#TAAMermaid Cast Spotlight: Christopher Livermore as King Triton

Ruling the underwater realm and portraying a single father of seven willful mermaids is no easy task—yet Christopher Livermore, 27, pulls it off with a boldness befitting royalty.

We caught up with Christopher during rehearsals, to get some insight as to how he puts power into this regal, yet slightly flawed, character.

“King Triton is like any other father: he cares about his children and their safety,” Livermore said. “He loves Ariel and cares about her... maybe slightly more because she’s younger and doesn’t have the same experience her sisters have.”

Like the ocean itself, Triton's character is at times peaceful and calm but can also become tempestuous and quick to anger. Livermore describes Triton as loving, a little harsh, and sometimes regretful... foibles almost any parent can relate to.

“It's a great show for families, as it shows a bond between father and daughter but it’s also good for couples as it shows love holds no bounds,” Livermore said.

Livermore began his theatrical practice at an early age, performing shows en plein aire.

“As a kid I used to do my own shows in my backyard,” Livermore said. And it was in junior high that his passion really took off.

“I love to make people smile. Musical theater makes it possible for me to bring joy to other people's lives," 

Notably, Livermore performed with Louise Mandrell in Calamity Jane at Roger Rocka's Dinner Theater in Fresno in 2012. Yet performing in The Little Mermaid is his favorite show to date, and Livermore urges people of all ages to join in the fun. 

“EVERYONE should see it! That's the beauty of Disney. It's meant for all ages. The dialogue is easy to understand, there's comedy, beautiful singers, wonderful dances and people of all ages up on stage,” Livermore said. “Hopefully we can inspire more people to come out and be in other shows.”

Outside of theater, Livermore is a student at San Joaquin Valley College, studying Respiratory Therapy. 

The Little Mermaid runs from Thursday, Nov. 4 - Sunday, Nov. 7 at the L.J. Williams Theater in Visalia. Tickets are $8 - $25 and can be purchased by calling 1-800-838-3006 or at www.brownpapertickets.com

#TAAMermaid Cast Spotlight: Walter Weaver as First Mate

First Mate in TAA's The Little Mermaid is the multi-talented Walter Weaver.

Weaver, 52, is no stranger to music—though it took watching his wife perform in Beauty and the Beast before he tried out acting.

“My wife was in Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. She had so much fun that I decided I wanted to get involved, too,” said Weaver.

Weaver took the proverbial plunge in August, auditioning for The Little Mermaid and snaring the part of First Officer, Court Ensemble and puppeteer. The roles put his talents to good use, yet Weaver remains decidedly humble about being a part of this exceptional crew. 

“The talent coming from so many different age groups is unbelievable. You’ve got so many incredibly talented kids here and incredibly talented adults, it’s just amazing to watch,” Weaver said. “At the same time, you see them—young and old—growing in the process. Something like this, it kinda stretches you.”

Weaver is no stranger to performing, though taking the stage is a new pursuit. 

“I’ve been in bands as a drummer and as a lead singer," Walter begins. "I've been on the radio, a drummer for a Christian band then a lead singer." Weaver was also a part of a praise and worship group for a Visalia church called, The Rock. He also regularly performed on a New Life Church radio broadcast with local evangelist Arthur Ward.

This live action musical is not to be missed, Weaver said. 

"You've got to see this. It takes the story so much farther in depth," Weaver said. "It's so much more than the cartoon."

The Little Mermaid opens at the L.J. Williams Theater on Thursday, Nov. 4 at 7 pm. Tickets are $8 - $25 and can be purchased by calling 1-800-838-3006 or at www.brownpapertickets.com

#TAABeauty Cast Spotlight: Sam Walls and David Reimer, "Lumiere"

Sam Walls

David Reimer

Sometimes there is a role in a show that you read through the script and think, "this has to have the perfect actor or the entire show falls flat."  Lumiere is one of those roles -- but we were lucky enough during the audition process to have the perfect actor show up not once, but twice!  Sam and David bring different shadings to the iconic character of Lumiere, but each performance is a stream of subtle and laugh out loud humor, fantastic dancing, and an unforgettable rendition of the classic song, "Be Our Guest." 
We're so happy to get to know these fine actors a little more here -- but you won't really know them until you see them on stage in Theater Arts Alliance's production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast! 


