All American Melodrama Theater - Long Beach, CA

[robbalvey]

WORLD FAMOUS BIRD CAGE THEATER SHOWS TO RETURN

HILARITY AND NOSTALGIA WILL ABOUND AT NEW COMEDY THEATER

www.allamericanmelodrama.com

 

Knott’s Bird Cage theater melodrama shows will make a return, only this time they will not be presented within the world famous theme park. These classic shows will receive new life at the newly opened “All American Melodrama Theater and Music Hall”, in Long Beach’s Shoreline Village.

 

The show entitled “Knott’s Preserved” will feature two classic melodrama plays and vaudeville, comedy revue from the famous Southern California attraction.

 

The Long Beach Theater Company began operation in June 2008 under the ownership and artistic direction of Ken Parks, who worked for years with Knott's Bird Cage.

 

"The Bird Cage was one of my favorite acting gigs," says Parks.

He has fond memories of going to the theater as a child. "As a kid, my siblings and I would play Bird Cage Theater on my grandmother’s back porch and I would always play the villains. After all, they always have all the best lines."

 

The Bird Cage, he adds, introduced him to, and fostered his lifelong affection for, the melodrama genre.

 

"It's an art form where the audience is always involved," he says. "I really enjoy the constant interactivity of these shows.

 

Built at Knott’s Ghost Town in 1954, The Bird Cage Theater is a replica of the historical venue located in Tombstone Arizona and still holds the distinction of being the longest continually operating melodrama in the world. The melodrama theater launched many acting careers, including that of comedian Steve Martin. The theater was closed in 1997, due to budget constraints, though it is still used for special shows at Halloween and Christmas.

 

Parks worked those shows every year, but he still mourned the passing of his beloved theater and the melodrama genre. Then last year, melodramas got another chance at Shoreline Village when the All American Melodrama Theatre and Music Hall was born. A 14-year veteran of Knott’s Berry Farm, he is happy to help provide a new home for the art form. “It was a sad day for all of us, including countless fans, when The Bird Cage closed its doors in 1997 after a 43-year run. I am very excited to be reviving this wonderful home-spun entertainment for Southern California audiences. We were even able to acquire a number of props, signs and backdrops from the old theater, which gives us a nice connection to a long-standing tradition, with perhaps a little more emphasis on comedy and song.”

 

The evening’s entertainment includes the shows “Wreck of The Blue Bell Express” and “Cloak of Evil” and are staffed with actors who are veterans of melodrama and, in many cases, of the Bird Cage. Both shows have not been seen by audiences in over a decade.

 

Parks opened his venue with a production of "The Drunkard” which is the show that was the inspiration for the theme park’s theater. “As a company, we have always wanted to bring these wonderful shows to a new audience”, says Parks. “When I called the Entertainment staff at Knott’s and explained my idea, they were thrilled. They have been so helpful and supportive of our venture.”

 

The All American Melodrama theater is located in the downtown Long Beach waterfront’s Shoreline Village and from the minute one approaches the mint green, barn-like structure it’s clear that this is the place for an innocent good time. Large cartoon-like faces, reminiscent of Snidely Whiplash and Dudley Do-right, grin down at the passers-by. Peeking in through the front doors one finds a brightly colored, Victorian-era Music Hall, complete with a mounted moose head, placidly surveying the audience. Once inside, the theater is cozy and intimate, seating under 100 people, so that all seats are up close to the action, making it even more inviting to boo, hiss and cheer the characters in the play.

"Our venue is about good, clean, affordable, family entertainment." Parks says. "Audience members are finding us and realizing there's nothing like it. ... As far as I know, we're one of three in the state. We're not just unique to the area, but unique to everywhere." “And what could be more All-American than sitting down at a checkered tablecloth with a hot dog and popcorn to watch a great comedy melodrama where Good always triumphs over Evil?”

 

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday through May 30.

 

Where: The All American Melodrama Theatre and Music Hall, 429 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach.

