By Chris MacDonald

Recent rainstorms have increased trash and debris along our City Beaches, particularly in Sunset Beach, leaving a messier than usual shoreline, according to officials at the City of Huntington Beach Maintenance Division. Working diligently to delete debris as quickly as possible, they utlilize heavy equipment and place large dumpsters at key locations to collect oversized trash and debris.

While most are sleeping, Beach Maintenance staff works year-round on the graveyard shift, seven days a week, ensuring 3.5 miles of City Beaches remain clean. Their work includes cleaning the Pier, raking sand for litter and debris, sweeping bike paths and parking lots, emptying trash containers and maintaining hundreds of fire rings. Additional contractors maintain Pier Plaza and Huntington Harbour Waterways with City Supervision.

Residents can report concerns at Sunset Beach and Huntington City Beach by contacting the Public Works Department at: (714) 960-8861. If you see debris on The Bolsa Chica State Beach between Seapoint and Warner Avenue please call: (714) 377-5691.

While Mardi Gras will roll throughout the weekend in the Big Easy, the largest free Mardi Gras on the West Coast returns this Saturday, March 1 at Shoreline Village in Long Beach.

The event features live Zydeco music, a walking parade with an estimated bead throw to more than 5000 revelers, live DJs, and roaming entertainment.

And, according to Shoreline Village officials, it’s hard to be a real Mardi Gras without delish specialty foods like gumbo and jambalaya, vendors, and dancing everywhere.

Officials say the parade begins at 2:30 p.m.

This year, the Mardi Gras celebration will be honoring our King Austin Metoyer. Austin is the President and CEO of the Downtown Long Beach Alliance.

The event is free. No tickets are required.
Here is the schedule of events:

• Zydeco Mudbugs 1:00-5:00PM (Off Boardwalk Stage)
• DJ Rome 1:00-5:00PM Second Stage (near the arcade)
• Yard Games 1:00-5:00PM (grass area near Yardhouse)
• Face Painter(free for kids) 1:00-4:00PM (grassy area near Yardhouse)
• Balloon Artist (free for kids) 2:00-4:00PM (grassy area near Yardhouse)
• DJ Gianna 1:00-5:00PM (grassy area near Yardhouse)
• DJ Matthias 1:00-5:00PM Third Stage (near Spirit Cruises)
• 360 Photo Booth ($) 1:00-5:00PM (Second Stage near the arcade)
• Samba Dancers 1:30-3:30PM (roaming)
• Juggler 2:00-4:00 PM (roaming)
• Princess Tiana 2:00-4:00PM Parade and Photo Booth (near Louisiana Charlie’s)
• PARADE 2:30 (Rainbow Harbor & Shoreline Village Boardwalk)
• Hula Hoop Girls 2:30-3:30PM (roaming)
• Stilt Walker 2:00-4:00PM (roaming)
• Kids Crafts Booth 3:00-5:00PM (grassy area near Yardhouse)
• DJ Impeccable Styles 5:00-9:00PM (Off Boardwalk Stage)
• We will have FOOD AND DRINK SPECIALS all day at our Mardi Gras at Shoreline Village!
• Louisiana Charlie’s serving: Gumbo, Jambalaya, Shrimp Boil, Crab Legs, Crawfish, Catfish, Po’ Boys, Crawfish Etouffee and Hurricanes all week!
• The Funnel House will be serving Beignets all day. (Saturday only).
• Drink Specials are available at our bars and restaurants.
• Shenanigans Irish Pub & Grille will have live music on Saturday.
  *Bars and restaurants will be open late for continued reveling!
  (All the above events take place in Shoreline Village between Parkers’ Lighthouse and the Yard House.)
• Parking will sell out so please use an alternative source of transportation and carpool.
  Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday,” the day before Lent in which Catholics traditionallcheduled a blow-out celebration before a season of fasting, etc.

Courtesy of the Youth Center

The Youth Center is thrilled to announce that Michael Prencavage Jr. will be leading the charge as Chair of the 2025 One Grand Project Fundraising Campaign. As the proud second-generation owner of The Family Plumber, a staple business in Los Alamitos, Prencavage brings a powerful blend of local pride, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to shaping the future of our community’s youth.

