Raiding the Rock Vault really strikes a chord

These "jukebox heroes" with their hypnotizing rock vocals and powerful 

musical talents are like a fantasy football team in the form of a rock band.

Raiding the Rock Vault is a new show and super group made up of true rock and roll veterans from several internationally known groups. RTRV is now In Vegas for a one year run at the Las Vegas Hotel in none other than Elvis' former theater. The show pays homage to the best classic rock spanning just before the Vietnam era all the way to Desert Storm, (when music changed and "grunge" entered the mainstream). 

The fantasy playlist includes The Who, Led Zeppelin, Free, Toto, Journey, Van Halen, AC/DC, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Foreigner, Queen, The Rolling Stones, and more....along with live scenes and colorful multimedia depicting our country's history of classic rock. All of this in combination with these industry pros is truly a perfect musical storm.

These guys collective musical and life experiences performing with major bands, include years on stage, on the road, in small clubs, arenas and festivals worldwide. Some of them while going up the ladder of fame, some down again, back up again, and everywhere in between. Personal struggles, marriages, divorces, kids, addictions, recoveries, some losing their way, then finding a new way, seeing things they'll never forget, (some they can't even if they want to).....and now they have found themselves part of an exciting new Vegas attraction, which after just a few weeks is creating a major buzz. Part of this is because what they give to their audience is real, imperfect, beautiful , and everything that is true "rock and roll".

For me, this show tapped into my inner wild child where the past few decades of my life flew through my mind like my life flashing behind me lost and buried somewhere in my vault. The one where we store that crazy, youthful, slightly rebellious but hopeful part of ourselves that gets buried in all of the layers of adulthood. It was a real rush to bring it all back out again for a few hours. The rest of the audience caught it too and the whole night was like an awesome house party where all the best people show up and it just gets better and better!


Love it or hate it......there is nothing indifferent about rock and roll...

"Raiding the Rock Vault", Las Vegas
 The Band

Robin McAuley, Irish rock vocalist known mostly for his work in McAuley Schenker Group, Survivor, and Grand Prix.

John Payne, Vocalist, bassist, guitarist, songwriter and producer John Payne has fronted ASIA for 14 years replacing John Wetton in 1992. Previous to ASIA, John sang with Roger Daltrey, CCCP and ELO Part 2.

 Paul Shortino, Rock singer and musician who has sung with Rough Cutt/The Cutt and Quiet Riot.

Howard Leese, Best known as Heart’s guitarist whom he played with for 22 years. After leaving he immediately became the guitarist for The Paul Rodgers Band/Bad Company.

Tracii Guns, Guitarist best known as the founder of glam metal group L.A. Guns and in the first lineup of Guns N’ Roses. He has also been a part of the super groups Brides of Destruction and Contraband.

Andrew Freeman, Vocalist and Guitarist who has played for a number of bands and legendary musicians. Most notably for The Offspring and Lynch Mob.

Jay Schellen, Drummer best known as a member of Hurricane, Asia, World Trade, Circa, Unruly Child and several members of Yes.

Michael T. Ross, Rock Keyboardist best known for being a part of the bands Lita Ford, Missing Persons, Hardline and Angel.

 All above photos provided with permission by the
Mitch Schneider Organization, msopr.com

There are also actors and dancers in the show who enrich the experience but are not credited anywhere in the program or online. Fellow underdogs, respect to you!

Excerpt below from...RaidingtheRockVault.com

Written by esteemed Grammy Award-winning record producer David Kershenbaum (Joe Jackson, Tracy Chapman, Supertramp) and musician, producer and vocalist John Payne (Asia), “RAIDING THE ROCK VAULT” features timeless gems translated on stage live and loud by an all-star band comprised of Howard Leese [Guitar] (Heart, Bad Company), Tracii Guns [Guitar] (LA Guns, Guns n’ Roses), Robin McAuley [Lead Vocals] (MSG, Survivor), John Payne [Lead Vocals and Bass] (Asia), Paul Shortino [Vocals] (Rough Cutt, Quite Riot), Jay Schellen [Drums] (Hurricane, Asia), Andrew Freeman [Lead Vocals and Guitars] (Lynch Mob, The Offspring), and Michael T. Ross [Keyboards] (Lita Ford, Hardline, Angel).

