California Dreamin’ features music of your favorite bands and artists from the 60’s/70’s and stories from the neighborhood in L.A. that brought them all together: Laurel Canyon. Some of the artists featured include Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Carly Simon, James Taylor, Carole King, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, The Mamas and the Papas, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, and more! You may know these artists, but what you may not know is that many of them were friends, lovers, and neighbors. These superstar artists would often support each other and record background vocals for each others’ albums- for example, you may not realize that some of James Taylor’s greatest hits include vocals or instrumentals from Graham Nash and David Crosby (of CSNY), Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Carly Simon. Or that “Our House” , one of the most beloved CSNY songs of all time, was written by Graham Nash about Joni Mitchell, while they were living and loving together in a house in Laurel Canyon. There really was a “vase that you bought today” and “two cats in the yard”! While many of these passionate musical and romantic relationships might not have worked out, they created music that transcends generations and will last for eternity.
About the Artists
James Scheider
James Scheider is an actor-musician, music director, and composer/arranger based in Manhattan. He originated the role of Jerry Lee Lewis in the 2006 premiere reading of Million Dollar Quartet at Village Theatre, in addition to playing the role in the Chicago cast, pre-Broadway, he also played the role on the 1st National Tour. James made his Broadway debut in the original Broadway cast of Million Dollar Quartet. James made his Saugatuck Center for the Arts debut as Jerry Lee Lewis/Associate Music Director in Million Dollar Quartet in 2016, and was thrilled to reprise his role there with this incredible community in the most recent 2024 production of the same name.
He took another turn as the Killer, originating the role of Jerry Lee Lewis in the World Premiere of Rock and Roll Man: The Alan Freed Story at Bucks County Playhouse and reprising his role in a production of the same name at Berkshire Theatre Festival.
Off-Broadway, he originated and helped develop the role of George Spencer in Evening-1910 at Axis Theatre, working alongside composer/music director Paul Carbonara, well known as the lead guitarist for the band Blondie.
James co-music directed and starred in Chasin’ Dem Blues: The Untold Story of Paramount Records (Professor) at the nationally acclaimed Milwaukee Repertory Theatre Company. He starred in and music directed Million Dollar Quartet (Jerry Lee) at Greater Boston Stage Company.
He is a resident singer/musician at the world famous Don’t Tell Mama and Mimi’s Piano Bar as well as a frequent guest artist at NYC piano bar staples such as The Duplex, Stonewall, and The Townhouse.
James toured world-wide with the USO Show and is a founding member and frontman of the folk rock band, The Ol’ So & So’s. Proud AEA member since 2008.
Jennifer Brett
From starring on stage alongside Nancy Kerrigan in a Holiday Spectacular to touring Europe and Asia, Jennifer Brett has been renowned globally as a singer of all genres! Most recently she finished up a tour of Asia with the group Unique3- singing around Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand. She has even graced the stage here at Saugatuck Center for the Arts in last year’s production of Million Dollar Quartet as Dyanne! She is extremely grateful to be back in this incredible town doing what she loves for a wonderful audience! Thank you so much to James for making it all happen!
Thank you to our generous sponsors
Jeff Antaya + Peter Rosenfeld
Tom & Deann Baumann
Andy Knight + Beau Gratzer
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