Mission

Chromolume Theatre’s name comes from the Stephen Sondheim/James Lapine musical, Sunday in the Park with George, about an artist struggling to make art meaningful in 19th Century France. Chromolume Theatre was founded by two struggling artists in 2003 with its primary mission to present the American musical on an intimate level in an entertaining, intellectually stimulating and emotionally satisfying way. With growth and change, Chromolume Theatre’s mission has evolved with a new dedication to presenting Broadway’s forgotten gems and off-Broadway’s undiscovered treasured, and shining a light on productions that deserve a second look. Chromolume Theatre also provides opportunity for artists to shine who have not had such an opportunity in the past, as well as a dedication to diverse and multi-cultural casts and crews.

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Bird Lives!

By Willard Manus

august 15 – september 21, 2014
chromolume theatre

Bird Lives! is a solo play, with music, about the life and times of one of the giants of jazz music, who is also one of the founders of bebop jazz, Charlie Parker. Miles Davis once said, “You can tell the history of jazz in four words: Louis Armstrong. Charlie Parker.”

Cast/Crew Bios
bird lives!

Latest Reviews

  • [Montae] Russell is well worth seeing.

    A terrific performance.

    Patricia Rye, Pat Rye Reviews

  • Tommy Hicks, the director, does a fine job.

    There is a lot to enjoy from Willard Manus's play.

    Run! And take someone who enjoys improvisation, in jazz and in life.

    Joe Straw, JoeStrawBlog

  • Russell imbues his performance with a strong undercurrent of sincerity which serves him and the production well.

    Earnest Kearney, WorkingAuthor.com

  • It goes without saying that Parker devotees, jazz scholars and the uninitiated could find [Bird Lives] of value and significance.

    David C. Nichols, Los Angeles Times

  • [Montae] Russell made me feel as if I was listening to Parker himself.

    I enjoyed the story, and I think it’s a valuable historical tale.

    Rose Desena, Los Angeles Post

  • [Montae Russell's] performance as Parker in BIRD LIVES! is an amazing feat of artistry.

    Bird Lives!, demonstrate[s] Manus' real skill in merging personal fact into an interesting staged character study.

    [Tommy] Hicks treats both Parker's successes and demons equally, allowing Russell to fully express the full scope of his success and adversity.

    You will leave the theatre with a new appreciation of [Parker's] artistry thanks to the full force portrayal by Montae Russell.

    Shari Barrett, BroadwayWorld

  • GO!

    [Bird Lives!] rests on the shoulders of actor Montae Russell, who not only resembles Parker but delivers a moving performance...

    Chris Walker, LA Weekly

  • I saw one of the most powerful, raw, awesome and tragically-moving performances in memory. Oh, my, it really shook me up.

    [Montae Russell] is an actor who has paid his dues, and this performance is truly memorable. Shattering.

    Yes, this is a powerful, raw and emotionally-charged stage work, but if you have a fascination with jazz or the desire to see a stunning performance, then by all means make the trek down to Culver City for a memorable evening.

    Jay Weston, HuffingtonPost

Montae Russell, Charlie Parker

 

Montae is a veteran television, theatre, and film actor is pleased to make his Chromolume Theatre debut, and is honored to be entrusted with the role of the great Charlie “Bird” Parker. He was seen on NBC’s ER for fifteen seasons as Paramedic Dwight Zadro, and won the SAG Award for Best Dramatic Ensemble four times. His film and cable credits include The Player’s Club, HBO’s Laurel Avenue, TNT’s Lily in Winter opposite Natalie Cole and Marla Gibbs; a three year stint on One Life to Live; and has made countless television episodic appearances — Shameless, Detroit 187, Cold Case, to name a few. His extensive stage credits range from Broadway’s King Hedley II, A Few Good Men, Prelude to a Kiss to Joe Turner’s Come and Gone and Fences at the Kennedy Center, the NY Public Theatre’s East Texas Hotlinks, The Cleveland Playhouse’s African American production of The Glass Menagerie. Recent regional productions are 132 performances of the one man show Thurgood (Florida Studio Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theatre), The Road Weeps, The Well Runs Dry, (Los Angeles Theatre Center), Jitney (South Coast Rep, Pasadena Playhouse, NAACP Best Ensemble Award). He has performed in 9 of the 10 August Wilson plays, and will soon become the first actor to appear in all 10. He’s a University of Pittsburgh grad, and earned his MFA from Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts. He’s a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, and is active in the South Los Angeles area with his non-profit organization Successful Youth Los Angeles. For more info, hit up: MontaeRussell.com. When praises go up, you know the rest…