In addition, Special Guest Artists will join show from time to time. Confirmed for March are Bobby Kimball [Lead Vocals] (Toto) followed by Joe Lynn Turner [Lead Vocals] (Rainbow, Deep Purple).

The history of rock ‘n’ roll will come to life when this one-of-a-kind, rock concert experience kicks off a year-long run Saturday, March 9th at the LVH – Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.

Mission Productions Limited and Rock Vault Tours, LLC present RAIDING THE ROCK VAULT

Sources:

msopr.com

raidingtherockvault.com

wikipedia.org

Lights, Cameras, The Oscars!...A musical tribute

Most of us instantly recognize the first few notes of songs from many Academy Award winning films.

The melancholy longing of Moon River as Audrey Hepburn's "Holly Go Lightly" stares into a Tiffany window display after a night out, not wanting to go home. Somewhere Over The Rainbow where Dorothy dreams about a world far beyond her Kansas farm. The first few notes of the theme song from Chariots of Fire has played through everyone's head at one time or another.....instantly recognizable and quietly uplifting.

Many of these beautiful compositions were brought to life by the Las Vegas Philharmonic last Saturday night at Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, their resident venue for a year now. It was a one night only event. I like these. They can be very special because there is certainly no trace of monotony in the performance like there can be in long running shows. This orchestra did not disappoint!

A few of the members of the Las Vegas Philharmonic. Courtesy of Jennifer Scott.

For me, two of the best of the night were Let The River Run,  from "Working Girl", and the Theme from Rocky, (every underdog's victory anthem). I forget how amazing this composition is on its own even without the visual of Sylvester Stallone running up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

However, the tears came quickly to Unchained Melody and My Heart Will Go On, thinking of the recent loss of my mother, and my father's daily struggle to carry on without her as the date for their 50th anniversary approaches. 

Nat Chandler and Teri Dale Hansen rounded out the experience with superior vocals. The songs varied greatly in style and era, and on top of that Reynolds Hall is huge, so that's no easy feat!

The final event of the Las Vegas Philharmonic season is "Celestial Bodies", May 4.

POPS IV

Lights, Camera, The Oscars!

Guest Conductor Randall Craig Fleischer

Guest artists:Teri Dale Hansen, Soprano

Nat Chandler, Baritone

Tara's Theme, Gone With The Wind............................Max Steiner, Arr. Frank Campbell

The Trolley Song, Meet Me in St. Louis.......................Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin, Arr. Wayne Barker

The Way You Look Tonight, Swing Time......................Jerome Kern, Arr. Wayne Barker

I've Got You Under My Skin, Born to Dance................Cole Porter, Arr. Wayne Barker

Over the Rainbow, Wizard of Oz..................................Harold Arlen, Arr. Richard Hayman

Evita Highlights............................................................Andrew Lloyd Weber, Arr. Calvin Custer

Don't Rain on My Parade, Funny Girl..........................Jule Styne, Arr. Richard Hayman

Gigi, from Gigi.............................................................Frederick Lowe, Arr. John Russo

A Whole New World, Aladdin.......................................Alan Menken, Arr. Danny Troob

Let The River Run, Working Girl.................................Carly Simon, Arr. Rick Bassett

Tribute to John Williams...(Star Wars/Jaws/Superman/Harry Potter).......John Williams

Moon River, Breakfast at Tiffany's...............................Henry Mancini, Arr. Wayne Barker

The Days of Wine and Roses, (song same)................Henry Mancini, Arr. Richard Hayman

Victor Victoria Medley..................................................Henry Mancini

Chariots of Fire...........................................................Vengelis, Arr. Jim Riley

Rocky Highlights..........................................................Bill Conti, Arr. Robert Lowden

Unchained Melody, Ghost...........................................Alex North, Hy Zaret,  Arr. Eric Walton

My Heart Will Go On, Titanic.......................................James Horner, Arr. Wayne Barker

(I've Had) The Time of my Life, Dirty Dancing.............Previte, DeNicola, Markowitz, Arr. Joseph Joubert

Presented by Friends of the Las Vegas Philharmonic

natchandler.com

terihansen.net

Las Vegas Philharmonic Fanfare 2012...
Sampler from YouTube Channel lvphilvideos

Las Vegas Philharmonic website

All photos provided by the Las Vegas Philharmonic

Excerpt from LVPhil.org below

About Us

On July 4th, 1998, the Las Vegas Philharmonic launched its classical music presence in Southern Nevada, bringing a refined new cultural dimension to the city. The presentation of five Masterworks Series concerts and four Pops Series concerts in Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts October 2012 through May 2013 will be the orchestra's first full season in the new venue, which opened in March 2012, as its resident orchestra, and connotes another important milestone in the continued growth of the organization.

