Writer Charles Condomine has high hopes for his latest paranormal novel, "The Unseen." For inspiration, he and his wife Ruth host a séance with eccentric local medium Madame Arcati, and invite their friends to join in on the spectacle. The evening takes a sudden supernatural turn when Arcati unwittingly conjures Charles' deceased first wife, Elvira, who has no intention of leaving. Love and marriage devolve into laughter and mayhem in this high-spirited classic, and Charles soon learns that he is the sole exception to the phrase “Till Death Do Us Part.”
Presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals
Writer Charles Condomine has high hopes for his latest paranormal novel, "The Unseen." For inspiration, he and his wife Ruth host a séance with eccentric local medium Madame Arcati, and invite their friends to join in on the spectacle. The evening takes a sudden supernatural turn when Arcati unwittingly conjures Charles' deceased first wife, Elvira, who has no intention of leaving. Love and marriage devolve into laughter and mayhem in this high-spirited classic, and Charles soon learns that he is the sole exception to the phrase “Till Death Do Us Part.”
Presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Jack Feldman, and Book by Harvey Fierstein
Based on the 1992 Disney Film Newsies
Set in turn-of-the-century New York City, Newsies tells the inspiring tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a ragged band of "newsies," who dreams of a better life far from the hardship of the streets. When titans of publishing Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's right!
Produced under license from Music Theatre International
Fall Mainstage Musical
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Jack Feldman, and Book by Harvey Fierstein
Based on the 1992 Disney Film Newsies
Set in turn-of-the-century New York City, Newsies tells the inspiring tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a ragged band of "newsies," who dreams of a better life far from the hardship of the streets. When titans of publishing Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's right!
Produced under license from Music Theatre International
This year MMET will step away from the Beatles momentarily to pay tribute to one of their musical influences and artistic rivals, the Beach Boys. This show will attempt to tell their long and fascinating story, while highlighting not just the early hits about surfing and cars, but the more influential pieces from their middle period in the late 1960s and early 1970s. If you’re a devoted fan, you will love this show. MMET has a powerhouse of talent that will be working hard to re-create these complex arrangements and multi-layered vocal harmonies. If you think the Beach Boys were all sun and fun, you will begin a rewarding journey of musical discovery.
MMET Department Fundraiser
This year MMET will step away from the Beatles momentarily to pay tribute to one of their musical influences and artistic rivals, the Beach Boys. This show will attempt to tell their long and fascinating story, while highlighting not just the early hits about surfing and cars, but the more influential pieces from their middle period in the late 1960s and early 1970s. If you’re a devoted fan, you will love this show. MMET has a powerhouse of talent that will be working hard to re-create these complex arrangements and multi-layered vocal harmonies. If you think the Beach Boys were all sun and fun, you will begin a rewarding journey of musical discovery.
After the collapse of human civilization, a group of survivors huddle around a campfire and attempt to piece together the plot of The Simpsons episode "Cape Feare" from memory. Seven years later, this and other snippets of pop culture have become the live entertainment of a post-apocalyptic society, with the story, characters, and morals repurposed to fit the dramatic needs of this fractured world. A tribute to live theater and its enduring players, Mr. Burns is a darkly-funny exploration of how the pop culture of one era might evolve into the mythology of another.
Presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals
Fall Mainstage Play
A Black Comedy by Anne Washburn
After the collapse of human civilization, a group of survivors huddle around a campfire and attempt to piece together the plot of The Simpsons episode "Cape Feare" from memory. Seven years later, this and other snippets of pop culture have become the live entertainment of a post-apocalyptic society, with the story, characters, and morals repurposed to fit the dramatic needs of this fractured world. A tribute to live theater and its enduring players, Mr. Burns is a darkly-funny exploration of how the pop culture of one era might evolve into the mythology of another.
Presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals
Ho, ho, ho! Spend a little time away from the modern-day holiday grind as the APA Orchestra department presents their annual celebration of winter holiday cheer. In addition to the festive sounds of the APA Orchestra, the evening will feature special guest performances by the APA Musical Theatre department, MMET department, Surf City Singers, and the Huntington Beach High School Band and Color Guard. We may not have snow or mistletoe, but there will be plenty of joy in this holiday show. Come start a new family tradition with your musical friends at APA.
APA Orchestra Holiday Show
Ho, ho, ho! Spend a little time away from the modern-day holiday grind as the APA Orchestra department presents their annual celebration of winter holiday cheer. In addition to the festive sounds of the APA Orchestra, the evening will feature special guest performances by the APA Musical Theatre department, MMET department, Surf City Singers, and the Huntington Beach High School Band and Color Guard. We may not have snow or mistletoe, but there will be plenty of joy in this holiday show. Come start a new family tradition with your musical friends at APA.