Thomas Bell, Charlie Parker u/s

 

Since his first on-screen appearance on MTV’s Beauty and the Beach, Thomas Bell has appeared in over thirty films and plays, award winning national and international commercials, radio spots, print campaigns and television shows such as General Hospital, Then There Was You, Days of our Livesi> to name a few. In the new digital media arena, he is currently a series regular on the series titled Those Guys and has performed sketch comedy pieces for Wikileaktv.com and Creeper films. Thomas has worked with award winning directors such as Mario Van Pebbles, Tommy Hicks, Denise Dowse and Kevin Smith across multiple forms of media and he is currently producing a new media series titled REBORN. Thomas has come a long way from Cinnaminson, New Jersey to share his love for acting with the world. He is cast most recently in the films LoveJacked, Where Fate Meets and Taken Away. Thomas is in his fifth season as Danny in Eastern Sky’s touring production of The Last Appeal. “I am truly blessed to be able to do this for a living.”

Tommy Hicks, Director

 

A veteran of the New York stage, Tommy is more known for his starring in film, most notably, Spike Lee’s groundbreaking feature, SHE’S GOTTA HAVE IT!, Julie Dash’s Sundance Award winning, DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST, and Sundance, LA Spirit, and MacArthur Genius award winning writer/director Charles Burnett’s feature film, THE GLASS SHIELD. Tommy is a former Walt Disney Studios Screenwriting Fellowship Award Winner, and has written commissioned screenplays for Robert Townsend’s Tinseltownsend Productions, and Cineville Films. Tommy has also lectured on Theater, Film, and Television at University campuses across the country for The American Program Bureau, and his company, Artist Resources Unlimited. Tommy dramaturged and directed the hit play, CHAMPION at the Beverly Hills Playhouse’s Skylight Theatre that was moved to New York City’s famed The New Federal Theatre for a critically acclaimed run. Most recently, Tommy directed Willard Manus’ ‘ROID RAGE at the Write Act Theatre in Hollywood, a workshop production of BIRD LIVES! at Leimert Park’s The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center and MIM & ROSE at the Ruskin Group Theatre in Santa Monica. Tommy is a member of the Actors Studio Playwrights/Directors Unit. Special thanks to Terri Hanauer, Mark Rydell and Don Bell.

Daniel Ingram, Scenic Design

 

Daniel has returned to the world of professional theatre after teaching high school drama for seven years. Daniel’s most recent designs include the highly successful Disassembly (Theatre of Note), In The Next Room (The Lounge Theater), Altar Boyz AND co-designing renovations for The Attic Theatre space itself. In addition to being Chromolume’s Technical Director, Daniel has worked as a scenic carpenter and/or running crew for Musical Theatre West, A Noise Within, and When You Wish theatre companies this season. Daniel would like to thank James Esposito for his insights and contributions to the Bird Lives! set, and Lauren Peters for taking the lead on the dance-room gentrification.

Amy Mazzaferro, Costume Design

 

Amy is very happy to be doing her first show with Chromolume Theatre. Amy studied costume design and construction at Southern Oregon University in Ashland Oregon. Past shows include The Picture of Dorian Grey, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and Bye, Bye Birdie. Many thanks to her friends and family for their love and support. www.amymazzaferro.com.

