Courtney Love feted after premiere of ‘Kansas City Choir Boy’

The event: Rock icon Courtney Love and composer Todd Almond, stars of “Kansas City Choir Boy,” joined theater-goers in the lobby of the Center Theatre Group’s Kirk Douglas Theatre following Sunday’s West Coast premiere. Having just received a standing ovation, the duo came ready to chat with friends and fans at the after-party.

“It was really fun and amazing,” said Love. “I’ve never done musical theater before – not since I was a child – and I’m so happy to have such great music for my first theater piece. It’s such an awesome composition, like being inside Todd Almond’s head… I’m having the time of my life.”

The crowd: In the mix were actors Barrett Foa of “NCIS: Los Angeles” and Simon McBurney of “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation”; CTG supporters Eva and Marc Stern, Kiki and David Gindler and Judy Beckmen; photographer David LaChapelle; talent agent Mark Subias; CTG artistic director Michael Ritchie; the show’s director Kevin Newbury; choreographer Sam Pinkleton; music director David Bloom; and producer Beth Morrison, whose company has more of what she called “cutting-edge opera-theater” productions scheduled in Los Angeles this season in conjunction with the LA Opera and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

The show: A tale of lost love, the show begins as Almond discovers that Love, after having left him to seek her fortune in the big city, has been found dead in New York. The couple then tell their stories in song, as a Greek-style chorus clad in leather, lace, tulle and torn hose sets the scene, at times acting as a wedding party, night clubbers lighted by neon or joggers in sweats and hoodies.

Quote of note: “I love the production here,” said Almond. “It’s everything I wanted it to be, because I got my wish list of designers. It’s a dream team and this stage has allowed the show to open up.”

As for his co-star, “She’s the best,” he said. “She’s alive every millisecond, so generous and obviously incredibly talented. She’s always up there, so you never feel alone on stage.”

“Kansas City Choir Boy” is scheduled through Nov. 8. For tickets or further information, phone at (213) 628-2772 or click on www.CenterTheatreGroup.org.

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