 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Celebrity Guest Narrator |
|
Gilbert Gottfried, Celebrity Guest Narrator
After spending several years mastering the art of stand-up comedy, producers of the legendary NBC late night comedy show Saturday Night Live became aware of Gilbert Gottfried and, in 1980, hired him as a cast member. It wasn't until a few years later when his true notoriety would begin when MTV hired him for a series of improvised and hilarious promos for the newly formed channel. This led to several television appearances on "The Cosby Show" and "Late Night with David Letterman."
Gottfried’s work in television soon led to roles in film. Most notable was his improvised scene as business manager Sidney Bernstein in the hit sequel "Beverly Hills Cop II," for which the New York Daily News said that “Gilbert Gottfried steals the picture with a single scene.” Aside from his glowing reputation in comedy clubs, Gottfried began to gain a reputation as the king of quirky roles in both movies and television. He appeared in such movies as "Problem Child," "Problem Child II," "Look Who's Talking II" and "The Adventures of Ford Fairlane." He was also the host of the very popular late night movie series "USA Up All Night."
After his stellar performance as the wise cracking parrot, IAGO, in the Disney classic "Aladdin," Gottfried became one of the most recognizable voiceover talents. His signature voice can be heard in several commercials, cartoons and movies, including the frustrated duck in the AFLAC Insurance commercials. Gottfried also is the voice of DIGIT in the long running PBS Series "Cyberchase." Gottfried has been a regular on the new "Hollywood Squares" and is a frequent guest on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "The Howard Stern Show." He recently appeared in the hit comedy documentary "The Aristocrats," with Entertainment Weekly saying that "out of the 101 comedians who appear on screen, no one is funnier - or more disgusting – than Gilbert Gottfried.” Gottfried is one of the most sought-after comedians, and regularly performs live to sold-out audiences across North America.
|
|
|
Production Team |
|
Aaron Matijasic, Book and Lyrics, Director
Aaron Matijasic graduated “almost cum laude” from the University of Southern California’s renowned Film School, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing for Film and Television. He has written six feature screenplays, one of which, “Townies,” is currently in development at Rosa Entertainment, the production company behind the Academy Award nominated film, Go Tigers! As an actor, he is currently starring in The Beastly Bombing, a political musical satire which not only won LA Weekly’s “Musical of the Year” award, but is also the longest running show in Los Angeles. He also directed the original workshop performance of Invasion! at USC.
|
|
|
Billy Thompson, Music, Musical Director
Billy Thompson was a state competitor in piano and voice in Oregon before earning his Bachelor of Music in Composition from the University of Southern California, where he took extensive extra-curricular studies in theatre and film. He has sung back up for such greats as Debbie Reynolds and Barbra Streisand, soloed as a promotional pianist for Miramax Films, and performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Desert Symphony. He has provided source music and scoring for several films and served as musical director, arranger, orchestrator and/or accompanist for stage productions throughout Southern California. In addition to his freelance work, he coaches privately and serves as the accompanist and teaching assistant for USC's musical theatre program.
|
|
|
Ben Giroux, Executive Producer
Ben Giroux graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Theatre and a minor in Cinema-Television. His most notable credits include the role of Milty in Center Theatre Group's 2005 production of Dead End at the Ahmanson Theatre, and Moonface Martin in USC's production of Anything Goes for which he was awarded the 2005 John Ritter Memorial Comedy Award. Giroux guest-stars in the new Farrelly Brothers' sitcom The Rules for Starting Over, which will air this fall on Fox. He also most recently guest-starred as Jimmy Nickels on Psych for the USA Network, which will air this August.
|
|
|
Gabriel Oliva, Executive Producer
In addition to producing Invasion: The Musical, Gabriel is a professional actor and singer. He currently performs adaptations of Romeo and Juliet and Much Ado About Nothing with East L.A. Classic Theatre and sings lead in the world-renown barbershop quartet: The Dapper Dans of Disneyland. In June 2007 he will travel to Argentina where he will spend four weeks shooting the feature film Thy Kingdom Come through ReDark pictures, being released in Spain, Italy, and the U.S. at the end of the year. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre from the University of Southern California.