A Los Alamitos High School alumnus, Prencavage is no stranger to the power of community. His family has been serving the area for over 39 years, and he has continued his father’s legacy, running The Family Plumber with a mix of “new school mentality and old school values.” As the current President of the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) of Orange County, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, Prencavage’s leadership extends beyond his business—he has also helped develop a plumbing trade school program that annually trains 400 students and secured over $65,000 in scholarships to help young people enter the trades.

Now, as Chair of the One Grand Project, Prencavage is excited to pour his energy into supporting The Youth Center’s mission to empower children and young adults. Through after-school academies, STEM workshops, music classes, tutoring, and so much more, The Youth Center is changing lives, and with Prencavage’s leadership, this year’s campaign is set to make a huge impact.
“We are truly honored to have Mike Prencavage Jr. lead our fundraising event. His commitment to growing in this community and giving back, right here where he was raised, speaks volumes. Mike has witnessed firsthand the impact our Youth Center has had on generations, and his support is invaluable. Since 1952, we’ve been providing a place of hope, friendship, and the chance to discover new passions. Together, we continue to make a difference, shaping a brighter future for all.”
– Lina Lumme, CEO of the Youth Center

A Call to Action: Let’s Make a Difference Together

The One Grand Project is not just a fundraiser; it’s a movement to inspire the next generation. From February 28 to March 28, 2025, we are on a mission to raise $100,000 to provide scholarships for over 100 local children and fund essential after-school and enrichment programs that help kids thrive. And we need YOU to be part of this incredible effort.
We are inviting you to become a One Grand Project VIP—a passionate advocate who will help raise $1,000 or more to fuel this important cause. But this isn’t just about writing a check. This is about joining a powerful community of changemakers who believe in making a difference in the lives of our youth. As a VIP, you will:

• Be a Spokesperson for Change: Use your voice and connections to raise critical funds for local youth in need.
• Be Part of the VIP Club: Join 100 top fundraisers, with your name celebrated on The Youth Center’s website, social media, and at our events.
• Network with a Purpose: Attend five exclusive events with fellow changemakers—make connections and have fun while making a real difference.
• Win Exciting Prizes: Including $1,000 in cash and other amazing rewards for your efforts.
• Earn Community Service Hours: Perfect for students looking to make an impact and earn recognition for their hard work.
  Prencavage, who has witnessed the power of community-driven change firsthand, is deeply invested in the success of this campaign. “The Youth Center’s mission has always been about transforming children’s lives, one family at a time, through social, educational, and recreational programs,” Prencavage shared. “They’ve done incredible work thanks to the generosity of our community. I’m honored to serve as campaign chair for One Grand Project this year. Together, we can revitalize and re-engage this amazing community, bringing in even more people who care about empowering our youth. With your fundraising support, we’ll continue building on this legacy and ensure The Youth Center can make an even bigger impact in 2025 and beyond.”
• About The Youth Center
  For over 60 years, The Youth Center has been a cornerstone of support for local children and families, providing a safe space for learning, growth, and leadership development. Through its array of educational, social, and recreational programs, The Youth Center is helping our youth build the skills and confidence they need to succeed in life.
  Join us in ensuring that every child has the chance to thrive. To learn more about the One Grand Project or how to get involved, visit www.theyouthcenter.org or contact us at fundraising@theyouthcenter.org.

A local youth nonprofit in Cypress was back at it again this past week, this time serving up a bit of love for special education children and those with special needs for Valentine’s Day.
According to Co-founder Brendan Li, the nonprofit group ILLUME, its volunteer list gathered at Hope School on February 13, armed with roses and gifts for the students. He said Hope School is specifically suited for special ed students and those with pecial needs.

He said the event was entitled “Roses For Hope.”

“We are a nonprofit dedicated to serving underserved communities through acts of Kindness and volunteer initiatives,” said Li.

“The staff members and teachers there are very kind and understanding towards the special education students, and they provide not only education but also emotional and physical support to the students,” said Li.
“Their efforts often go unrecognized, which is why we wanted to honor them and show our appreciation through an event that celebrates love and compassion,” he said.

So, for this special Valentine’s Event, Roses for Hope, Li said he personally donated 100 roses, and the ILLUME Volunteers donated snacks and stationery supplies for the staff and teachers at Hope School.
“We wanted to recognize these amazing educators who make a lasting difference in their students’ lives,” he said.
Li said more and more young people are being attracted to ILLUME, many looking for ways to give back to others in underserved communities.

