The Prince of Egypt at CASA 0101

(l to r) God (Ensemble) speaks to Moses – Photo by Steve Moyer

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of CASA 0101 Theater‘s The Prince of Egypt: The Musical directed by Rigo Tejeda, produced by Emmanuel Deleague and Abel Alvarado, November 22 through December 21

The Prince of Egypt is a huge show. An ambitious undertaking for any theatre. Even CASA 0101! But the innovative and wonderfully gifted team at CASA 0101 has taken these beautiful Stephen Schwartz songs and the wonderful Philip Lazebnik story and made it their own.

(l to r) Queen Tuya, Ramses, Nefertari, Hotep, Priest – Photo by Steve Moyer

The story itself is based on the book of Exodus and follows two brothers, Ramses and Moses, who are raised together in the royal family of the Pharaoh of Egypt. Moses was famously found in a basket in the reeds at the edge of the Nile by Ramses’ mother, the Queen of Egypt. She loved him instantly and raised him as her son. But once Moses finds out who he really is, he leaves the protection of the palace to take his place among his tribe. When Moses returns years later to see Ramses, he asks for all the slaves in Egypt to be freed. Ramses is now Pharaoh, but the priests, who really run things, refuse to allow the slaves freedom. The city is consequently visited by plagues and pestilence until Rameses relents, and Moses leads the slaves to the desert and freedom.

All this is told using some of the most fabulous songs ever written, with incredible choreography, insane costumes and brilliantly talented actors and singers. The Prince of Egypt really is a spectacular show when produced with love and let me tell you CASA 0101 loves this show!!

(l to r) Hotep, Ramses, Nefertari – Photo by Steve Moyer

The sets are beautifully simple and very effective and the costumes are outrageously good (Alejandro Lechuga – RuPaul’s Drag Race). Direction feels light and fluid, giving these wonderful actors and performers space to expand into their roles. But this is a very tight show, and the pace is fast and furious. So without a strong director at the helm, it could easily all go horribly wrong….it of course doesn’t! Far from it, in fact. 

This production of The Prince of Egypt is perfectly balanced and packed with non-stop music and action. But there is also plenty of room for love. Love between families and partners gives us some of the most special moments in the show, as well as the most heartfelt performances. 

(l to r) Miriam, Moses, Aaron – Photo by Steve Moyer

In these difficult times, we need some fun, don’t we? Connecting with incredible artists sharing stories that resonate, reminding us all that things were tough many times before and we got through it. We survived, and we changed our world for the better. Everything is a lesson, especially theatre!

CASA 101 is proving that theatre in Los Angeles can be as exciting as New York. This production of The Prince of Egypt performed in a genuine community theatre by some of the best actors I have seen, anywhere! I highly recommend it!! It’s a great show to bring your entire family to!

Tickets: 

When:

November 22 – December 21
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., and on Sundays at 3:00 p.m.

Where:

CASA 0101
2102 E 1st St Los Angeles, CA 90033

(l to r) Yocheved with baby Moses, Young Aaron, Young Miriam

The Cast

The cast: Diego Huerta-Gutierrez* (of Santa Ana, CA) as Moses (Actors Equity); Christopher J Thumé (of Studio City, CA) as Ramses; Joslynn Cortes* (of Sherman Oaks, CA) as Tzipporah (Actors Equity); Jabriel Daniels (of Los Angeles, CA) as Seti/Jethro; Chrissi Erickson (Highland Park, CA) as Miriam; Aiden Ricardo Heredia (of South Los Angeles, CA) as Young Aaron; Danielle Johnson (of Glendale, CA) as Queen Tuya; Sammy J Kohler (of Escondido, CA) as Aaron/Guard; Naledi Miga (of Koreatown, CA) as Nefertari; Sofia Lopez (of Riverside, CA) as Young Miriam/Leah; Tal Toker (of Chatsworth, CA) as Hotep; and Toni Elizabeth White* (of West Hollywood, CA) as Yocheved (Actors Equity).

The Ensemble:  Julian Armaya (of West Hollywood, CA) as Ensemble, Guard, Aaron, Seti and Hotep Understudy; Christopher D. Baker (of Culver City, CA) Ensemble, Jethro Understudy; Aaron Gibbs (of Los Angeles, CA) as Ensemble, Overseer, Priest, Guard, Understudy for Moses and Ramses; Kayleigh Long (of Hollywood, CA) as Ensemble, Keturah, (Dance Captain); Gabriella Ortiz* (of Pasadena, CA) as Ensemble (Actors Equity); Emily Ann Pember (of Echo Park, CA) as Ensemble, Tzipporah Understudy; Faith Perez (of Temple City, CA) as Ensemble, Yocheved and Queen Tuya Understudy; Alyssa Rojas (of Monterey Park, CA) as Ensemble, Maid, Miriam Understudy; Joseph Rosales (of Upland, CA) as Ensemble; and Abraxaz Efrain Sanchez Lopez (of City of Commerce, CA) as Ensemble.

The Team

The production team for DreamWorks THE PRINCE OF EGYPT: THE MUSICAL includes:  Josefina López (of the Boyle Heights) Founding Artistic Director, CASA 0101 Theater; Emmanuel Deleage (of Silver Lake, CA) Producer and Executive Director, CASA 0101 Theater; Abel Alvarado (of Silver Lake, CA) Producer; Edward Padilla (of the Boyle Heights) Casting Director and CASA 0101 Theater Board Member; Rigo Tejeda (of Whittier, CA) Director; Gabrielle Maldonado (of Los Angeles, CA) Music Director; Tonia Possick (of Silver Lake, CA) Choreographer; Karla Ojeda (of East Los Angeles, CA) Assistant Director; Joaquín Madrid Larrañaga (of Lincoln Heights, CA) Stage Manager; César Rentana-Holguín (of Northridge, CA) Set Designer; Alejandro Parra (of Burbank, CA) Lighting Designer; Anthony Storniolo (of Los Angeles, CA) Projection Designer; Tony Iniguez (of West Covina, CA) Costume Designer; Alejandro Lechuga (of El Sereno, CA) Wig Designer; Audrey Szot (of Pico Robinson, CA) Props Master; Jeremy Ocañas (of Boyle Heights) Assistant Set Builder: Angelica Ornelas (of North Hollywood, CA) Sound Mixer; Itzel Ocampo (of Alhambra, CA) Graphic Designer and CASA 0101 Theater Marketing and Operations Manager; Jasmine Morales (of Los Angeles, CA) Assistant Stage Manager; Jay Guerrero (of Los Angeles, CA) Assistant Stage Manager; Miguel Angel Delgado (of South Gate, CA) CASA 0101 Theater Technical Director; Mark Kraus (of Los Angeles, CA), CASA 0101 Theater Development Director; Gabriela López de Dennis, Soap Studio Inc. (of Los Angeles, CA) Program; Jorge Villanueva (of the Boyle Heights) Facilities Manager; Oscar Basulto (of the Boyle Heights) Box Office Manager; Al Aguilar (of Los Angeles, CA) Production Assistant/Foyer Designer; Claudia Diaz (of Los Angeles, CA) CASA 0101 Theater Administrative Assistant; Rudy Torres (of Los Angeles, CA) Production Photographer and Steve Moyer Public Relations (of Los Angeles, CA), Press Representative