Individual tickets will be available on March 21st at: http://www.civiclightopera.com/joseph.html
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at C.L.O. in Redondo Beach, April 21st to May 9th
Individual tickets will be available on March 21st at: http://www.civiclightopera.com/joseph.html
Friday, February 26, 2010
"ATribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber" at the Sunset Center
The Webber show features five well-regarded professionals in musical theater, who have all worked on Broadway but are mostly based in Southern California at present. The all-star quintet includes Norman Large, Kevin Earley, Eric Kunze, Valerie Perri and Dale Kristien, all of whom have played numerous roles in Webber musicals, both on Broadway and elsewhere. The five, backed by an eight-piece orchestra, will sing some of Webber's most iconic songs, including "The Music of the Night" from "Phantom of the Opera," "Memory" from "Cats," "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina," from "Evita" and "As If We Never Said Goodbye," from "Sunset Boulevard. Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Eric and President Bush Sr.
The cast of "Miss Saigon" were visited backstage by President Bush, Sr. and Barbara Bush after the performance.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
"In his first solo of the evening, the audience is amazed at the talent, power and sadness in Eric Kunze’s marvelous voice as he sings the plaintive, “Why, God, Why?” His starring roles in a long string of theater favorites, such as Marius in “Les Miserables,” Tony in “Westside Story,” Che in “Evita, as well as Lt. Cable in “South Pacific,” have prepared him well for the sensitive portrayal as Chris in this heart-breaking story of a puzzling time, that is almost as difficult to understand now, as it was thirty plus years ago."
Read more at:
http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/02/17/pasadena_citizen/lifestyles/021710_miss_saigon.txt
"But the cast keeps the story and the music grounded in a rich emotional landscape. They all have enormous knockout voices. When Kunze's Chris sings about his conflicted love or his sleepless nights, the effect is heart-wrenching."
Read more at: http://www.houstonpress.com/2010-02-18/culture/dream-girls/
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
"Handsome Eric Kunze as Chris is equally as excellent as Chris. His glorious tenor voice and fine acting casts a magic spell on Kim and also on us and reminds us what great musical theatre is all about."
Review from Buzz Bellmont, The Critics' Critic
Unplugged critiques of the arts, life, love and the pursuit of truth
Read more at:
http://tiny.cc/nw26D
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Seeing Miss Saigon at TUTS by Maggi
Intense is the word I would use to describe this incarnation of Miss Saigon. I realized my hands were shaking as I put on my coat to leave. Each of the cast had been so believable I realized I was transported to another time and place. This was a world so different from my own, but the motivations and characterizations made it feel very familiar. Love and passion at first sight, a mother's love for her child, a wife's love for her husband were themes I could understand and I felt I had lived through all those emotions in the span of 2-1/2 hours.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Read more at:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/6864801.html
Kunze and Chua complement each other in both on stage passion and chemistry but also in tone, vocally creating amazing harmonies throughout their duets. As the plot progresses Kunze masterfully moves Chris from carefree and smitten in love to a wiser man under the pressures of his complicated social situation.
Read more at:
http://houston.broadwayworld.com/article/MISS_SAIGON_Heat_is_On_at_TUTS_20010101
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Photos of Eric and Melinda from the Houston TUTS Production of "Miss Saigon"
Enjoy a few preview photos of Eric Kunze (Chris) and Melinda Chua (Kim) from the upcoming Houston production of "Miss Saigon"!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Miss Saigon Study Guide
TUTS (Theater Under the Stars) in Houston posted a link to a valuable resource for anyone attending or interested in "Miss Saigon":
http://www.tuts.com/Images/SeasonShowDocs/MissSaigon_StudyGuide.pdf
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Eric Interview on Fox26 Morning News in Houston
Melinda Chua, who plays the role of Kim, and Eric Kunze, who plays the role of Chris, visit FOX 26 Morning News Extra to preview the touring production of "Miss Saigon."
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Eric and Gina honored on the Vista Walk of Fame
Read more at: http://tiny.cc/vistawalk
Friday, January 8, 2010
Damn Yankees at the Muny in St. Louis
The Muny has announced it's 2010 season. This unique 11,000 seat outdoor amphitheater in St. Louis is where Eric did Miss Saigon in 2008 and Godspell in 2009. On the lineup this year is "Damn Yankees". Casting has not yet been announced, but we are hoping it will be Eric in the role of Joe Hardy.
