FULL CIRCLE

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BRIAN SETH HURST

returns to the stage after 40 Years in

FULL CIRCLE

A Magical Musical Night 40 Years in the Making

Experience the return of a true song-and-dance man as Brian Seth Hurst takes the stage in his powerful new one-man show, FULL CIRCLE. With unforgettable performances of Broadway favorites, American Songbook classics, and original songs—plus captivating stories from a life in the entertainment industry from performer to executive and now back—this is an evening that promises heart, humor, and pure theatrical magic. Directed by Lee Martino with musical direction by Michael Orland, it’s a one-night-only event you won’t want to miss.

Song List

1.  "Celebrate" by Tom Jone and Harvey Schmidt. Special Lyric by Brian Seth Hurst

2.  "Flowers Grow with Rain" Music- Michael Orland Lyrics-Brian Seth Hurst

3.  "Walking Happy" from the 1966 Broadway Musical Music-Jimmy Van Heusen Lyrics-Sammy Cahn

4.  "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"  Music and Lyrics-Steve Allen

5.  "It Must Have Been Love" Music-Jeffrey Roy Lyrics-Brian Seth Hurst

6.  "No Time at All" Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

7.  "Learnin' the Blues" Music and Lyrics Dolores VIcki Silvers

8.  "Once in a Lifetime" Music and Lyrics Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse

9.  "Starting Fresh" Music-John Boswell Lyrics-Brian Seth Hurst

10. "Broadway" Music-Allison Brewster Franzetti Lyrics-Brian Seth Hurst

11.  "You've Got A Friend" Music and Lyrics by Randy Newman

12.  "On A Clear Day" Music-Burton Lane Lyrics-Alan Jay Lerner

13.  "Not While I'm Around" Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

14. "Larger Than Life" Music and Lyrics by Ira Antelis

15. "Make Someone Happy" Music-Jule Stein Lyrics-Betty Comden and Adolph Green

Cast

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Brian Seth Hurst

Star

Brian took the long road home and after leaving performing over 40 years ago, he returns to the stage in the scripted one-man show FULL CIRCLE. An Internationally well regarded entertainment executive he is A multi-disciplinary producer, writer and strategist, and has spent his career at the forefront of innovation and storytelling. His work in theater, television, emerging & new media and immersive media has enabled the building and extension of story worlds and brands. Hurst has held leadership positions in the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Board and Second Vice Chair), the Producers Guild of America (Board and Chairman, New Media Council) and the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Digital Ambassador). He is nothing short of grateful and exhilarated to be returning to his first love.

Ariana Molkara

Special Guest Star

Ariana Molkara is a multi-talented actress, singer-songwriter, and writer who began performing at the age of five in Southern California. She has starred in numerous theatrical productions, including West Side Story as Maria, and launched her professional career at seven with commercials and award-winning short films. Her breakout came when she was cast in Septembers of Shiraz, acting alongside Adrien Brody, Salma Hayek, and Shohreh Aghdashloo. Ariana later landed a series regular role as “Darby” on Nickelodeon’s Warped and appeared in shows such as Andi Mack, Code Black, and Speechless. She also lends her voice to major projects including Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio and Cookie Run: Kingdom. A classically trained vocalist, Ariana has won multiple national gold medals from The Royal Conservatory of Music and performed at Carnegie Hall and USC’s Newman Recital Hall. She became a top 10 finalist in BroadwayWorld’s Next On Stage competition and released her award-winning debut single “Birdies Gotta Fly” in 2022. Ariana’s pop music draws from country, R&B, and rock influences. Now attending the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, she is also a published author, with her writing featured in the anthology "We Can Still Connect."

Lee Martino

Director

Lee Martino is a four-time Los Angeles Ovation Award-winning choreographer whose work spans stage, screen, and television. Her credits include Shall We Dance on Ice (NBC), commercials for Jenny Craig (with Jason Alexander) and Target (featuring Kristen Bell), and the animated films The King and I (Warner Bros.) and Alpha and Omega 3D (Lionsgate). Stage highlights include Falling for Eve (York Theatre), Life Without Makeup with Rita Moreno (Berkeley Rep), and the Dreamgirls Reunion Concert at the Ford Amphitheatre with Jennifer Holliday, Loretta Devine, and Sheryl Lee Ralph. She has choreographed dozens of acclaimed productions for Musical Theatre West, McCoy Rigby, Pasadena Playhouse, and Reprise Theatre Company, where she was resident choreographer under Jason Alexander. Her work has also been featured in benefit galas for the Writers Guild Awards, The Big Bang Theory cast, and the John Wayne Cancer Institute. Martino has directed large-scale shows for Harley-Davidson, Disney, Universal, and Hilarity for Charity with stars like James Franco and Courtney Love. She also leads The Lyric Project with ASCAP, supporting new musical theatre works. She holds a master’s degree in dance and teaches at UCLA TFT and Mt. San Antonio College.

Michael Orland

Musical Director, Arranger

Michael Orland is best known as the long-time Pianist, Arranger, Vocal Coach, and Associate Musical Director for the hit TV show American Idol, where he served for 16 seasons on both FOX and ABC. His work extended to coaching roles on Little Big Shots and Forever Young with Steve Harvey, and America’s Got Talent (Seasons 1 & 2). Michael has been featured on Oprah, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, The Ellen Show, Live with Kelly, The Today Show, and more. He’s accompanied and coached an impressive list of stars, including Kristen Bell, Ariana Grande, Idina Menzel, Kristin Chenoweth, Jennifer Holliday, Katharine McPhee, and Barry Manilow. He made his Hollywood Bowl debut with MGM legend Ann Miller and has played for iconic stage productions like Forbidden Broadway, Ruthless!, and When Pigs Fly. Michael was Associate Musical Director on NBC’s Hairspray Live and a rehearsal pianist for Netflix’s The Prom. He’s worked with Broadway greats Patti LuPone and Bernadette Peters, and TV stars including Eric McCormack and Amber Riley. In addition to his television and stage work, Michael continues to perform, music direct, and coach across the country, inspiring the next generation of vocal talent.

Photos

Video

 THANK YOUS

For the El Portal Theater

Jay Irwin and Peggy Forrest

Hugh Fowler- Sound and Lights

Production

Director- Lee Martino

Co-Producer- Sunita Surajan

The Band

Music Director- MIchael Orland

Brian Boyce- Percussion and Drums

Jeff Pifher- Saxophone

Jonathan Richards- Bass

Vocal

Michael Orland- Coach

Celeste Simone- Voice Teacher

Special Thanks

Terrie Bergman

Maura Dunbar

Allison Brewster Franzetti

Alison Norrington

Andrew Lawrence Hancock

Guestbook