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[0:10] Lara Scott: It's curtains up on another episode of West of Broadway, a celebration of musical theater in Los Angeles.

[0:17] Lara Scott: I'm radio host and theater enthusiast Lara Scott, along with the amazing Will Armstrong, who is a theater veteran and celebrity publicist.

[0:24] Lara Scott: Can you believe it has been a year since we've had this guest on?

[0:28] Will Armstrong: No, I was thinking about that earlier because it feels like we just talked to her on the phone about last year's panto.

[0:34] Lara Scott: Yeah, um, we are joined today in studio with the amazing creator and executive producer of Lythgoe Family Panto, Becky Lythgoe.

[0:43] Becky Lythgoe: Welcome back.

[0:44] Lara Scott: Thank you.

[0:44] Becky Lythgoe: When you said it's been a year, I was like, no, my life has just flashed before me.

[0:49] Will Armstrong: Time.

[0:50] Becky Lythgoe: Yeah, and this holiday season is just whipping by.

[0:54] Lara Scott: It is.

[0:54] Becky Lythgoe: I saw pumpkins in like May.

[0:56] Lara Scott: And now they're still going.

[0:59] Becky Lythgoe: I love it. You know, there was somebody I remember one year I was commenting on, oh, it's so great. You have your Christmas decorations up so early. It was like early November, and they said we never took them down from last year. We just left them up, but it's making everyone happy.

[1:11] Lara Scott: So yeah, there's a lot that's happening. There's a lot of competition this holiday season with events and parties and everything going on, but an absolute must see is the Lythgoe Family Panto.

[1:23] Lara Scott: It's gonna be my third one that I'm seeing.

[1:25] Becky Lythgoe: Is it?

[1:26] Lara Scott: Oh yay!

[1:27] Becky Lythgoe: And we're actually back to one of our originals, which is A Snow White Christmas.

[1:31] Becky Lythgoe: Uh, and we brought it back to one of our original titles because it's our 10-year anniversary now.

[1:36] Becky Lythgoe: Of Lythgoe Family Panto, which it really is. I kind of always expected it to run this long, but I could not believe that it's already been a decade.

[1:45] Lara Scott: Well, it's such a great event, and I feel like it's a wonderful holiday tradition for families. And I get a lot of questions, Becky, from people that say, I have a little one that loves theater, but they're not old enough to go to kind of a traditional show or Miss Saigon.

[1:59] Becky Lythgoe: Don't take the children to Miss Saigon. Just a heads up, even if they're really mature.

[2:03] Lara Scott: But this is one that you really encourage families to come to. And maybe we can start just by talking about what a panto is.

[2:10] Becky Lythgoe: Absolutely. Um Panto in England, which began 200, 300 years ago, was actually used to bring kids into the theater. It was originally the community getting together to give a gift of a show to the kids in the community.

[2:25] Becky Lythgoe: So like the candlestick maker and the shoemaker would get together and they'd all do whatever the popular songs of that day was. Um but it's gone on in England on every corner from elementary school to the local theaters to the professional West End theaters, they do pantos now.

[2:39] Becky Lythgoe: It's sort of our Nutcracker, Christmas Carol like we have here. But the Lythgoe family, we brought it over, Americanized it, and it is for us all about bringing family together, two to 102 or even under two if they want to sit on your lap and experience something with the parents, the grandparents that is accessible because it's music everybody knows and loves.

[3:00] Becky Lythgoe: And again, it's a great introduction to the theater because you don't have to sit still. You don't have to be quiet. You actually are encouraged to boo the bad guys and to cheer the good guys. So it's a great beginning introduction. I mean, my husband secretly wants people to go bouge à verre at Les Miz.

[3:17] Becky Lythgoe: No, we're not saying we don't want to still have some theater etiquette, but this is a good way to get them sort of hoodwinked, I guess, into loving theater.