Los Alamitos High’s boys basketball team is set to play for a CIF-SS Division 1 championship on Saturday, when they take on Mira Costa High of Manhattan Beach. The Griffins advanced to the finals with a runaway 82-57 win over Crean Lutheran on Saturday at Los Alamitos High.

After two close wins in the second round and quarterfinals, the Griffins put together their best game of the playoffs and rolled past the Saints, who were the first place team out of the Crestview League. Crean brought a lot of speed and shooters, similar to Los Al, but the Griffins were able to lock them down.
“We forced a lot of turnovers with our style and our crowd environment and were able to make it difficult for Crean Lutheran to really get it going,” Los Al Coach Nate Berger said.

Offensively, the Griffins had five guys reach double digits. Samori Guyness led the way with 19 points and Wes Trevino had 18. Kedric Delaney had 14 points, while Trent Minter and Tyler Lopez chipped in 13 and 12, respectively. Trevino and Minter also pulled down a team-high nine rebounds each.

“It was great to see the culmination of who we are as a team come together in a big game in front of a big crowd,” Berger said.

The Griffins (24-8) will play Mira Costa (29-3) on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at the Toyota Arena in Ontario. The Mustangs were the first place team out of the Bay League (tied with Redondo Union) and are coming off a big win of their own, a 61-40 win over Santa Barbara in their semifinal.

Berger noted the fact that the Griffins have had different players step up with big offensive games on different nights throughout the playoffs. The big semifinal win might have the Griffins clicking at just the right time.
“With our frenetic pace, and now seven different players who have scored in double figures in the playoffs, we can be hard to guard and hopefully that momentum continues forward,” Berger said.

One day after firefighters from the Orange County Fire Authority battled a blaze in Rossmoor, a representative appeared at the regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting to provide a detailed report to the community on the massive fire.

The Feb. 10 blaze had occurred at 12501 Foster Road the day before the regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the RCSD Board, so Board President Nathan Searles introduced Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Kyle Cain to provide additional details.

“It was quite a remarkable fire,” said Cain, noting that the first of many units to respond arrived five to ten minutes after receiving the alarm.

“There were lots of challenges we faced,” said Cain, including the water supply caused by a fire hydrant that malfunctioned.
Cain said that although firefighters had reached the home in minutes, the first hydrant near the home that firefighters hooked hoses had malfunctioned.

“What they found is, when they hooked up to that hydrant, they experienced a catastrophic failure, which is very uncommon,” said Cain.

“We do experience some problems with hydrants, no matter where you are,” said Cain, suggesting it can happen “in any community.”

“What we experienced with this one is that it was a catastrophic failure where the hydrant itself meets the pipe coming out of the ground.”

“Ultimately, we were able to mitigate that by closing the valve in the ground, but it did cause a problem,” he said. “I will say that we, as Orange County Fire Authority, do have contingency plans in the event of loss of water supply.”

He said every fire truck carries at least 500 gallons of water, so firefighters immediately began applying water while other units now on the scene found three additional hydrants approximately 350 feet from the Foster Road residence.

“There were three additional fire hydrants within that vicinity, and they were all within approximately 350 feet of that residence,” said Cain.

“Each engine carries between 900 feet of supply line, and so that 350 feet from one hydrant to the incident address is well within our capability,” Cain told the board.

There were no problems with water pressure loss once the water supply had been re-established, Cain told the Board.
He said all the remaining hydrants utilized were pumping appropriately, which the firefighter estimated was a flow rate of about 750 gallons per minute.

Other units on the scene had placed a ladder to the 2nd story of the home to rescue a woman trapped on the second story of the home, said Cain. The woman was stabilized and sent to the hospital in stable condition, he said.

Officials have not released the name of the woman rescued, OCFA Public Information Officer Capt. Thanh Nguyen said this week. Doing so may violate federal HIPA law since the woman was treated at a local hospital for injuries received during the ordeal, he said.

“Thank you for containing the fire to a single structure,” said Board President Nathan Searles. “I think that was quite an accomplishment,” he said, noting that OCFA prevented nearby structures from catching fire in this highly populated neighborhood.

