast Premiere of Henri in THE VIEW UPSTAIRS (2017); Gary Coleman in The LA Times Critics Choice & Ovation Nominated (2013) AVENUE Q and many more. Previously appeared with Skylight Theatre Company in the World Premiere of DONTRELL, WHO KISSED THE SEA.
Marc Cardiff
Actor
(Lawyer Lipton) most recently played Ben Weatherstaff in THE SECRET GARDEN at Main Street Theatre Company in Rancho Cucamonga. Other roles include: Willie in Beckett’s HAPPY DAYS at Boston Court in Pasadena; Charlotte in I AM MY OWN WIFE at the Arena Theatre at CSULA; Gaston in AN EMPTY PLATE… at the Laguna Playhouse; Juan Peron in EVITA in the 25th Anniversary National Tour; The Founder in BUKOWSICAL! at the Bleecker St. Theatre in New York; and Tom/Phyllis/Leslie in SYLVIA at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura. Marc has a BA from Occidental College and an MA from CSULA.
Randy Charleville
Actor
(Two Gun Lefty Lebow) hails from NYC and is thrilled to be making his Skylight Theatre debut! National Tours: THE SOUND OF MUSIC, THE WIZARD OF OZ, FLASHDANCE, ELF, and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA; Off-Broadway: IN BED, RASPUTIN, and DEFINITELY DORIS; TV: THE TONY AWARDS w/Liza Minnelli, THE ESPY AWARDS; and LOVING. Randy has also appeared in numerous roles at Goodspeed Opera House, PaperMill Playhouse, North Shore Music Theatre, Helen Hayes Theatre & Kansas City Starlight. Follow me on IG @ranmc1215.
Fatima El-Bashir
Actor
(Lorraine) is a graduate of UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television and is so grateful to join the cast of BRONCO BILLY! Selected credits include: BREAKING THROUGH at The Pasadena Playhouse; EMPIRE THE MUSICAL at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts; DREAMGIRLS - International Tour, McCoy Rigby Entertainment; HAVANA MUSIC HALL THE MUSICAL at The Odyssey Theatre; BEEHIVE THE 60S MUSICAL-National Tour, Plan B Entertainment; LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Alaska Center for the Performing Arts; and MARILYN! THE NEW MUSICAL at Caesar's Palace, The Paris. Fatima thanks her unwavering friends and family, Michael Donovan casting,
Grace Stuart and Anthony Boyer at DDO Artists Agency.
Kyle Frattini
Actor
(Lasso Leonard James) is thrilled to be working on BRONCO BILLY. A lover of country music and musical theater, this show is right up his alley. A proud alum of UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television, his favorite credits include: The Balladeer in ASSASSINS at UCLA; Richard in THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER at the Actor’s Co-op; The Man/Peter/Doctor in THE PRIDE at My Big Fat Queer Theater Company; and most recently Pinocchio in SHREK at 5-Star Theatricals.
More info: @kfratt
Bella Hicks
Actor
(Mitzi/Female Ens/Lorraine Understudy/Covers) is honored to be a part of this inspiring production and cast. Some of her favorite credits include: Janis Joplin in BEEHIVE 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR, Finnick in THE MOLLYHOUSE, and AMERICAN IDIOT at La Mirada. She has recorded with LeAnn Rimes, Josh Groban, and Lionel Ritchie on multiple David Foster productions and you can catch her singing with band JackBenny around LA or at the Wyoming Theatre Festival later this summer. IG: @bellahicks
Amanda Leigh Jerry
Actor
(Antoinette) Amanda Leigh Jerry's regional theatre credits include Donna in the world premiere of MUTT HOUSE at the Kirk Douglas, Girl in ONCE at South Coast Rep, Julie Jordan in CAROUSEL and Mrs. Banks in MARY POPPINS at Musical Theatre West. You may have seen her in MTV's SWEET/VICIOUS or in the new sci-fi short AMANDA_TEST 1. When she isn't acting, Amanda writes and performs original folk rock music, which you can find at www.youtube.com/amandajerrymusic or instagram @mandajerry.