[3:27] Will Armstrong: Well, I mean, and you absolutely do that from just creating an amazing experience, but then telling a story that everyone already knows, but in a new and fresh way. But the best part of it all is how you cast it. I don't know how you do it, but from Neil Patrick Harris to Ariana Grande to like you get the most amazing talent for these shows. Like it's insane.

[3:48] Becky Lythgoe: We are so lucky to have the talent that we have. Um yeah, I in a nutshell, Panto really is fairy tales set to modern music that are interactive. So it is accessible. It's titles everybody knows and loves. Um and yeah, the talent, I think, listen, it helps that Nigel Lythgoe, the patriarch of our family, created American Idol, and so you think you can dance.

[4:10] Becky Lythgoe: I think that sort of visibility, as it were, attracts a lot of great creatives like Michael Orland, our musical director who's on American Idol, Nappy Tabs, Mandy Moore has been one of our choreographers, Bonnie Lythgoe is one of our directors. So we get these top creatives together, which then attracts the talent.

[4:27] Will Armstrong: Right.

[4:28] Becky Lythgoe: Ariana Grande was our first um Snow White. Ten years ago.

[4:31] Will Armstrong: Yes, it's so crazy.

[4:33] Becky Lythgoe: And uh Neil Patrick Harris is recurring once again as the on-screen Magic Mirror. He was in that production as well. We also have Michelle Williams from Destiny's Child this year.

[4:43] Will Armstrong: Um sneak peek, she's gonna be singing Bootilicious.

[4:46] Becky Lythgoe: Yeah. So yeah, when Becky's saying it's songs that you know, we're not talking about hi-ho. That is not gonna be in this one, right?

[4:53] Will Armstrong: But it will be like current popular songs.

[4:56] Becky Lythgoe: Yeah, I've heard songs from Miley Cyrus in past productions. I've heard the Bee Gees, Imagine Dragons, Imagine Dragons. There's more Imagine Dragons in this one as well this year. There's some Taylor Swift, there's Destiny's Child. Um, we just got cleared. I actually had to call Sir Elton's uh husband, David Furnish, um, to get an Elton John song.

[5:15] Becky Lythgoe: And so we've got that in it that the huntsman sings. I think it's I'm Still Standing.

[5:18] Will Armstrong: Uh-oh.

[5:21] Becky Lythgoe: So yeah, it's it is. It's songs everybody knows and loves. It's so fun.

[5:24] Lara Scott: Well, can we talk about who my favorite person is? I haven't even seen the show yet this year, and I can tell you he'll be my favorite, Jared Gertner.

[5:30] Becky Lythgoe: Oh, yeah.

[5:30] Lara Scott: He is so fantastic every year. Tell him I'm fangirling all over. Like I just love him.

[5:35] Becky Lythgoe: It's so amazing. I saw him the first time in um Book of Mormon in London.

[5:41] Becky Lythgoe: And he, yes, he is so good and he holds it together. He is the glue. He's hilarious.

[5:46] Becky Lythgoe: And he's Snow White's best friend in this production.

[5:48] Lara Scott: I love that. And he does a great thing where uh some of the kids get to go up on stage. Are you guys doing that again this year where there's that interactive part?

[5:57] Becky Lythgoe: We are. We so that is one of the traditions of Panto, British Panto that we we brought over here. Uh you always we've always got kids in the actual production who are kids in the community, so they dance in our ensemble, and that's all about engaging the community and also for the kids in the audience to see people their own age up there on the stage.

[6:15] Becky Lythgoe: I think that's another way to really get kids into the arts at a young age. And then if you're in the audience, 10 to 15 lucky kids who have golden tickets get to come up on stage and they sing with Jared Gertner and they sing usually Christmas Carol up on the stage. There's words on the stage, and also he does a little bit of an interview with each one of them as well.

[6:35] Becky Lythgoe: So it's so cute. And some of the kids just belt it out and others just start crying. You never know where you're getting. And he just rolls with it. He's fantastic.

