ROBERT MARRA
PHOTOS & REVIEWS
ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE
"It's this up-close-and-personal touch that makes Always...Patsy Cline far more than your stabdard tribute band show..."
"...so captivating and spot-on is Arkansas native Kidder's recreation of the country music legend..."
"Adding to the magic on the GCT stage is Myers' irresistble fireball of a Louise, a role she gives as much heart as sass..."
"You don't have to be a country music fan to love Always...Patsy Cline. You just have to be smart enough to book your tickets early."
- Steven Stanley, StageSceneLA
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THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES
"Throughout both of The Marvelous Wonderettes’ two crowd-pleasing acts, director Robert Marra not only elicits some of the most delicious performances you’ll see all summer, his clever choreography gives each Wonderette her own personalized dance steps to go with those song-specific arm movements that no ‘50s or ‘60s girl group could be without."
"A rocking, rollicking, romantic good time for audiences of all ages, The Marvelous Wonderettes makes a jaunt over to the Pasadena-adjacent Sierra Madre Playhouse a summertime must."
- Steven Stanley, StageSceneLA
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THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
NOMINATED FOR 3 OVATION AWARDS
including
BEST MUSICAL
and
WINNING FOR BEST FEATURED ACTOR
IN A MUSICAL
STANTON MORALES as William Barfee
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has set up shop at the Sierra Madre Playhouse for the next two months in a 99-seat production sure to delight both Bee newbies and veteran Bee buffs like this reviewer, who enjoyed Bee 14.0 every bit as much as his very first thanks to Robert Marra’s zesty direction/choreography and a cast to rival the best I’ve seen.
- Steven Stanley, StageSceneLA
Under Robert Marra's skilled, exuberant and fluid direction, this cast are miraculously focused and funny.
- Don Grigware, BroadwayWorld
TWICE EXTENDED!
BREAKING ALL BOX OFFICE RECORDS
FOR THE SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE!
"Well, the Sierra Madre Playhouse and director Robert Marra have hit the jackpot with its two leading ladies, Nikki D'Amico as Louise and Cori Cable Kidder as Cline. With the overabundant charm exuded by both stars and backed by a superb five-piece combo that includes terrific musical director Sean Paxton at the piano."
- Don Grigware, Broadway World
"Robert Marra directs with verve and visual flair.....easily one of the newly revitalized Playhouse’s best productions ever."
- Steven Stanley, StageSceneLA
"Patsy Cline couldn't be more fondly or accurately recalled than by Cori Cable Kidder in Robert Marra's production of Always...Patsy Cline."
- Tony Frankel, Stage and Cinema
"I have long known the Sierra Madre Playhouse to be a theatre that delivers, but frankly this show, "Always...Patsy Cline" delivers to an unexpected new level."
"This was a rare night of pure magic and beauty."
- Ron Irwin, Examiner.com
"If you see only one show in Los Angeles this summer, I'm suggesting it be, no-insisting it be-this one!"
"Especially wonderful is the tour de force performance of Nikki D'Amico! She's phenomenal!!!"
- Karen Salkin, Itsnotaboutme.tv
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NOMINATED FOR 7 BROADWAYWORLD AWARDS
including
BEST DIRECTOR & BEST MUSICAL
"Audiences expecting more of the same from Actors Co-op’s intimate-stage The World Goes ‘Round can instead plan on being bowled away by director-choreographer Robert Marra’s brilliant reconception of the Kander & Ebb revue as a sung-through musical."
"From then on, it’s songs by composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb tell the story, Marra’s stunningly conceived direction, his imaginative choreography, and the cast’s superb performances filling in the blanks between."
"If ever there was an Actors Co-op musical that deserved attention from outside the Co-op’s subscriber base, The World Goes ‘Round is that production, one which ought to have sold-out houses at every performance and “legs” that take it beyond the Co-op—to the Pasadena Playhouse? … to the Geffen? … to Off-Broadway even?"
"Knowing the talent involved in this production, I expected something first-rate from The World Goes ‘Round. I didn’t expect to be so completely blown away. Having now seen it, I expect that you too will be blown away by its brilliance."
- Steven Stanley, StageScene LA
"Kander and Ebb were way ahead of their time. Their idea of humanity is to find the good in the bad, and to make a joyous celebration of it all. For some, it's a bitter pill to swallow; for most, it's life as it is. Their little revue The World Goes 'Round, culling the best songs from all of their shows, is currently receiving a first-class production on a small stage, with a new concept and characters created by director Robert Marra."
"Marra meticulously puts the dynamically beautiful music of Kander and Ebb into a 2012 New York coffee shop scenario with a bevy of needy characters. What results is a startlingly believable and enjoyable experience not to be missed on the Crossley stage of Actos Co-Op."
"This is exceptional work from Marra for his concept, stellar direction and choreography, so alive in such a small space, and from the entire cast. I will not single out anyone in particular, as they all contribute so much to the continuity and emotional impact of the piece."