Samantha Marie, Lighting Design

 

Samantha graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, Dance Major, and Theater Arts Minor. Samantha grew up on the stage and began working in theater at 5 years old and has been a member as SAG since 1997. As a young actor she appeared in national commercials, TV shows, and lent her voice to animation. Her passion for performance grew in the Seattle area where she was on several dance companies including Westlake Performing Group, and Cruz Control. Samantha has danced in several music videos along with assisting choreographer Christina Woodard at the Edge in Hollywood and is an active member of the dance company Breed. As a stage manager, she has worked on The Crucible, The Club, In Love With Night, Theater and Dance Showcases, and Beats By Dre Conventions. She is currently the production manager of the dance department at Loyola Marymount University and the Assistant Theater Manager at Chromolume Theatre Company. She has recently choreographed Musical of Musicals, The Musical!, I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Pinkalicious, and Altar Boyz. She is thrilled about the opportunity to have worked on this wonderful show Bird Lives!

James Esposito, Sound Design

 

James is currently the V.P. of Operations at Chromolume Theatre. Scenic design credits include all three incarnations of Do Lord Remember Me and Love Songs – A Musical for Chromolume Theatre. Sound design credits include Do Lord Remember Me, Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know, Merrily We Roll Along, Capsized Floatsam, Greek Tragedy, Musical of Musicals, the Musical, Altar Boyz, and Strip, the latter of which he also directed. On stage, his credits include Company (Bobby), City of Angels (Munoz), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Thurio), Forever Plaid (Sparky), Fiddler on the Roof (Twice!), Cinderella and Chess just to name a few.

Lauren J. Peters, Stage Manager

 

Lauren J. Peters is enjoying the experience of working on such a special production. Originally a performer, Lauren started working in theater at the age of 3 and continues to work in various capacities both on stage and behind the scenes. Finding stage management her favorite place in the theater in high school, she has been working as a stage manager for 10 years around the Los Angeles area. She has worked on shows such as Forever Plaid and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in San Pedro at the Warner Grand Theatre for The RelevantStage Theater Company, at Stage52LA for Sustaining Sound Theatre Company’s production of Little Women, the Musical, The El Portal for the Kelrik Production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and here at Chromolume Theatre for the recent productions of The Musical of Musicals, the Musical and Altar Boyz. She is currently the Assistant Technical Director at Chromolume Theatre, and will be working on the upcoming production of Putting It Together in November and will be working on the upcoming production of 9 to 5 at Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center this Fall. Lauren feels very blessed to have the opportunity to be working in the field she is passionate about and feels she was born for. Thanks Mom & Ksells for all the support.

Willard Manus, Playwright

 

Willard Manus has had numerous plays produced in L.A., most recently Marilyn — My Secret, Bridge and Just a Song at Twilight. He is also a journalist and novelist whose best known work is Mott the Hoople, the novel from which the 70s British rock band took its name. Another recent play of his, Frank And Ava, won a Best Play Award at the 2013 Hollywood Fringe Festival and went on to an 8-month run at Three Clubs in Hollywood. Manus is a member of the Actors Studio Playwrights/Directors Unit and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association.

Mike Abramson, Marketing

 

Mike is an award winning producer and has successfully produced about a dozen shows in the Los Angeles area. Since 2011, Mike has served as an in-house Producer and Director of Marketing for DOMA Theatre Company where he has garnered critical acclaim for several musicals including Jekyll and Hyde (LA Weekly Critics Pick of the Week), Xanadu (LA Weekly GO), Avenue Q (LA Times Critics Choice, Ovation Recommended, and nominated for six 2013 Ovation Awards including Best Musical Intimate Theatre) and Dreamgirls (LA Times Critics Choice, Ovation Recommended, winner of three LA Drama Critics Circle Awards including Best Revival, nominated for five LA Weekly Theater Awards including Best Musical Production and winner of 11 Stage Scene LA Awards including Best Musical Production of the Year). Outside of DOMA, Mike has produced several successful plays and musicals including Is There Sex After Marriage? (Recommended, Top 10 – Stage Raw), The Pokemusical, Nocturne, Rent, Its the Biz and Listen Can You Hear Me Now (Winner Best of Fringe) to name a few. Mike thanks James Esposito and the entire Chromolume Family for welcoming him with open arms.