[6:43] Lara Scott: The other thing that I think is so fascinating about this whole program that Lythgoe Family Panto's created is you don't just create, but then you also go out into the community and try and educate people and bring them. Like you go out of your way to send buses to schools to send kids. Like it's just really amazing.

[6:59] Becky Lythgoe: Yeah, we've got uh something called Give Kids Panto, which we have some incredible people that support it, uh Ovation Network, Golden State Foods, um, and more who who help provide these buses. I mean, we were fortunate enough last year to bring over 6,000 Title I students in across the country to see our shows.

[7:17] Becky Lythgoe: Um we were there for my and it that is pretty amazing. I mean, at Pasadena alone, we've got 2,000 coming this year, and um that is spectacular because the kids leave, some of them have never been to live theater, and they'll walk out saying, This is the best movie I ever saw.

[7:34] Lara Scott: Um that's that's pretty great. So and that's the thing is uh and I didn't even mention like, yes, we're talking about the show that's happening at Snow White that's happening in Pasadena, but Lythgoe Family Panto is all all around the country now.

[7:46] Becky Lythgoe: Yes, yeah. We started Pasadena really is our home and for 10 years been going strong there, but we have expanded to other cities. Uh we've been in Houston, Salt Lake City, we've been in San Diego. This year, we're in Raleigh, North Carolina, we're in Nashville, Tennessee, we're in Laguna, and then we're here in Pasadena.

[8:04] Becky Lythgoe: So and we basically we've got about eight titles that the Lythgoe family have, and we keep creating more. So next year I think it's gonna be the premiere of Robin Hood.

[8:12] Lara Scott: Awesome.

[8:13] Becky Lythgoe: And so as we add a new title into the warehouse of our shows, then we take them across the country and tour them around.

[8:19] Lara Scott: That's so fun. I think you should offer a Lythgoe family passport. So if somebody goes to each show, they can get a stamp and then they bring it back at the final one and get a prize.

[8:27] Becky Lythgoe: I think that is a phenomenal idea.

[8:28] Lara Scott: I feel like we should partner with Delta or Jet Blue or someone else.

[8:32] Will Armstrong: Yeah, Will and I are willing to go and cover each show for you as we tour the country.

[8:36] Becky Lythgoe: Please, yes.

[8:37] Lara Scott: Please, please. Well, it's gonna be really fun in Pasadena, and uh Snow White Christmas kicks off on December 13th, a Friday night sleep. Stay out late, or maybe not if you have kids.

[8:46] Becky Lythgoe: But um, there's a whole pre-party happening with the is it a winter wonderland before the show?

[8:51] Becky Lythgoe: That's exactly it. We've got an hour before every single show. Come early over to the Pasadena Civic, and you can enjoy Santa Claus. There's going to be holiday treats. There's a lot of arts and crafts for the kids to do. They've got some interactive bingo going on upstairs this year that they've added, which sounds fantastic.

[9:08] Becky Lythgoe: There's prizes. And then also there's a new thing we have, which is going to be the Lythgoe Magic Mirror, where the kids can get their picture taken with whatever princess they choose. I think there's about seven or eight different ones that they can pick. And they stand in front of the mirror and a princess appears and they get to have that picture sent to them. So yeah, it's a winter wonderland one hour before. Come with the whole family, come to see the show. And then if you want to come back and just go to Winter Wonderland, you can always do that too.

[9:33] Will Armstrong: That is incredible. That sounds so and I can't wait because we're definitely going, Lara.

[9:37] Lara Scott: Yeah.

[9:37] Will Armstrong: Oh, we're gonna be there. Getting my picture with Belle. I do say the biggest thing is really you guys all know. I mean, getting kids out of the house off video games and off the couch, you really have to make it an event, right? So we always say, you know, it's not just about going to see the show, it's about spending quality time with the family before the show and then in the show, and then making sure that they have something that they can talk about on the way home. So and you both know as parents that nothing can compare to seeing your kids have an experience.

