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American musicals return at benefit in Westlake
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The Festival of New American Musicals has announced a special benefit from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at a home in Westlake Village.
Steven and Karen Staitman will host the fundraiser for the Southland-based group, formed to promote "a new generation of theater and musical theater," said Gail Reznik of Calabasas Hills.
Her daughter Annie, 11, a singer, will be among about 10 young talents to be showcased, according to Bob Klein of Malibu, festival representative.
He called Annie and the others to be part of a half-hour show, "Broadway Stars of Tomorrow."
The entertainment, put together by vocal coach Debi Lewis of Westlake Village, will be complemented with several celebrities, including Patrick Cassidy.
The festival "celebrates the triumphant return of the American musical" and is the first Southern California-wide cultural event since the 1984 Olympic Arts festival, said Klein, co-executive producer.
Through May and June, "almost 50 events, from Santa Barbara to San Diego are planned, bringing over 160 individual performances. Of those 50 events, five alone are being put on by Rubicon Theater in Ventura," he said.
Klein works with festival executive producer Marcia Seligson, noted pianist, singer and author who for 12 years produced more than 30 shows and events through the umbrella organization called Reprise!
From Reprise grew the Festival of New American Musicals, he said.
To receive an invitation to Sunday's event and the address, contact Karen Belasco of Westlake Village at 800-644-9474. For festival events, visit http://www.lafestival.org.
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