What do you do outside of theater?

 
David: I’m currently a student at the University of California, Santa Barbara majoring in Global Studies. I'm involved in the Model UN club on campus as well as the Chinese Language program. I love learning languages in my spare time when I'm not at the beach, hanging out with friends, or escaping to Disneyland with my partner in crime.

Sam: My hobbies include dancing really crazy in my room to Pandora, playing basketball with my church friends, the piano, and hanging out with my family. I currently just graduated from Visalia Charter Independent Study and I'm taking a year off to do some auditions in NYC. If nothing works out after this year, then I plan to go back to school to Point Loma Nazarene University to study Youth Ministry.

Tell us about Lumiere... what is he like and how is he integral to the story?

Sam: Lumiere, to me, is a very important role in the story of Beauty and the Beast, because he brings a huge comedic aspect that only a few roles have. He is a person/candlestick that never looks at the negative side of problems. Along with that, he can also turn sad, mad, in love, etc. within 10 seconds which I think, makes him a very unique character. Lumiere has just the right amount of personality to bring this show to life.

David: If you watch the show carefully, Lumiere is more than just comedic relief. He arguably plays the most essential role in reversing the spell by bringing Belle and the Beast together; he has a knack for being a unifier. Beyond that, he represents the idea hope and optimism can exist even during dark times: his joy and humor are illuminating!


What other theatrical projects have you done recently? What are some of your favorites? 

David: After I got to college, I became less active in theater as I would like but was still able to find time to perform. I’ve done two productions of "West Side Story" in my hometown of Reedley which were certainly theater highlights. I also did a little known Shakespeare show called “Cymbeline” and “Sound of Music” during my freshmen year of college. However, most of these shows pale in comparison to performing my own written show during my senior year of high school. Performing iconic shows is great but being able to write and produce your own show was a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

Sam: I've recently done shows that range from soft ballet, such as The Nutcracker Ballet for TAA, to more mature shows, such as South Pacific. Some of my favorite shows to be in were; Guys and Dolls, Godspell, Big River, and Cinderella.
 
Why musical theater? How is it important to you personally and to communities as a whole? 

Sam: The reason I do musical theater is because, obviously I love it. But it also helps me push out emotions that I couldn't normally show people in a regular conversation. It is much easier to put it into a character and perform in front of people. Especially if it is a negative thing because you could put it in a positive role and use it to make hundreds of people smile and that is definitely one of the best feelings in the world. Every community should have local theater because it brings so many different people together. It is one of the few things in life that anyone can do. No matter your ethnicity, gender, age, or religion. Theater is made for unique people. It's a second family.

David: Musical theater brings people of all Stars and Stripes together. It allows me to explore multiple facets of the human experience alongside people with whom I would not normally interact. Every rehearsal, 70+ children and adults come together with the single mission of putting together the best show possible. In a world that is increasingly divided, musical theater is a wonderful unifier.

Any immediate future plans/goals? In theater or life?

Sam: I have no immediate plans right now. I'm just trying to get to New York to do auditions. My goal in life is to entertain people. As long as I have people in front of me smiling, my life is pretty much complete. I also want to help kids find their dreams and realize that you do not have to stay in the Valley. Although I love my home and Visalia to the extreme, I know that staying here is not going to get me where I need to be.

David: I am entering my senior year of college and I'm trying to not keep my eggs in one basket. The great news is that I have many options to do exciting things around the world. Musical theater will not likely be in my future but it is certainly an integral part of my past and indicative to who I am today!

 
Who should come and see BnB and why? 

David:  I can't think of anyone person or group that would not enjoy this show. Everyone should see this show. Period.