"This is an outstandingly fresh look at the old reliable The World Goes 'Round that will keep you engrossed from start to finish. You gotta love Kander and Ebb for their bold, one-of-a-kind music and now Robert Marra whose artistic vision is surely a match for their art."
- Don Grigware, Broadway World
"One of LA’s most tasteful and inventive directors, Marra has taken a diversly gifted cast of seven...whose lives unfold lyrically in and around a New York coffee shop. Brilliantly staged in an outpouring of song and movement that celebrates a new perspective of Kander & Ebb’s virtues, Marra judiciously stayed clear of common cliches and let each member of his cast become a star in their own beautifully performed moments. However, Mr. Marra is perhaps the brightest star of all in this talented troupe. Shining so for having created an evening that is nothing less than a cleansing breath of fresh air in the Kander and Ebb songbook."
- Michael Sterling, State Of The Arts/LA Talk Radio
"It’s difficult to imagine a more ingeniously crafted and flawlessly performed conceptualization of this Kander and Ebb homage than that which has sprung from the innovative mind of director Robert Marra."
"Marra has fashioned, seemingly from whole cloth, an utterly seamless take on this traditional revue while utilizing the show’s wide-ranging song list to create characters who exhibit backstories and plotlines galore."
"And as the show floats effortlessly towards Marra’s well-calculated conclusion, there is a renewed sense of hope. Hope, not only for the younger couple’s blossoming love but that these people, and perhaps the audience members as well, have been touched by something truly meaningful."
- Dink O’Neal, Arts In LA
"Coffee, and music, makes the world go ‘round in Robert Marra’s intelligent staging of John Kander & Fred Ebb’s The World Goes ‘Round, proving that a little care and ingenuity is all you need to turn a diverse set of songs into something special."
".....Marra changes that by following a day in the life of seven individuals who cross paths in a New York coffee shop. Songs are grouped to give each of the characters both an individual journey and a collective interaction that is very much a reflection of real life. The result is intimate storytelling at a level so painfully honest that you cannot help but be moved."
"Outside the shop, a homeless woman (Gina D’Acciaro) watches everyone through the window. D’Acciaro gives a deeply moving performance as the broken woman who embodies the fragility of life, out of place in the world she used to know but still a part of its periphery. "How Lucky Can You Get" is a visceral way to end Act I and Marra achieves the surprising effect so powerfully that you can’t wait to see what he has in store for Act II."
"With humor, heartbreak, elegance, and style he shows us that you can’t assume you know a person’s story just by looking at him or her. His thoughtful, intimate way of allowing us to view this little slip of time and make that connection is what makes me love the theatre. Success is fleeting. Kindness matters. And maybe, if we try, we can solve at least a few of the world's problems over a simple cup of coffee...with or without the cardboard cup."
- Ellen Dostal, Musicals in LA
"To kick off the Actors Co-op’s 21st season, director / choreographer Robert Marra has re-imagined the show and it’s a rousing success. In fact, it’s so successful that it’s hard to imagine it any other way. Scott Ellis, Susan Stroman, and David Thompson may have conceived the show way-back-when, but Marra has elevated it to a whole new level."
"Mr. Marra has created a magical and mystical pastiche that is reminiscent of the feeling one gets when viewing Edward Hopper’s iconic painting Nighthawks. The audience is transfixed as they are invited to eavesdrop on the lives before them. Without the aid of the written word, he simply allows the music to tell the tale. Taken out of their original context, the songs are experienced in a new and revealing way unburdened by plot and allowed to soar. It brings new appreciation to the wit, wisdom, and brilliance that has made Kander and Ebb legendary."
- Tom Chaits, Stage and Cinema
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A CHORUS LINE
(Alexis Carra as Cassie, Carlos Martin as Zach)
San Diego Musical Theatre's ambitious new production of the Michael Bennett-Marvin Hamlisch show gets the heart of the piece
In his casting, blocking and pacing, director Robert Marra honors the original without embalming the piece.
- signonsandiego.com
this is a perfectly good production of the show that ran nearly 15 years on Broadway, featuring several Broadway and national tour veterans,
Robert Marra directs with a sure hand.
- sdgln.com
Four out of Five Stars!
All in all, the dancing is terrific, the musical numbers are timeless.....and the passion of the dancers, on a scale of one to ten, hits a ten.
Director Robert Marra, who has played several of the dancers in his past life, brings out the best in this dance company.
NOW NOMINATED FOR 2 BROADWAYWORLD AWARDS!
BEST REVIVAL
BEST ENSEMBLE
"This tale of Cold War intrigue, complex romantic entanglements, and cutthroat chess competition is told engagingly and with musical splendor in director Robert Marra's invigorating revival"
"Marra's captivating staging imbue the piece with fluidity and grace, yielding an expansive theatrical experience"
"This bracing revisit to an underrated gem is a genuine treat"
- Les Spindle, Backstage West
"Critic's Pick"
"Director Robert Marra provides a crisply elegant production"
- Neal Weaver, LA Weekly "GO"
"Listen, if you want to read my review, here it is, but by the time you're done, you could have ordered tickets. Its stunning and brilliant with talent just oozing out of the theatre! Call the box office NOW."