Chris M Kauffmann
Actor
(John Arlington, Big Eagle/Lasso cover) is excited to make his Skylight debut! His credits include: Olaf in Opening cast of FROZEN: LIVE AT THE HYPERION; Off-Broadway: A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN, HENRY AND MUDGE (tour); Regional: Princeton/Rod in AVENUE Q- for which he received an Ovation Nomination, Hero in A FUNNY THING... FORUM at NC Rep, Tobias in SWEENEY TODD at ETCSB, Courier in 1776 at Goodspeed, Igor in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN at PVPA, THE KING'S FACE at Blank Theatre, and REAL MEN... at PVPA; Film/TV: BIG LITTLE LIES, SHADOWS ON THE WALL, and MY SOUL TO TAKE. “Special thanks to Anthony Boyer and DDO, and to Michael and Richie for this opportunity. Love always to my favorite, my wife, Sandra.” ChrisMKauffmann.com
Anthony Marciona
Actor
(Sam Lily/Gas Station Attendant/Disco Daddy/Stage Manager/Character Male) was born in NYC and began his career at age five. He has worked with Kirk Douglas, Angela Lansbury, Kelsey Grammer, Jennifer Lopez, F. Murray Abraham, Harold Prince, Marisa Tomei, Stephen Schwartz, the B-52’s and Andrew Lloyd Weber. Credits include, Broadway National Tours: GYPSY, ZORBA, GEORGY, TOMMY, STARLIGHT EXPRESS; TV: THIS IS US, SHAMELESS, CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND, 2 BROKE GIRLS, GLEE; Film: DARKNESS IN TENEMENT 45, LA-LA LAND, PLAYING FOR KEEPS, THE BROTHERHOOD and over 100 Commercials, VOs and Music Videos. Also a composer and writer, he’s developing 2 new musicals with ANMT alumni and a bio-pic of the late actor, Sal Mineo. Te amo JAL & C.
More at www.anthonymarciona.com.
Jamie Mills
Actor
(Ensemble/Constance Cover) is excited to be bringing this show to life! Credits include: National tour: Mrs. Donnor/Dolly in RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER; u/s Reno/Angels in ANYTHING GOES; Regional: Annie in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN at Candlelight Pavilion; Babette in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Alaska PAC; CHICAGO at Harris CPA; Aquata in THE LITTLE MERMAID at Cabrillo Music Theatre; Mrs. Darling in PETER PAN; Jessie in THE POKEMUSICAL; and THE TROUBLE WITH WORDS at Coeurage Theatre. You can sometimes catch her on DRAGONS AND THINGS, Friday nights at 6 pm. Find her on social media @justjamiemills.
“Love and thanks to Momma, Daddy, and Benka.”
Pat Towne
Actor
(Sinclair) is an award winning actor, director, producer, who is thrilled to be on the Skylight stage for the first time. Originally from Chicago, Pat was a founding member of the renowned Annoyance Theatre, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. There he starred as the Clown in COED PRISON SLUTS (the longest running musical in Chicago history), and as Greg in THE REAL LIVE BRADY BUNCH — a show he went on to direct Off-Broadway. Recent credits include: Max Prince in Neil Simon’s LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR at The Garry Marshall Theatre; Sol in Charles Busch’s DIE, MOMMIE, DIE! at the Kirk Douglas; and Osric and Ghost King in SKULLDUGGERY: THE MUSICAL PREQUEL TO HAMLET, an original musical at Sacred Fools Theatre Company in Los Angeles. Other credits includeHOBOKEN TO HOLLYWOOD- LAWeekly Award: Best Musical; STONEFACE: THE RISE & FALL & RISE OF BUSTER KEATON, and KISS ME KATE at the Pasadena Playhouse; and BOB'S HOLIDAY OFFICE PARTY. Directing credits include: the World Premiere of Frank Zappa's JOE'S GARAGE; EXORCISTIC: THE ROCK MUSICAL PARODY EXPERIMENT— Best Musical, Hollywood Fringe Festival; SKETCHES FROM THE NATIONAL LAMPOON; Ionesco's EXIT THE KING; GOREY STORIES - Ovation Award, Best Musical; and Ray Bradbury's KALEIDOSCOPE for SciFest Los Angeles. Television credits include: TRANSPARENT; I LOVE DICK; MAD MEN; BOSTON LEGAL; AMERICAN WOMAN; DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES; LAS VEGAS; and GILMORE GIRLS, among others.