Sam:  I wish that I could bring every single person on Earth to see this show. It's an absolutely amazing production filled with such a perfect cast. Every person in this show has so much talent it's crazy. I may biased when I say this, but I truly believe that this is one of the best shows that has ever been in Visalia. I'm very blessed to be a part of this awesome production.

See David and Sam and the rest of the remarkable #TAABeauty cast

August 18-21 at Visalia's LJ Williams Theater!
Tickets online at

Brown Paper Tickets: Beauty and the Beast 

#TAABeauty Cast Spotlight: Tyler Jarrett, "Cogsworth"

Tyler Jarrett's straight-laced and hysterical performance as Cogsworth in Theater Arts Alliance's production of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" keeps us rolling with laughter, even in rehearsals!  Tyler has been seen in leading roles across Tulare County, and we are so glad that he has joined us for #TAABeauty!  We asked him a few questions about life in and out of theater...

When you're not on stage, what are you up to?
During the day I am a Science teacher for 7th and 8th grade at Mulcahy Middle School in Tulare. When I am not working or in theater I like to play video games, work out, and go on adventures.

Tell us about Cogsworth -- how is he important to Beauty and the Beast?
Cogsworth is an eccentric yet exciting character who is completely loyal to the Beast even if he is frightened of him. He adds comic relief to the show and serves as a foil to Lumiere in that Lumiere has a blatant disregard for the rules while Cogsworth MUST uphold them. 

What other roles have you played?
Recently, I was Princeton in Avenue Q, Edward Bloom in Big Fish, and Danny Zuko in Grease. After Beauty and the Beast closes, I will start another run as Edward Bloom in Big Fish at Selma Arts Center. These three roles have been some of my favorites because even though they are different, they are all just guys trying to follow their hearts. Cogsworth is now a favorite too because he is so different from those roles.


Why musical theater?  How is it important to you and to the community?
Musical theater is such an important part of my life because I literally grew up on stage. I met many of my best friends there and it helped me come out of my shell. Just like Belle and her books, musical theater has taken me to far off places and allowed me to take on the life of a new character with every show. For people who enjoy books, movies, and even video games, musical theater is a great form of entertainment. 

Who would you recommend come to see #TAABeauty?
Beauty and the Beast is one show that people of all ages will enjoy. There is comedy, drama, and a wonderful lesson to be learned.
This cast is amazingly talented and I am very excited to be a part of it.

See Tyler and the rest of the memorable #TAABeauty cast

August 18-21 at Visalia's LJ Williams Theater!
Tickets online at
Brown Paper Tickets: Beauty and the Beast

#TAABeauty Cast Spotlight: Kelly Jones-Scott and Julie Valdez, "Mrs. Potts"

Kelly Jones-Scott

Julie Valdez

Meet Kelly Jones-Scott and Julie Valdez, both playing "Mrs Potts" in Theater Arts Alliance's upcoming production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast!  These women have graced many stages in the Central Valley and we are so excited that they are joining us to bring unique and enchanting performances as the very heart of the castle!

Kelly Jones-Scott is a Respiratory Care Practitioner at Valley Children's Hospital, and Julie? 

Julie: 
I am a stay at home mom that likes to keep pretty busy. I volunteer at my children's elementary school. I sing in a service choir that performs a 30 minute program at local convalescent hospitals, senior centers and such. We do this twice a year, at Christmas time and then again in the spring. I also am the choir director at my children's elementary school. I am on the Parent Board for my children's recreational swim team. I also am a Booster parent for the Selma Jr. High Band, the Selma High School Band and the Selma High School Choir. I am an organist at church and serve as an Enrichment Leader at church for our Women's Organization.

How did you get involved in theater? 

Kelly:  I became involved with musical theater first as a stage mom. Both my children, Seth and Lauren, (both grow now with children of their own) were active in theater, dancing, singing, and some television. In 1999, I auditioned with Good Company Players Music Man and was cast and got to perform with both of my children. I have since been involved with many musicals, each role has

given me opportunity to make friends with many valuable warm people. I just seems like the people involved with theater are so special because they value quality relationships, creativity, and are there for each other when things go wrong. Nobody understands rejection more than people who risk it by auditioning. I have learned with every role and rejection how to be confident in my own person and how to find out who I am. 


