Party with Emojiland at L.A.’s Rockwell

New Musical, Emojiland Gives Concert At Rockwell Table & Stage

BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO

On May 9th 2016 Cat Face, Skull, Boy, Girl, Dancer, Father Christmas, Pile of Poo and more emojis leaped out of your cellphone and on to the stage at Rockwell Table & Stage in the new musical Emojiland by Keith and Laura Harrison. This is not your standard concert presentation; Rockwell and Arborhouse Productions have put on a show that’s simply dazzling—hilarious props, theatrical lighting, sound effects, colorful costumes and engaging video displays.

Corbin Reid, left, Danny Jacobs, and Leah Lewis. Photo Credit: Ryan Luevano.

Emojiland tells the story of an emoji civilization contained within a teenager’s smartphone. When the phone falls behind a dresser, the inhabitants of Emojiland must figure out how to save themselves before the battery runs out and their universe shuts down, lost forever.

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Emojiland, now over a year in the works was developed with the support of The Foundation for New American Musicals and the ASCAP foundation. This musical’s eclectic score by Keith Harrison features seventeen original songs that integrate styles from current pop, hip-hop, R&B, rock, reggaeton, dubstep, ratchet, reggae music and more. The music in this show is infectious with energy and pulsating pop grooves that make you want to get up and dance.

Leah Lewis. Photo Credit: Ryan Luevano.

The cast of Emojiland is an astounding cast of twenty-four that bring all of our favorite emojis to life via singing and dancing. Leah Lewis (Girl) the show’s protagonist offers some of the show’s most memorable performances. Lewis opens the show with “Nobody’ll Hold Me Down,” and closes with “Anyway”—edgy and powerful, she nails these two mighty pop songs bringing the audience to thundering applause every time. Michael Thomas Grant (Skull) is the quintessential antagonist, his rendition of “Cross My Bones” and “Thank Me Know” are dark, haunting, and hypnotizing in the best way—Grants honeyed voice and deep stare draws you in like a siren’s song.

Leah Lewis, left and D.J. Phillips. Photo Credit: Ryan Luevano.

J.D. Phillips (Boy) leaves you wanting more with every note, when he sings “Broken” in act two the audience is hooked, his voice is robust and smooth. Phillips’ duet with Lewis, “Before the World Shuts Down” is one of the tenderest moments in the show; the two actors entrancingly blend their voices together. One of the most energetic and just fun songs is the funky grooved “Naughty, Naughty” led by Corbin Reid—her forceful voice perfectly embodies raucous and wild nature of the music. Amongst all the solo numbers Harrison has also written some company songs that audiences will thoroughly enjoy, “Emojiland,” “Live In The Time You Got,” and “Pile of Poo” are some thrilling songs to look forward.

Cornelius Jones Jr., left, Alex Ellis, Keith David, Marco Ramos and Corbin Redi. Photo Credit: Ryan Luevano.

Emojiland at the Rockwell is a contemporary full-throttle musical experience that is not to be missed, it’s glimpse into a new musical’s most important development phases (the public workshop) giving audiences a taste of what’s to come. In attendance for the opening night was Jason Alexander who is one of the honorary co-chairs of the Foundation for New American Musicals Festival. There’s only one more chance to see and support Emojiland at the Rockwell on Tuesday May 10, 2016 at 8pm. For tickets and more information visit: rockwell-la.com.