John Erreca: News

Musical Saves Christmas Cheer through December
Written by Carrie Beavers Published: Thursday, 06 December 2007
The return of Ron Lytle’s delightful musical The Man who Saved Christmas to the Altarena Playhouse is a real gift. The perfect way to kick off the holiday season, the musical is uplifting, deeply moving and hilariously funny.

Patrick Tracy

Jennifer Tice as Mary Gilbert and Scott Phillips as toymaker A.C. Gilbert in Ron Lytle’s family musical, The Man Who Saved Christmas, currently playing at Altarena Playhouse through Dec. 16.
The return of Ron Lytle’s delightful musical The Man who Saved Christmas to the Altarena Playhouse is a real gift. The perfect way to kick off the holiday season, the musical is uplifting, deeply moving and hilariously funny.

Loosely based upon actual events, The Man Who Saved Christmas tells the story of A.C. Gilbert’s efforts to thwart a proposed ban on holiday toy sales while the United States was embroiled in World War I.

In 1917 the Council for National Defense proposed the ban to promote the sales of Liberty Bonds. Gilbert, an Olympian athlete, magician and the inventor of the Erector Set, made history when he traveled to Washington D. C. and successfully lobbied to allow toy makers to resume manufacturing toys.

In this version, Gilbert’s battle with the government plays backdrop to the developing love story between his secretary, Alice Finch (played by talented Alameda native Lisa Otterstetter) and reporter Johnny Eli (appealingly portrayed by Nephi Speer in his Altarena Playhouse debut).

Scott Phillips is again perfectly cast as the gruff businessman with a kind heart. In his bid to win over Alice and Gilbert, Eli runs afoul of dastardly factory employee Dixon. Dixon is deliciously despicable as portrayed by John Erreca, who is also the vocal director. Dixon’s farewell in “Dixon’s Turn” is laugh-out-loud funny.

The production, skillfully directed by musical director Tom Shaw, is full of wonderful music. Lyle Nort’s (Ron Lytle) performance of “Daddy Has to Leave You” is heartbreakingly tender and “What’s Wrong with the Grownups?” by Ellen (Zoey Brandt) and The Kids (Spencer Anderson, Maximilian Jennings and Erin Reilly) nearly steals the show.

The multi-talented Lytle penned, composed and directs this “new old-fashioned musical.” The cast includes Jennifer Tice as Mary Gilbert, Karli Anderson, Jepoy Ramos, Amy Leonards, William Loney, Mo Quintana and Steve Yates. Kathleen Edmunds captures the atmosphere with beautiful period costumes. The set design makes the most of Altarena’s intimate theatre space.

The Man Who Saved Christmas
November 30 - December 16, 2007 @ The Altarena Playhouse - 8pm, 2pm
1409 High Street
Alameda CA
510-523-1553
Written and Directed by Ron Lytle
Vocal Direction by John Erreca
Musical Direction by Tom Shaw

**November 30 - December 16, 2007**
Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00pm
Sunday Matinees at 2:00pm

$20 General Admission
$17 Students (under 18) and Seniors (62+)
Click here to buy tickets

An instant holiday classic from Ron Lytle,
the creator of ‘Oh My Godmother!’

‘The Man Who Saved Christmas’ is a very merry musical based on the true story of toy-maker A. C. Gilbert and his efforts to lift a ban on holiday toy sales during World War I.

It’s old-fashioned fun for the whole family, guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit.

Don’t miss this only-in-Alameda special event…
Buy your tickets today!

Cast:

A.C. Gilbert - Scott Phillips
Dixon - John Erreca
Mary Gilbert - Jenifer Tice
Johnny Eli - Nephi Speer
Alice Finch - Lisa Otterstetter
Ellen - Zoey Brandt


Ensemble:
Steve Yates, Karli Anderson, Amy Leonards,
William Loney, Maureen Quintana, Jepoy Ramos

Kids:
Spencer Anderson, Maximilian Jennings, Erin Reilly

Show past dates

Autri Paige (Vocalist), John Erreca (Music Director, Pianist) and Andrea Fulton (Producer) have joined forces to bring Autris' dream project to life.

