Annabella

I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Tony Gonzalez when he came on last-minute to take over music direction on POPE! An Epic Musical at Theatre Unleashed last year. When you first meet him, Tony comes off as soft-spoken and rather unassuming, but what I quickly witnessed firsthand while directing POPE! was that when you get him behind a piano, magic happens. What I found out even later was that when Tony opens his mouth to sing... MAGIC HAPPENS. I mean, DAMN! He's got a VOICE! And he puts it fully on display in Annabella, an original collaboration between Tony and the equally talented Sam Johindes. An epic fantasy about love, lust and betrayal featuring gorgeous, soaring and unforgettable music delivered by powerhouse voices, Annab... full review

Annabella is a beautiful and tragic story told by some of the most talented musicians I’ve ever seen at Fringe, or in L.A. theatre in general. The story is nuanced and captivating and the music is simply spectacular. The voices are simply effortless from all the actors even when singing incredibly complicated harmonies every note was spot-on perfect. The music is so moving and haunting that I wish there was a soundtrack to download – I would listen to it over and over! There are many musicals at Fringe that rely on gimmicks or pop-culture references to get people into the seats. I’ve seen those kinds of shows in the past and they were fun and hilarious and some of my favorite Fringe shows! But Annabella is a legitimate tour-de-force th... full review

Annabella has such an amazing and beautifully written original score, along with a haunting storyline. This production is performed masterfully with power and passion by it's extraordinarily talented cast and these truly gifted composers!... full review

Moving, haunting, and mysterious, ANNABELLA grabs you and refuses to let you go. Sam & Tony have a brilliant talent at creating music that sends chills down your spine. The fantastical world created will do the same, doused with jealousy, love, and betrayal. This is especially complemented by the STELLAR performances by Kimberly Hessler and the impeccable Tony Gonzalez. If you're only going to see a few shows during the Fringe, you need to see this one, or else you won't know what you're missing.... full review

Sam Johnides and Tony Gonzalez have created an absolutely mesmerizing musical in "ANNABELLA". The story, the music, the cast - all come propitiously together to give a most magnificent, and breathtaking, experience that is PURE MAGIC! The original musical score and stage-play are truly well-crafted works of art. The story will make you laugh, cry, and rejoice - it will make you believe in the redemptive power of love ... the ending will surprise you! Kimberly Hessler's (Annabella) soaring lyrical prowess and Tony Gonzalez's (Lorenzo) vocal depth will tantalize and amaze; as well, the other cast members are wonderfully adept at skillfully taking us into a fabulous and exquisite journey. Go see it! ... full review

I am an adult American male. I watch football, I like action movies. I don't normally seek out or watch much musical theater........Annabella made me cry. The watering in my eyes caught me by surprise during the first song and by the time the last song came around I just embraced my tears and realized I had just seen a special show. I was transfixed by the vocal prowess of the cast as they sang in happy, creepy, sober, and lustful tones. Creators Tony Gonzalez and Sam Johnides have made a beautiful and haunting musical that deserves to be extended beyond the Hollywood Fringe Festival. I look forward to seeing where they go from here. ... full review

Annabella is a wonderful production. The story was filled with tension and some humor. Beautiful original music sung by very talented voices moved the action along. It would be fun to see it again! ... full review

Add Annabella to your must see Fringe list, this one is sure to sell out! From a script that is a love story leaving you wanting more to hauntingly beautiful music this show has everything you could want in a musical. The vocalists are some of the strongest I've seen in my 5 years at the Fringe! It was such a treat to be in the audience for their first fringe performance. ... full review

I enjoyed the show. Every singer had something interesting to offer. The show was fast paced and laced with magical/mystical action. The show incorporated aspects of ancient dramatic plays ( ie, Greek chorus in the form of marionettes) which made for a show you had to pay attention to to keep the plot straight! Sam was right there for the singers, I kind of wish he had a small amp for his keyboard so he could be a little more present in the room. A very interesting and creative effort by Sam and Tony, and one can see how it could grow! Carol Vaness, international operatic soprano who teaches Opera Workshop at Indiana University and Master Classes with the Lindemann Program at the New York Metropolitan Opera and Bolshoi Opera, has ventur... full review

Somebody give these guys some money. Annabella begs for a larger theater. This isn't to say it wasn't wonderfully performed (especially with the vocal prowess of Tony Gonzalez), it simply deserves a larger venue. A venue that can seat more people, and in turn, delight a vaster audience. The music (which is all original), is an absolute pleasure. It's heartfelt, and most importantly, well written. Thoughtful lyrics with tones to match. I found myself eager to reach the next. The story itself chauffeurs us nicely between each musical number. Somewhere between a Disney creation and Phantom of the Opera. In conclusion, see this one before they do get money and each ticket costs a fortune.... full review