*photo from the 1998 production of "Damn Yankees"
If fan fave Eric Kunze headlines "Damn Yankees," then that has promise -- he once played Joe to Jerry Lewis' devil on tour.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
New Year's Eve With the Cincinnati Symphony
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Music of the Night in Vancouver

Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Eric Nominated for an Ovation Award!
What are the Ovations Awards? The LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards are the only peer-judged theatre awards in Los Angeles. Labeled the "...highest-profile contest for local theatre..." by the Los Angeles Times, the Ovation Awards presents an opportunity for the theatre community to join together and focus public attention on our city’s rich and lively performing arts scene. Another goal of the program is to draw national attention to the quality and quantity of professional theatre in Los Angeles. Read more at: Theatermania
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Review of Window Pains
I had an unexpected opportunity to see Eric and Gina in Window Pains in Lake Havasu last weekend. By a stroke of luck I found myself in that part of the U.S. and was able to catch the show, which was a gala season opener for Grace Arts Live. It was a treat to see not only Eric, but see him work with his childhood friend and musical partner, Gina Deluca.
Grace Arts Theater is owned and operated by Grace Ann, longtime friend, teacher and mentor of Eric and Gina all the way back to junior high school. I'm sure she was very proud to host her proteges, who have both been a success on Broadway and across the nation, in their very own production here in Lake Havasu. The show is a very unique blend of dialogue and song in two acts. Brooke Cannon, a student of Gina, and Armando Guitterez played the younger couple in love, and Eric and Gina played the older, more seasoned couple, opening the show with three numbers from "Sunday in the Park With George". The only complaint I have is that I wanted to see and hear more. The show is available for bookings. Contact Gina via the Big City Broadway website: www.bigcitybroadway.com
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Report on Voices for Hope - Montreal 2009

The Voices for Hope concert headlined our own Eric and Gina and featured many well known Canadian performers including opera singer Ching Hui-Kuo, French recording artist Michel Comeau, television actor Martin Bedard, tenor and radio personality Ashley Foote, Braulio Elicer from Altar Boyz. The concert was varied and entertaining and was well received by the audience.
Eric and Gina opened the show with a dialog and songs from three numbers out of "Sunday in the Park with George". Eric, dressed in dark pants, a black suede jacket, dark shirt and tie was the painter Georges Seurat, while Gina posed for him. She had on a gorgeous black period costume and sang the theme song, followed by Eric singing "Finishing the Hat" and they both sang "Move On". This is part of the program for their "Window Pains" show which they developed and will be performing in Lake Havasu at the end of the month and other venues in the future. Later in the show they did "High Flying Adored", this time with Gina in a stunning red dress and red heels. And they both did numbers from Les Miz: Eric singing "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" and Gina doing "On My Own".
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Trip to St. Louis to see Godspell (Photos)
Click on photo below to see the whole album:
| Eric Kunze Muny St. Louis Godspell 2009 |
Seeing Eric in Godspell was completely different for me from any of the other shows he has been in. His performance combined a little of the humor of Joseph and the pathos of Jesus Christ Superstar. He was on stage the whole time, like in Evita. And rather than being a starring vehicle it was more of an ensemble piece, like Les Miz. But there the similarities end. His multi-faceted character was alternately playful, bouyant, enthusiastic ("I wanna get washed up!) to, in the second act, angry, sad and resigned.
For the first time I was able to witness Eric's dancing abilities. He's always been light on his feet. In "Whistle Down the Wind" he effortlessly scampered up and down the ladder in the barn. In "Evita" we saw glimpses of his dancing potential. In "Godspell" he leapt up onto the rungs of the merry-go-round, precariously balancing himself like a tightrope walker. While singing, he jumped gracefully onto picnic tables and ran up a slide without missing a beat or getting out of breath. The show was filled with topical references. My favorites were when Eric in black sunglasses and a flashlight as a microphone did a rap number, complete with the requisite head bobbing and hand movements and in another number falling on his knees and playing air guitar. Dressed in tan cargo shorts and a white gauze shirt, only half buttoned, he was clean shaven, his longer hair held back from his forehead by a bandana headband.