Julie:Growing up I always wanted to do musical theater but lacked the confidence to try. I liked singing but was weary of speaking roles and my appearance. In 2013, when Selma announced a new Arts Center

being built and that there would be auditions for Sound of Music, my favorite musical, I knew I would regret it if I didn't at least try. I was bit by the theatrical bug and the rest is history. I love that my children have now caught that bug as well. My oldest daughter loves to do lighting and sound. My son and youngest daughter has enjoyed doing plays both at our local theater and with their school's drama club. I love that music and theater is for anyone and everyone. It's a universal language.

What other productions have you been in recently?

Julie:  In the past I have had the pleasure of doing several shows in Selma, where I live. These include; Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music, Lt. Marshall in South Pacific, Ms. Andrew in Mary Poppins, Cinderella's Mother in Into the Woods, Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man, Fairy Godmother/ Voice of the Dragon in Shrek. I have learned something from each role and cast that I shared the stage with. I have loved getting to try out a few accents, too. I think Ms. Andrew has been a favorite so far. Who knew that playing a villain would be so much fun!



Kelly:  
My most recent outstanding theater experience was last summer when I portrayed The Bird Woman

in Clovis Centerstage Production of Mary Poppins. My son Seth played Bert, and my daughter in law Rachel was Katy Nanna. Rachel was also pregnant with my grandson Emmett. What fun it was to be on stage with 3 generations who love theater! Is really is for us a family affair!

How is the role of Mrs. Potts special to you?

Kelly: 
Every role I have played allows me to go deeper into myself by finding the part of me that identifies with my character or role. The process feels like falling in love.
Mrs Potts has been on my bucket list ever since I first saw the original Disney movie; I particularly appreciate Angela Lansbury's portrayal of the role. Mrs Potts brings to this story hope and love; she is

continually optimistic that the Beast will learn to love and become the "human " that he really is. I play the character as if her relationship with the Beast is the same as her relationship with her son chip. I look at the whole story as a "tale as old as time" she is telling Chip to teach him about love, relationships, and the man he to be. It's really quite beautiful!

Julie: I am very excited to play the role of Mrs. Potts. I love her motherly attitude and demeanor. I also love that she sings the title song in the show. It's fun to have such fun characters to interact with on stage.

Who should come and see TAA's production of Beauty and the Beast? 

Julie:
I hope anyone with children will come see this show. It teaches us that attitude is everything. Good attitudes reap good things, while bad attitudes don't. It also teaches that people are more than their appearances. Who we are inside is what is important! I am so very honored and excited to be part of this amazing production of Beauty and the Beast! 

See Kelly and Julie and the rest of the remarkable #TAABeauty cast

August 18-21 at Visalia's LJ Williams Theater!
Tickets online at
brownpapertickets.com  

#TAABeauty Young Artist Spotlight: Ensemble Member Kylee Gardner!

There's a truism in musical theater that says "The Ensemble makes or breaks the show" -- and Kylie Gardner is definitely an ensemble member that "makes" it!  Her high energy and every-moment enthusiasm on stage have been an integral part of TAA's first season, in the Nutcracker Ballet, Madama Butterfly (which wasn't even this 8th grader's first opera!), and now we are so happy to have her not only in the #TAABeauty ensemble but also as a featured soloist in the TAAJuniorCo Pre-show!  We asked this young artist about her life in theater so far and the balancing act of school and performing arts... 

You've done a lot of performing projects already in your life! What are some of the things you've been in? Annie, Alice in Wonderland, The Music Man, The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella,

Tosca, The Nutcracker, Madame Butterfly, The Fresno Grand Opera Christmas on Van Ness (twice), Beauty and the Beast, and yearly school Christmas plays since Kindergarten. My favorite play was the Music Man because everyone in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade (at my school) had a part.