"Director Robert Marra amazes with the fluidity of his team: the strong chorus dexterously glides in and out..."
"Chess is loved for its melodies and its potential to be one of the greatest musicals of all time......this production gives us yet another reason to love it."
- Tony Frankel, StageandCinema.com
(Nicci Claspell, Blake Ewing, Peter Welkin, Emily Dykes)
"Ive attended many concert and staged readings of musicals in Los Angeles and most tend to be simple presentations, on book at music stands, with little or no additional production elements. CHESS in Concert at Musical Theatre of Los Angeles has elevated the concert reading convention to new heights, with a lush 9-piece orchestra, spectacular lighting, and powerful staging. The production showcases 8 principle actors, 12 featured soloists and 4 dancers under the stellar direction of Robert Marra."
"Yes, there is a great deal to love about the MET's CHESS in Concert. Don't miss it!"
- Musicals in LA
"Opening last month for a limited five-performance run, Chess In Concert proved such a success with its SRO audiences that MTLA has brought it back for six more nights, and StageSceneLA readers are hereby advised to reserve seats posthaste. Make no mistake: this Chess In Concert is so out-and-out WOW!-worthy a production that tickets are likely to sell like proverbial hotcakes. "
"Director Robert Marra sets the productions creative tone from the get-go"
"Trust me, you wont see a Chess of this caliber with this many Equity cast members at MTLAs affordable prices anywhere else in the United States, and that includes Chicago and The Great White Way."
- Steven Stanley, StageScene LA
"Praise to Marra for steadfast direction, and especially for his staging at the top of "The Story of Chess". His sharp intro of all the characters and inventively clean layout of chorus members onstage sets the scene for the evening: a beautifully and most clearly organized program."
"This elegant black & white designed concert version of CHESS enriches the dramatic conflicts of the piece one hundred-fold. Like pawns on the board, the players themselves are manipulated in the game of life and the moment by moment emotional intensity transcends the stage. Robert Marra's expert staging and Tania Possick's exquisite choreography/ballet are riveting, and the entire ensemble connect and explode like a time-bomb."
- Don Grigware
"This production at the Met Theatre in Los Angeles understands the elements that make this musical work: the music. It is a genuine attempt to present it as truthful and stirring as the score demands, because the music is one of the most lush and emotional of any of the best musicals out there. So much so that director Robert Marra should be commended for his deep understanding of this musical and for putting together this formidable casting to bring it to life."
"Fans of Chess have a chance to see one of the best productions of this musical ever mounted. If you havent seen this musical or even familiar with it, this is a great opportunity to become a fan."
- Obed Medina, L.A. Live! (on stage)
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"Director Robert Marra has conceived this Oklahoma! as if it were a brand new show..........virtually the entire company appear to be in their twenties or younger, precisely the age these characters would have been in Oklahoma circa 1906.Imagine that!"
"Marra has made terrific casting choices, including many exciting discoveries for this reviewer."
"Director Robert Marra has.....assembled an earnest cast that offers some strikingly poignant moments.......and you are guaranteed to leave the theatre a-hootin and a-hollerin."
- Tony Frankel, StageandCinema.com
"This well-performed, produced, and directed, and slightly grittier, version offers a wildly enjoyable ride, as we mosey on back to the Oklahoma Territory
"Beautifully directed by Robert Marra and energetically choreographed by Tania Possick, both with passionate vision, in perfect harmony with the musical direction of Greg Haake"
"An infectiously rewarding evening at the theatre! Why not saddle up your loved ones and share this rousing version of one of Americas most-loved musicals?"
Pat Taylor, The Tolucan Times
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SPIKE HEELS
Directed by Robert Marra
"A brilliant intellectually charged theater production about the meaning of life through the twists and turns of sexual harassment, feminism, love, sex, betrayal, morals, and dignity."
- L.A. Splash
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A HUMAN SHIELD
by
Robert L. Kinast
Directed by Robert Marra
"A Human Shield is a pertinent and poignant play that is sure to stir audiences of any political disposition."
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THE DEVIL AND DAISY JANE
Music/Lyrics by Lisa Marinacci
Book by Lisa Marinacci & Jeremy Lewit
Directed by Robert Marra
The Devil and Daisy Jane Promo Video
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JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
Directed and Choreographed
by
Robert Marra
"After watching the opening night performance at the Norris Center for the Performing Arts, I can finally find some value in the show!"
"This is the finest I've seen in the seven or eight years that I've covered productions at the Norris."
- Peninsula News
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PETPOURRI
Lyrics by Andrea Dodds
Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
Directed by Robert Marra
"What a difference Robert's staging made in the LA premiere production of PETPOURRI! He mined our little show for every drop of humor, every touching moment, and on top of all that, he made those incredible singer/actors look like dancers! ...because frankly he really is amazing. Robert has
made me, as a lyricist, very proud of what I'd written."