New musical is ‘off the charts’




Hillcrest Center for the Arts and Rolling Catfish Productions will present the world premiere of “Off The Charts,” a quasi-musical comedy/drama in two acts, from March 29 through April 14 at the Theater on the Hill in the Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 W. Hillcrest Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

Show times will be 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

The cast and creators will hold a special post-show audience discussion following the 8 p.m. performance Sat., April 6.

Music, lyrics and book are by Stacy Tanner with music direction by James Michael Robinson and Grant Goldstein. The play is directed by Stacy Tanner.

Inspired by true stories, “Off The Charts” follows a pair of young, mismatched musical underdogs on their quest to break into the entertainment industry.

Geoffrey Miller, played by Matthew James Norquist, is a self-obsessed, egomaniacal Mozart incarnate with the social skills of a hermit crab.

Shawn Bryson, played by Ryan Kent, is a groovy, lovable, struggling poet with a tenacious streak as long as his unemployment record. The result is an unlikely partnership that becomes an even more unlikely friendship.

The music puts a twist (and shout) on conventional formats, with the live, onstage band Cosmic Debris. Annabelle Warren is the featured soprano and Geoffrey’s love interest.

The play also stars Billy Parish as a disapproving father and Roxanne Manders as the supportive mom. Parish has starred in several feature films, dozens of plays and has appeared on several television series including “Conan, The Adventurer” and “Power Rangers.”

Also featured are Josh Young and Elijah Goll.

Tanner is a member of the Arts Council of the Conejo Valley. She founded the Quillco Literary and Talent Agency, and worked as a script and story consultant, teaching writing for stage and screen for many years. In 1999, her original play, “The Great Houdini,” was produced by London Theater Works and performed at the Stella Adler Theatre.

Rolling Catfish Productions was conceived in 2012 in response to the limited opportunities for original shows to hit the stage. The agency was created by Russ Charvonia and Tanner.

The show is recommended for audiences age 13 and up.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Group discounts are available. Parking is free.

To purchase tickets, go to the Hillcrest Center for the Arts box office, call (805) 381-1246 or visit www.hillcrestarts.com.

For accessible seating, call (805) 381-1246. Assisted listening devices are available in the box office.



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