In all, Cain said OCFA had responded with nine engine companies, and four truck companies, one of which has a heavy rescue specialty piece of equipment for search and rescue. He said there were five Battalion Chiefs who responded along with command-and-control personnel.

Director Tony Demarco expressed concern about the hydrant failure, saying the board went through a hydrant replacement program a year or two ago, saying the water company is responsible for the hydrants,

According to records, water service in Rossmoor is provided by Golden State Water.

“The obvious question is how many other hydrants are going to fail,” said Demarco, adding that “we should probably find out who is responsible for our hydrants and ask them to check the hydrants.”

Cain said water flow and hydrant maintenance is not the responsibility of OCFA, suggesting that it was either the water company or OC Public Works.

“I can say anecdotally that hydrant failures do occur, but it is not frequent,” said Cain. “We are training to plan for the worst,” he added.

Directors Jo Shade and Mary Ann Remnet thanked Capt. Cain for OCFA’s quick and effective response to the residential blaze.

“I saw it all unfold, and it was an incredible response,” said Shade.

Cain said the fire should be a reminder to everyone in the community.

“With this particular incident,” said Cain, “I think it drives home the importance to the public, even in their homes, to maintain a good fire safety plan to make everyone make it out safely (in the event of a fire). “

On a related matter, General Manager Joe Mendoza told the Board that he had recently surveyed with OC transportation officials an area of concern near the border of the district seeking to have weeds and brush removed to eliminate a potential fire hazard.

The Cypress City Council voted on Jan. 27 to change a policy that gives Council members more power to place items on the agenda and somewhat tempers the city manager’s power to control the debate.
In short, the new agenda policy proposed by Mayor David Burke requires only two members of the Council to put items on the City Council’s meeting agenda.

It removes a provision that required three members of the Council to place an item for the Council to take action to vote on, and the approval of two members to place an item on the agenda for discussion only.
Burke said he proposed the change to simply how Council members can place items on the Council’s agenda for public discussion.

“If a Council member wants to put an item on the agenda, they can bring it up during the meeting and if another council member agrees, it goes on the agenda of a future meeting,” said Burke.

“I tried to make it very simple,” he said, adding “I consider this an improvement upon our current policy,” he said.

“I think it should give everyone, council members, staff and residents, more notice of items that appear on the agenda from Council members,” he said.

Under the current policy, said Burke, he was able to get only one item on the Council’s agenda during the first two years on the Council.

“I figured if we do it this way, generally, everyone has at least two weeks’ notice that something’s going to be coming up on the agenda,” the mayor said.

“I think the new policy will encourage more public discussion,” he said.
Council member Bonnie Peat said she still favored the current two-step process of two votes for discussion and three votes for action items on the agenda.

“We put an item on the agenda today, two weeks from now, give or take, it becomes a discussion item, which means the public gets to hear the open discussion, what the dialog is, the pros and the cons, and kind of where we are (on the issue),” she said.

And if it meets the criteria, I’ll call it three votes, then it becomes an agenda item two weeks later and the public now, as well as the Council member have an additional two weeks to get up to speed,” she said.

“I guess what I’m really kind of asking is why does this have to be now,” asked Peat,” and if it has to be now, then I’d really like for all council members to really understand that we’re taking something away from the residents, and I honestly think we’re taking something away from the Council.”

Peat said she disagreed that the new policy would improve transparency.

“I really take issue with the idea that the new policy is somehow less transparent that the current policy,” answered Burke, “for a few reasons.”

Under the current policy, “oftentimes agenda items would pop up between meetings, not in public,” said Burke, “but a few days before a meeting, which is essentially the least transparent way” to conduct public business.

“The current new policy I’m proposing encourages public discussion where everybody gets to see who’s proposing an item so I don’t see how anybody could say the old policy of people proposing items behind closed doors a few days before a meeting is more transparent,” he said.

Technically, under the new policy, City Manager Peter Grant still has the power to place items on the agenda, but Burke said he thinks the new policy will give members of the public more transparency and prevent last-minute surprise additions to the agenda.

During open communications, some Cypress residents strongly agreed, but not all.

