October 11, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

“Locals Only!” Musical Takes A Look At Santa Monica-Venice Surfer Culture:

Santa Monica College will next month present “Locals Only!” – a world premiere musical written by the Emmy Award-winning creator of the smash hit “High School Musical” – Oct. 3 through 19 in the SMC Main Stage, 1900 Pico Blvd.

“Locals Only!,” a multimedia extravaganza involving talented students from throughout the campus, as well as professionals, is a love story and clash between the Venice-Santa Monica surfer culture and life in the Valley. “Locals Only” refers to the phrase often used by surfers to mark their beach territory.

“A musical by nature is collaborative, but I wanted this to be a production that reached deep into the campus, across many disciplines,” said SMC President Dr. Chui L. Tsang, who brought the project to the college. “It’s rewarding to see that students in film, animation, photography, cosmetology, art, business, computer science and other departments have contributed so much, alongside those in theatre, dance and music. The college has never embarked on a multi-disciplinary program as wide ranging as this, and to see it come together is very exciting.”

With book and concept by Bill Borden and music by a host of songwriters he has collaborated with previously, “Locals Only!” is directed by Perviz Sawoski, chair of the Theatre Arts Department. Choreography is by dance professor Mark Tomasic and music direction by Gary Gray from the Music Department.  

Featuring more than a dozen songs – from energetic, foot-stomping numbers to ballads – “Locals Only!” tells the story of Buzz (Harrison Meloney), a young surfer who falls in love with Ariel (Autumn Powers), a “Valley Girl” from a sheltered, privileged background. Filled with colorful characters, the 90-minute musical reveals the inevitable conflicts when different worlds collide.

“This show is going to be really fun, and our talented cast and multimedia projections will make the story fly off the stage,” Sawoski said. “It’s been an incredible journey to collaborate with Bill Borden on developing the script, work with the wonderfully talented Mark Tomasic and Gary Gray, and see the excellent contributions being made by students and faculty from many departments.”

Specifically, film students have been shooting footage that will be projected on an onstage screen; photography students are taking promotional shots from the beach to the rehearsal hall; cosmetology students have made hair extensions and are assisting with hair and makeup; business students have developed marketing plans; and computer science students have launched social media projects for the show.

In addition, art student Pace has created a group of animated murals (with the help of the Entertainment Technology Department) that will be projected onstage and serve as stunning backdrops for the show. (A Venice Beach mural also plays a key role in the musical’s plot.)

“I’ve been so impressed with the talents and enthusiasm of students across disciplines who have contributed to this project,” said Dean of Academic Affairs Erica LeBlanc, the production coordinator for “Locals Only!”

“We’ve also had wonderful corporate support from Dive N’ Surf in Redondo Beach, which has donated bathing suits, wetsuits and beachwear,” she said.

Aside from creating and executive producing the Disney Channel’s “High School Musical” series, Borden, of Santa Monica, counts among his myriad feature film producing credits “End of Days,” “Get on the Bus,” “Desperado,” “The Cure,” “A Midnight Clear,” “The Man in the Moon,” “La Bamba,” “White Nights”, “Home of Our Own” and “Against All Odds.”

Sawoski is an award-winning director as well as a performer, choreographer and teacher. Several of the plays she has directed at SMC have been selected for the prestigious Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival, at the regional and national levels.

Tomasic has worked with a variety of internationally renowned dance companies and choreographers in his 20-plus-year career as a professional dancer. At SMC he teaches modern dance, ballet and dance history, and he co-directs Synapse Dance Theater, the student modern dance ensemble. Gray is entering his 34th year at SMC. A specialist in musical theatre, he has accompanied, musically directed or conducted more than 100 productions, many of them at SMC.

Performances are 8 pm Fridays, 2 pm and 8 pm Saturdays (except there will be no 2 pm matinee Oct. 4) and 2 pm Sundays. A preview performance will be at 8 pm Thursday, Oct. 2.

Advance tickets are $10 preview, $20 general admission, and $17 for senior citizens (60-plus) and SMC students with ID, plus service charges. At the door, tickets are $3 more. Tickets can be ordered online atwww.smc.edu/mainstage or by calling 310.434.3000 or 310.434.4319. 

Related Posts

Film Review: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

July 19, 2023

July 19, 2023

FILM REVIEWMISSION IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONERated PG-13163 MinutesReleased July 11th The story in this “Mission: Impossible” chapter, “Dead...

Film Review: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

July 5, 2023

July 5, 2023

FILM REVIEWINDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINYRated PG-13154 MinutesReleased June 30th The director of Indiana Jones and the Dial...

Film Review: Past Lives

June 27, 2023

June 27, 2023

FILM REVIEWPAST LIVESRated PG-13105 MinutesLimited Releases June 2nd and June 9th, Full Release June 23rd The Korean concept of “In...

Film Review: Sanctuary

June 8, 2023

June 8, 2023

FILM REVIEWSANCTUARYRated R96 MinutesReleased May 19th In my humble estimation, this is one of the best movies of the year....

Film Review: The Little Mermaid

June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

FILM REVIEWTHE LITTLE MERMAIDRated PG135 MinutesReleased May 26th With today’s technological developments, a live-action The Little Mermaid is not only...

A Riveting Revival of the Pulitzer Prize-Winning “A Soldier’s Play” Now Playing At The Ahmanson Theatre

May 31, 2023

May 31, 2023

On Stage With… Murder mysteries, whether cinematic or theatrical, are one of the most popular subjects. The list is quite...

Film Review: Chevalier

May 12, 2023

May 12, 2023

By Kathryn Boole  RATED PG-13107 MinutesReleased April 21, 2023 Chevalier is based on the true story of a historical figure...

Ballet at the Broad Stage Memorial Weekend – Meet the Talent!

May 10, 2023

May 10, 2023

Westside Ballet of Santa Monica returns to the Broad Stage with special guest artists kicking off Friday May 26th with...

Elizabeth McGovern Lights Up The Stage in “Ava – The Secret Conversations”

April 26, 2023

April 26, 2023

Play About Legendary Screen Star Runs Until May 14 At The Geffen Playhouse By Beverly Cohn Ava Gardner, born Ava...

Unconventional Art Festival “The Other Art Fair” Returns to Santa Monica This Weekend

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2023

140 independent artists, immersive installations, performances, DJs, and a fully stocked bar await visitors at Barker Hangar The Other Art...

Samohi Theatre’s “The Drowsy Chaperone” Takes the Stage in Santa Monica

March 1, 2023

March 1, 2023

Shows will take place at Barnum Hall on March 3 and 4 at 7 p.m. and March 5 at 3...

Film Review: “Marlow”

February 23, 2023

February 23, 2023

FILM REVIEW“MARLOWE”Rated R109 MinutesReleased February 15th “Marlowe” is a beautifully shot period piece that takes place in the late 1930’s....

Film Review: All Quite on the Western Front

February 22, 2023

February 22, 2023

I have never been a soldier at war, although I have close friends and relatives who have been. Universally they...

SMC Emeritus Concert Band to Hold Free Concert This Weekend at the Broad Stage

February 22, 2023

February 22, 2023

Concert February 26 will feature musical selections with an outdoor theme Santa Monica College’s Emeritus Concert Band, under the baton...