The crucifixion scene is one I always dread. I was relieved when it seemed that this time it would be done symbolically, with Judas tying Jesus' hands on either side of the gazebo, red strips of cloth hanging down symbolizing the blood. Yet during the dramatic music and Eric singing "Oh God, I'm bleeding", "dying", "dead", my heart broke just as if it were being graphically shown, a testiment to Eric's abilities as an actor as well as a singer.
I saw the show four times. Each night it grew on me more. I prefer seeing a show more than once, more than twice even, especially if it's a show I'm not so familiar with. It's like listening to a CD for the first time. By the third time, you are humming the tunes and hitting replay on certain songs. This production did extremely well with the Muny audiences. Despite being a "small" show by their standards, with a simple unchanging set, despite the fact it was All Star Baseball week in St. Louis, the 11,000 seat theater was quite full every night. I know I'm prejudiced, but I believe this is due in large part to Eric's popularity and talent.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Godspell Video
Great video interview with Eric and clips from the set of Godspell:
(Click first video square next to "playlist" at bottom left corner)
(You'll have to wait through the commercial)
Play Video
Godspell Reviews
Read more hereBoosted by Eric Kunze’s charismatic turn as Jesus and a fresh makeover of the nearly 40-year-old musical, “Godspell” provided another peppy opening night this Muny season...
The emotion comes through, centering on Muny favorite Kunze as a different Jesus (he’s appeared twice as the title character in “Jesus Christ, Superstar”). While most of his songs here don’t show off his glorious tenor like past star vehicles – such as Chris in “Miss Saigon” last year and as the lead in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” the year before, the handsome Broadway veteran certainly can fill up a stage with his presence, passionate acting and powerful voice no matter what he’s given to sing. "Alas for You" is heart-wrenching.
Lynn Venhaus for the News-Democrat
Muny Continues Summer Season with Godspell
Read more hereThe Muny is presenting a very good production buoyed by a talented and energetic cast. Even if you're not a particularly religious person, you'll
still find plenty to appreciate in this family-friendly show...
Eric Kunze makes a fine Jesus, taking command of his followers and gently guiding them down the righteous path while relating tales designed to make them understand whatfaith really means. His strong voice comes through clearly on numbers like "Save the People", "All for the Best" and "Alas for You". BroadwayWorld.com (Chris Gibson)
Here's a great interview with Eric from St.Louis Today:
"Eric Kunze is a Muny favorite and for good reason," said Paul Blake, the Muny's executive producer. A slender, well-muscled tenor with a killer smile, Kunze is unfailingly gracious with the fans — mainly teenage girls — who wait for him at the stage door after every Muny performance. He autographs programs and poses for photos and always seems glad to oblige." Judith Newmark, St. Louis Today
Read more hereWell, we agree about the killer smile, but it's not only teenaged girls at the stage door... :-)
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Superstar Reviews and Articles
From The Beach Reporter, April 29th:
Director Stephanie A. Coltrin infuses an already rich show with contemporary spice and flavoring. Her use of the apron, which extends past the orchestra pit, puts the audience right in the action. More than half of a director's battle is casting strong, passionate talent, and Coltrin has assembled a cast of Broadway veterans whose voices shake the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center's rafters with muscle. The principal players including Eric Kunze (Jesus), Josh Tower (Judas), Karole Foreman (Mary), Ron Kellum (Peter), Jody Ashworth (Caiaphas), Kevin Bailey (Pilate), Robert Sean Thompson (Annas), Jason Webb (Simon) and Harrison White (Herod) embody their roles with such commitment and power they transcend previous interpretations. The passion of the ensemble matches and supports the principals eloquently.
From Backstage:
http://www.backstage.com/bso/reviews-la-theatre/jesus-christ-superstar-1003967729.storyKunze sings with great skill and passionate conviction. His characterization hits all the right notes of humanity for us to accept Christ as a fallible, feeling human rather than a religious icon. His stirring rendition of "Gethsemane" is particularly affecting.
