Center Theatre Group turned the Kirk Douglas Theatre lobby turned into a Wild West shindig for opening night of the Rude Mechs musical I’ve Never Been So Happy. Attendees were offered cowboy garb and Texas chili while competing in a scavenger hunt for prizes amidst hay bales, saloon fronts and colorful town folk. The musical marks the LA return of Austin-based theater troupe who performed its Method Gun as part of this summer’s RADAR L.A. festival.
Called a “transmedia hootenanny,” I’ve Never Been So Happy, written by Kirk Lynn, centers around two star-crossed lovers in the wild wild West who, along with the help of some talking dachshunds, must fight to stay together despite the efforts of their parents, a mountain lion, and whole slew of colorful characters. Composer Peter Stopschinski’s score ranges everywhere from down-home country, to ballads, heavy metal, opera and R&B.
During the show’s 20 minute intermission, audience members enjoy a self-described “interactive carnivalesque performance party” similar to the one enjoyed by opening night patrons.
To read the LA STAGE Times interview with co-director Lana Lesley, and company members E. Jason Liebrecht and Meg Sullivan, click here.
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Cast members Lowell Bartholomee, Meg Sullivan and E. Jason Liebrecht
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Writer Kirk Lynn, Co-Director/cast member Thomas Graves, Composer/cast member Peter Stopschinski and Co-Director/cast member Lana Lesley
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CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie poses with cast member Jenny Larson, Co-Directors/cast members Lana Lesley and Thomas Graves
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Cast member Jenny Larson and Co-Director/Cast member Lana Lesley
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Cast members Hannah Kenah, Kerri Atwood and Liz Cass
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Cast members E. Jason Liebrecht, Erin Meyer and Noel Gaulin
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Cast member Meg Sullivan and Co-Director/cast member Lana Lesley
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Cast members Jenny Larson and Paul Soileau
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Cast members Meg Sullivan and E. Jason Liebrecht
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Cast members Cami Alys and E. Jason Liebrecht
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Composer/cast member Peter Stopschinski and guitarist Eric Roach
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Cast members Michael Mergen and Lowell Bartholomee
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Opening Night For "I've Never Been So Happy" At The Kirk Douglas Theatre
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http://www.lastagetimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/13-Cast-members-Lowell-Bartholonee-and-Meg-Sullivan.jpgCULVER CITY, CA - OCTOBER 8: Cast members Lowell Bartholonee (L) and Meg Sullivan (R) pose during the shindig for the opening night performance of "I've Never Been So Happy" at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre on October 8, 2011 in Culver City, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)
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Cast member Erin Meyer, cast member Noel Gaulin, Co-Director/Cast member Thomas Graves, cast member Hannah Kenah, Co-Director/cast member Lana Lesley and choreographer Dayna Hanson
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Cast member Erin Meyer, Co-Director/cast member Lana Lesley, cast member Noel Gaulin, Co-Director/Cast member Thomas Graves, cast member Hannah Kenah and choreographer Dayna Hanson
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Cast member/Co-Director Thomas Graves
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Cast member Noel Gaulin
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CTG concierge Laura Cheek, barker Stephen Lydic, CTG concierge Trevor Algatt and CTG concierge Sarah Harburg-Petrich
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CTG concierge Adam Wright
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Debora Girand and Donna McKenna
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Francisco Herandez
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The lobby decorations during the shindig for the opening night performance of "I've Never Been So Happy" at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre
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Nitai Cook
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CTG concierge Laura Cheek
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CTG concierge Adam Wright and usher Stephen Lydic
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The lobby decorations during the shindig for the opening night performance of "I've Never Been So Happy" at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre
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laI’ve Never Been So Happy, Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Previews Fri-Sat 8 pm. Opens Sunday Oct 9, 7 pm. Plays Thur-Fri 8 pm, Sat 3 and 8 pm, Sun 2 and 7 pm, through Oct 23. 213-628-2772. www.CenterTheatreGroup.org.
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