“I have to challenge the concept that transparency in the current policy was better because that’s how we ended up with an agenda item buried in the agenda about giving the Cypress Community Festival a $5000 payment in exchange for canceling political booths at the festival (last fall), said resident and businessman Paul Kokkinos.

“I want to speak in support of Mayor Burke’s policy change that enables city council members to more easily bring agenda items to the full Council,” he said. “It’s a good idea,” he said, especially when we can take a public policy and reduce it from two pages to a single page,” he said.

“The current policy was produced by the previous City Council and I believe it often targeted dissenting members outside the historic Council majority, which in the past you’ve heard me refer to as a cabal,“ said Kokkinos.

“I believe the policy would also reign in some of the outsized influence and control of our City Manager,” he said. “The other proposal gave the city manager way too much control and power,” he added.

Harumi, a 20-year Cypress resident, told the Council she was fine with the policy as is, that it did not require any change.
“If this change is implemented,” she said, “it will actually reduce public discussion and participation.”

She suggested Burke’s new policy would allow for votes after only one discussion, not two, thus decreasing public participation.

Pearl Boelter said of Burke’s proposed policy, “I was struck with the reduction of the City Manager and staff’s input (in the new policy) without an increase in transparency or resident input.”

“As a government administrator for many years, I welcome the request for input on items,” said Boelter, noting that she often interfaces with city staff “when I have questions or needs. I ask you to maintain the existing policy, or if you must make changes, at least an equivalent or better policy.”

Not so, said Bob Youngsma during his time at the podium, saying “I’ve been coming now for quite a few years,” he said, adding that he had noticed the City Council ceding way too much power away from the people to city management.
“The Council wanted less work,” said Youngsma, “so they gave the city manager more power and he was more than happy to take it.”

“The city manager should not have any control. Anything he wants to do, he should go right back to the City Council and they decide what the agenda is,” said Youngsma.

“Protocol was changed by the last Council,” said Youngsma, suggesting the current Council, as the elected representatives of the people, should claw back as much power as they can from the City Manager’s office.
“You need to do what you’re going to do,” he said.

Like Youngsma, Edwin Kraemer said he was concerned about the enormous amount of power given to the city manager by recent councils.

“They gave more control to the city manager, who should have little,” he said. “This new policy is not only easy to read, but it allows Council members to easily bring items to the floor with only one backer.”

Kraemer suggested that there was an inordinate amount of “gatekeeping” done by the previous councils, “so this helps to remedy some of those issues.”

Marilyn Reames reminded the new Council that in the last Council, by protocol, David Burke should have been Mayor Pro-tem but was passed over.

“So let’s get that straight,” she said.

“Every one of you sitting on that dais are good, decent, kind and loving people,” said Reames, “and I absolutely believe with every fiber of my soul that every one of you wants to do the best for the City of Cypress. I think Mayor Burke’s proposal is a good one,” she said.

Thirty-year resident Glenn Button suggested the city add six public meetings back into the new policy, which he said were part of the existing policy, to the new policy if passed. “It’s very concerning. I would be very concerned to have public policy discontinued.

Council member Scott Minikus said “I’m going to vote for this, but I have concerns that this could evolve into a waste of time and resources”

In addition, Minikus defended Grant.

“Some people mentioned comments about the city manager,” said Minikus. “Speaking for myself, the city manager does not have any influence over me. What he does have is two decades worth of knowledge that we all lean on, past councils and the present,” he said.

“I speak to him then make my own decision,” noted Minikus.

Minikus seconded a motion by Peat to postpone the vote on the new Council, yet he then voted with Burke, Council member Kyle Chang, and Mayor Pro-tem Leo Medranoon a substitute motion by the mayor to approve by a vote of 4-1 the Council’s new agenda policy. Peat was the lone dissenting vote.

The City of Los Alamitos has introduced an ordinance that will give police the ability to cite e-bike riders for what they deem as “unsafe” conduct, admittedly keeping the ordinance broad due to a variety of factors.

Los Al Police Chief Michael Claborn told the Council at its January meeting that it has already complied with a recent Orange County Grand Jury report to create e-bike safety classes, and the introduction of an ordinance will satisfy the report’s second requirement

“In relation to the Orange County grand jury report, we were mandated to provide e-bike safety training courses, which we did, and the second part was to expand on the municipal codes for enforcement to improve the safety of these e-bikes,” the police chief said.