Ken Werther, Publicity

 

Ken Werther Publicity has been a staple in the Los Angeles performing arts community since 1982. Currently: Broadway Under the Stars; The Goat or, Who Is Sylvia?; Rise and Shine, or I Thought I Was White; Andronicus; LA Jewish Symphony 20th Anniversary; 2014 LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards; LALGBTC Cultural Arts Program; O Baby Mine (CD of kid’s songs and lullabies inspired by Shakespeare); Acting Dead (web series); Erich Bergen. www.KenWerther.com

Troy Dailey, Aaron

 

Troy Dailey enjoys walks on the beach, an Irish mule, and playing with all the doggies.  His first memory on stage is joining Van Halen during their Balance Tour. Introducing them in true rebel child fashion, he froze hearing the thunderous applause. Being carried offstage by a band member aside, it was love at first fright. Favorite roles: Archibald Craven (The Secret Garden), Beast (Beauty and the Beast), The Baker (Into the Woods). Troy dedicates today’s performance to his mother, who was always his biggest supporter.

Paloma Malfavon, Casey

 

Paloma Malfavón is excited to be making her Chromolume Theatre debut as Casey in the Los Angeles premiere of First Date at the Zephyr Theatre. She recently played Elle Woods in Legally Blonde at the El Portal Theatre, earning a SCENIE Award for Breakout Lead Performance. Other favorite roles include Rizzo in Grease and Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family. She would like to thank her family and friends for their endless love and encouragement.

Kendre Scott, Gabe

 

Kendre Scott is ready to help bring in the new era of Chromolume after their hiatus and kill it on stage doing the LA premiere of First Date: The Musical. He’d like to thank his wife Gina for always pushing him to perform and do what he loves. His previous roles include Jack Kelly (Newsies at CTG Santa Clarita), Audrey II (Little Shop of Horrors at ActingOut!), and Benny (In The Heights at Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center)   

Natalie Scott, Lauren

 

Natalie Scott is a Los Angeles-based actor and singer. After earning her BA in Theatre from Eastern Michigan University, she moved herself out to California where she’s performed on stages with Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, and Whoopi Goldberg. Favorite theatre credits include: Legally Blonde (EMU), Alice in Wonderland (Wilshire Ebell), and A Case of the Mondays (The Actors Group). She recently starred in the Christmas caper, Merry Heistmas, and is looking forward to continuing her training with The Groundlings this spring. ItsNatalieScott.com

Christopher Baker, Reggie

 

Christopher Baker, a Florida native, is excited to be part of First Date. He has performed in productions such as Rent at Chance Theatre, where he played Benny, and recently portrayed Jerry in ARENA: A House Music-al. Christopher is a passionate actor, constantly honing his craft at Baron Brown Studio, and looks forward to delivering a great performance.

Rachel Yoffe, Allison

 

Rachel is excited to be making her Chromolume debut! Rachel received her BA in Theatre from California State University, Northridge and some of her previous credits include: Sweeney Todd (Johanna), The Secret Garden (Lily), Spring Awakening (Martha), Evita (Mistress), The Drowsy Chaperone (Kitty), Legally Blonde (Vivienne U/S), Big Fish (Sandra), The Prom (Kaylee), Something Rotten (Portia U/S), Les Miserables (Cosette U/S), Elf (Jovie U/S). Enjoy the show!