[10:06] Becky Lythgoe: Yes, you know, so and so thank you so much for creating that experience for so many people.

[10:06] Will Armstrong: Thank you.

[10:11] Becky Lythgoe: We're hoping to continue it for many, many years to come.

[10:14] Lara Scott: Well, and here's my question, Becky. As a mom of two, as a very busy mama, how do you find the time to do all this? Because you guys start months ahead getting ready. And I mean, this is a full-time job. So I'm always curious, you know, asking other moms, what are your tricks? What are your time secrets?

[10:27] Becky Lythgoe: Yes, I don't know that I've mastered my time secrets at this point. Um, I think the biggest trick is delegating and finding incredibly passionate individuals who have the savvy in the marketing world, or whether it be the producing world or um me, costuming or all the other creative little things that can absorb and and absorb a producer. Um, I think just making sure that all of those avenues are taken care of, so then when my mom duties need to come first, there's things in place so everything doesn't fall apart. Also, what I'm trying to do is do that on the mom side as well, because there's no reason if I'm running out the door and I've got to do something that dad or or anybody else can't maybe do the lunch that day or something like that. So I think delegation in all walks of life to people that you trust um is is the key.

[11:19] Lara Scott: Do your kids have any interest in going into entertainment? I mean, having grown up in this world and getting an up close look at this, like are they kind of leaning in that direction?

[11:27] Becky Lythgoe: Yes. So my oldest son is into gaming at the moment, and he's a bit more sporty, but he does keep uh saying he wants to be a commentator on a lot of sports and video games. So I'm not gonna say no to that. But my four-year-old is actually obsessed with musical theater. He already can sing most of the Hamilton soundtrack. He um is in ballet, he's in tap, he's in jazz, and um, he definitely shows uh uh an inclination for the world of musical theater. But really, you know, it's interesting because all this started, George, my 12-year-old. This all sort of came out of my husband buying tickets. They went to go see a show at one of the larger theaters here in Los Angeles, and you know, I think he ended up paying for the family $608, $700 somewhere in that range.

And George cried after 10 minutes and and we had to go. So it's one of those things where for at an early age, you don't need to spend a massive amount of money to expose your kids to theater, and that's really where we kind of come in to the to play is giving high quality Broadway type performances but not at the cost of those other shows. Um because sometimes those kids they're not gonna go into the arts some of them but that doesn't mean they shouldn't still understand and appreciate the joy of the arts.

[12:48] Lara Scott: Well I don't know what you mean Becky about children crying after 10 minutes and because mine are just angel no I was joking and I don't know if you heard me tell this story. I think I told it on a later episode about last year. I had my kids and they were um three and nine at the time and I saw Will and his husband Bill in the lobby and my daughter immediately I forget what it was we took a picture or something happened. This was at the wonderful winter of Oz and she just laid down in the middle of the lobby kicking and screaming and I tried to pick her up and she was kicking and people started stepping over her trying to get to their seats because the bell was ringing Will and Bill just sort of scooted away.

But something I managed to like wrestle her into her seat but the moment the show started she was transformed and she was so into it and she was cheering and she was screaming and she was booing the wicked witch and we just had the most wonderful time. So thank you for saving Christmas last year, Becky.

[13:43] Becky Lythgoe: Yes oh my gosh that makes me so happy. Yeah you know I should say for people that do want to bring their kids uh that are really tiny we do have also always playing upstairs a uh usually some sort of musical or cartoon show so if they need a breather if they need a break from from the theater environment. Those younger kids, sometimes you know, they're like two, three years old. They can pop out and just have a moment in front of the television that we've got set up outside, and then they can come back in when it's maybe not as scary of a scene or the lights are a little brighter. So we've got that as well. So don't be afraid to bring the youngest, youngest ones to the theater with the older ones.

[14:20] Will Armstrong: Start them early.

[14:21] Lara Scott: Start them early. Is there anybody else in the cast? Oh, we should talk about who is playing Snow White this year.