 

Tickets: $20, $18 students and seniors, $14 children.

Information: (562) 495-5900, www.allamericanmelodrama.com.

 

Reservations are recommended by calling the theater at: 562 495-5900.

[Sir Clinksalot]

Very cool that they are bringing back this show which Knott's has deemed not cool enough for them anymore.

 

Sucks that it won't be at Knott's, but when was the last time anything awesome happened at that place???

 

Thanks for the info Robb.

[nursemelis374]

I was at Knott's this year around Christmas and was so happy to see A Christmas Carol in the Birdcage Theater. The theater was packed and I felt very nostalgic sitting there. I am glad to see this is being shown somewhere but wish it was at Knott's.

[ebl]

^ Agreed. I did see the old melodrama at Knott's once, and it was really a lot of fun.

 

Out in Moorpark, they used to have the Magnificent Moorpark Melodrama perform similar shows in an old theater. Absolutely hilarious.

 

It's great to see this make a comeback, but I also agree that it should be somewhere within the park---preferably in the Bird Cage Theater. This is the type of unique entertainment that would help Knott's stand out from the rest---if even a little bit.

 

Eric

[Jew]

BTW, for those of you who might not have known: Ken Parks has been writing/directing (and sometimes acting in) the Hanging at Haunt for the last 10 years or so. He's also done a bunch of stuff for Disney over the years.

 

A very talented guy. I'll definitely be checking this out at some point.

[robbalvey]

New show at the All American Melodrama Theater! Check it out...

 

 

ALL AMERICAN MELODRAMA TO PRESENT SCI-FI SATIRE: “SPACE TREK.”

 

(Long Beach, CA) Something intergalactic has landed in The International City and just in time for the Summer Blockbuster Season. The All American Melodrama Theater and Music Hall, Southern California’s newest family entertainment venue will present its next production, "Space Trek”. This hilarious space opera satire opens July 10th and runs through the summer until August 30th.

 

The family friendly, fully interactive comedy, takes a loving jab at the science fiction genre. Audiences will cheer the hero and boo the villain as they join Captain Smirk, Mr. Schlock and the rest of the crew on their latest galactic quest. Notorious bad guy, Juan Montabaln, is seeking to unleash his wrath upon Space Fleet, and to do that he will need the help of a princess, a farm boy and a henchman with a respiratory problem.

 

The All American Melodrama Theater is located in the downtown Long Beach waterfront’s Shoreline Village and has just celebrated its first year of operation. From the minute one approaches the mint green, barn-like structure it’s clear that this is the place for an innocent good time. Large cartoon-like faces, reminiscent of Snidely Whiplash and Dudley Do-right, grin down at the passers-by. Peeking in through the front doors one finds a brightly colored, Victorian-era Music Hall, complete with a mounted moose head, placidly surveying the audience. Once inside, the theater is cozy and intimate, seating under 100 people, so that all seats are up close to the action, making it even more inviting to boo, hiss and cheer the characters in the play.

 

"Our venue is about good, clean, affordable, family entertainment.", says Ken Parks, the theater’s artistic director. “In these hard financial times, we offer a nice entertainment alternative for the price of going to the movie.” Our “Kids Free” and “Birthday Free” promotions are huge hits.” "Audience members are finding us and realizing there's nothing like it and what a bargain. “We are quickly becoming a Southern California tradition." “And what could be more All-American than sitting down at a checkered tablecloth with a hot dog and popcorn to watch a great comedy melodrama where Good always triumphs over Evil?”

 

The All American Melodrama Theater offers a combination of casual dining with a live show and is now presenting shows four days a week with show times as follows:

 

Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm.

Saturdays at 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm.

Sundays at 2:00pm & 7:00 pm.

Doors and concessions open one half-hour before show time. All seating is general.

 

Reservations are recommended by calling the theater at: 562 495-5900.

 

For more information call the theater or purchase tickets online at the theater’s website: www.allamericanmelodrama.com.