Oklahoma and the tip of an Iceberg

A full scale production of Oklahoma!.....and an iceberg. What do they have in common?

Cast and Crew of Oklahoma!....
Photo courtesy of Las Vegas Academy Theatre 2013



Photo by wallpapersget.com

.....that there is a lot more going on behind the scenes than what you see before you!

Recently I saw a superior production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, held in the Lowden Theater for the Performing Arts, in Las Vegas. This professional production stars the students of Las Vegas Academy in association with Academy Dance, Vocal and Instrumental Music.

Having been an LVA season subscriber for three years now, I have seen a lot of their work and can say this group can hold their own on any stage. However, this was by far the best I have ever seen from LVA. What made it so? The flawless choreography, powerful direction, orchestra, certain stand out actors, all of these. But something more......harmony. The entire cast and crew, blended into one "live" unit, taking all on a journey beyond each of them, in an evening of theatre at its best!

Theatre is a collaborative art and we strive to teach our students the importance of 

sharing a unified creative vision. Our production of "Oklahoma!" is evidence of our 

company working together as a cast and crew to bring that vision to life.  

- LVA Oklahoma! Director, Megan Ahern

As I said above, the direction and choreography were outstanding. My stomach did little flips during some of the numbers, like the dream ballet sequence.

When reviewing the playbill I was reminded how many students/crew members were involved in the execution of this successful show, and that a production is made up of so much more than the cast members on stage.

All members of the production are essentially, the "cast". Any mistake or missing element by the crew and production team can take audience members out of it, out of the moment, and ultimately of the experience, such as bad lighting, hiccups in sound, costume issues, errors by the actors, anything not in tune.

A playbill like the one below also informs others as to how many opportunities there are to work in so many different areas of theatre. All productions need sound, light experts, electricians, costume designers, carpenters, publicists,...the list goes on and on.

Bravo to LVA for keeping this 70 year old American musical alive and well!

Oklahoma!
February 21 - March 9
Lowden Theater for the Performing Arts
315 S. 7th St, Las Vegas


The playbill.....(the whole iceberg:)

Aunt Eller........................................Maddison Albregts
Curly...............................................Kyle Ivey
Laurey.............................................Kara Overlien
Ike Skidmore...................................Keaton Johns
Fred.................................................Coleman Keith
Slim.................................................Adam McDonald
Will Parker.......................................Casey Andrews
Jud Fry.............................................Vinnie Panozzo II
Ado Annie Carnes............................Brenna Daly
Ali Hakim..........................................Sam Goldstein
Gertie Cummings.............................Kelley Flaherty
Ellen.................................................Aurora Watts-Esquibel
Kate..................................................Melissa Mihovich
Vivian................................................Taylor Paulson
Virginia..............................................Kourtney Bellard
Andrew Carnes.................................Tanner Polednak
Cord Elam.........................................Adriel Rowan
Mile....................................................Lucas Reilly
Joe....................................................Julian Dietrich

Swing Performers are part of the ensemble cast, filling in for their assigned role if counterpart cannot perform................Curly, Coleman Keith, Laurey, Lauren Sutherland, Fred, Patrick Dorson, Ado Annie, Tammi Colombo

Ensemble

Ryan August, Kayleigh Bernier, Connor Brereton, Tammi Columbo, Deylan Dean, Patrick Dorson, John giangrande, Nate Harlan, Maverick Hiu, Tariq James, Keegan Keith, Sydney Mayers, Kalie McLaughlin, Taylor Munro, Teamarie Oxborrow, Christina Pitts, (Dance Captain), Bailey Saxe, Sydney Schafer, Lauren Sutherland, Justus Whitfield, (Dance Captain)