[14:26] Becky Lythgoe: Yes, absolutely. So Olivia Sanabia, who's on Disney's Coop and Cami, is our star this year, and she is absolutely unbelievable. So I think most kids know her from that television show, but she is going to be a recording star for sure in the future. Um, and I like to say she's following in good footsteps from Mariana Grande and past people like Sabrina Carpenter who have been in our shows and Olivia Holtz. And so I definitely Olivia is somebody that I heard singing online and called her agent up, and I was like, wait a minute. I know she's on a sitcom right now, but she's she needs to be singing more. And so we're thrilled to have her as Snow White. And um, we've got also with her the incredible star from Fuller House, Michael Campion, um, who is gonna be our friends this year. So they're adorable together.

[15:17] Lara Scott: So cute. Well, we can't wait. And uh now, where can we get tickets? What should we do to get ready for this?

[15:22] Becky Lythgoe: So the PasadenaCivic.com, that'll lead you over to the Ticketmaster website. Um, tickets for December 13th to the 23rd. And this year we've got a lot of early shows, so a lot of one o'clock and five o'clock shows, which I think are really good for the kids. So and your dark Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.

[15:35] Will Armstrong: That's right.

[15:35] Becky Lythgoe: Dark Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. So come on over for the weekends. Um, yeah, and make it a treat. There's lots to do in Pasadena. Come to Winter Wonderland, go out to dinner while you're there in Pasadena. It's gonna be a good day out at the theatre. And I can't wait to hear about the conversations that parents have with their kids and what everyone is gonna say to you after they experience this show, whether it's a child's first show or maybe they're a seasoned theater goer at the age of 10, uh like our kids. I think it's gonna be a wonderful experience for the whole family. And I can also say it's enjoyable for the parents. That's what Chris uh Chris Lithgow is the other co co-founder, and he writes the scripts as well.

He really prides himself on that, that there's a lot of humor that in it for the adults that kind of goes over the kids' heads, and then there's a lot of younger references for the kids as well. And the music, it does, it spans every single generation. And this year, Chris really updated the Snow White script, so it's not about her really finding her prince. It's more about her just finding her own independence and being able to tell the wicked queen who who she'll marry and what she'll do on her own terms.

[16:39] Lara Scott: Yeah.

[16:39] Becky Lythgoe: So it's very current. Um, and uh, you know, I should also say Garrett Clayton, one of our other stars in the show who plays The Huntsman. Yeah, he is um another Disney kid as well. He was in Tea Beach movie, so a lot of kids will know him. And that's that's the other thing. People walk away saying, Oh, I know Michelle Williams, I know Olivia Sanabia. So they always there's somebody up there on the stage that the kids will recognize. It's so great.

[17:00] Will Armstrong: Becky, thank you for coming in. It was such a pleasure having you on West of Broadway.

[17:04] Becky Lythgoe: I'm so excited to be in your studio. And don't wait a whole year to come visit us.

[17:08] Will Armstrong: I know.

[17:11] Becky Lythgoe: See you next Christmas. And Becky, where can everyone keep up with you on social media?

[17:15] Becky Lythgoe: Yes, we are at American Panto on across the board. So if you want to go to my personal Instagram, it's Becky B. Lythgoe, or you can go to um Lythgoe Family Panto, L Y T H G O E Panto, P A N T O Lythgoe Family Panto at Instagram.

[17:30] Will Armstrong: Awesome. Pasadena Civic Auditorium is the place to be for Lythgoe Family Panto, the Snow White Christmas starting on December 13th, Friday the 13th, which I think is a lucky day. But make it your new holiday tradition. And Becky, thank you again.

[17:45] Becky Lythgoe: Thanks for having me, guys.

[17:46] Will Armstrong: Hey Lara, where are you on social media?

[17:48] Lara Scott: You can find me at Will Armstrong PR across the board.

[17:51] Will Armstrong: And I am at Lariscott Media, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. And if you're looking for us, you can find us just west of Broadway.