From the Daily Breeze:
Kunze, who sparkled as Jesus several years ago in a national tour, remains at the top of his skills.http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_12238870?source=email
An interesting article on the making of Jesus Christ Superstar:
http://www.tbrnews.com/articles/2009/04/29/stepping_out/step2.txt
My Take on Jesus Christ Superstar

Jesus Christ Superstar
Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities
Redondo Beach, April 24- May 10, 2009 

Since meeting Eric last year in Detroit after Whistle Down the Wind I always bemoaned the fact I never had a chance to see him in Jesus Christ Superstar. I had missed him when his two year stint with the national tour came through Detroit. Of course, I had heard him sing Gethsemane on You Tube and in the Andrew Lloyd Webber show in Washington DC. But those did nothing to prepare me for seeing him in character singing that song and playing the role. As usual, he put 100% of himself into the part. Being in the front row, I was able to see the nuances on his face change as he reacted to everything that was said and done to him. During the scourging and crucifixion, his physical reactions were so realistic I couldn’t look at him and it was a relief and reassurance every night at the stage door when he emerged his usual cheery, breezy self. That’s not to say he doesn’t suffer from bumps, bruises, aches and pains from being pushed, thrown on the ground, stomped on, punched, rolled down the stairs and whipped. I’m amazed at how he manages to do that role every night, night after night, vocally and physically. During the show I could hear people around me gasp with amazement at his voice and exiting the theater the word I heard over and over again was “awesome”. Of course, he got a standing ovation every night when he came on stage for the bows.
I must say the whole cast was very strong. When you are blessed with an ensemble like this it heightens everyone’s performances as they play off of one another, feeding off each other’s energy. Kevin Bailey played Pilate as conflicted: alternately regretful, sarcastic and cruel. His song during the trial was chillingly passionate. In the role of Mary Magdalene, Karole Foreman was perfectly matched to Eric. Her role is given more prominence in this production and her relationship to Jesus is more physical and affectionate than I have seen before. She doesn’t oversing her songs and “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and “Everything’s Alright” are pitch perfect. I really liked Josh Tower as Judas. So often, this role is overacted. Josh paced his performance perfectly and as a result the suicide scene is all the more powerful. He and Eric worked together in Miss Saigon recently. They are obviously familiar and comfortable working together.
The costuming in this show was the only thing I would have done differently. Granted they were going for a more modern feel, as reflected in the set with it’s urban steel theme. The ensemble’s costumes had a hippy look to them; the girls in colorful skirts that looked like they came straight from the Gap, the guys in polo shirts and khakis and Eric in cargo pants and tunic. The Pharisees were in long black leather coats and the Roman guards were dressed more traditionally. Herod (played by Harrison White) and his entourage were in black leather S&M gear. When they first appear on stage there was a gasp and laughter from the audience and perhaps that is what the director was going for. I know this scene is the comic relief, but I felt somewhat uncomfortable with it and considering the age median in the audience I suspect I wasn’t the only one. Despite that, Harrison was hilarious and was rewarded with cheers and applause at the curtain call.
The supporting cast and chorus were uniformly talented and enthusiastic. Ron Kellum and Nicole Tillman were standouts to me. Each night, the evening was begun by James Blackman, founder of the CLOSBC, with his pitch for new season subscribers and introduction of the new shows for next year. His monologue was hilarious and had the audience in stitches. I told him he could easily take his act on the comedy circuit. One interesting sidenote: James told us that American Idol contestant Adam Lambert has also appeared on this same stage in Evita.
I attended the first three performances of Jesus Christ Superstar. If my impressions are any indication, this show will be a huge hit as word gets around. I wish Eric and the whole company of Superstar much success and a sold out house every night.
(The views expressed are the **unbiased** opinions of Maggi, and Maggi alone...)
