12/16/2016 “Little Drummer Bowie” returns to the Falcon – ArtsBeatLA

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Published by Laura Ann Tull at December 14, 2016

“Little Drummer Bowie” returns to theFalcon

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Katie Kitani, Katie DeShan, Rick Batalla, Joseph Leo Bwarie, Niles Rivers, Cloie Wyatt Taylor

Photo by Sasha A. Venola.

The Troubie’s annual Christmas show this year is Little Drummer Bowie. The company rocks the classic nativityChristmas tale at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank to a modern audience with a much-needed message: peace onearth, love to all, and no hate. Co-directed by Joseph Leo Bwarie and Matt Walker, this piece marries classical rockmusic with a classical story, and—for many who know Bowie’s work—a beloved Christmas song as well.

While this is not the �rst presentation of this piece by the Ovation award-winning Troubadour Theater Company, it isinfused with new blood. As usual they also inject plenty of topical, new material, bombarding the audience with

several election jokes right from the start. And if you’re running late, expect brie�y to become a (probably unwilling)

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12/16/2016 “Little Drummer Bowie” returns to the Falcon – ArtsBeatLA

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several election jokes right from the start. And if you’re running late, expect brie�y to become a (probably unwilling)part of the show.

Throughout this fast-paced show the cast frequently breaks the fourth wall, making this truly a night that only livetheater can create. Tennis balls do not get tossed to audience members in a movie theater…

One cannot forget that pop/rock legend David Bowie passed away earlier this year. For many that loss still hurts. Yetthis production inspires joy not pain. Little Drummer Bowie spans the bulk of Bowie’s extensive and eclectic careerand weaves his classics into a fun-�lled Christmas tale.

Bowie’s duet with Bing Crosby of the memorable Christmas song ‘Little Drummer Boy’ stands as the birthright of thisproduction, with over 4 million views on YouTube alone. Ironically, that duet almost did not happen, according to anarticle in People. While Bowie claims his son loves the song, Bowie did not. Rather, he opted to singHe sang withCrosby in honor of his Mom. The lyric that Bowie did connect to was “Peace on Earth.” This Troubie’s production relatesthe story of the Drummer Boy; a musician struggling with what is important and trying to �nd love.  Much like Bowie’spart in the duet, Bowie’s song serve to send the same message of peace.

Joseph Leo Bwarie, fresh off a lengthy run as Frankie Valli in the Tony Award winning musical Jersey Boys, plays thecentral character, the Drummer Boy, who takes his character name from a Bowie song. The ingenuity of thisproduction and how it weaves Bowie’s music with the tale of a struggling drummer, and the birth of a child in amanger, will leave any Bowie fan cheering, tempted to sing and dance along.

The rest of the show’s cast consists of Rick Batalla, Lisa Valenzuela, Beth Kennedy, Riccardo Berdini, Katie DeShan, KatieKitani, Niles Rivers, and Cloe Wyatt Taylor. The cast plays many characters though out the piece from a donkey and asheep to the Three Kings, even the Drummer Boy’s Mom and Dad—the list goes on and feature incredibly quickcostume changes that seem effortless.

The backup band consists of Eric Heinly on drums—also responsible for the musical direction and arrangements—along with Kevin McCourt on keyboard, BJ Johnson on bass, Mike Abraham on guitar, and Kristin Edkins and AshleyJarmack on reeds.

 

 

Little Drummer Bowie presented by the Troubadour Theater Company

Falcon Theatre

4252 Riverside,

Burbank, CA 91505

Performances:

Runs until January 15th, 2017

Wednesday through Friday, 8 p.m.

Saturday, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sundays, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

plus select Tuesdays—check the website.

Running time: Approximately 90 minutes, with one intermission.

Tickets:

Range from $30.00 – $45.00

Box Of�ce:

Purchase Tickets here or call (818) 955-8101.

Additional information is available here.

  

12/16/2016 “Little Drummer Bowie” returns to the Falcon – ArtsBeatLA

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Joseph Leo Bwarie

Photo by Sherry Greczmiel.

 

 

Laura Ann Tull

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