Why musical theater?  
I chose to do theater because, I love to sing. It also very interesting to see how other people interpret there characters. I enjoy theater because I can tell a story to people of all ages. 

We've known you long enough now to know that you have an amazing work ethic, not just for your age but for any age!  What drives you, and how do you balance also being a good student?  
What drives me is the fact I can bring joy to people by singing and dancing. Study and practice is a balancing act, but I try to work hard and finish homework at school.

Everyone who has done theater has some stories... what is your weirdest moment so far? 
I have to say that the weirdest thing I've gotten to do on stage was have to pretend that one of my friends was my boyfriend for the Music Man.

What has been your favorite part of the rehearsal process for #TAABeauty?
 My favorite part of the rehearsal process for Beauty and the Beast was when we all came together as a cast and worked on making some of the costumes, painting the sets, and building them.

Who do you think should come and see #TAABeauty? Everyone!

Kylie in the Grace Christian School production of "The Music Man"

Come and see Kylie and the rest of the fantastic Beauty and the Beast cast at LJ Williams theater August 18-21! 
Tickets at 

Brown Paper Tickets: Theater Arts Alliance

Or by calling 559-972-8417

#TAABeauty Cast Spotlight... Vincent Macareno, The Beast

Vincent Macareno is not only an extremely promising young actor but already beginning his career as a theater producer and director.  It is such a privilege and joy to work with him and we can hardly wait for audiences to experience his thrilling portrayal of The Beast!  Here are some of his thoughts, experiences, and plans in theater and in life!




You're crazy enough to want to spend the rest of your life in the performing arts... why? I'm interested in music and theatre (and especially musical theatre!) because I think both of these mediums have the ability to touch people in ways that others can't. We, as theatre artists,

are very in tune with what we have come to embrace as "the human experience", and we thus have a responsibility to bring stories to life that have the capacity to make a substantial impact on people. The crazy thing about theatre, for me, is that we are told to sit down and watch two to three hours of what seems like such a specific, enticing story, and we leave finding that we have found ourselves in a certain character or relate to a certain aspect of the plot, and that's what draws me in. That's what makes me want to do this for a living. To be able to tell people that someone understands something that no one else seems to, and entertain them at the same time is such a gratifying experience.

You have already done many theater projects... do you have a favorite?It's hard to pick a favorite theatre project! Every single show I've been in has impacted my life

in some way or another. This may be biased, but my formal debut producing venture, RENT, has been incredibly rewarding, and would definitely take the top spot. I knew that I was in love with every single aspect of musical theatre (and theatre in general!), but this project proved it to me, and I loved being faced with the responsibility of bringing that production to life, regardless of whether or not it came into full fruition. I also had the privilege of being both on stage and behind the scenes, so it was a lot of fun. However, if I had to pick a project that was not my own, it would definitely be a tie between The Phantom of the Opera and Mary Poppins. I always say that Phantom is the one show I could do eight times a week and never get tired of, and it was my dream show for a long time. Not to mention, Monsieur Firmin is such a fun character to play. In regards to Mary Poppins, I received so much praise for that show, and I loved playing Mr. Banks. I feel like he's one of the characters that I truly made my own, not to mention, the entire cast was absolutely phenomenal!

What are your major artistic influences?  I of course have been influenced greatly by every single director/mentor/teacher I've ever worked with, both here in Visalia and in San Jose, and I feel like there's too many to name! Every single one of them leaves their stamp on me in very specific and profound ways, and I think it shows in all the work I do. I'm also extremely inspired by some of the incredibly