Read more about my trip to California on my blog at: www.maggiwun.blogspot.com
Monday, April 27, 2009
Our Second Annual Fanclub Meeting
Our gathering after the April 26th performance of Jesus Christ Superstar was lovely. Eric's fans are the nicest people on the planet! We enjoyed beverages and munchies, passed out name tags, chocolates, Eric fans, and he autographed photographs for everyone. A special thanks to Karen, Gary and Jane for making the event so nice and to Mr. James Blackman for allowing us to meet in the theater. Finally, thanks to Eric for making all of our day!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Eric Kunze in Jesus Christ Superstar at Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities in Redondo Beach, April 22 - May 10, 2009
From Variety, Aug.6, 2003:
"When the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice rock opera made its groundbreaking transition from monster album to Broadway musical in 1971, Ben Vereen stole the show as Judas. In the majority of subsequent productions, Jesus has been routinely overshadowed by his betrayer. So the big news at the Wilshire is Christ's restoration from second banana to superstar, thanks to the outstanding voice and imposing presence of Eric Kunze in the title role."
From NewsObserver (North Carolina), Feb. 27, 2007:
"Eric Kunze's firm, smooth tone gives Jesus' emotions full vent, from the frustration in "What's the Buzz" to the tenderness of "Poor Jerusalem" and the anguish of "Gethsemane," a showstopper of mesmerizing power."
For more information and tickets:
http://www.civiclightopera.com/index.html
Monday, April 6, 2009
Eric wins IRNE Award for Best Actor - Musical !!!
Congratulations Eric!
Winners have been announced for the 12th annual Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) Awards, which were presented last night at the Boston Center for the Arts. 25 different stage productions were honored, with awards bestowed in 24 categories for Large and Small Theatres.
Among the notable acting winners were Ross Bickell, Jack Davidson, and Penny Fuller for their performances in Merrimack Rep's A Delicate Balance; Bianca Marroquin for her performances in North Shore Music Theatre's Bye Bye Birdie and the national tour of Chicago; Anna Deveare Smith for her solo performance Let Me Down Easy; Ken Howard for his solo performance in According to Tip; and Eric Kunze for his performances in Reagle Players' Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and the tour of Whistle Down the Wind.
(from TheaterMania/Boston Metro)
Monday, March 23, 2009
Excerpts from North Carolina Theater's "Miss Saigon"
From Classical Voice of North Carolina:
Eric Kunze’s soulful portrayal of Chris, whom he also played on Broadway, is another warm and winning performance...With stellar performances of Jennifer Paz, Eric Kunze, and Kevin Gray and its outstanding supporting cast, the North Carolina Theatre’s gala presentation of Miss Saigon proves once again that the Raleigh-based regional theater can create must-see musicals that rival the best of the bus-and-truck series. Don’t miss it.
http://www.cvnc.org/reviews/2009/032009/MsSaigon.html
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER Breaks Kennedy Center House Record
Congratulations to Eric and the cast!!
The special return holiday engagement of THE MUSIC OF Andrew Lloyd Webber has broken the house record for the Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theater. Grossing $650,997 for the week ending January 4, 2009, it was the second and final week of the two-week engagement.
The Washington Post raved, "Very impressive. The hits come crashing at you in an evening dedicated to crescendo and climax."
This special edition of the concert was devised by Andrew Lloyd Webber for this engagement. The Kennedy Center cast featured performers Shoshana Bean, Ron Bohmer, Tony Award nominee Liz Callaway, David Josefsberg, Eric Kunze, and Laurie Gayle Stephenson.
http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/THE_MUSIC_OF_ANDREW_LLOYD_WEBBER_Breaks_Kennedy_Center_House_Record_20090105
Saturday, December 27, 2008

(Click on picture to enlarge program)
For more on the trip to DC, see my blog at http://www.maggiwun.blogspot.com/
Photos below from:
http://broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Flash_THE_MUSIC_OF_ANDREW_LLOYD_WEBBER_20081230





Thursday, December 11, 2008
This photo from "Whistle Down the Wind" takes my breath away! I want to see Eric in this show again! Somebody please bring it back!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
L.A. Ovation Awards: Congratulations Cast and Crew of Miss Saigon!
Congratulations to Eric and the whole cast and crew of Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities for winning the L.A. Ovation award for Best Musical, Large Theater! Kudos!
These rehearsal photos are from the Muny "Miss Saigon" in July:


(Taken by Billy Bustamante Photography)

















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