Autris Paige - singer extrodinaire - had the vision of combining Negro Spirituals with a most powerful narrative. John Erreca has woven the product together through his moving piano arrangements and vocal direction.

They will be recording this project June 26, 27 along with future dates.

MORE INFO TO FOLLOW!!!!

John Erreca has joined forces with Eric Neiman and the Chanticleer Theater. John is the Musical/ Vocal Director for the upcoming production of "FOREVER PLAID"! The show opens July 7, 2006

Check calendar for details!

Andrea Fulton (Director of the famed Andrea Fulton Chorale - Bracebridge Dinners) has contracted John to arrange and accompany the amazing vocalist - Autris Paige in their lastest endeavor. Recording June 26, 27, 28. This recording will feature John as the accompanist for the project that combines a powerful narration and a fresh reintrpetation of some Spirituals.

This project is already gaining much interest

John recently sign on with Alameda Civic Light Opera (ACLO). He will be the musical director for the upcoming production of "Guys and Dolls". He is working with his good friend Sue Ellen (Director) and Dean Starnes (conductor)

John returns to Diablo Light Opera Company (DLOC) to work with their Teen Theater Program - "STARS 2000". This summer they will be doing a production of "Pajama Game". John will be the music/vocal director and "pit" pianist.

What a way to start off the new year.....

John Erreca is a recipient of the "DEAN GOODMAN CHOICE AWARD" for OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR in Ron Lytle's original musical production of "Oh My Godmother"!!

******FROM THE ALTARENA WEB SITE*****

The Altarena Playhouse presented the world premiere
of Ron Lytle's musical comedy OH MY GODMOTHER! in 2005.

This record-breaking production has now been awarded
six 2005 Dean Goodman Choice Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre.

Ron Lytle - Original Music
Ron Lytle - Original Writing (book)
Ron Lytle - Direction
Ron Lytle - Choreography
Jenifer Tice – Principal Performer
JOHN ERRECA– Supporting Performer

John Erreca is now the new Musical Director, Vocal Director and Musical Arranger for East Bay Children's Theater as they prepare for their new season of "Cinderella's Glass Slipper".

John is excited to return to EBCT in this new "role". This theater company is in it's 73rd year of providing quality musical theater to the children of the East Bay!

John returns to the group he loves to work with. Andrea Fulton (director, et al, the "Yentl" of Bracebridge) has contracted John to do some work on their soon to be released Bracebridge Christmas CDs. John has written a fun arrangement of Santa Baby featuring Andrea Fulton and 4 men - John being one of the guys! He will play the piano and sing Tenor on the recording! He will also add an instrumental keyboard part to a beautiful Christmas lullaby.

John is excited to be working with East Bay Children's Theater this new year in the show ~ There's No Business Like Shoe Business. He is cast as the Leather Monger in Ron Lytle's (local playwright) original musical.

This musical is performed mostly for the children in Oakland elementary schools.

The 'Mission' statement for East Bay Children's Theater is:
provide children an opportunity to experience musical theatre;
promote academic achievement in literacy to low and moderate income students;
expose students to new ideas that ignite their interest and their imaginations; and
support a multi-dimensional learning and teaching environment in the classroom

Needless to say - it's a good thing!

I just want to take the oppurtunity to wish all who read this a very happy, healthy and wealthy New Year filled with many days to enjoy the people who are important in your lives.

Peace to all!
JohnE

December 3, 2004 @ the Yerba Buena Center in SF was a great evening of "non-traditional entertainment benefiting the ODC School". "Not the Same Old Song & Dance" - included Robin Williams, Samantha Samuels & John Erreca and others. It was a wild evening to say the least!