Dream Ballet Ensemble

Ryan August, Kedric Bateman, Brianne Behnen, Kayleight Bernier, Chelsea Clark, Emyre Cole, Victor Ferguson, Kelley Flaherty, Monika Haczkiewicz, Glynis Irving, Mackenzie Johnson, Coleman Keith, Jayden McCree, Kalie McLaughlin, Delaney Otjes, Christina Pitts, Isabella Schleiker, Justus Whitfield

Orchestra

Conductors....................................Brian Downey, Rossana Cota, Megan Franke

Violins

Alexander Cabrera, Elena Conway, Kathryn Conway, Emily Daly, Gabriela De La Torre, Lora Denkova, Matthew Drottz, Dominick Dudder, Brittany Esqueda, Arturo Hernandez, Jillian Johnson, Ian Kaminski, Liam Mansfield, Jinkyung Moon, C.J. Patton, Alison Rich, shannon Washburn

Viola

Chris Baltazar, Andrea Flores, Sean Flynn, Julia Gavriel, Emily O'Leary, Danielle Tolentino, Giovanni Venezia, Valori Walker


Cello

Bailey Barcelon, Anna Marie Brim, Janie James, Matthew Lazeroff, Lorna McPalmer, Poshoi Nassif, Alexandra Schwartz, Chrissy Shattuck


Bass

Jimmy Cisneros, Joaquin H. Yrizarris

Flute/Piccolo

Amber Epstein, Jessica Raftery

Oboe/English Horn

Alyssa Adayms, Vivany Lopez

Clarinet

Kaitlyn Adymy, Jade Garcia, Dora L. Ivanov, Rachel Long, Guillermo Ramasasa, Brenna 
Spector

Bassoon

Aimee Diaz, Kelly Haines, Lisa Mayer

Trumpet

Dion Burnett, Kelly McFall, James McGregor, Jordan Sicat, Elda Solomon

French Horn

Haley Garcia, Johanne Garcia, Jasmine Hunt, Christian Jacobs

Trombone

Jeremy Allsion, Tyler Barrett, Chris Bertussi

Piano

Angelo Monroy, Nick Rossi

Keyboard Harp

Kathryn Holland, Allie Weeks

Guitar

Elijah Cooper, Anthony Farris, Erik Kline

Percussion

Nicole Long, John Melton, Seth Rushakoff, Eddie Yervinyan

Additional Singers

Valeria Altamirano, AJ Cali, Alaina Clark, Allison Conley, Amie Green, Alexis Guelas, Ali Johnson, Allessandra Las, Brooke Lester, Leandra Long, Brandon McNabb, Diego Miguel, Tyler Mortenson, Kyle Neuhaus, Celine, Ngo, Jordyn Paananen, Alex Powers, Alex Price, Lexi Rodriguez, Carolyn Roorda, Savannah Schauer, Courtney Stevens, Isaac Terry

Production Staff

Director....................................................Megan Ahern
Producer/Lighting Designer.....................John Morris
Choreographer.........................................Thomas Disaboto
Costume Design.......................................Katina McAmis
Scenic Design...........................................Patrick Weaver
Technical Director.....................................Jeff Berman
Orchestra Director.....................................Brian Downey
Vocal Directors..........................................Rosanna Cota and Megan Franke
Fight Choreographer.................................J.J. Gatesman
Properties..................................................Holly Morris
Sound Supervisor......................................Eric McFall
Publicity.....................................................Jill C. Sosniak
Box Office Supervisor................................Rebecca Davis, Jill C. Sosniak
Concessions Supervisor............................Sonya Finely-Tratos, Steven Garnett
Concessions Consultant............................Rebekah Kanduth
Front of House...........................................Melissa Lilly