Michael Uribes
Actor
(Big Eagle) is originally from San Jose California and is a Graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts (West Coast Campus). Theatre credits include: the title role in HAMLET for the Las Vegas Shakespeare Company; El Pachuco in ZOOT SUIT; The Duke in MAN OF LA MANCHA; Picasso in PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE; Guildenstern in ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD; Tranio in TWELFTH NIGHT; Kilroy in CAMINO REAL; Choro in OEDIPUS EL REY at The Boston Court; and Eugene in CANDIDA. Awards include, the Valley Theatre League Award, in the world premiere musical, MUSICAL CHAIRS, written by Academy Award winning composer Joel Hirschorn. Film and TV credits include: GOLIATH, HARRY'S LAW, AMERICA'S MOST WANTED, and DICK NIGHT.
MEDIA
DESIGNERS
Scenic Design: John Iacovelli
Costume Design: Ann Closs-Farley
Lighting Design: Brian Gale
Sound Design: Cricket S. Meyers, Daniel Tator
Projection Design: David Murakami
Properties Design: Kevin Williams
PRODUCTION STAFF
Arrangements/Orchestrations: David O
Casting: Michael Donovan
Fight Choregraphy: Matt Franta
Associate Fight Coordination: Brandon Pugmire
Public Relations: Judith Borne
Marketing: Patty Onagan
Company Manager: Ashley Felkner
Production Stage Manager: Christopher Hoffman
Stage Managers: Ben Altman
Assistant Stage Manager/Technical Direction: Garrett Crouch
Associate Producer: Danny Hackin
Logo Art: Meat and Potatoes
Graphic Design: Guillermo Perez
Interns: Matt Gardner, Grace Lee
SPECIAL EVENTS
MORE REVIEWS
Show fills the 99-seat Skylight Theater with BROADWAY-LIKE SIZE AND SIZZLE! A full-blown musical which is doing L.A.’s intimate-theater scene proud. Packed with catchy songs (mostly by Chip Rosenbloom and John Torres), boasting of a large, enthusiastic and GIFTED CAST
- Total Theatre
FANTASTIC…Very funny. Outstanding singing - Better Lemons/KUCI
THEATER JUST DOESN'T GET BETTER THAN THIS. Not even on Broadway. An absolutely joyous, brilliantly compact musical.. inventively staged, perfectly performed. Memorable, melodic, and fun.... The entire cast is simply terrific: GREAT VOICES, GREAT HEART - DiversionsLA
GOOD FUN and worth seeing, especially by aficionados of musical comedies
- Hollywood Progressive
STANDING-OVATION WORTHY and then some, so kick up your spurs and have some fun…this is emphatically the show to do it with. A BIG, BRIGHT, BUBBLY VALENTINE to hope-against-hope and the good old-fashioned value of having a dream. The net outcome being TREMENDOUS audience enjoyment!” - Bucking Trends
The songs ...were CLEVER and FUN, and really brought the story to life with a burst of resolve and enthusiasm...leaving the audience in a SMILING, FEEL-GOOD mood. - Colorado Boulevard
More than the good songs, the consistently fine performances, the clever staging…is how the hint that we all belong here, we are all misfits looking for a home, for family, for LOVE THAT GIVES THIS SHOW ITS POWER. – ZahirBlue
Wonderful, HILARIOUS and MAGICAL adventure...truly SPECTACULAR VILLAINS. Characters are so beautifully portrayed by this group of astoundingly talented actors. The story is excellent...SONGS STUPENDOUS. Did I leave anything out?
- NoHoArts