The cast from Crazy for You are waiting to entertain.
Photo: JESUS FLORIDO
Theatre Palisades Youth (TPY) began rehearsal on January 6, for their winter musical, Crazy for You.
Then on January 7, everything changed with the Palisades Fire. The Fire destroyed Pierson Playhouse, costumes, musical instruments, sound booth and props. Gone was 37-year-old, 125-seat theater, known as the home of Theatre Palisades.
“We knew we had to keep engaging the kids,” said TPY director Lara Ganz, who oversees the theatre’s TPY and TP Teen programs for kids ages 7 to 17. “We couldn’t let them fall into isolation like they did during Covid.” (Ganz also lost her home in the fire.)
Choreographer Rebecca Barragan secured rehearsal space at St. Monica Preparatory, where she and co-choreographer Aaron Jung and musical director gaba kept the kids singing, dancing, and finding purpose.
Thirteen kids impacted by the fire ultimately left the cast. Of the 45 who remained, at least 22 suffered a total loss or severe damage of their homes.
“For us, TPY is more than just a theater program—it’s a community, a family, and a safe space where kids can express themselves and shine,” said Nousha Soofi, mom to cast members Aria, 12, and Ava, 10. “When so much was uncertain for our family, having TPY continue was a source of stability and hope. Our children could experience a sense of normalcy, creativity, and joy amidst all the unknowns.”
Crazy for You is a toe-tapping, 1930s romantic comedy about a boy, a girl, and a theater in need of salvation, with a score by George and Ira Gershwin.
This is the classic tale of a boy, a girl, and a theater in need of salvation. Bobby Child, a New York banker with a passion for dance, is sent to Deadrock, Nevada, to foreclose on a theater. Instead, Bobby falls for Polly Baker, the theater owner’s daughter. Determined to win her heart and save the theater, he plans a spectacular show featuring cowboys, showgirls, high-energy production numbers and tap dancing,
The cast, which includes students in third to 10th grades, will put on 10 performances.
Show times at the Paul Revere Middle School Auditorium, 1450 Allenford Avenue, are Friday, February 28, at 7 p.m; Saturday, March 1 at 4 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, March 2, at 1 and 4 p.m., Friday, March 7 at 5 and 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 8 at 4 and 7 p.m. and the final show is Sunday, March 9 at 1 p.m.
Tickets ranging from $17 to $35 can be purchased at theatrepalisades.org/youth. TPY is offering complimentary tickets to people impacted by the fire. Go to theatrepalisades.org/youth to contact Jon Ganz directly for these special tickets.
Still, with all that was lost in the fire, TPY needs your help: Donations can be made to the TPY GoFundMe and sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting co-producer Laura Dicterow (lmd7@mac.com). For those who simply want to support the arts, buy a ticket and come be entertained.
Hi Sue. We love you! Mayor “I see nothing, I know NOTHING” needs to “put on her pull-ups”!! We living in EXILE in Long Beach salute you! What a city of “FALLEN ANGELS” we’ve become. I having been trying for 30 years+ to have a law requiring So. Cal. pool owners to have a gasoline powered FIRE FIGHTING PUMP. This has thus far has fallen on deaf ears. Of course, our Dear Leader in Sacto would want it to be solar powered… Be well Sue, keep up the fight! Tony and Diana.
Liza thank you from the bottom of my heart for keeping our community together and the children engaged in their passions.
When you are able please post positive news about our community to Sue Pascoe. Our hearts are broken and we must have Hope!!!