|
|
|
Additional Production Team Members |
|
Ken Werther - Ken Werther Publicity, Publicist
Alex LoCasale - Publicity and Fundraising Coordinator
Tara Potthoff, Stage Manager
Julianne Figueroa, Assistant Stage Manager / Technical Director
Sally Fuscoe, Assistant Director / Choreographer
Kelly Proctor, Choreographer
Adam Blumenthal, Set Designer
Dan O'Brien, Lighting Designer
Jesse Laks, Sound Designer
Jillian Batherson, Costume Designer / Make-Up
Mark Abulencia, Pinch Rehearsal Pianist
Carl Petrillo, Assistant Musical Director / Rehearsal Accompanist
Laura Perez, Prop Master |
|
|
Invasion Benefit Gala Event Team |
|
|
|
|
Caitie Hannon, Gala Event Coordinator
Mrs. Michal Harris, Gala Event Catering
Darby Cahill, Lyric Theatre Planning
Brent Lomas, Gala Event Assistant |
|
|
Investors and Donors |
|
|
|
Javier and Sonia Perez, Associate Producers - Soul Mates
Carlos and Terry Oliva, Associate Producers - Soul Mates
Sam Feldman, Associate Producer - Friends with Benefits
William T. Sturdivant, Associate Producer - Friends with Benefits
Greg Lehman, Associate Producer - One Night Stand
Christophe Nassif, Associate Producer - Flying Solo
Jeremy Millington, Associate Producer - Flying Solo
Bill and Chris Matijasic, Associate Producers - Flying Solo
Marsha and Alan Giroux, Associate Producers - Flying Solo
Bruce L. Tyson, Associate Producer - Flying Solo
Bob & Sarah Holtzman, Associate Producers - Flying Solo
Kathy Thomson, Associate Producer - Flying Solo
Karen Faitelson, Associate Producer - Flying Solo
James & Noelene Feld, Associate Producers - Flying Solo
Michael Hagar & Ross Frankel, Associate Producers - Flying Solo
Lee & Harry Exler, Associate Producer - Flying Just Shy of Solo |
|
|
Cast of Invasion! |
|
Boquicia (Whitney Vigil)
One of two lovely lady Narrators giving new meaning to the phrase "hood rat." Decked in stretch pants and sequins, they're a cross between Diana Ross, Barbara Streisand, and a male transvestite. If Talent and Whitney Vigil had a mud wrestling match, Whitney would win... she's that good.
|
|
|
Shasta (Nicole Gemma)
One of two lovely lady Narrators giving new meaning to the phrase "hood rat." Decked in stretch pants and sequins, they're a cross between Diana Ross, Barbara Streisand, and a male transvestite. Nicole Gemma hails from Compton, California, so after opening weekend, she will probably be capped in a dark alleyway.
|
|
|
Becky Brewster (Kate Feld)
The ditzy, bubbly, boobalicious eighteen year-old, who has a moral crisis when her boyfriend tries to take her virginity. As you might imagine, Kate Feld is bat-shit crazy and probably the biggest cock tease ever.
|
|
|
Johnny Keller, Jesus, Billy Bob (Al Rahn)
All-star wide reciever; the one and only son of God; a jaded homosexual trucker. Apart, these three characters have nothing in common. Put them together and you get Al Rahn, ladies man, man's man, man's man man. He shaves his balls.
|
|
|
Sheriff Brewster (Will Harris)
A simple and irascible recovering alcoholic of few words. His wife, the late Penelope Brewster, was an autistic epilectic with a smelly vagina. Not so different than the
last girl that Will Harris hooked up with, back in the summer of 2002.
|
|
|
Old Man Fletcher, Satan, TJ (Ben Giroux)
A grizzled hick; the Prince of Darkness; an effeminate trucker with an affinity for anal beads. Apart, these three characters have nothing in common. Put them
together and you get Ben Giroux, who has the distinction of being the shortest and hairiest member of the cast. Also the Jew-iest.
|
|
|
Steve Thompson (Cory Bretsch)
Steve is the geeky and hopelessly earnest babysitter, who has been carrying a torch for Becky Brewster since first grade. Cory Bretsch has a big ass dick and a hurricane tongue.
|
|
|
Spencer Brewster (Emily Pennington)
Spencer is a wide-eyed innocent ten year-old boy, who has a secret longing for Steve, his babysitter. Emily Pennington is an androgynous hippie.