Original Exploratory Works by APA’s Playwriting and Directing Students
Student playwrights and directors from APA’s Dramatic Production department will premiere their original experimental plays. Join them for two in-house classroom performances, beginning with the 10 Minute Play Festival in December, where each original play will unfold in a quick 10 minutes. In April, the One Act Play Festival will showcase each students’ work in a single, solitary act.
Please be advised that these dramatic works-in-progress may contain sensitive content or mature themes.
Original Exploratory Works by APA’s Playwriting and Directing Students
Student playwrights and directors from APA’s Dramatic Production department will premiere their original experimental plays. Join them for two in-house classroom performances, beginning with the 10 Minute Play Festival in December, where each original play will unfold in a quick 10 minutes. In April, the One Act Play Festival will showcase each students’ work in a single, solitary act.
Please be advised that these dramatic works-in-progress may contain sensitive content or mature themes.
Evening pre-show festivities @ 6:00 PM, Show @ 7:00 PM
Matinee pre-show festivities @ 1:00 PM, Show @ 2:00 PM
Musical Theatre Benefit Performance
Book, Music and Lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey
It’s 1959, and Rydell High School’s senior class is in rare form. The budding romance between hot-rodding greaser Danny Zuko and the sweet new girl in town, Sandy Dumbrowski, is on the rocks. They may have spent the summer together, but peer-pressure and cliques have made their love life more complicated now that they're back in school. Can Danny maintain his cool-guy status and still make demure Sandy his girl? The whole gang sings and dances through this coming-of-age story with hit songs such as “Greased Lightnin’" and "We Go Together," recalling the music that ultimately became the soundtrack of a generation. Starting off with an eight-year run on Broadway, Grease is among the world’s most popular musicals and a force of sheer energy and fun.
Presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals
Musical Theatre Benefit Performance
Book, Music and Lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey
It’s 1959, and Rydell High School’s senior class is in rare form. The budding romance between hot-rodding greaser Danny Zuko and the sweet new girl in town, Sandy Dumbrowski, is on the rocks. They may have spent the summer together, but peer-pressure and cliques have made their love life more complicated now that they're back in school. Can Danny maintain his cool-guy status and still make demure Sandy his girl? The whole gang sings and dances through this coming-of-age story with hit songs such as “Greased Lightnin’" and "We Go Together," recalling the music that ultimately became the soundtrack of a generation. Starting off with an eight-year run on Broadway, Grease is among the world’s most popular musicals and a force of sheer energy and fun.
Presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals
Playlist is the purest distillation of our purpose and mission at APA. It is a souped-up support vehicle that transports students to creative places they could never reach on their own. It’s a big rock ‘n’ roll festival show full of our students’ latest creative work in original music and film, paired with the best in contemporary music. The MMET Pop Music majors will showcase their original compositions and bands, while our APA Media Team enhances their performances with original music videos and short films. This is an entirely student-curated show that speaks directly to their generation, all while upholding the same high entertainment standards you have come to expect from APA.
MMET Department Original Music Concert
Playlist is the purest distillation of our purpose and mission at APA. It is a souped-up support vehicle that transports students to creative places they could never reach on their own. It’s a big rock ‘n’ roll festival show full of our students’ latest creative work in original music and film, paired with the best in contemporary music. The MMET Pop Music majors will showcase their original compositions and bands, while our APA Media Team enhances their performances with original music videos and short films. This is an entirely student-curated show that speaks directly to their generation, all while upholding the same high entertainment standards you have come to expect from APA.
The APA Dance department invites you to experience the past, present, and future of movement at their faculty-choreographed dance concert Fusion 2023. APA’s talented dancers will bring to life the vision of the Academy’s dance mentors as they display a dizzying blend of works covering the complete spectrum of dance. The evening will be a fusion of hip-hop, jazz, ballet, tap, and modern dance styles, so join us in celebrating movement in its infinite form. Whether you are an experienced dance connoisseur or new to the dance world, Fusion will move you.
Winter Dance Concert
The APA Dance department invites you to experience the past, present, and future of movement at their faculty-choreographed dance concert Fusion 2023. APA’s talented dancers will bring to life the vision of the Academy’s dance mentors as they display a dizzying blend of works covering the complete spectrum of dance. The evening will be a fusion of hip-hop, jazz, ballet, tap, and modern dance styles, so join us in celebrating movement in its infinite form. Whether you are an experienced dance connoisseur or new to the dance world, Fusion will move you.
Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, Music and Lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison
With the house lights down, a man in a chair appears on stage and puts on his favorite record: the cast recording of a fictitious 1928 musical. The recording comes to life and The Drowsy Chaperone begins as the man in the chair looks on. Mix in two lovers on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a desperate theatre producer, a not-so-bright hostess, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided Don Juan and an intoxicated chaperone, and you have the ingredients for an evening of madcap delight. Hailed by New York Magazine as "The Perfect Broadway Musical," The Drowsy Chaperone is a masterful meta-musical, poking fun at all the tropes that characterize the musical theatre genre.