Michael Angel, Waiter

 

Michael is extremely honored to be back at Chromolume Theatre, after having played Buck in Zanna, Don’t! back in 2017. Some past credits include Legally Blonde (Elle’s Dad/Ensemble), In the Heights (Domingo), Mamma Mia! (Eddie), Grease (Roger) and Elf (Store Manager). When he is not performing, you can catch him serving Theatre greatness in the Box Office at the Pantages Theatre! Thank you for supporting live theatre and enjoy the show!

Bonnie Joy Sludikoff, Grandma Ida

 

Bonnie Joy Sludikoff is thrilled to be returning to the stage after a nearly four year hiatus! These days Bonnie mostly works as a writer and activist/advocate, but she never turns down an opportunity to burst into song whether onstage or— let’s face it — literally anywhere else. Past favorite performances have included Songs For A New World (Woman 2), A Chorus Line (Bebe), Hair (Jeanie), The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas (Doatsy Mae), Godspell (Joanne), and six magical seasons singing at Disneyland Resort and other amazing venues with Mixed Company’s Tis The Season Handbell Carolers. Bonnie has also starred in four solo shows including The Magic Schoolbus: A Traumedy.  She is grateful for the opportunity to get back to the magical world of telling stories through song. www.BonnieJoySludikoff.com

Andreas Pantazis, Aaron u/s

 

Andreas Pantazis is grateful for the return of Chromolume Theatre and be apart of that. Just seen in Guys and Dolls with Altadena Music Theatre, Beauty and the Beast as Beast with Nocturne Theatre and as Gaston with Candlelight Pavilion/Inland Pacific Ballet. Other Credits: Les Miserables (Courfeyrac, u/s Marius) Regional Tour; Kiss Me Kate with Marina Del Rey Symphony; Home For The Holidays (Santa) Knott’s Berry Farm; Elf the Musical (u/s Santa, Greenway) Sierra Repertory Theatre; and Cinderella with 5 Star Theatricals. He’s thanks James, Jonny, Michael and talented cast for letting him share the stage with them. Big thanks to his family and friends, and you for your continuous support of LA theatre. IG: @Andreas.a.Pantazis

Olivia Leyva, Casey u/s

 

Olivia has a B.A. in English and a minor in Theater Arts from California Lutheran University. Her recent previous acting credits include In The Heights (Morgan-Wixson Theater) and The Prom (Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center). She’s also a director, playwright, and dramaturg around Los Angeles and Ventura counties. She hopes you have many fruitful first dates!  

James Esposito, Director, Scenic Design, Sound Design

 

James is thrilled to be back in the director’s chair after a six year hiatus. Directing credits include Dessa Rose (LA Premiere), Pacific Overtures (Stage Raw Winner for Best Musical), Songs For A New World and Strip. He is a founding member of Chromolume Theatre and is currently the V.P. of Operations. Sound Design credits include Dessa Rose, Pacific Overtures, Zanna, Don’t! just to name a few. Scenic Design credits include the NAACP Award Winning production of Do Lord Remember Me and Dessa Rose. On stage, his credits include In The Heights (Kevin) Company (Bobby), City of Angels (Munoz), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Thurio) and Forever Plaid (Sparky) just to name a few.

Brianne Lopez, Assistant Director

 

Brianne Lopez is thrilled to make her debut as assistant director for the production of First Date. Brianne’s previous acting credits Include In The Heights at Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, Rent at Cabrillo stage, Little Shop of Horrors and Bring It On The Musical at College of the Canyons. While Brianne is regularly seen on stage, she is so excited to step onto the other side of the curtain. She wants to thank her partner Domonique for always supporting her in whatever she does.

Jonny Perl, Musical Director

 

Chromolume debut! Former Managing Director, Shinbone Theatre Company. Musicals: Shel, Lorelei, Macabaret, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Cabaret; and Immersive Experiences: What Went Wrong, Welcome Back Woodchucks, Afterlife Anonymous. Actor: Cuckoo’s Nest, Tick, Tick…BOOM!, and Merrily We Roll Along. Co-Producer How to Dance in Ohio on Broadway, Production Supervisor Paws of Fury for Paramount. Upcoming: Farewell My Concubine by Kenneth Lin and Jason Robert Brown. Jonny also regularly music directs, accompanies, teaches, and leads piano bar singalongs. Best known for TikTok @Jonny.Perl.