The exponential growth of electric bikes and the speed with which they operate has made e-bikes a growing problem in many communities throughout Orange County and elsewhere.

Claborn was immediately peppered with questions from the Council regarding e-bike safety and about various aspects of the pending ordinance.

Mayor Pro-tem Tanya Doby said she read that e-bikes can travel at nearly 39 miles per hour on a sidewalk. “So my question is, what, if anything, is within the realm of possibility to limit or restrict e-bikes or just no e-bikes on the sidewalk,” she asked/

“Is there anything that can be added for that,” she wondered?

Capt. Kain Gallaugher, the police officer Claborn said has headed up the issue within the department told Doby that the ordinance classifies ebikes that travel more than 20 miles per hour as a Class 3 e-bike, which are technically not permitted to operate on sidewalks.

In practicality, said Gallaugher, the code governs the use of e-bikes on sidewalks much the way vehicle codes govern the use of motor vehicles on streets.

“It regulates the speed at which somebody travels on an e-bike on the sidewalk in a matter of speed that which is very similar to the vehicle code and vehicles traveling on a roadway,” the police official said.

“For instance, if a child were to be riding on an e-bike on the sidewalk while pulling a wheelie, or if they were speeding down a wet sidewalk where they would be unable to stop, and if any of those prevailing conditions that officer feels they could be unsafe, that would be a violation to this municipal code,” he said.

“So we can’t set speed on a sidewalk,” asked Doby?

“We can enforce speed on the sidewalk but the officer would have to determine that the speed at which the operator is traveling is unsafe, based on the conditions,” Gallaugher said.

“I’m looking for something, whether it be signage, whether it be pushed out on social media, whether it would be added to classes, something that could really drive home the the fact that you can only go so fast on sidewalks on an e-bike,” she maintained.

Gallaugher said the difficulty of putting a specific number (miles per hour) in the code, most of these e-bikes are not equipped with a speedometer. So it would be very difficult to say you can’t go over 15 miles per hour when the child has no way to determine at what speed they are actually going.”

Chief Claborn jumped in to say nor does the police department have the ability to enforce e-bike speed limits.
“The expectation of having an officer sit there with a radar gun and shoot radar for e-bikes would be unrealistic,” the Chief said.

“Well, based on that,” said Mayor Shelley Hasselbrink, “then should we just say no ebikes on sidewalks,” she asked?
Claborn said the California vehicle code gives e-bike users the right to ride on sidewalks.

“Can we narrow that down with our city ordinance just because we’re asking these kids to use common sense,” asked Hasselbrink?

“That’s why we have the ability to say that it is prevailing conditions,” said Claborn, “because there are some sidewalks, we can find that are in wide open spaces that if a class 2 e-bike were going 20 miles per hour on, there’s no condition, in and of itself, that would make that unsafe,” said Claborn.

“But the minute somebody is in the roadway or on the sidewalk or in the area, that would then make that unsafe,” he added.

Claborn emphasized that the ordinance has to be general to allow officers to be able to determine what is unsafe. “If an officer can articulate why they think that speed is unsafe, e-bike riders can be cited.”

He said the city is using a third-party vendor to administrate and collect the fines and the city has yet to establish its own traffic school, but they are watching other cities trying various measures.

“There is a city that is doing a trial where they are citing and then having an alternative to paying a fine, but they are mandating that the parent has to go with them to sit through the class,” said Claborn.

Council member Jordan Nefulda wanted to know how officers could ensure that they cited the right kids, noting that most 13.and 14-year-olds don’t have identification cards. Also, he asked whether the city, under the new code, would impound the bikes.

Gallaugher said “there are several different ways” police go about getting a positive ID on somebody that doesn’t actually have a valid ID, and sometimes that is using school resources or contacting a parent or responsible party.

Council member Emily Hibard asked about the fine structure, which is $100 for the first infraction, $200 for the second infraction, and $500 for a third infraction, wanting to know if there would be any financial burden on the city to collect the fines.

Gallaugher said e-biking citations would be handled much like parking citations. Saying even if they go to collections, there is no cost to the city.

Under the municipal code, Claborn said ultimately, any e-bike citations issued to kids or teenagers would not follow them and would have no impact on their future driving records.