talented people working in the industry right now! Sierra Boggess would definitely be my biggest influence when it comes to dressing room traditions/backstage activities. I love her views on life, and it's because of her that I draw angel cards before every performance, as well as do things such as center myself, meditate, etc. Ramin Karimloo is my biggest inspiration, vocally. I sang the entire score of his and Sierra's cast recording of Phantom for a solid 4 years straight (that is not an exaggeration. Seriously, ask my parents what I sang in the shower for most of middle school/high school. I could literally do the entire show by heart!), and I genuinely would not be where I am now if it weren't for his incredibly powerful and awe-inspiring voice. Words can't describe how much I wanted to sound like him and have his range! It was also him that taught me that it is important to have something to say about the characters you portray, which is a philosophy I follow very strongly. My last inspiration, performance wise, is Ben Platt. He and I aren't too far apart, age-wise, and when I saw his performance in Dear Evan Hansen off-Broadway, I realized just how much an honest, raw performance can make a story and a character shine. Also, I have to mention that, as a director, I am greatly influenced by Michael Greif, who directed three of my favorite shows (two of which I already mentioned in my answers!), RENT, If/Then, and Dear Evan Hansen. His ability to capture everyday human life and make it a theatrical masterpiece is such an incredible talent, and there will never be a piece of theatre he helms that won't inspire me.

What is your process like?  Preparing for a role like Beast is actually much more taxing than one would expect. In playing this role thus far, it's incredible how much Beast taps into every single bit of training I've had. Acting wise, he is a man - or, rather, a Beast - of extremes. His temper is such an integral part of the narrative and I, as a performer, have to be relentless in bringing that out. Also, it's important to show how animalistic he's become, especially since if Beast isn't scary and monstrous and doesn't provide a stark contrast of when he begins to have a heart and is eventually transformed, then we lose the heart and prominence of the story. He also is such a tough character on the voice. All the growling and yelling and such does a number on my vocal chords, and I am always quick to continuously warm both down and up before and after scenes to make sure that I can maintain that gruff sound and still be able to sing when necessary. Lastly, I am always sure to bring more to my facial expressions and body language than usual, as I want to make sure that it will be able to read through my prosthetics when the time comes.

What's next for you?  What are your goals?
My long term goals are definitely to become an Equity actor and be able to perform for a living while also producing and directing projects that interest me, and be able to give back to the Visalia theatre community when I can. My top dream roles are Bruce Bechdel (Fun Home), Evan Hansen (Dear Evan Hansen), Alexander Hamilton (Hamilton), and Lucas (If/Then), to name just a few. My short-term goals are, of course, to get my degree in musical theatre, and deliver a captivating performance as Beast with this incredible cast!

Why do you think the performing arts, and especially theater arts, are important? Theatre is important to individuals because it allows us to connect with one another, both as performers and audience members. Especially in the world we live in today, connection is so important, and theatre is such an incredible vehicle for that. Plays and musicals have the ability to unite so many people, as well as create conversations about the life we choose to lead and the way our lives can touch others. Theatre has taught me more about myself than anyone or anything else; its established my morals, my philosophies on life, and what I want to see more of in the world, and I genuinely believe it has the power to do that for anyone who allows themselves to be immersed in this beautiful medium. Theatre is tremendously important to communities as well, because of how influential it can be. The fact that we are seeing other humans on a stage, breathing the same air as us, sharing in a holistic experience as we take a journey through a narrative we can't control is a very powerful thing, and it has an affect on our brains whether we want it to or not. Any production has the power to move mountains, whether it be in sparking a social revolution or even just paving the way for other productions to be able to do so, and no other industry can say that. I also think its important for communities to support the performing arts as a whole because I have always been a stern believer in following your passion, and allowing it to become your career. I've seen and heard of too many talented people leaving their dreams behind because of backlash from loved ones, widespread doubt, and other negative, third party influences. The support of these careers starts in the homes and communities of those who question whether or not to follow their dreams, and there is not a single entity that won't benefit from their eventual success.

Any thoughts on Theater Arts Alliance's upcoming production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast?I'm so excited to make my TAA debut with Beauty & the Beast! The cast and production team are all so talented, and it's definitely the most professional environment I've ever been in. I can tell this production is going to be one for the books, and I can't wait for everyone to see it!

See Vincent and the rest of the incredible #TAABeauty cast August 18-21st at the LJ Williams Theater in Visalia!

                     Tickets at Brown Paper Tickets Online!