LONDON IN NOHO `IDOL' SINGER BRINGS BACK THE '60S IN `BEEHIVE,' AT THE EL PORTAL.Byline: Evan Henerson Theater Writer The LaToya London
La Toya Renee London (born on December 29, 1978) is an American R&B and soul singer and actress who was the fourth-place finalist on the third season of the reality/talent-search that ``American Idol'' viewers didn't see is about to hit the stage. First of all, you can drop the first name. The San Francisco San Francisco (săn frănsĭs`kō), city (1990 pop. 723,959), coextensive with San Francisco co., W Calif., on the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, which are connected by the strait known as the Golden native who made it to third runner-up on the third season of ``American Idol'' says she's just London now. And London, who cut an album and followed up her ``Idol'' tour by playing Chastity in the gospel touring show ``Issues: We All Got 'Em,'' says she's going through something of a refashioning. She's speaking out ``I do have some personal regrets about being too shy and not really putting my personality forward so people truly know who I am,'' says London, who is currently staring in the '60s musical revue ``Beehive'' at the El Portal El Portal may refer to different places in the United States:
``I'm really giving my opinion -- whether you like it or not,'' she continues. ``Hopefully, I can keep all my fans. Hopefully, I won't disappoint people, but I have to stay true to myself the next time around.'' ``Beehive Beehive (star cluster): see Praesepe. beehive heraldic and verbal symbol. [Western Folklore: Jobes, 193] See : Industriousness ,'' which inaugurates the new Valley Musical Theatre in NoHo's El Portal, is London's L.A. professional stage debut. She'll follow it up playing Nettie in an extended run of the musical ``The Color Purple'' in Chicago. Meanwhile, London says she's writing songs but has no hard plans for a follow-up to 2005's ``Love & Life.'' She has split from Concord Records Concord Records is a well-known U.S. jazz record label, based in Beverly Hills, California. Originally known as Concord Jazz, it was established in 1972 as an off-shoot of the Concord Jazz Festival in Concord, California by festival founder Carl Jefferson, a local and now describes herself as being ``in transition.'' Staying creative ``Right now, I'm just trying to stay creative. I'm going through things, and I'm writing songs about them.'' For the present, there's ``Beehive,'' which has London and her five fellow hive-mates donning huge hair, tight slinky slink·y adj. slink·i·er, slink·i·est 1. Stealthy, furtive, and sneaking. 2. Informal Graceful, sinuous, and sleek: wore a slinky outfit to the party. outfits and paying loving tribute to the Supremes, Tina Turner  The of this article or section may be compromised by "weasel words".You can help Wikipedia by removing weasel words. , Lesley Gore Lesley Gore (born May 2, 1946 in New York City as Lesley Sue Goldstein) is an American singer-songwriter of the "girl group era". She is perhaps best known for her 1963 pop hit, "It's My Party," which she recorded at the age of 16. and Petula Clark Petula Clark, CBE (born 15 November 1932), is an English singer, actress and composer best known for her upbeat popular international hits of the 1960s. With more than 70 million records sold worldwide, she is the most successful British female solo recording artist and is cited as . London kicks off the show with ``Let's Rock,'' moves on to ``The Name Game,'' fronts a Supremes medley (as Diana Ross) and tackles Sonny Bono's ``And the Beat Goes On.'' Living history lesson ``It's taught me a lot of things I didn't know about the different groups at that time,'' says London, ``the social changes between the '60s and '70s, and how the music changed from being innocent to more rebellious.'' Ronn Goswick, VMT's executive director, is delighted to have London aboard. When casting the new company's first show, Goswick -- who stage-managed a Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. production of ``Beehive'' -- sent his casting team in search of former ``Idol'' contestants. ``Watching them go through steps on the show, of having to change music styles each week and play different things, I kind of thought those ladies did that well,'' says Goswick. London may not have musical theater experience compared to some of her castmates, but Goswick says she has fit in smoothly. ``We're learning a lot by having her around. She could have been a big old diva, but she's not.'' Evan Henerson, (818) 713-3651 evan.henerson@dailynews.com BEEHIVE Where: El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. When: 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; through Oct. 8. Tickets: $32.50 to $45. (866) 811-4111. www.elportaltheatre.com. www.valleymusicaltheatre.com. CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- 2) ``It's taught me a lot of things I didn't know about the different groups at that time, the social changes between the '60s and '70s,'' says London, relaxing above, and in ``Beehive'' role. Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer |
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