It was literally standing room only when Paul Garman, Executive Director of Musical Theatre West took to the stage Saturday to welcome the crowd and announce that finally, after a long delay (two decades) in securing the rights to the play, the audience was about to witness the smash hit “Jersey Boys.”

With that, Southern California’s premier theatre company, Musical Theatre West (MTW) opened its long awaited production of its highly anticipated 2025 season with the smash hit “Jersey Boys,” The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.
Running selected nights starting February 14th through March 2nd at Carpenter Performing Arts Center, audiences are invited to experience the meteoric rise of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons- a journey through fame, fortune, and the timeless music that defined a generation. Tickets are on sale NOW, starting at $20 USD and are available by phone at 562-856-1999 or online at musical.org.

“We are beyond excited to open the season with Jersey Boys, a show that celebrates not only the music but the perseverance and legacy of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons,” shared Paul Garman, Executive Director of Musical Theatre West. “Audiences will certainly feel the energy of these iconic songs and might even resonate with the emotional depth of their journey. With hits like ‘Sherry,’ ‘Walk Like a Man,’ and so many more, this show is a perfect blend of nostalgia, heart, and sheer entertainment!”

Directed by TJ Dawson, Musical Theatre West’s production of Jersey Boys promises to deliver the high-energy, emotionally charged experience that has made this show a global sensation. Jersey Boys features extraordinary performances by Nicholas Alexander as Frankie Valli (MTW Debut), Anthony Carro as Tommy DeVito (MTW Debut), Taubert Nadalini as Bob Gaudio (from Bright Star), and Grant Hodges as Nick Massi (MTW Debut). Together, this talented group brings to life the timeless hits and gripping story of The Four Seasons.

The play traces the four young men’s journey from a rough neighborhood in Jersey to the top of the entertainment word, not of course, without lots of drama along the way.

MTW should be proud of the chemistry created by Dawson as the four lads and the accompanying ensemble seamlessly presented the exhilaration and heartbreak of the Four Seasons along the way.

Although this is not a touring production, its quality of vocal excellence and acting prominence indicated that it could indeed make audiences happy from coast to coast.

Grant Hodges as Nick Massi, one of the two brothers who started it all, said before the show that he was beyond happy with his role in the production.

“I am so excited about being in this show,” noting that he was a generation and one-half beyond the Four Seasons rise, “this nostalgic music is good for any age,” said this graduate of Servite High School.

Written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and directed by Des McAnuff, Jersey Boys made its world premiere in Southern California 20 years ago. It would go on to play for 12 years on Broadway and garner four Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

A documentary musical more than just strung-together numbers, Jersey Boys chronicles in story and Four Seasons songs the emergence, success, and the ups and downs of the ‘60s group that included vocslkst Frankie Valli, songwriter/keyboardist Bob Gaudio, guitarist Tommy DeVito, and bassist Nick Massi. The show is constructed in four seasons, each narrated by a different member of the quartet, plus a finale.

The story of Musical Theatre West is the 72-year journey from a group of volunteers performing in a high school auditorium to one of the largest and most respected theatrical production companies in Southern California. Utilizing professional talent, and producing regional and even world premiere musicals while continuing to honor the tradition of classic musical theatre, MTW is the largest arts producer in the Long Beach area.

The company continues to receive critical acclaim and national recognition – and many performers who cut their teeth on the MTW stage have gone on to successful careers on Broadway and in television and film. Just as importantly, stage and screen veterans now come to Musical Theatre West to perform, finding it to be one of the friendliest and most fun venues to work in.

A key aspect of the company is its dedication to education, and the Education and Outreach Programs of Musical Theatre West bring the joy and magic of musical theater to over 17,000 children each year through special morning performances, traveling shows and school assemblies, and the Summer Youth Conservatory. Musical Theatre West has a mission to enrich the community with Broadway-quality productions, preserve musical theatre as a unique American art form, and expose people of all backgrounds to the excitement of musical theatre.

Tickets start at $20 and are available for purchase by phone at 562-856-1999 or online at musical.org. Fees may apply. Student rush tickets for $15 are available at the Box Office one hour prior to showtime, with a valid student ID. More information, a full line-up of performances, and additional details can be found at https://musical.org.