Stage Manager.........................................Skye Cone
Asst Stage Managers...............................Gina Deutscher, Sebia Rice
Student Director........................................Marena Kleinpeter
Asst to the Director...................................Alexa Rae Dintemann
Production Assistant................................Samuel Garnett
Student Technical Director.......................Alex Reilly
Asst to the Designer.................................Kylee Loera
Master Carpenter.....................................Tanner Conley
Master Welder.........................................Jonathon Anderson
Shop Steward...........................................Kristine Norby
Set Construction Crew..............................Mackenzie Benson, Christian Cabrera, Tiffany Cannon, Raphael Daniels, Mini Donovan, Austin Ferranti, Arron Fuentes, Tyler Greco, Samantha Leigh, Kori Locke-Wells, Troy Malone, Monserrat Martinez, Rowan Morris, George Mullenix, Kevin Phillips, Kaliah Silva, Megan Thompson and Corryn Tomlinson
Turntable Programmer.............Kylee Loera
Flymen.....................................Jonathon Anderson, Mackenzie Benson, Taylor Conley, Kevin Phillips
Running Crew...........................Raphael Daniels, Samanta Leigh, Monserrat Martinez, Rowan Morris, Kristine Nordby, Alex Reilly
Master Electrician.....................Kristin Zeller
Deck Electrician........................Anthony Padilla
Spot Operators.........................Noah Adras, Tayler Anderson, George Mullenix, Zach Nordby
Lighting Installation Crew..........Noah Adras, Talyer Anderson, Chaise Heatley, Zach Nordby, Andy Williams
Costume Student Designers......Lucy Chandler, Christine Daily, Freya Le Francois, Sarah Zimmerman
Costume Shop Manager...........Dakota Cobb
Crew Head................................Zoe Fendrick
Costume Crew..........................Taylor booth, Shanta Davis, Paulynn Esteban, Madi Geihs, Daymon McCoy, Lexi Phillips, Deanna Quintana, Ana Quinones, Jacob Pitre, Jade Taylor
Millinery (Hats).........................Julian Rodriguez, Bailey Zucker
Dressers...................................Taylor Booth, Dakota Cobb, Paulynn Estaban, Zoe Fendrick, Bailey Zucker, Jacobe Pitre
Hair & Make-up Crew Head...........Noelle Bailey, Kendall Cornish, Gabriella Go, Layla Joseph, Rachel Smithline
Student Sound Designer................Holly Fucci
Asst. Student Sound Designer.......Hannah Giberti
Lead Engineer................................Hannah Giberti
Assistant Engineer.........................Sam Noto
Lead Wireless.................................Brian Davis
Assistant Wireless..........................Sam Noto
Playback Operator..........................Spencer Williams
Properties Master...........................Amanda Ojeda
Assistant Props Master...................Brenda Carrillo
Props Construction Crew................Ashley Briggs, JoAnna Farias, Dairya Porter, Angelica Vargas-Flores, Justin Winslow
Props Running Crew........................Brenda Carrillo, JoAnna Farias, Amanda Ojeda
Student Box Office Manager............Miracle Grace
Assistant Box Office Manager..........Samantha Brounstein

Box Office Crew...................................Isabella Abel, Jocelyn Breland, Any Brown, Sean Coulter, Luis Delgado, Camille Denholm, Bridget Fitzpatrick, Shaina Krashin, Tess Lepore, Serrina Nasrollahi, Laquencia "Snooki" Parker, Verina Todorova, Trista Tratos

Student Concessions Manager............Jacqueline Kuykendall

Concessions Crew...............................Alysse Bellinghausen, Sedona Howard, Leslie Machabee, Joie Malik, Melanie Paiz, Faith Read, Brea Rosenhek, Tempest Sabo, Maggie Williams
House Manager.....................................Brooke Berquist
Assistant House Managers....................Ive rose Craft, Wenei Philimon
Head Ushers..........................................Cody Angelo, Shanta Davis
Flower Sales..........................................Richard Davis-Best, Hunter Schwartz, Kady Warren

Technical Theatre/DC............................John Morris
Technical Theatre...................................Katina McAmis
Theatre...................................................Megan Ahern
Theatre...................................................Melissa Lilly
Theatre...................................................Holly Morris
Lowden Theater Manager.....................Jill C. Sosniak
PAC Theater Manager...........................Rebekah Kanduth
Counselor for Theater............................Kaycee Hackbart


Las Vegas Academy Administration

Principal............................Scott Walker
Assistant Principal.............Diane Hovland
Assistant Principal.............Lezlie Koepp
Dean.................................Jennifer Shuler
Dean.................................Tom Torres


Related links:


LVAcademyTheatre.org
 
LVA Wikipedia page

30 seconds of Oklahoma! LVA

(credit to jrmorrisinvegas Youtube channel for above)