Michael Marchak, Choreographer

 

Michael received a BA in theatre with a minor in chemistry from USC. He is currently pursuing a masters in Urban Planning also at USC. Having choreographed Zanna Don’t, Pacific Overtures, Dessa Rose, and directed Story of My Life; Michael is thrilled to be back at Chromolume once again! Starting his dance training at sixteen years old, Michael found a passion for storytelling through movement. Ballet became a favorite while also training in jazz, tap and dabbling in hip-hop. Past choreography/directing credits: Mean Girls (Fairfax High School), Topsy Turvy (Cupcake), The Legend of Georgia McBride (Crown City), The Importance of Being Earnest (Crown City), She Loves Me, Charlie Brown, Legally Blonde, Little Women, Wild Party, Matilda, Frog & Toad, Addams Family, and Prom (all at MWT). @mikejmarch “You’ve got talent. Don’t give up.”

Ariella Salinas Fiore, Intimacy Director

 

Ariella Salinas Fiore (she/her/ella) is excited to be part of the return of Chromolume! This is her first time working with this company.  She has served as Intimacy Director for Romeo and Juliet, Choose Your Own Ending (Morgan-Wixson), Las Sirenas (LATC), American La Ronde (PRT), Elf (SVCAC), Losing Your Humanity (HFF), and Seminar (Little Fish Theatre), among many others.  She is also an Intimacy Coordinator for film and television.  She has been performing as an actor on stage since she was 3, and has worked as a sex educator since college, so the leap to Intimacy Professional was a natural one. She is grateful to James and the team for having her on board to create a consent forward space for this story. Much love and thanks to her partner, Michael, to their loinfruit, and to her friends, who all always provide her with so much support. IG: AriellaSalinasFiore

Kara McLeod, Costume Design

 

Kara has been a theater professional for about a million years, or over 30, depending on how you count them.  She has worked with companies such as South Coast Repertory, Center Theater Group, The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles, LA Opera and Disney Imagineering.  Some of her past shows with Chromolume are The Musical of Musicals, the Musical!, Pacific Overtures and Dessa Rose.  She’s excited to be back at this, the rebirth of Chromolume Theatre and hopes you enjoy this and many more shows to come!

Cici Mao, Lighting Design

 

Cici is excited to join Chromolume for First Date! Their past work includes Footloose at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre, If All The Sky Were Paper with Arroyo Reparatory Theatre, and various theatre productions at MIT, including Jekyll and Hyde, The Wedding Singer, and A Chorus Line.

Brandon John, Master Electrician

 

Brandon John is excited to join Chromolume as the Master Electrician. Recent lighting and sound design credits include Small Mouth Sounds, Jekyll & Hyde, Legally Blonde, A Chorus Line, Jasper in Deadland, Spamalot, Footloose, and The Addams Family.

Emily Walker, Production Stage Manager

 

Emily is so excited to work with Chromolume for the first time as the Production Stage Manager. Her previous work as a PSM includes Footloose, In The Heights, and Wild Party. She would like to thank her friends and family for all the support and love. 

Ken Werther, Publicity

 

KEN WERTHER PUBLICITY has been a staple in the Los Angeles performing arts community since 1982. Public relations, producing, directing. As producer: All Your Hard Work (Brimmer St. Theatre Company); The Good Boy (LATC); A Kind of Kind (Celebration Theatre @ Atwater Village) the Queer Classics productions of The Importance of Being Earnest and The Taming of the Shrew. Assistant director: Stop the World, I Want to Get Off (Musical Theatre Guild); The Women of Brewster Place (Celebration Theatre); The Woodsman (Coeurage Theatre Company).