Produced under license from Music Theatre International
Spring Mainstage Musical
Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, Music and Lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison
With the house lights down, a man in a chair appears on stage and puts on his favorite record: the cast recording of a fictitious 1928 musical. The recording comes to life and The Drowsy Chaperone begins as the man in the chair looks on. Mix in two lovers on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a desperate theatre producer, a not-so-bright hostess, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided Don Juan and an intoxicated chaperone, and you have the ingredients for an evening of madcap delight. Hailed by New York Magazine as "The Perfect Broadway Musical," The Drowsy Chaperone is a masterful meta-musical, poking fun at all the tropes that characterize the musical theatre genre.
Produced under license from Music Theatre International
Entertain your brain and get a little culture if you dare...at Fanfare! The APA Orchestra department celebrates timeless music from the Baroque period to today with a night of exceptional student performances. You will hear from the APA Festival Orchestra, Select Wind Ensemble, Chamber Ensembles of woodwinds, saxes, brass, strings, percussion, and keyboard instruments, and the winners of the APA Concerto Competition. This is a night of beautiful music performed by outstanding young artists, so come elevate your evening with our talented APA instrumentalists.
Spring Instrumental Music Concert
Entertain your brain and get a little culture if you dare...at Fanfare! The APA Orchestra department celebrates timeless music from the Baroque period to today with a night of exceptional student performances. You will hear from the APA Festival Orchestra, Select Wind Ensemble, Chamber Ensembles of woodwinds, saxes, brass, strings, percussion, and keyboard instruments, and the winners of the APA Concerto Competition. This is a night of beautiful music performed by outstanding young artists, so come elevate your evening with our talented APA instrumentalists.
Creative Forces is a tour de force of APA student achievement. The show is directed and produced by APA Dance students, who have overseen and organized every aspect of the show: from choreography and rehearsals, to showbills, lighting, and scheduling. Guided by APA's dedicated team of Dance instructors, this fundraiser performance is a diverse concert and perfect platform for our Dance students' creativity.
Dance Department Fundraiser
Creative Forces is a tour de force of APA student achievement. The show is directed and produced by APA Dance students, who have overseen and organized every aspect of the show: from choreography and rehearsals, to showbills, lighting, and scheduling. Guided by APA's dedicated team of Dance instructors, this fundraiser performance is a diverse concert and perfect platform for our Dance students' creativity.
MMET guarantees to deliver the groove with Retrofest: Funk and Soul Spectacular. It's a celebration of a foundational American style, where all things funky from Ray Charles to Prince will be showcased in all their complexities. The students will certainly be throwing their heart and soul into this show, so you might as well return the favor and start working on those dance moves because you're going to need them!
MMET Department Rock Concert
MMET guarantees to deliver the groove with Retrofest: Funk and Soul Spectacular. It's a celebration of a foundational American style, where all things funky from Ray Charles to Prince will be showcased in all their complexities. The students will certainly be throwing their heart and soul into this show, so you might as well return the favor and start working on those dance moves because you're going to need them!
When not filming live performances and concerts, the MMET Media Team’s true passion is filmmaking. APA has a great stable of screenwriters, directors, cinematographers, and editors that have spent all year producing their own short films. Join our Media Team creatives for a special screening of their films in an environment that's both intimate and informative, followed by a brief Q&A about their work. This is your chance to witness the next generation of storytellers while celebrating all that our APA filmmakers have accomplished.
MMET Department Original Film Screening
When not filming live performances and concerts, the MMET Media Team’s true passion is filmmaking. APA has a great stable of screenwriters, directors, cinematographers, and editors that have spent all year producing their own short films. Join our Media Team creatives for a special screening of their films in an environment that's both intimate and informative, followed by a brief Q&A about their work. This is your chance to witness the next generation of storytellers while celebrating all that our APA filmmakers have accomplished.
(sin·er·jee) / noun. 1. Combined action or operation 2. A mutually advantageous conjunction or compatibility of distinct participants 3. A mainstage dance show of spectacular movement and dedicated dancers.
The APA Dance department will close out its season with a thought-provoking showcase of movement sure to captivate audiences and lovers of dance. Centered around APA’s Dance Ensembles, join us for works by APA faculty, special guest choreographers, and groundbreaking collaborative numbers.
Spring Dance Concert
(sin·er·jee) / noun. 1. Combined action or operation 2. A mutually advantageous conjunction or compatibility of distinct participants 3. A mainstage dance show of spectacular movement and dedicated dancers.
The APA Dance department will close out its season with a thought-provoking showcase of movement sure to captivate audiences and lovers of dance. Centered around APA’s Dance Ensembles, join us for works by APA faculty, special guest choreographers, and groundbreaking collaborative numbers.