|
|
|
Gloria Parish (Jenny Weaver)
A high maintenance yet loving young lesbian news reporter, who has dreams of one day becoming a famous news woman in Albuquerque. Jenny Weaver enjoys women named Roxanne, birkenstocks, and WNBA games.
|
|
|
Janelle (Danielle Faitelson)
Gloria's lesbian counterpart, Janelle is a butch dyke in search of acceptance. People say Danielle Faitelson looks like Renee Zellwegger, and they are right.
|
|
|
Father Riley (Matt Falber)
A drunk and horny catholic Priest, Father Riley decides to date rape Becky after he considers, "what would Jesus do?" Matt Falber enjoys long walks in the park, silent movies, and animalistic sex with Satan. |
|
|
Doctor Wells (Aaron Matijasic)
A smug doctor of Nebular Physics, an expert on extraterrestial life, and a whiz at drawing large diagrams of erect penises. Aaron is a chotch who's slept with most of the girls he knows... an incredible feat for such a twirpy douchebag.
|
|
|
Barbershop Quartet - The Judge (Gabriel Oliva)
Gabriel is fluent in Spanish and failure.
|
|
|
Barbershop Quartet - The Town Rapist (Carl Petrillo)
The town rapist is a friendly, fun-loving, sociable townsman with an affinity for forced sodomy. Carl Petrillo trims his sick-nasty beard with the same trimmers he uses on his nuts.
|
|
|
Barbershop Quartet - The Superintendent (Ian Littleworth)
Ian Littleworth is hung like an overweight primate... there's nothing littleworth about him. Bastard.
|
|
|
Male-ish Ensemble (Alexandra Holtzman)
Alexandra Holtzman may be a girl, but that doesn't stop her from rocking a handlebar mustache in the male ensemble. Mmm, furry.
|
|
|
Female Ensemble - Gale (Lindsey Grubbs)
This townswoman is terrified of alien ray guns. Lindsey Grubbs hurt her knee when she fell from heaven.
|
|
|
Female Ensemble - Pearl (Vanessa Hurd)
Pearl is a Tucker County hottie who gets the be-jesus scared out of her by some pesky aliens. Vanessa Hurd doesn't want no drama drama, no no no drama drama.
|
|
|
Female Ensemble - Carol (Jenn Brown)
Carol is the first townswoman to freak her shit when the aliens land. Jenn Brown loves a good facial... and not the spa kind.
|
|
|
Female Ensemble (Jessica Kaplan)
Jessica Kaplan has a degree in Interplanetary Research with a minor in Sexy.
|
|
|
Dan Brown (Scott Burman)
Dan Brown, famed author of "The Da Vinci Code," makes a special guest appearance. Everywhere Scott Burman goes, eight days later a planet dies. He also works as a successful busboy and lives in a kennel.
|
|
|
Rachel (Donald Webber Jr.)
Donald is the only African-American member of the cast. We had more, but we sold them.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
LA Weekly Calls Invasion: |
|
|
| "A hilarious musical satire" |
|
| "A non-stop comic orgy!" |
|
| "A beautifully crafted score" |
|
| "Freighted with ethnic jokes, scatology and gloriously disgusting ditties" |
|
| The LA Times Calls it: |
|
|
|
|
| "Cheerfully obscene!" |
|
| "Some of the most creative profanity you'll likely hear this season!" |
|
| "A celebratory embrace of everything low-brow and offensive." |
|
|
| "An assault on audience indifference!" |
|
|
| Variety Says: |
|
|
|
|
|
| "It's an envelope-pushing raunchfest" |
|
| "It resembles the latenight handiwork of a team of drunken frat boys trying to top each other's nominations for Ultimate Grossout between extended bong hits" |
|
| "Several catchy melodies" |
|
| BackStageWest Says: |
|
|
| "There's no shortage of energy and talent -- not to mention courage -- among the performing ensemble, the imaginative designers, and the fine musicians" |
|
| "An endless parade of offensive gags!" |
|
| LA Stage Scene Says: |
|
|
| "It’s raunchy, nasty, and a whole lot of fun!" |
|
| "An outrageous romp!" |
|
"When not gasping 'I can’t
believe they just said that!' you’re sure to laugh your pants off!" |
|
|
|
| |
| Pink is the New Blog Says: |
|
|
| |
| "Insanely hilarious!" |
| |
| "Smart and witty lyrics" |
| |
| "There are bigger and better things in store for Invasion! The Musical!" |
|