Ashley Argota News

Casting News! Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP), in association with the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, announce the latest casting for their newest production, the world premiere of THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, (300 East Green Street, Pasadena CA 91101) which will play a strictly limited engagement from December 15 through December 30.

The Actors Fund's Looking Ahead Program presented The 2018 Looking Ahead Awards on Sunday, October 28, 2018 at the magnificent Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood. Hosted by Ashley Argota and Garrett Clayton, The Looking Ahead Awards honors leaders in the current and former young performer community who inspire the world by living the program's core values of growth, education, leadership and community service.

The opening night celebration of THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ on December 14 will also serve as a benefit for the GiveKidsPanto program.  Lythgoe Family Panto created GiveKidsPanto, a non-profit educational program, serving over 6,000 Title 1 students across America annually. For many of these students, this is their first opportunity to see live theater.  GiveKidsPanto raises funds, which allows each LFP production across the country to add a student matinee to their performance schedule.  The funds raised through GiveKidsPanto go to facilitate the student's bus transportation to and from the theater as well as buy the tickets to the performances.  Last year at the Pasadena Civic alone, over 2,000 students from the Pasadena and Greater Los Angeles area schools were brought in to see a performance of Beauty and the Beast: A Christmas Rose.  For more information please contact events@americanpanto.com

Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, Executive Director Ellen Richard and Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) are thrilled to announce that Ashley Argota ("True Jackson VP," "Lab Rats"), Thomas Hobson (Ain't Misbehavin', Recorded in Hollywood), Heath Calvert (Amelie, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Riley Costello ("Hairspray Live," Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirate's Christmas) Roland Rusinek (The Phantom of the Opera) and David Engel (Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, La Cage Aux Folles) are set to star in Lythgoe Family Panto's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE. Written by Kris Lythgoe, directed by Sheldon Epps, choreography by Mandy Moore, musical direction by Keith Harrison and musical supervisor Michael Orland, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE will begin performances on Wednesday, December 5 and run through December 30, 2018 with a press opening on Friday, December 7 at 7:00pm at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.Casting is led by LFP Producer Becky Lythgoe, and the full cast will be announced at a later date.  

The Actors Fund has announced a star-studded lineup for the 2018 Looking Ahead Awards hosted by Garrett Clayton ("Hairspray Live!," "Teen Beach Movie") and Ashley Argota ("The Fosters") on Sunday, October 28 from 4-8pm at the magnificent Taglyan Complex in Hollywood. The fifth annual gala, which raises support and awareness for The Actors Fund's Looking Ahead Program, features exciting "blue carpet" arrivals, cocktail hour, gourmet dinner, awards ceremony and live performances. Tickets are now on sale at www.actorsfund.org/LookingAheadAwards

Breaking News! Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP), in association with the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, announce additional casting for their newest production, the world premiere of THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, (300 East Green Street, Pasadena CA 91101) which will play a strictly limited engagement from December 15 through December 30. Singer, actress and dancer Mackenzie Ziegler (Dancing with the Stars: Juniors, Dance Moms) as Dorothy, Phil LaMarr ("Mad TV" and "Pulp Fiction") as The Tin Man, Jared Gertner (Broadway's The Book of Mormon) as The Scarecrow, and Hailee Payne and Valerie Rockey of So You Think You Can Dance join previously announced Kermit The Frog as the Wizard of Oz and Tony-Award winner Marissa Jaret Winokur (Celebrity Big Brother Winner and Broadway's Hairspray) as Glinda. The official press opening will be held on December 14, 2018 at GIVE KIDS PANTO, a benefit to raise monies for the student matinee performance serving Title One schools in the PUSD and LAUSD.

Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) in association with the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, announces Kermit The Frog as the Wizard of Oz and Marissa Jaret Winokur (Celebrity Big Brother Winner and  Hairspray) as Glinda in their newest production - THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, (300 East Green Street, Pasadena CA 91101) which will play a strictly limited engagement from December 14 through December 30, with the official press opening on December 14.

The wildly successful UMPO series continues its winning streak at Rockwell Table and Stage with The Unauthorized Musical Parody of Clueless. The show, which runs May 3 - September 1, 2018, parodies the 1995 comedy classic, which catapulted Alicia Silverstone to superstardom. Rockwell revisits the teen movie that defined a decade and updates it with some clever twists that are sure to keep the laughs coming. Brush up on your lingo and get your courageous fashion efforts ready for a joyous 90's throwback in an immersive, live theatre experience, complete with Rockwell's delicious food and craft cocktails.

Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) expands across America this holiday season, including a multi-year deal at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium beginning with their newest production - THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ. It will be directed by Bonnie Lythgoe and choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo (NappyTabs), with book by Kris Lythgoe and Michael Orland (American Idol) serving as musical arranger and supervisor. Casting is by executive producer Becky Lythgoe. This will be the seventh holiday season of Lythgoe Family Panto in Pasadena, and their second in this larger venue.

The wildly successful UMPO series continues its winning streak at Rockwell Table and Stage with The Unauthorized Musical Parody of Clueless. The show, which runs May 3 - September 1, 2018, parodies the 1995 comedy classic, which catapulted Alicia Silverstone to superstardom. Rockwell revisits the teen movie that defined a decade and updates it with some clever twists that are sure to keep the laughs coming. Brush up on your lingo and get your courageous fashion efforts ready for a joyous 90's throwback in an immersive, live theatre experience, complete with Rockwell's delicious food and craft cocktails.

SNATCHERS Ordered For Second and Third Season By Verizon

This just in! Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) announces Ashley Argota (ABC Family's The Fosters ) as Tinker Bell, Riley Costello (NBC's Hairspray Live! ) as Peter Pan, Clarice Ordaz (FOX's So You Think You Can Dance ) as Tiger Lily, Mark Ryan ( Black Sails on STARZ) as Captain Hook, David F.M. Vaughn (Broadway's Shrek The Musical) as Smee, and Audrey Whitby (Nickelodeon's The Thundermans ) as Wendy in PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL - A PIRATES CHRISTMAS at the Balboa Theatre.

Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP), in association with Pasadena Playhouse, announces Nickelodeon's Thomas Hobson (Nick Jr.'s Fresh Beat Band ) as The Beast for the final 2 performances of the world premiere of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST A CHRISTMAS ROSE at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on December 24 (at 1:00pm and 5:00pm). The role of The Beast is played by Jonah Platt (Broadway's Wicked) at all other performances. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST A CHRISTMAS ROSE, opened to rave reviews December 13, and must close December 24.

This just in! Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) announces Ashley Argota (ABC Family's The Fosters ) as Tinker Bell, Riley Costello (NBC's Hairspray Live! ) as Peter Pan, Clarice Ordaz (NBC's So You Think You Can Dance ) as Tiger Lily, Mark Ryan ( Black Sails on STARZ) as Captain Hook, David F.M. Vaughn (Broadway's Shrek The Musical) as Smee, and Audrey Whitby (Nickelodeon's The Thudermans ) in PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL - A PIRATES CHRISTMAS at the Balboa Theatre.

Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) in association with The Pasadena Playhouse expands this holiday season at The Pasadena Civic Auditorium with their newest production - BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, A CHRISTMAS ROSE. 

Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP), in association with Pasadena Playhouse, presents BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - A CHRISTMAS ROSE, which expands this winter at The Pasadena Civic Auditorium (300 East Green Street, Pasadena CA 91101) for 14 performances only, December 13 -24, 2017 with the official press opening tonight, December 13.

The Actors Fund's Looking Ahead Program, which helps professional young performers and their families address the unique challenges of working in the entertainment industry, celebrated the 2017 Looking Ahead Awards with a star-studded gala on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at the Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood, CA. BroadwayWorld has photos below!

Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP), in association with Pasadena Playhouse, announced today that the opening night celebration of the world premiere of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST A CHRISTMAS ROSE at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Wednesday, December 13 will benefit Give Kids Panto, a non-profit educational program, serving yearly over 5,000 Title 1 students across America, many of whom will see theatre for the first time through this program. All funds raised that evening will go to support the Panto student matinees for LAUSD and PUSD students.

Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP), in association with Pasadena Playhouse, have announced final casting for BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - A CHRISTMAS ROSE which expands this winter at The Pasadena Civic Auditorium (300 East Green Street, Pasadena CA 91101) for 14 performances only, December 13 -24, 2017 with the official press opening on Wednesday, December 13.

Teena Hostovich and Darrell Brooke just hosted a Pasadena Panto Season Launch Party in celebration of the Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP), in association with Pasadena Playhouse production of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - A CHRISTMAS ROSE, which expands this winter at The Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Performances will begin December 13 through December 24 at The Pasadena Civic Auditorium. BroadwayWorld has photos from the festivities below!